Ashley Coplo
Camaraderie in the Corps
Before she could become one of the few, Ashley Coplo had to learn how to be part of the team.
“The Citadel has taught me about teamwork, just being able to work with one another, that you’re responsible for the people next to you the same way that they’re responsible for you,” said Coplo. “It’s not all about your success, but the success of the team.”
After visiting Parris Island through her high school ROTC program, Coplo fell in love with the camaraderie and the honor that Marines exhibit. She joined the Corps of Cadets to prepare herself for a career in the United States Marine Corps.
“I’ve always wanted a challenge, and I think the Marine Corps is perfect for that.”
Coplo got an early taste of military challenges as a freshman. The year-long training begins with Challenge Week in August dedicated to leading the knobs through intense physical exercises and introducing them to The Citadel’s military structure. During their first year at the college, knobs must obey strict regulations, such as walking at 120 steps per second, making turns at 90 degrees and bracing, a modified and challenging way of standing at attention. In addition, freshmen must keep the barracks swept and brass polished; they must memorize and recite on demand key facts about The Citadel and much more.
“You definitely can’t get through knob year alone. You have to lean on others, and they have to lean on you.”
The challenges of freshman year culminate on Recognition Day, the milestone in a cadet’s career that marks the end of the fourth-class system. The gauntlet, a succession of difficult physical challenges, is held in the early morning hours. Every knob moves through each of the 10 stations at seven-minute intervals. After the exercises are complete, the knobs run around campus together as a class, led by their company commander.
“The victory lap was a fun last thing you do as a knob. You finish all of your exercises and you run around campus as a company. You all run together and everyone’s like ‘you got this, you can do this.’ It’s just a lot of encouragement and a lot of excitement.”
As the final step before the end of the fourth-class system, the freshmen must complete a class set of pushups: that’s 100 pushups plus their graduation year, or in Coplo’s case, 124 pushups.
As if the rigors of their first year weren’t enough, Coplo and her classmates had the added challenge of completing their knob year during the pandemic.
“We made it work,” said Coplo. “Everyone kept saying we were going to go home the first month or the first semester or the second semester, but we made it work all the way to the end of the school year.”
Coplo, an exercise science major, achieved academic excellence her first year, earning Gold Stars for a grade point average of 3.7 or above. Additionally, she holds a Marine Corps scholarship.
During her sophomore year, Coplo will serve as a cadre squad corporal. For the rest of her time in the Corps of Cadets, Coplo hopes to share her positive experiences with her classmates.
“I’m very excited about the next three years – to move up within the ranks, help others, make sure they have really good experiences during their knob year just like I did, to encourage them to stay here at the school even though it gets hard sometimes, to stick through it. I just hope to make small differences in people’s lives.”
