Norwich University: Military Academy Beefcake

A few years ago, when I was applying for jobs, I had a phone interview at Norwich University in Vermont.  The recruitment officer said that it was a military college (not a military academy).  About half of the students are in the Corps of Cadets: they wear uniforms, have ranks (from private to colonel), take courses in military science, and practice military-style discipline, but there is no obligation to enter military service upon graduation.  The other half are "civilians." 

There weren't a lot of general history courses in the curriculum, but there was "Global Military History,""American Military History,""Chinese Military History," and "Race and Gender in Military History."

I would come in at the rank of sergeant, wear a uniform on campus, and salute the students when they passed.  Could I handle that?

Classrooms full of military cadets in their snappy uniforms? I was there!

He seemed all hyped up on my teaching experience, and asked if I could come in for an on-site interview. 

I said "Sure."

That's the last I heard from him.

No doubt he looked more closely at my research and publications, and concluded that I was one of those.  

NU includes sexual orientation in its non-discrimination policy, and there's a NU Alliance, for LGBTQ students, but still, they didn't want an actual one of those teaching the cadets.  He might look.

So I plan on looking.

Easier said than done.  Here's the Norwich swim team.  Only two shirtless guys, and their swimsuits are covered.

No more luck with the wrestling team.  A nice chest and biceps on the wrestler promoted in the top photo, but his singlet is obscured.









Here, some Norwich wrestlers competing in Eastern Europe pose in the Black Sea, arms crossed over their chest, in the baggiest swim trunks I've seen outside a Charlie Chaplin movie.









Well, maybe the townies.

Norwich is in Northfield, Vermont, population 6,000, just south of Montpelier.  It's a rather run-down New England town, only about 3 streets across, with two churches,  restaurants specializing in burgers and pizza, a lot of bars, and no used bookstores.




There's a combined middle school-high school, where the wrestlers look a little young.














But not as young as the swimmers.














Are you kidding?















Norwich University military beefcake turned out to be a bust.  Fortunately, it's only about 40 miles from Middlebury, my favorite town in New England.