#vmi29

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Daniels Ceremony

March 4, 2026—This morning, 4th Class cadets honored Jonathan M. Daniels ’61, an alumnus and clergy member who was an active participant in the civil rights movement. The commandant and cadet leadership placed a wreath in the Daniels Courtyard following a prayer by Col. John Casper '04, Institute chaplain. In 1965, Daniels was arrested for participating in a voter rights demonstration in Alabama. Shortly after release from jail, Daniels was killed protecting Ruby Sales, a Black teenager, as she and a friend attempted to buy a soda. When he heard of the tragedy, Martin Luther King Jr. said, “One of the most heroic Christian deeds of which I have heard in my entire ministry was performed by Jonathan Daniels.”—VMI Photos by Kelly Nye.

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Breakout

Jan. 28, 2026—The Rat Line ended on Saturday morning after hours of strenuous activity culminating in a crawl across the Parade Ground. The new members of the Class of 2029 later celebrated with a dinner and their first Old Yell.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin, Kelly Nye, and Jake Falcone '27.

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20-Mile March

Jan. 20, 2026—Rats and their dykes—1st class mentors—marched 20 miles on Sunday from post onto the Chessie Nature Trail and back.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

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Rat Olympics

Nov. 10, 2025—Rat Olympics for the Class of 2026 plus 3 kicked off Founders Day activities on Friday in the Corps Physical Training Facility. The competition is the culmination of the 10-week physical education program, Rat Challenge. Winning companies will be announced on Wednesday evening during the Rat Olympics dinner.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin and Kelly Nye.

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Rat Crucible

Aug. 25, 2025—Matriculation Week culminated Sunday 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 Kelly Nye and H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

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House Mountain

Aug. 20, 2025—Rats climb House Mountain, a 5.5 mile hike, by company today and yesterday as Matriculation Week continues. Cadre offer the rats advice while taking in the view through the fog from Big House Mountain, an elevation of 3,600 feet.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

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The Rat Line Begins

Aug. 16, 2025—This afternoon, 469 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. This year's Rat Mass consists of 75 females and 143 recruited NCAA athletes. They come from 33 states and six foreign countries, with 62% from Virginia and 38% from out of state.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

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Matriculation Move-In

Aug. 16, 2025—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.