Meet Cadet Colonel Neikirk

Honor, integrity, honesty and doing what's right are the cornerstones of Richard Neikirk's world.

Granted it's not the world of your typical college student. After all, how many 21-year-old college seniors are responsible for 1,900 of their peers day in and day out?

"A lot of these people are your friends. It's not easy telling your classmates they need to do something. No one wants to be the bad guy," he said. "People want to be popular. But this is about doing the right thing, not being popular."

The son of a political science professor father and mother who is consultant for the scrapbook company Creative Memories, Neikirk (pronounced Nye-Kirk) hails from New Wilmington, Pa., about 15 miles from Youngstown, Ohio.

As a civil engineering major, Neikirk has plenty to keep him busy academically. His plan to be commissioned in the Marine Corps when he graduates gives him yet more responsibility. That he would also take on task of leading the South Carolina Corps of Cadets suggests he's a young man driven to succeed and continually challenge himself.

"Rich is a strong leader because he understands the importance of mission accomplishment, and at the same time, he knows how to care for his people," said Adam Burch, Fourth Battalion commander and a friend of Neikirk's since their knob year. "He is one of the most honorable people that I know, and he has the fortitude to stand up for what he believes."

In many ways, Neikirk came out of obscurity to become regimental commander. Band Company is not often a placed looked to for up and coming leaders in the Corps, said Col. Richard Evans, a tactical officer in Fourth Battalion. "For me, he came to light as a first sergeant who did things in his company for the right reasons, not because he thought it might get him recognition," Evans said. "He wasn't out for visibility, but wanted what was best for his company."

Evans often saw Neikirk as a first sergeant taking part in the Friday afternoon "quad wash. It's a weekly ritual usually performed only by the knobs. "Very unusual, but I'm sure it made an impression on his freshmen," Evans said.

Neikirk is comfortable in his shoes as a leader, Evans said. "Rich will stand up for the cadets when he thinks their cause is just. And he will ask for Corps privileges that he feels they deserve and that would be good for morale," he said. "What really makes him special is that he does a lot for the Corps that they will never know, but that's ok with him. He does things for the right reasons, not for the recognition."

Neikirk wants to accomplish several things before he graduates in May 2003, but one goal is more important than any other: "That is to ingrain in every cadet that we are Citadel cadets, and as such must live our lives in an honorable and upright manner."

To do that he's stressed to the Corps leadership that good communication is key to their roles as officers and that honor above all else is central to their lives here and wherever they end up after graduation. Ethics and honor are repeatedly being stressed this year. It's no coincidence both are also topics being championed by Citadel President Maj. Gen. John S. Grinalds, Neikirk said.

"The Citadel really is a reflection of our society. We've got students from all over the world bringing with them the values that came with their upbringing," Neikirk said.

"Some of those values don't always mesh with the Corps' values. What we try to instill in people is be accountable, be honest. That's what makes us different from a Clemson or a University of South Carolina."

Everything about the lifestyle of cadets -- from how they wear their uniform to the responsibility they take for their academic success -- rests on honor and integrity, Neikirk said. It's one of the things he will remember most about his time at The Citadel. "The fact that we were asked to give up our worldly comforts in order to lead a life of honor and integrity and through that lifestyle, formed many bonds and friendships is something I won't ever forget," he said.

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