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Rat Unity Event
Jan. 30, 2023—The Rat Mass of 2023 plus three carried more than 730 school supplies to Harrington Waddell Elementary School and Central Elementary School on Saturday morning as part of their Rat Unity event. The group collected the supplies over a two-month period that included their winter furlough. Local administrators were on hand to receive the supplies.—VMI Photos by Andrew Partridge ’24.
Rat Olympics
Nov. 14, 2022—Rat Olympics for the Class of 2023 plus 3 kicked off Founders Day Friday morning in the Corps Physical Training Facility. The competition is the culmination of the 10-week physical education program, Rat Challenge. The company that works the hardest and displays the best attitude will win the Stockwell Cup, named for the late Col. Bill Stockwell.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.
Breakout
Feb. 14, 2023—Two weeks after Little John was fired in barracks for a fakeout, the real Breakout took place on Monday, Feb. 13. The weekday Breakout was different from the Saturday events that had taken place in recent years. Cadre woke up the Rat Mass at 5:30 a.m. for training activities before breakfast, then participated in a normal academic day. Breakout activities resumed in the afternoon, including a log march, a crawl across the Parade Ground, and stoop workouts. Col. Bob Phillips ’87, Institute chaplain, was the guest speaker at the Breakout dinner. The evening concluded with the first Old Yell for the Class of 2026.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin and Kelly Nye.
Rat Crucible
Aug. 29, 2022—Matriculation Week culminated yesterday with Rat Crucible, which included training on the North Post obstacles and swimming in the Maury River to Jordan’s Point. The event concluded with a march up Letcher Avenue and the rats’ first Old Yell.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.
House Mountain Hike
Aug. 25, 2022—Rats climb House Mountain by company during a 5.5 mile hike today and Friday as Matriculation Week continues. Cadre offer the rats advice while taking in the view from the cliffs of Big House Mountain, an elevation of 3,600 feet.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.
Rat Line Continues
Aug. 22, 2022—Rats complete VMI’s fitness test in the first few days of the Rat Line to measure their physical condition prior to the rigorous training they will receive for the next few months. Along with early morning physical training, this week the rats are issued their rifles and uniforms.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.
The Rat Line Begins
Aug. 20, 2022—This afternoon, matriculants were called down by company during the Welcome Ceremony in Cameron Hall. After the ceremony, cadre marched the rats into barracks for the beginning of their training.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.
Matriculation Day Begins
Aug. 20, 2022—The day is here. Matriculants are arriving on post. VMI cadets, faculty, and staff are assisting them as they register for classes, receive parts of their uniform, move into barracks, and sign the Matriculation Book.—VMI Photos by Kelly Nye and Marianne Hause.
