Riverside Military Academy 202o-2021 Battalion Commander Named
Samuel ‘Sam’ Sterling Legaspi has been named Battalion Commander of the Corps of Cadets at Riverside Military Academy (RMA) for the 2020-2021 school year.
Samuel ‘Sam’ Sterling Legaspi of Pinecrest, FL, has been named Battalion Commander of the Corps of Cadets at Riverside Military Academy (RMA) for the 2020-2021 school year.
He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Adrian Legaspi and the brother of Anthony Legaspi, who also attends RMA.
Legaspi entered RMA as a ninth-grader and has risen through the ranks from squad leader, first sergeant, command sergeant major, and now battalion commander his senior year.
“I want to serve as battalion commander because I want to embrace new challenges in order to successfully develop others,” said Legaspi. “I want to continue to grow as a leader and use problem solving, collaboration, and hard work to help the corps of cadets succeed, even in the midst of a pandemic.”
RMA is a 112-year-old college preparatory boarding school using the military model of leadership to develop the leadership skills of middle school and high school age boys. The rank of battalion commander is a sought after position that many of the Academy’s most distinguished alumni held as cadets.
The Academy pivoted to digital learning last March but successfully reopened in August for on-campus, in-person learning with Covid-19 testing in place and health and safety protocols, to include the wearing of masks and social distancing.
The selection process for the approximately 50 leadership positions is rigorous and includes multiple evaluations. A promotion worksheet is created for each cadet who desires rank, to include his GPA, activities and sports, awards, clubs, and extra-curricular activities. The process culminates in an extensive interview with the promotion board comprised of Academy leadership.
The announcement was made to the nearly 300 members of the corps of cadets earlier this week with formal recognition taking place on Friday, September 18.
Legaspi said he came to RMA to improve his grades, but also to improve himself as a person.
“I wanted to challenge myself and step outside of my comfort zone so I could develop skills, attributes, and qualities of an effective leader,” he said.
Legaspi aspires to attend one of the United States Service Academies and serve in the United States Armed Forces.
“I would like to serve my country and my fellow citizens. I aspire to be an effective communicator, a humble and selfless servant, and a dedicated leader,” Legaspi said.