• How to Listen: Find us on Podbean to stream our episodes.
• Our Mission: This podcast aims to share leadership stories from our VMI Corps of Cadets and high-profile leaders who visit the Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE) and VMI.
• Your Hosts: Maj. Catherine M. Roy, Communications & Marketing Manager, with Ms. Broni King, Conference and Marketing Assistant
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• Episodes feature closed captions

Episode Transcript

00:00:00:06 - 00:00:34:07
Lt. Col. Roy
Welcome to the VMI Leader Journey podcast, where we explore what it takes to lead with courage, integrity and purpose. In this episode, we meet Cadet Devon Ozanne, class of 2026 and current Regimental commander of the VMI Corps of Cadets. Much has been written about Osborne since becoming our CEO. So our conversation will focus more keenly on his leadership insights as he shares his journey from a Marine Corps ROTC scholarship recipient to one of the highest leadership positions at VMI.

00:00:34:09 - 00:01:04:01
Lt. Col. Roy
You'll hear insights on servant leadership, transformational leadership, and how VMI is unique. Systems, the honor system, regimental system, and class system shaped leaders for life. Whether you're a cadet, an aspiring officer, or someone passionate about leadership, this conversation will inspire you to lead with confidence and character. Stay tuned for practical lessons, personal stories, and advice you can apply today.

00:01:04:04 - 00:01:21:02
Lt. Col. Roy
Today on the podcast, we have with us Devin Auzenne, class of 2026. And we're going to get to know Auzenne and some of the leadership roles he's had here at VMI over the past three and a half years, including your current role, primary role, which is...

00:01:21:02 - 00:01:22:21
Cadet Auzenne
regimental commander.

00:01:22:24 - 00:01:30:00
Lt. Col. Roy
Regimental commander. So welcome. Cadet Auzenne, I'd like you to introduce yourself to our audience.

00:01:30:02 - 00:01:45:08
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. Thank you for having me, Colonel Roy. Devin Auzenne, history major from Opelousas, Louisiana. I'm the regimental commander, cadet first captain for VMI Corps cadets for the 2526 academic year.

00:01:45:11 - 00:02:01:19
Lt. Col. Roy
For for those of us who are listening, who don't know anything about VMI system here. What can you tell them about, what attracted you to coming to VMI and then how it is that you became the regimental commander?

00:02:01:23 - 00:02:23:21
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. So I guess I can go a little bit into the system. And then what kind of brought me here? So VMI is unlike any other military college in the nation. There are other state senior military colleges, federal service academies, but no other military school and military college has the three systems like VMI has the honor system, the regimental system in the class system.

00:02:23:23 - 00:02:49:07
Cadet Auzenne
And that was partly one of the things that attracted me here is you can lead in any there are so many more facets to leadership here at VMI within the different systems, each to have their own similar similarities and differences in the leadership dynamics and the lessons you can learn there. Coming out of high school, I got a marine Corps ROTC scholarship, so I knew that in four years I was going to be a marine officer.

00:02:49:09 - 00:03:04:03
Cadet Auzenne
So then it was about picking a place that would prepare me the best out, so I could be the very best that I could be whenever out to Michigan. Because I knew that one day I'm going to lead Marines, whether I'm ready to or not. So I'd rather be as prepared as possible.

00:03:04:05 - 00:03:07:00
Lt. Col. Roy
So I'm sure they'd like that first year as well.

00:03:07:02 - 00:03:29:01
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. So, looked at VMI and they were ROTC program. They put out great numbers for the marine option unit. And then on top of that of top of having Marine Corps ROTC, they also had the Corps cadets, which is like a double facet. Being able to learn and being able to teach and being able to really get engaged.

00:03:29:02 - 00:03:37:11
Cadet Auzenne
So seeing that I just saw all the different opportunities, all the different things that I could do and just really wanted to be a part of that.

00:03:37:13 - 00:03:48:21
Lt. Col. Roy
So you had a focus. You would say, I mean, you knew like you said, you were an, you're interested in Marine Corps ROTC programing and where could you go to school? Did you evaluate some other schools?

00:03:48:21 - 00:04:12:20
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. I looked at some other schools, so I looked at Navy. So that was that was really the other one. I looked at VMI, The Citadel, and then I looked at other ones, but I narrowed down the list to those two. And then after just delving deeper, the liberal arts program here at VMI is awesome. And just the culture and what it means to be a VMI cadet, the alumnus, the history of people who have come through here.

00:04:12:23 - 00:04:17:16
Cadet Auzenne
It was. They're both really good places, but I just knew VMI was the place for me.

00:04:17:18 - 00:04:30:17
Lt. Col. Roy
When you talk about, the history of cadets who had come through here, were there any names that sprung to mind that you and did you know them before you looked at VMI? Or once you looked at me and were like, oh, I didn't know he went here.

00:04:30:20 - 00:04:49:15
Cadet Auzenne
Yeah. So there were a few. So wanting to go in the Marine Corps, big name is Chesty Puller. He came here for a year. Right. So and it's obviously he's one of like the greatest known Marines of all time. So it feels good enough for him. It definitely could be good enough for me. And then looking a little deeper saw George C Marshall George Patton came here for a year.

00:04:49:18 - 00:05:08:24
Cadet Auzenne
And then looking into what life was like here and the deep rooted traditions that are, but also professionalism here. It was one of those things that other places do similar things, but they don't do it quite the way VMI does. They don't have quite as rich a history as the cadets here, and what it means to be a cadet and then the alumni network.

00:05:08:27 - 00:05:19:06
Cadet Auzenne
Though it's small, this isn't a very big college, the tightest knit and the most well-recognized successful that I've ever known. If a single group of people.

00:05:19:06 - 00:05:21:00
Lt. Col. Roy
So strong loyalty.

00:05:21:01 - 00:05:29:09
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. I'm sure.

00:05:29:12 - 00:05:42:25
Cadet Auzenne
Very strong loyalty in any, any organization that can get that kind of loyalty out of its people is definitely one worth being a part of a brotherhood, sisterhood, something that brings people here because they know they'll be a part of something greater than themselves.

00:05:42:27 - 00:06:06:01
Lt. Col. Roy
Yeah, nothing like the people who've actually been here experienced the system to to speak on its behalf or to shine a light on, you know what? Maybe wasn't so great. So it's it's good to know that you heard good things about the institute and that that was enough to bring you here. Did you come from a military family?

00:06:06:03 - 00:06:22:19
Cadet Auzenne
I did, and also not really. So my dad was in the National Guard, and I had an uncle in the Navy, but my dad only did six years in the guard, and that was mom before I was born. So I come from a family that does have military experience, even though it wasn't very heavily influence in my life.

00:06:22:22 - 00:06:28:16
Cadet Auzenne
And I am the first marine in my family, so it's something pretty proud of.

00:06:28:18 - 00:06:38:18
Lt. Col. Roy
And what drew you to why military instead of, I don't know, history? I don't know what else you would want to do with that, but why the you know, it's scary.

00:06:38:18 - 00:06:59:19
Cadet Auzenne
So for me, it was I knew I didn't want a desk job or I didn't want an ordinary job. And when I was in high school, I was really committed in sports, loved playing soccer and football. And I thought, I'm gonna go to college and play soccer. I'm gonna try and be a professional. When it came junior senior high school, I kind of realized that though playing soccer is great, is it one of the things that served me?

00:06:59:21 - 00:07:15:23
Cadet Auzenne
Well? I was still a kid, but whenever I became an adult, I want to do something a little bit more, more meaningful to myself and something I felt that was more valuable, I guess, to to the nation. So I always came when I was. Ever since I was a little kid, I had a very deep interest in history.

00:07:15:25 - 00:07:42:16
Cadet Auzenne
And so military, it's very there's very rich history there. So I was looking into that and whenever I came time to graduate had a few buddies, I enlisted. I joined the late entry program, and then that's where I got my scholarship. And then from there, ever since then, I've just kind of been sold on the dream. And there is really good careers to be had in the military, really good lifestyles, doing hard things that you can't do in regular life.

00:07:42:16 - 00:07:46:27
Cadet Auzenne
And I'm just all about the like, how about the lifestyle?

00:07:46:29 - 00:07:54:07
Lt. Col. Roy
Very good. And how is the history program going for you? Is there a particular area of interest that you have so far?

00:07:54:10 - 00:08:19:05
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. So I love the history here at VMI. I'm a little bit of like a history nerd. So I've taken I actually finish all my history credits a year early. Besides just, one course just because of how how much I love the classes and I really would like to focus on, I've taking more classes focusing on 20th century military history, and that's why I'm getting a minor in military history.

00:08:19:05 - 00:08:32:14
Cadet Auzenne
Just because the classes qualities, the professors like we have professors here in small classrooms, you can really interact with you who've taught at the war colleges, who've taught at Carlisle. So it's definitely an incredible wealth of knowledge that we have here.

00:08:32:16 - 00:08:47:08
Lt. Col. Roy
So it's interesting that some of your professors weren't just born and bred in VMI. They're not just steeped in VMI tradition. They came from other schools that they've taught other places and brought a rich, depth of field of experience that they could share in the classroom.

00:08:47:14 - 00:09:09:21
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. We have civilian professors who, like I said, taught at war colleges. We have professors who were in their careers in the military, who have some living experience with some of the classes, just like Colonel Gray, the director of the center for Leadership and Ethics, which is incredible, to have somebody who's lived through the event you're talking about in class, to bring that firsthand personal experience.

00:09:09:24 - 00:09:27:22
Cadet Auzenne
And we've we have adjunct professors. We have professors. I've taught at West Point. We have professors in all who come from all services, different branches in the military. So there's definitely a wealth of background knowledge. Professors as work in the Pentagon alumni, non alumni is definitely a good, good mix.

00:09:27:25 - 00:09:50:27
Lt. Col. Roy
And you mentioned Colonel Gray, the executive director of the center, which is where I work. And and the proponent for this podcast, the VMI leader journey. He also is the director for some of the co-curricular programs. And I know you're involved in one of them, the Cadet Superintendents Advisory Board. Can you talk about that a little bit?

00:09:51:00 - 00:10:37:06
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. CSA obsess for Cadet Superintendents Advisory Board. So it's comprised of cadets of all different organizations and involvement within the corps, from NCAA athletes to people who hold rank, people that are in the class system. Just different perspectives within the Corps bringing to issues to light about what cadets need, what cadets would like to have in their experience, and things that can make the VMI system as a whole function smoother and that are worth bringing to the attention of the superintendent.

00:10:37:08 - 00:10:58:20
Cadet Auzenne
They brought me in as the regiment commander role. They had some proposals for the superintendent, and they want to hear my advice, my feedback on them. So it's really cool hearing their proposals and being able to see from not only from their perspective, being able to give them my input from my perspective, saying like, hey, we would be able to do this or we would not be able to do this.

00:10:58:20 - 00:11:13:05
Cadet Auzenne
Or if you were to try and pursue this idea, these are some consideration to have given my position as a regimental commander. I've had experience in some of these areas, and maybe some of them have not, or have insights that that were really helpful for, cause I believe.

00:11:13:08 - 00:11:15:22
Lt. Col. Roy
So you're brought in kind of a subject matter expert?

00:11:15:22 - 00:11:16:03
Cadet Auzenne
Yes.

00:11:16:03 - 00:11:19:18
Lt. Col. Roy
Somebody who could say, yep, your proposal is going to fly or it's not.

00:11:19:25 - 00:11:31:19
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. And try and give them the heads up for whenever they do propose it, that these are some of the questions they're going to ask you. These are some important things to them so that they'll be more prepared.

00:11:31:22 - 00:11:39:19
Lt. Col. Roy
And how about any other CLE programs like have you done any the, other leadership conferences outside or have we done our leadership conference?

00:11:39:26 - 00:12:05:14
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. I've been a facilitator for our leadership conference for the past two years now, and that has been an awesome experience. Being a facilitator was one of the cool things, because we not only got to participate, but facilitate on a small level at each of our tables. So we got to really interact with the people assigned to our tables and get be the leaders of the different projects and different exercises that we have.

00:12:05:17 - 00:12:24:04
Lt. Col. Roy
And what is that like leading a small group discussion? Because that's essentially what you're doing, is managing everybody's time at the table. And we're not leading you to actually lead the exercises, but you're helping us make sure everybody participates at the tables. What was that experience like?

00:12:24:06 - 00:12:45:26
Cadet Auzenne
That was a really eye-opening experience and just one of those another incredible opportunity to learn. It's really interesting seeing how different people see the same situation, gaining new perspectives and just getting a new, fresh perspective and a different environment on how to work as a team and how to get people who you've just met to work as a team and collaborate on ideas.

00:12:45:29 - 00:12:58:13
Lt. Col. Roy
Is there any particular memory that you have that you're like, oh yeah, that was a really cool experience, or maybe there was a connection that you made through networking at the event that that has stuck with you.

00:12:58:15 - 00:13:21:02
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. So one of the really cool exercises we did was it was about I can't remember exactly. It was about how ethical was to use drones in warfare. And the different members of the table got to split up and see different subject matter. Experts talk about whether it be the laws of war or employment of drones, rules of engagement from a military side, from a political standpoint.

00:13:21:09 - 00:13:43:22
Cadet Auzenne
And then everybody was brought back and then their inputs were then redone and put back into the group there. The tables consensus on what they believe should be done on the issue. That one was really cool, being able to see how the different perspectives military, civilian and different subject matter experts can shed light on these very complicated even like ethical issues.

00:13:43:24 - 00:14:12:25
Cadet Auzenne
Through the center for Leadership and Ethics, I also was able to attend different conferences, not at VMI, one of them being the Naval Academy Leadership Conference. Was was an incredible opportunity not only to get to go and stay in Annapolis in one of the dorm rooms and the midshipmen being able to network and being able to see how they do their leadership conference and see what life would be like as, the chairman at the Naval Academy while at that conference and the one we host here, the networking is also incredible.

00:14:12:25 - 00:14:32:13
Cadet Auzenne
As a bunch of Marines say, it's a small Marine Corps being able and just a military in general. It's a smaller world than what most people think. So being able to meet people who are about a commission, people my same age who are pursuing careers in the military is one of the things it's so invaluable because undoubtedly, years down the line will definitely end up running into each other again.

00:14:32:20 - 00:14:36:21
Lt. Col. Roy
So I was just going to say, I'm sure one day you'll cross paths again.

00:14:36:24 - 00:14:37:24
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am.

00:14:37:26 - 00:14:47:22
Lt. Col. Roy
And, any other programs of the CLI that you've been able to participate with, like, any of the speaker programs or anything like that that comes to mind?

00:14:47:24 - 00:15:15:06
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. I can't remember all of their names, but the CLI often has speakers that come in the Evening times, and I have attended a few of them, gotten some book signed, and it's one of those things that's incredible on like a Thursday night, you have just an hour, hour and a half to spare. You can go get a really in-depth speech or really in-depth talk or lecture or even debate from somebody who's a subject matter expert or a true professional, and they're in their field.

00:15:15:08 - 00:15:18:22
Lt. Col. Roy
And then have you had the Lead 344 course?

00:15:18:24 - 00:15:19:20
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am, I have.

00:15:19:20 - 00:15:21:12
Lt. Col. Roy
And who was your instructor for that?

00:15:21:13 - 00:15:24:02
Cadet Auzenne
I had major now Colonel La Rocha.

00:15:24:04 - 00:15:41:26
Lt. Col. Roy
Okay. Very good. Yeah. So that lead classes, leadership in organizations and you cover 13 ish theories of leadership, was there any one that you particularly gravitated toward or you felt like that fits my profile best?

00:15:41:28 - 00:16:03:25
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. There were I think there's two of them. And that class was very eye opening because I often see leadership is this really interesting phenomenon, this interaction between people bringing, you know, just like teamwork, bringing people, a group of individuals together to achieve a common goal and being able to quantify or put into theories the way people think that what drives their actions.

00:16:03:27 - 00:16:34:00
Cadet Auzenne
So from that, it helped me learn and really define myself more and put it into words. Really being able to get a grasp on what I believe is my leadership style and how I like to lead, few other styles would be servant leadership, visionary leadership, and transformational leadership, which each come with their own descriptions. But I believe in some way, shape or form that I like to lead using those in my own unique blend that they did.

00:16:34:02 - 00:16:38:25
Lt. Col. ROY
You get an opportunity to identify your communication style. Is that part of the class?

00:16:39:00 - 00:17:03:08
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. That also was a part of the class, and it really helped me to see how small things from the way you pose questions, from the way you give instructions or pass out guidance, how those things can be perceived and how those can influence the way you lead or just the character, the organization. Because after all, any organization usually takes on the character of its leader.

00:17:03:08 - 00:17:14:19
Cadet Auzenne
So it's really important to be cognizant of that. And it brought to my attention that these are things that are more easily quantifiable than what I used to think. So now I can have a better grasp on how to use them.

00:17:14:21 - 00:17:27:04
Lt. Col. Roy
So would you say that leading can be a matter of actions and choices? And would you say that? Would you agree with that statement or.

00:17:27:07 - 00:17:55:24
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. The leave class really brought to my attention that leadership can be a very intentional process, which you can't control your actions, you can't control your choices. And through those and if you know how to quantify those and how you perform and that really that knowledge of self, you can use that to your advantage and influence your organization in a positive light.

00:17:55:26 - 00:18:02:05
Lt. Col. Roy
Have you had an opportunity to use any of the skills that you learned, and if so, do you have an anecdote you could share?

00:18:02:07 - 00:18:27:14
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. So in my last year, I was the Regimental Sergeant major, and this year I am the regiment commander, the Corps cadets. And that has been the most incredible leadership challenge, an opportunity that I've had so far, being able to lead my peers in a big scale organization. And there's a lot of little lessons I've learned and a lot of little anecdotes.

00:18:27:14 - 00:18:43:29
Cadet Auzenne
I think one of them is always treat people how you want to be treated. Like respect is the number one thing, and then another one would be understand how to talk, understand your audience, and understand how to get the best out of people. In order to get the best out of them, you need to know what makes them tick.

00:18:43:29 - 00:18:55:00
Cadet Auzenne
You need to know what motivates them. You need to understand how they think. So then you can know how to pose task and how to bring situations to light when you want them to perform a certain way.

00:18:55:02 - 00:19:08:06
Lt. Col. Roy
And when you are interacting with somebody and you're determining what it is that they would best respond to, what factors do you look for? Like, how would you know how to treat someone else?

00:19:08:09 - 00:19:24:22
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. I think that starts in the small things, the smaller actions you have to get to know the person. Not saying you have to be their best friend, but you have to get to know them. You have to get to understand why they are in the positions they are. What makes what do they want to do? What do they want to pursue?

00:19:24:25 - 00:19:42:19
Cadet Auzenne
What do they want to see happen? What change do they want to bring in the organization? And then from there you can understand how to pose questions to them, how to get their perspectives. And then after you understand those things, you get a better grasp on, okay, I need help with this because I've had a few conversations with you and I know you.

00:19:42:26 - 00:20:00:04
Cadet Auzenne
I know that you would be better set for this problem set rather than this other one, and it really helps from where I stand when trying to delegate out work, because there are definitely everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, and being able to know your people definitely can help you match those problem areas with the people who have a strength in that area.

00:20:00:07 - 00:20:20:26
Lt. Col. Roy
But, and then people around you, you know, family can be a very grounding experience because they knew you. When have your family noticed any changes or differences in you or some leadership traits that maybe they didn't see before? How has has that happened or taken place?

00:20:21:00 - 00:20:42:07
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. One of the funny stories was whenever I was a rat, and then I was coming home on Thanksgiving with my mom. And then I remember I made the bed one morning. She was like, oh my gosh, like, you have never done that. But I think my family is from my friends back home who knew me in high school and since I was young, they can definitely see a difference in how mature I am.

00:20:42:07 - 00:21:00:17
Cadet Auzenne
Though, and how I just see problems and how I frame the world around me. And they've definitely been able to take, you know, that notice and say like, wow, like as something as something new. It's not like it's completely different me, but it's more of who I really am. Just emphasize in a really good way.

00:21:00:19 - 00:21:14:20
Lt. Col. Roy
Yeah, I, I wouldn't say this place necessarily changes you, but I think that it does help mature you. It may be faster than you would as an experience, faster than you would get in another place or in another environment.

00:21:14:21 - 00:21:16:14
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. Absolutely.

00:21:16:16 - 00:21:18:24
Lt. Col. Roy
Yeah. Trial by fire, as they say.

00:21:19:00 - 00:21:19:18
Cadet Auzenne
Yes. No.

00:21:19:19 - 00:21:29:24
Lt. Col. Roy
Yeah. What are some leadership lessons that you've learned that have been valuable to your experience and success here?

00:21:29:26 - 00:21:51:06
Cadet Auzenne
That's a really good question. So one of the ones is always know that you don't have all the answers. And no, it always helps to know who to go to. But if you need help, always just ask. I feel it's very easy to feel whenever you're tasked with a problem, or if you're given charge of something to feel like you have to be the one to have all the ideas.

00:21:51:06 - 00:22:09:15
Cadet Auzenne
And that's just not the way it really. It's not the way it works here, and it's not always the way it works in the real military. If you have questions, as there's always someone willing to help. And I think another one is always be willing to listen to what people who you're working with, whoever you're trying to lead, and just people who have a lot more experience.

00:22:09:15 - 00:22:26:24
Cadet Auzenne
And you listen to what they have to say and take their advice and be willing to act on that. Be willing to use that. I think another one I already said is be good to the people that you lead. If you treat them well, they're always treat you well. They'll always return. That in spades is what I found.

00:22:26:26 - 00:22:52:24
Cadet Auzenne
And another thing, if you I guess it builds on that last point. If you look out for people that always look out for you, because there are days whenever someone's going to need you to have their back and their days, whatever, you're going to need somebody to have your back and you never know what day it is. But if you always treat people with respect, dignity, then you'll always be on the right side of.

00:22:52:26 - 00:23:05:22
Lt. Col. Roy
Now, when it comes to giving guidance or instructions or feedback that might not be positive, how do you approach those kinds of have you had to do that? And then if so, how do you approach that?

00:23:05:25 - 00:23:31:09
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. Those tough conversations, that confrontation, something that no one really likes, but it's definitely one of those necessary evils. I guess you can say if you want to grow as a leader and if you really want to achieve anything in life, everything is going to have its own, its own problems and hardships. So usually the way I approach that, especially with my peers, is that I'll bring it to their attention always in a respectful manner, like, hey, this is what I'm noticing that you're doing.

00:23:31:12 - 00:23:50:08
Cadet Auzenne
This is what I need you to do. And then always give them a chance to explain their side or explain what's going on, because sometimes there's something going on with that person that you may not have been aware of. So knowing that that would be knowing that can definitely help you address a problem area further. And usually especially here, it's always really good.

00:23:50:15 - 00:24:11:14
Cadet Auzenne
Received very well. That's why we have an active chain of command so that whenever it comes down to a difference in opinion, always try and compromise. Try and find the best solution that fits the most people or what's most practical in that situation. And if it's one proposal the other, always let the best idea prevail. It doesn't matter whose it is or who gets the credit.

00:24:11:17 - 00:24:44:28
Lt. Col. Roy
Any other advice you might have, like as you think about and reflect on how your leadership role has unfolded this semester, has anything surprised you about being in the role that you're in, as opposed to last year, which you're a more of a subordinate? So now that you're actually leading the Corps, what what has stood out to you, maybe things you didn't think of before that you're like, oh, I wasn't counting on that, or I hadn't thought about that.

00:24:45:00 - 00:25:02:11
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. So I think one of the big ones, and this is a lesson I learned from us watching a lot of thinking Johnson videos was you don't rise to the occasion, but you revert back to your training. So if you ever want to perform well, it's not. You're not just going to wake up one day and be, I can do this, but you have to prepare for it.

00:25:02:11 - 00:25:22:02
Cadet Auzenne
You have to prepare yourself for your mind, your body, so that whenever it comes time to perform, you can always do it, no matter what the circumstances. And I think another one, one really interesting thing about VMI is one of my high school coaches. He actually told me this. But the fire he said the fire burns or it purifies.

00:25:22:05 - 00:25:38:24
Cadet Auzenne
The same fire that will burn a piece of wood would be the same one to purify a piece of metal. So it does it. It's not what you go through. That is the biggest thing. It's how you react, it's how you respond to it. And I feel like VMI has a really incredible way of letting you pass your perceived limits.

00:25:38:24 - 00:25:58:13
Cadet Auzenne
Absolutely. And making you putting you in situations to succeed, giving you opportunities to succeed in ways that you didn't even think was possible. It seems like every year here, while you're going through a while, you're kind of your heads down. You're trying to get the work done, you're trying to grind, get it out. It's like, oh my gosh, this is the most stuff I've had going at me.

00:25:58:13 - 00:26:29:03
Cadet Auzenne
Like, my schedule is full. I don't know how I'm going to get through it. And then somehow, someway you end up getting through it. And then the next year you're asking for more responsibility, asking for another leadership role, asking to grow more, asking for another opportunity. And I think that's been one of the most incredible things. Looking back and even going through it and going forward has been seeing how it felt like the sky is falling, the world is ending and somehow got through that situation and then was put in another one or more.

00:26:29:03 - 00:26:35:05
Cadet Auzenne
That means still being able to perform.

00:26:35:08 - 00:26:45:11
Lt. Col. Roy
So it sounds like over year three and a half year so far, your capacity to lead, your capacity to lead self has increased over time.

00:26:45:14 - 00:27:05:21
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. Absolutely, absolutely. And is VMI also has a great way before the way the leadership model works. Whenever you're right, you're a private and then you go to a corporal as a third Classman a sergeant as a second. And officers are first each year, giving you incrementally more responsibility, letting you lead in a greater and greater capacity.

00:27:05:21 - 00:27:30:13
Cadet Auzenne
But always starting off with yourself and then the people to your left in the right before you can lead anybody else. It's always it always teaches you. You have to first be able to lead yourself. You have to first be able to help the person to your left and your right. And then it gives you incrementally increasing responsibility and leadership roles, which definitely helps help people not bite off more than you can chew and definitely teach you the basics.

00:27:30:13 - 00:27:37:13
Cadet Auzenne
The strong foundation, so that whenever you're getting to the top of the building, you're not going to you're strong in the basics, so you're not going to fall over.

00:27:37:15 - 00:27:49:26
Lt. Col. Roy
But that sounds like excellent advice. Do you have like a particular leadership saying that you gravitate toward or a leadership book that you really enjoy or recommend?

00:27:49:28 - 00:28:20:00
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. There's actually one book I would highly recommend to anybody. Actually got it with Colonel Gray's class. It's called the Art of leadership, and I can't remember exactly who it's by, but it's a compilation of 10 or 12 short essays on influential leaders or military leaders in America's history, and each one focuses on a different leader who had a prevailing different style of leadership leadership style such as visionary leadership, transformational leadership, and servant leadership.

00:28:20:03 - 00:28:40:02
Cadet Auzenne
All different definitions and all different examples of really important, prevalent people who have done great things for the nation and for the military and how they use that style to manage. And I think my what I whatever I tell myself kind of depends on what season I'm in, whatever. So whatever I'm going through usually around finals and there is a bunch going through.

00:28:40:04 - 00:29:01:20
Cadet Auzenne
So one of the things I always tell myself was I can always be worse than you know. It seems bad that the problems are only relative to the, to the situation. And I think another one whenever, especially when working on big plans or we have big events coming up and those late night stand up planning or those long days trying to get stuff organized, is that someone is always depending.

00:29:01:20 - 00:29:19:21
Cadet Auzenne
Someone is counting on you, and even if someone in the future is depending on you to be as good as you can now, so that whenever the situation comes, you can perform. So always knowing that is good is bigger than you. It's bigger. It's worth losing the sleep if everybody else who you're leading is going to benefit from it.

00:29:19:24 - 00:29:26:24
Lt. Col. Roy
So it sounds like you have a high sense of accountability and responsibility, which would be perfect in the leadership role.

00:29:26:26 - 00:29:35:06
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. And I definitely try, try and get better at it every day. But, definitely one of the things, one of the some of the important lessons I picked up here.

00:29:35:09 - 00:29:39:03
Lt. Col. Roy
What are you looking forward to in the spring?

00:29:39:06 - 00:29:57:09
Cadet Auzenne
Looking forward to in the spring. One breaking out, the rats, being able to see them become a class. That's going to be an incredible feeling as a dike, the senior mentor and as a regimental commander, being able to see all the work that's been put in from day one matriculation to the moment they become cadets. Definitely looking forward to that.

00:29:57:09 - 00:30:16:06
Cadet Auzenne
And then another one. Graduation and commissioning. Using the spring, things slowed down a little bit and being able to have that time to reflect and really enjoy the presence of my boys who become my best friends for life, and being able to enjoy while we got it, and then looking forward to spending on those go bars come May.

00:30:16:09 - 00:30:31:25
Lt. Col. Roy
That sounds like an excellent, future to look forward to. And just our conversation today, I have no doubt that you're going to be successful. And, great job and best of luck to you and your future. And thank you so much for being on today's VMI Leader Journey podcast.

00:30:32:01 - 00:30:36:00
Cadet Auzenne
Yes, ma'am. Thank you for having me.

00:30:36:02 - 00:31:06:07
Lt. Col. Roy
Thank you for joining us on the VMI Leader Journey podcast. Today's conversation with Cadet Devin Auzenne, Class of 2026, and regimental commander gave us a powerful look at what it means to lead with courage, integrity, and purpose, from navigating VMI's unique leadership systems to embracing servant and transformational leadership. Auzenne's insights remind us that leadership is a journey, one built on preparation, resilience and respect for others.

00:31:06:09 - 00:31:27:15
Lt. Col. Roy
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, share it with your fellow cadets, and leave us a review. For more leadership resources and upcoming events [information], visit vmi.edu, forward slash CLE, or follow us on social media. Until next time, keep leading with character and stay committed to the values that make a difference.