Story told by: Nick Gibson  

September is National Preparedness Month and the American Red Cross of South Carolina urges everyone to protect their loved ones by getting their households ready now. 

The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, was founded in 1842 in Charleston. Since then, the military school has graduated thousands of cadets who work to make the world a better place. 

The Red Cross of South Carolina has been a proud partner with The Citadel for over 100 years. According to Col. Tom Gordon, the college prepares and trains cadets to help during natural disasters, and when disaster strikes, they send the best to the Red Cross. 

“What The Citadel does is we produce young men and women of virtue and character, and future principal leaders that want to help out,” said Col. Gordon. “We want to make sure that the cadets that we send to you all are properly trained.” 

In 2024, the Palmetto State was impacted by both Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby that devastated many communities. During Hurricane Helene, with the help of partners we served more than 377,000 meals and snacks to those in need. Our region also served 6,000 meals and snacks to residents in need during Tropical Storm Debby. 

The Citadel provided cadets during Hurricane Helene to help those impacted by the storm. 

“Last year after Helene. We were able to work thorough the American Red Cross and get some cadets trained and send them up there on the weekends that followed the disaster. Send them up to North Carolina and parts of the Upstate so they could help.”  

Col. Gordon says these cadets they send have one goal in mind and that’s to help those in need. 

“The beauty about having the caliber of humans that we have at The Citadel is they have bias for action, and they want to help out. Organizations like the American Red Cross allows them to channel that positive energy in a constructive way.” 

A key value of The Citadel is severing others before self. Col. Gordon believes that goes hand and hand with disaster season and how their college handles it. 

“What we like to say here is it’s not about you. It’s one of the first things our seniors learn as they raise their right hand to protect and serve the constitution of the United States,” said Col. Gordon. “Organizations like the Red Cross provide them with a vehicle. It allows them to actually put their passion, their desire to serve and to help out into action.” 

Recently, cadets participated in shelter training that the Red Cross offered on campus. Red Cross staff talked with cadets about helping with local disasters that South Carolina and surrounding areas might experience in the future. Col. Gordon says he believes the cadets responded to the call well. 

“The best way we can recover from a hurricane is to make sure we are properly prepared,” said Col. Gordon. “We appreciate the opportunity to get those young men and women properly trained.” 

As for the partnership between the Red Cross and The Citadel Col. Gordon is thankful. 

“We enjoy working with the American Red Cross.” 

Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for weather alerts, safety steps for different emergencies and expert advice in both English and Spanish. Don’t forget to sign up for local government emergency alerts to get critical local information — like evacuation notices — during an emergency.