VMI through the Years ("Back in the Old Corps, we weren't soft like ya'll")

What is the ratline at the Virginia Military Institute? It is a period of darkness all new freshmen cadets, referred to as rats endure at VMI. Consider it as boot camp/BCT/BMT on steroids as these young men and women juggle academics, athletics, & military training alongside with their rat duties (drill & ceremony, military inspections, push-ups for days, camaraderie activities, etc.). The days are long but once the rats survive the ratline, they earn the privilege of being a cadet at VMI. However, 'breaking out' from the ratline is only a short-lived celebration as there are 3 more years to graduation & commission into the military. As far as I understand, VMI is the ONLY "spartan" atmosphere military university in the United States. No luxuries, no beds, no air conditioning in the barracks, no graduate students, no civilian students, & traditions that embody the statement "iron sharpens iron". You graduate from VMI, and you will walk away as a confident adult knowing you can conquer ANYTHING you set your mind to.
“There is no need to suppose that human beings differ very much one from another; but it is true that the ones who come out on top are the ones who have been trained in the hardest school.”
- Thucydides
Virginia Military Institute
virginia military institute day in the life
vmi ratline
vmi ratline stories
vmi rat mass meets cadre
Credits to:
VMIOldCorps & OldCorpsMemes

[@axelpremiss4322]

Yes, very nice compilation!

[@pirateparker]

dont call me bad names you will hurt my feelings!!!