VMI at War: Defiant Leadership vs. National Authority

Major General Cedric T. Wins’ controversial stand pits centuries-old traditions against directives from Virginia’s Governor, the Secretary of Defense, and the President—sparking a battle over values and ideology.

Editor’s note: The piece below summarizes four important, informative, and highly researched “must-read” articles written by Virginia Military Institute cadets for The Cadet, their student newspaper. The Cadet is one of the oldest independent student newspapers in the country. Wins’ administration continues attempts to suppress, control, or impede these award-winning student journalists from speaking Truth to Power. Those interested can support the cadet and alumni efforts at The Cadet Foundation.

General Wins gets fired

The recent decision by the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Board of Visitors (BOV) not to renew the contract of Superintendent MG Cedric T. Wins ignited controversy and debate over leadership, governance, and the role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies at VMI. While MG Wins has characterized the decision as “a partisan choice that abandons the values of honor, integrity, and excellence upon which VMI was built,” a deeper examination of the facts suggests otherwise and reveals an alarming number of his defiant, false, and misleading statements. This decision reflects not only the Board’s commitment to VMI’s long-term success but also a necessary response to Wins’ defiance of executive policies issued by the Governor of Virginia, the Secretary of Defense, and the President of the United States.

At the heart of this controversy is MG Wins’ insistence that his authority at VMI comes directly from Title 10 U.S. Code (Armed Forces). VMI claims that the law allows him, not the Governor, Secretary of Defense, or The President, to restrict cadet freedoms, mandate attendance at NCAA sporting events, and enforce DEI training—despite explicit executive orders seeking to eliminate such divisive programs. His stance has placed him in direct opposition to national and state-level directives.

Reports from both sides

Equally significant is the courage displayed by the student journalists at VMI’s independent student newspaper, The Cadet. They have fearlessly reported on both sides of this issue, challenging authority in the face of institutional pressure that resulted in formal letters or warning and concern from the country’s major first amendment protection groups (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), the Student Press Law Center (SPLC), Alliance Defending Freedom, Alumni Free Speech Alliance). While the Governor, the Secretary of Defense, and the President appear reluctant to confront MG Wins’ defiance, these student journalists stepped forward to expose the reality of VMI’s governance crisis and encourage debate. Their investigative work provides crucial insights into the implications of the Board’s decision and the broader issues at stake.

For those seeking to understand the full scope of this controversy, the following articles provide essential context and analysis:

The facts do not support General Wins

• “Fact-checking MG Wins: True, False, or Unsubstantiated Claims on His VMI Tenure” scrutinizes Wins’ accusations in his formal statement against the Board and separates fact from fiction. This highly researched and detailed article fact-checks Wins accusations in his formal statement to Cadets, faculty, staff, alumni, and the media, that accusing the VMI Board of Visitors of bias and misfeasance for not renewing his contract claiming the decision was a “partisan choice that abandons the values of honor, integrity, and excellence upon which VMI was built.” Was it really? Read his full statement then fact-check the article and decide for yourself. Did MG Wins tell the truth about his tenure? The Cadet separates fact from fiction in his accusations. Read here
• “A Tale of Two Departures: Peay’s Graceful Exit vs. Wins’ Defiant Stand” compares the vastly different leadership styles of a defiant MG Wins claiming to be the victim of bias and the quiet professionalism of his predecessor, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III. Their reactions show the stark difference between what VMI, and the military were and what they are now as a result of this divisive ideology. Read here

The VMI Board of Visitors called it right

•  “OPINION: The VMI Board of Visitors Made the Right Call on not renewing MG Wins’ contract as Superintendent” Bias or justified decision? Here’s why the Board of Visitors’ choice not to renew MG Wins’ contract was necessary for VMI’s future. After reviewing the facts surrounding MG Wins’ allegations of bias, misfeasance, and politics against the Board of Visitors and his administration’s impact on the Corps, the Cadet makes the case that BOV’s decision was not only justified but also necessary for VMI’s long-term stability.  Read here

This moment in VMI’s history is pivotal. The battle over leadership, authority, and policy direction will shape the institution for years to come. The articles above provide the critical background, factual analysis, and insights needed to fully grasp the stakes of this ongoing debate.

The question remains if Virginia’s governor, the Secretary of Defense, and even the President will continue to allow this defiance from the leader of one of the country’s largest Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs and for VMI to become a rallying point for opposition to the agenda and policies President Trump campaigned on.

This article was originally published by RealClearDefense and made available via RealClearWire.