4th Large

We are back from the holiday break and this episode we bring on the famous Dr. Rob Riggle!  Part time actor, full time Business and Sales professor at the Citadel.  (Warning, the only acting this Rob Riggle has ever done is on this podcast).  While he might not be Hollywood famous, Doctor Bob is famous around campus for being one of the more entertaining professors.  We get to hear about some of the trips he has taken cadets on around the country and dive into what it is like to be a teacher that navigates the Citadel Honor Code. 

LISTEN UP HIGH SPEED!!!  We got the chance to get one of the most memorable Jenkins Hall Staff members on the Citadel campus over the last 15 years.  This episode we get SSgt Kenneth Greene.  The NCOIC of Training and Operations in Jenkins Hall's Staff.  We get to hear how his catch phrase "High Speed" came about, how he ended up at the Citadel, and how to squash the beef between Jenkins Hall and the Corps of Cadets. 

This episode we get to bring on our FIRST EVER active Citadel Staff member.  We got the chance to sit down with Dr. Kwon to talk about what it is like to teach at the Citadel and how that compares to teaching at other colleges.  He is also is our first South Carolina Organized Militia member who helps breaks down their role and how they are positioned on campus.  Finally we get to hear a little bit about the Cordell Airborne Rangers on campus before we wrap up the episode. 

This week we start off by sharing some Citadel news of the Class of 2023 being one week away from getting their rings as well as finding out that the Citadel is now live streaming parades for some reason.  We then get a chance to bring on an awesome interview in Cameron Massengale, a Kilo 2017 graduate.  Cameron was involved in an accident that ended up costing him one of his hands, but he did not let that stop him from going onto graduating with honors and accomplishing BVA training.  He lets us in to hear what it was like being within Kilo and 3rd Battalion.

This episode we talk about the importance of the "Corps running the Corps".  A popular saying around campus of many military colleges that has to do with the Cadets being in change and taking on the responsibility.  We give some examples where cadets at the Citadel specifically thrive at this and also some experience we had from school where the Corps struggled.  We then bring on some current cadets that had some cadet ownership to start the new Citadel Surf Team.  (00:40:10)  We bring on Trevor Atkins and Jarret Butzer to outline how they started the team and all that comes with being a Citadel Surf Team member.  We how you guys get "soooo pitted" listening into how the new club team was able to get started.

QUUUEEEEEE!!! An episode we have been very excited to break down. We bring on Zach Blackburn who is a 2020 Citadel Grad, who we bring onto tell us what it was like to be in Band. We ended up learning lots about the company on campus that seemed to be a butt of many jokes. But you should know by now, we are big fans of butts on this Pod 

We wondered what it was like to be a Citadel Staff member that was in charge of ROTC cadet while at the Citadel.  This episode we bring on Metzy's old Air Force ROTC instructor, Lyndon Bartlett.  He is a graduate from the Air Force Academy, so he had some working knowledge of what a military college lifestyle was like.  What he did not realize was how different it would be from what he experienced at a service academy.  We get to hear how the Air Force Academy differed from the Citadel from Lyndon as well as some of the games he played with cadets while a teacher at the Citadel as well.  He provides some great insight as well into how the contract and scholarship process works within the ROTC departments.

This episode we breakdown what it is like to come from a pure bloodline when following in your family's footsteps and attending the Citadel.  We bring on a group of family members who all end up graduating from the Citadel.  We get to hear what benefits and the disadvantages of being someone attending the Citadel with that insider knowledge before even attending.  You also get a look inside of the motivations behind what makes some decide to attend the Citadel, even after getting the heads up that it is going to be a difficult journey.

This episode we get to hear about all the differences Cadets had to adjust to, while attending the Citadel during a pandemic.  We get to learn all that changed to satisfy COVID safety and how much it was able to stay the same even with the rules in place.  We bring on Will Caldwell and Aaron Fowler to help us understand all these changes.  Not to mention that we get to hear about some of the differences while being within Palmetto Battery, or as we now call it, "Other Band".  Mask up, and listen up to this episode.

This episode we bring on Max Tresnak to detail what it was like to be in Hell Hotel.  From what we found, going through Hotel company it is the equivalent of having a 4 year stay at a Marriott.  We also get to dive into some Cadre Platoon Sargent duties as well as Athletic Officer. 

This episode we bring on co-founder of Citadel Safari and Alpha Company graduate in Cody Rodman.  We get to hear what he loved about attending the Citadel as well as what it was like to go from Knob year straight into boot camp and then follow on to a deployment to Afghanistan, before returning to finish his schooling at the Citadel.  Cody was also the Regimental Adjutant so we ask him about how he was able to deal with being DESPISED for being on nasty Regi Staff.  Unfortunately Cody also talks about his LOVE for Pat Conroy and support for the Golden Triangle.

This week we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2022 achieving prison release from the Citadel.  With graduation only weeks away for this years Seniors, we thought we would break down the events that surround graduation week.  We go through talking about walking the Long Gray Line, walking across the stage on graduation, and in some cases, walking into the line of duty by commissioning.  Talk about some exciting, while also scary times for those Seniors who are about to walk into the real world.  Hopefully the Citadel prepares those about to leave better than they did for the host of Season 2.

This episode we bring on one of the members of the Class of 2012.  Matt Moser joins us to talk about his Citadel Story and what it was like being a Clerk, 1st Sgt, and Company Commander within F-Troop.  We also get him to give some insight on what it was like to be the Summerall Guard Commander.  He tells us about the selection process and all the work that went in behind the scenes to lead the Guards while he was there.

The day that every knob dreams about once Hell Night kicks off their 4th class system....Recognition Day.  This episode we break down the ins and outs of Rec Day.  We talk about how it starts, the activities in-between, the Physical training, and the handshake line, and that awkwardness that happens when you have your first interactions with upperclassmen not as a Knob.  Let this be the episode if you have made it this far where 4th Large recognizes all you Sardines.

This episode we take a look into what Bond Volunteer Aspirant (BVA) training is, why Citadel cadets go through it, and what the end result hopefully is.  We talk about how the scoring system works for what BVA's are selected to become Summerall Guards and break down what happens in first semester and second semester of each BVA's training.  We end up hopefully providing a little insight on why there are Juniors who are so willing to go through this extra training.

This week Metzypoo got to go down to Charleston for an interview with the Citadel Club Hockey team.  Metzy got to get a skate in with the team and embarrass himself out on the ice as the team skated circles around him.  Metzy also sat down with 2 Seniors on the team (Grayson Wright and Nippy Nolan) as we got to hear what it was like to play on a club team at the Citadel.  We also got the Coach on Joe McKenzie who is a 2014 Citadel graduate as well as the goalie Day Student Coty.  First ever interview on Citadel campus???  Does the lockeroom count?

This episode we breakdown the Mentee Knob/Senior Mentor relationship.  We figured there was no better way to capture this then bringing on some of our previous Mentee Knobs to be able to talk this topic out.  We outline how we ended up selecting our Mentee Knobs, how the relationship worked, how to take care of your Knob or your Senior.  We get to hear some of the funny activities Seniors had Knobs do and the differences in how Senior Mentors took care of their Mentees.

This episode outlines some of the privileges awarded to each year group as they progress through their time at the Citadel.  We give an outline of why sophomores are called SMACKs and the SMACK system that existed in some companies.  We unpackage how something as small as being able to walk across the parade deck became something that was so valued when at a military college.  It sadly shows us how something so little could make a cadet so happy.

Welcome back from the break all you Sardines.  Our first episode of Season 2 with a new group of hosts.  This episode we talk about the break between 1st and 2nd Semester and what 2nd Semester holds for current cadets.  We give a little background on our new hosts of what they accomplished through their cadet careers and what they are doing now. 

A podcast dedicated to giving insight and providing stories of what it is like to attend a military college, specifically the Citadel.  It is really just some Citadel grads who are still trying to relive the glory days of parade, school, physical training and pranks.  The hosts hope to show the type of bond that is made with the classmates that graduate from colleges like the Citadel.  So shine up, show up, BRACE and enjoy to show.

A 4th Large first.  We bring on a military college member that is outside the Citadel family.  We bring on Eric Johnson to help bring some insight to how things are inside the walls of VMI.  We talk about the hardships that are slightly different those experienced at the Citadel.  Though we learned of some of the extremes from our rivals in Lexington, VA, we all know that the Citadel is truly the tougher school.  A tip of the cap though to all our VMI listeners of the experiences we learned about from this interview.

This episode we have our first "Old Corp" graduate on.  We bring on Will Hess a 1988 Citadel graduate who shares some of his stories throughout his 4 years at the Citadel.  We also get to hear about what life is like as a TAC officer and the headaches cadets cause.  He shares some insightful stories on the JSD investigation in the 1990's to clear up some of the rumors we were told as cadets.  We also get to point out that our podcast has the most amount of rooms named after our prestigious podcast when Mr. Hess only has the one room. 

This episode we start off talking about a fantasy series that was written by a Citadel graduate and then jump into discussion on some of the finer points of being a knob.  We break down what and how bracing works, how to move throughout the battalion, stair parties, running on the quad, reporting into rooms/upperclassman coming into a room, and shower time.  This is part 1 of our multiple part break down on knob points that we could come up with.

This episode we bring on a former Company Commander from Sierra Company.  We also touch on some Human Affairs points and a Citadel administrator name we have not heard in a long time that sends shockwaves through the team.  The team learns about the disappointing truth about how the showers are now set up in 5th battalion. 

One of the more iconic symbols associated with the Citadel. This episode we talk about the Ring and try to guess what all the stuff on the ring means. Also talk about Parents Weekend for the Corps for all classes, but mainly focus on the experience of Senior year. Hope you Seniors wear your BAND OF GOLD with honor!

This week we bring on another Delta grad to have him share some hilarious stories about his Citadel experience.  Kick back and be ready to have Eric Thomas have your rolling laughing.

We decided to go back and unpack the packing list for the Class of 2025.  We went ahead and let the class of 2025 what they should bring and what they should not bring when showing up to school.  Hope this episode helps.....but not really.  Your 4th Class system...is about to begin.

Lets get physical....physical.  I wanna get physical.  This week we talk about Physical Training at the Citadel.  Going from Knob PT sessions all the way to Spirit Runs.  We touch on just a little bit of one of the biggest virtues of the Citadel.  The physic of a cadet is something that is held in high regard across the Corps and if you did not meet it, shame was usually cast upon you.  The next exercise of the day will be PT, listen up.

A Sardine does not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do.  This week we talk about the Honor system at the Citadel.  Talking about how it changes most when they go to the school as well breaking down the basic structure of the cadet run system, going through how an accusation comes to be, all the way through when a cadet is dismissed.

We bring on our classmate Mike Sparks so he can share what it was like living in Disneyland, AKA 1st Battalion.  We ask why 1st battalion has so many Corps Squad cadets, his opinion on the Charlie Shuffle, and why they call it "Delta Frat".  We ask him what the perception of what cadets from 2nd Battalion were like.  This is just part 1 of the 6 part series of getting to hear from other cadets from the other battalions. 

One of the most resounding memories for lots of Citadel graduates is the Thanksgiving and Christmas timeframe.  From making your upper classman hats all the way to stealing other companies Christmas lights, we cover it.  Even get into what happens to those who are tossed in the showers and why it happens.  Nothing like a little Christmas in July and some Thanksgiving in the summer Charleston heat.

Don't let Jenkins Hall get you down.  This episode we talk about some of the inner workings of the Citadel.  We discuss some of our interactions with the administration side as well as some stories about TACs.  We try to pull back the green curtain to see who is really running the Wizard of Oz at the Citadel.  Swim on sardines!

A first in 4th Large history.... We bring on guests to talk to us about their Citadel experience.  This episode we pull back the curtain on one of the most disgusting things at the Citadel.  No, it's not the Mess Hall.....Its not the unfair rules placed on cadets.....It is the senior private.  We bring on Lucas and Adam to talk through their experiences of being a senior private and allow them to defend the reasoning/benefits of being a senior private.

Go.....Fuckin.....Dogs.  College Football like you cannot imagine.  It is no surprise the Citadel is able to take something that should be able to be enjoyed so seamlessly and make it something that torture at points.  This episode talks about what is like to attend a Citadel game from the cadet perspective, not so much about the Football team itself.

You HUNGRY for some more Citadel stories???  This week we talk about what meals were like at the Citadel.  Describing the quality of the food, the atmosphere of the mess hall, and how it changed us out of being a picky eater.  We also talk about the hunger strikes that have occurred throughout the schools history.

Shine that brass, Shine those shoes, and get your beds made because we talkin inspections.  This episode we deep dive how inspections go at the Citadel ranging from Personal appearance inspections all the way to a full up Saturday Morning Inspection.

You like holding a 15lb rifle?  You like standing out in the South Carolina heat in a Civil War uniform?  Do you like sweating uncontrollably?  Then do we have the episode for you!  This episode we talk about Parade and what all went into it.

Class of 4th Large.....Your 4th Class system......is now in effect.  One of the most intense memories for a majority of Citadel graduates.  This episode we break down how Hell Week starts and some personal stories we experienced throughout the first TRUE week of being a KNOB at the Citadel.

It is your first time walking through the front gates of the Citadel....What did I just get myself into???  We talk about what Matriculation Day is and some staples of your first few hours of attending this military college, discussing everything from the night before to the days leading up to Hell Week.