Each year, the Regimental Public Affairs NCO sits down with the Regimental Commander so that the community gets to know more about the current commander and how he is leading the South Carolina Corps of Cadets.

Cadet. Col. David Ropp is an Exercise Science major from Hartsville, South Carolina.

Earlier this year, Ropp answered a series of questions from Ciara Bernard, this year’s Regimental Public Affairs NCO.

Q&A with David Ropp

What are three words that you would use to describe yourself? 

Dependable, competitive, analytical.

What has been the proudest moment that you have achieved at this school?

Receiving my class ring with ’26 and sharing the title with my father and brother.

Who has motivated or inspired you to be who you are today? 

My parents have always pushed me to be the best I can be and have instilled me with the mentality to never quit as well as pursue meaningful duties that benefit others.  

How do you spend your free time?

Running, reading history and spending time with friends.

When did you decide that you wanted to be the Regimental Commander and has this been a goal since knob year? 

I decided that I wanted to be a commander in some capacity January of my junior year. I received the opportunity to board for a command slot and told the reviewing board that Regimental Commander was the position I wanted most, though I would be content with any position. As a knob this was not something remotely on my radar. As a knob my focus was to get through each week and be the best I could be for my company.  

What advice would you offer to someone who is considering attending The Citadel? 

That there is no better place to challenge yourself academically and physically in tandem. The opportunities here are limitless if you are willing to take that leap of faith.  

Where do you see yourself in five years? 

I see myself in one of two places. The first would be in medical school or in residency studying to be a doctor or in another graduate level education program.  

What is one thing that you have learned during your time at The Citadel that you will carry into your future career? 

One thing that I have learned is that is to keep moving forward. Whether in success or in shortcomings, moving forward is crucial in life to keep bettering oneself to be better equipped to serve.  

How has being the Regimental Commander changed your outlook on leadership? 

Leadership is hard, but not impossible. Leading a large group of people, I have learned that leadership is not tasked-based but implemented best when a good attitude and good work ethic are not only present in the leader but are able to be communicated to those being led. This requires conversations among peers and getting to know your unit as best as possible. To be a good leader, you must be present. 

What advice would you give to the 2027 Regimental Commander? 

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts” – Winston Churchill. Everyday a new challenge is encountered, and you may not know immediately what to do, but take strong council and be confident in your decision. If it works out, great. If not, learn from it and keep moving forward.  

About Regimental Public Affairs NCO Ciara Bernard

Cadet Ciara Bernard is the Regimental Public Affairs NCO for the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. Bernard is from Tallahassee, Florida, and is majoring in Political Science with a focus in Law and Legal Studies. She is on the cheerleading team and is a member of African American Society, the goal of which is to initiate dialogue, foster cohesive bonds and precipitate changes to the social climate of this campus that will benefit all members of The Citadel community. After graduation, Bernard hopes to become a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy.