When the Rat arrives at Limits Gate he or she is confronted by an institution that was founded on 11 November 1839 and which has successfully transformed its Rats into winners who exit that same Limits Gate educated graduates, ready to lead, persons of character, persons able to live in close quarters with a diverse range of Brother Rats, and with a sense of honor that is far beyond the expectations of the world.
It does not happen by accident.
The VMI System
There is a system and the system is tested, structural, vigorous, demanding, and orderly. If there was one characteristic of the system that is pervasive it is this — VMI makes order from chaos, makes men from boys, makes women from girls. It is like no other system in the world.
The supervision and mentorship of the Rat — and the initial driver of the transformation — is an elaborate system based on the Rat’s class, roommates, squad, platoon, company, academic major, military selection, and mentorship. This is a very orderly approach.
Every Rat is assigned a First Class dyke whose job is to assist his or her Rat in his or her assimilation into the system and the culture. The bond during the Rat’s first year with his or her First Class dyke is one of the closest relationships one can imagine. The Rat wakes his First Class dyke early in the morning, rolls up his mattress and hay, and ensures he makes it to Breakfast Roll Call formation on time. The First Class dyke’s room is a shelter from the storm.
The Rat’s First Class dyke is a mentor, friend, cultural interpreter, psychologist, motivator, and protector. The Rat’s First Class dyke ensures the Rat receives a fair shake on everything and will intercede when there is a trangression.
Each Rat will also have an academic advisor whose job is to ensure the Rat manages his time and studies to meet the requirements of the Rat’s academic major. The academic advisor will be from the Rat’s major, will be salty and seasoned, and be experienced in all matters dealing with Rathood.
There is no more orderly system to educate young men and women than delivering education in a military wrapper of discipline that ensures attendance and study. As a delivery system, there is no better way to obtain an education.
The Rat’s military company with the Corps of Cadets regiment will provide a squad leader (there is nothing meaner in the world than a third class corporal), a platoon sergeant/leader, an executive officer and a company commander.
Rats operate in their own company structure until the end of the Ratline.
The Rat’s ROTC selection brings with it an additional level of mentorship — particularly if attending VMI as an ROTC scholar — from the Professor of Military Science of that branch of the service and the tactical staff (one officer assigned to each company).
The leadership of the Institute itself is in barracks where the Commandant’s office deals with the senior leaderhsip of the Corps of Cadets.
If a Rat plays an intercollegiate sport, there is a coaching staff that provides similar supervision and oversight.
The Culture of VMI
The culture is based on simple values of honor, accountability, responsibility, and hard work.
VMI operates the last single sanction Honor Code system amongst the military schools.
The Transformation Begins
In Spring of the next year, a Rat becomes a Fourth Classmen and is welcomed into the Corps of Cadets subject to the rigors of the class and military system. Again, an orderly transformation.
When graduation comes, a parent will have witnessed their Rat become a confident, whole, well-rounded person who speaks a foreign language, and who has weathered a hard course, but has emerged educated, a leader, a person of character, a socially dexterious person, and an honorable person.
The system has been producing such graduates since 1839. God bless the Virginia Military Institute.
Minch, JL
VMI ’73
Savannah, Georgia