Virginia Military Institute: Encyclopedia - Virginia Military Institute

Virginia Military Institute

The Virginia Military Institute (VMI), located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state military college in the United States and the Nation's only classical state military college: all VMI students are cadets. VMI offers a spartan, physically demanding environment combined with strict military discipline. Cadets pursue bachelor's degrees in 14 disciplines in the fields of engineering, science, and liberal arts. For the past five years, VMI has been ranked America's #1 public liberal arts college by the magazine U.S. News and World Report. US News also ranked VMI's Engineering program among the top 20 engineering programs in the nation and its Civil Engineering program ninth nationally for colleges that offer a Bachelor or Master's degree.

VMI is famous for the loyalty of its Alumni and VMI's $290 million endowment is the largest per-capita endowment of any public college or university in the United States. VMI was called the "West Point of the South" by President Abraham Lincoln and General John J. Pershing.

VMI's Mission Statement:

It is the mission of the Virginia Military Institute to produce educated and honorable men and women, prepared for the varied work of civil life, imbued with love of learning, confident in the functions and attitudes of leadership, possessing a high sense of public service, advocates of the American Democracy and free enterprise system, and ready as citizen-soldiers to defend their country in time of national peril.

Virginia Military Institute - Early history

On November 11, 1839, the Virginia Military Institute was founded on the site of the Lexington state arsenal, and the first Cadets relieved the enlisted personnel on duty. Under Major Francis H. Smith, superintendent, and Colonel Claudius Crozet, president of the Board of Visitors, the corps was imbued with the discipline and the spirit for which it is famous. The first cadet to march a sentinel post was Private John Strange. Since Private Strange's posting, there have been sentinels at two of the three posts at VMI 24 hours a day, seven days a week, during every school year.

The Class of 1842 graduated 16 Cadets into the ranks of the first alumni. Living conditions were poor until 1850 when the cornerstone of the new barracks was laid. In 1851 Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson became a member of the faculty and professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy. Under then-Major Stonewall Jackson and Major William Gilham, VMI infantry and artillery units were present at the execution by hanging of John Brown at Charles Town, Virginia (now West Virginia) in 1859.

Virginia Military Institute - Civil War period

The Institute played a valuable part in the training of the Southern armies as well as participating in battle. VMI Cadets were called into active military service on 14 different occasions during the American Civil War. Many Cadets, under the leadership of General Stonewall Jackson, were sent to Camp Lee, at Richmond, to train recruits. VMI alumni were regarded among the best officers of the South and several distinguished themselves in the Union forces as well.

Fifteen graduates rose to the rank of general in the Confederate Army.[2] At the Battle of Chancellorsville, Stonewall Jackson was reported to say, "The Institute will be heard from today," commenting on the leadership provided by VMI alumni during the battle.

On May 15, 1864, 257 Cadets fought as an independent unit at the Battle of New Market.[3] VMI is the only military academy in the nation that holds this distinction and is therefore the only school authorized to "fix bayonets" and wear red in their uniforms during parade. Students at only three military schools have fought as a unit in war: École polytechnique in France, Chapultepec in Mexico, and VMI.

The Institute was shelled and burned on June 12, 1864, by Union forces under the command of General David Hunter, as part of the Valley Campaigns of 1864. The destruction was almost complete and the Institute had to temporarily hold classes at the Alms house in Richmond, Virginia. In April 1865, Richmond was evacuated after the fall of the Confederacy and the VMI Corps was disbanded.

The Lexington campus reopened for classes on October 17, 1865.[4] It is said that Confederate General Jubal A. Early burned the town of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in retaliation for the shelling of VMI.

Following the war, Matthew Fontaine Maury, "Pathfinder of the Seas", accepted a teaching position at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, holding the chair of physics. He was a pioneering oceanographer who made important contributions to charting wind and ocean currents.

Virginia Military Institute - World War I and II

During World War II, VMI participated in the War Department's Army Specialized Training Program from 1943 to 1946. The program provided training in engineering and related subjects to enlisted men at colleges across the United States. Over 2,100 ASTP members studied at VMI during the war.

Virginia Military Institute - Student life

The Virginia Military Institute is a unique military and educational experience.

All Cadets are housed on campus in a large five story building, called the "barracks." The Old Barracks, which has been designated a National Historic Landmark, stands on the site of the old arsenal. The new wing of the barracks ("New Barracks") was completed in 1949. The two wings surround two quadrangles connected by a sally port. All rooms open onto porch-like stoops on one of the quadrangles. VMI Cadets wear uniforms every day and eat their meals together in a mess hall.

Potential students must be between 16 to 22 years of age. They must be unmarried, physically fit for enrollment in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and be graduates of accredited secondary schools. The typical new cadet has an average SAT score of over 1200 and an average high school GPA of 3.35. Eligibility is not restricted to Virginia residents (although it is more difficult to gain an appointment if the potential student is not a resident of Virginia) and VMI has graduated students from across the U.S. and from many other countries. Virginia residents do receive a discount in tuition, as is common at most state-sponsored schools. Tuition for the 2005-2006 school year is approximately $15,000 for Virginia residents and $28,000 for all others. These fees can be misleading, because VMI's endowment enables VMI to meet a substantial ammount of a cadets's financial need before the cadet needs to take school loans. It is common for in-state cadets to have their last two years at VMI paid for by alumni.

Virginia Military Institute - Ratline

The freshman student is known as a "Rat", and walks a prescribed line in barracks while in an exaggerated form of attention known as "straining." The Rat experience, called the Ratline, is intended to instill pride, discipline, brotherhood, and a sense of honor in the students. A Rat and his or her "Brother Rats" (classmates) face many challenges and must memorize rules, school songs, and facts about the school and its history. The Ratline is among the toughest, most grueling, and in-depth initiation programs in the country. It is best described as a longer version of the Marine Corps boot camp combined with rigorous academics.

After having their heads shaved bald, the Rats undergo their first week in a long year of intense military and physical training. The initial week is a crash course in everything VMI: how to wear every uniform, how to march, how to clean a rifle, etc.

Once the first week is complete, Rats anxiously await the arrival of the returning students, the "Old Corps". Rats are each paired with a senior(first classman) who serves as a mentor for the rest of the first year. This pairing is integral to Keydet life at VMI. The first classman is called a "Dyke", reference to an older phrase "to dyke out", or to get into a uniform. This arose from a pair of Keydets helping each other get into the full parade dress, which includes white pants or ducks, full dress coatee, belt and leather cartridge box, military dress shako, (head piece with plume), several large web belts, or "cross dykes", that are extremely difficult to don alone, and a school issued M-14 rifle. Cadet officers and noncommissioned officers have the privilege of bearing a sash and sabre, while the Institute's regimental band carries instruments for parades and formal functions.

During the freshman year, Rats continue to undergo training from the most highly skilled Cadets at VMI, the Cadre. They enforce all rules, and the Rats live a life involving "sweat-parties," early morning runs, late night runs, and countless push-ups. It is hoped they will learn to think under pressure and focus on a team approach to solving challenges.

The Ratline experience culminates in a "Break Out" event during the second semester where the Rats are formally welcomed to the VMI community. After break out, rats are officially fourth class students and no longer have to strain in the barracks or eat "square meals" at attention. Many versions of the Break Out ceremony have been conducted. In the 1950s, Rats from each company would be packed into a corner room in barracks and brawl their way out through the upperclassmen. In the late 60's through the early 80's, the Rats had to fight their way up to the fourth level of the barracks through three other classes of Keydets determined not to let them get to the top. The stoops would often be slick with motor oil, grease or water. Another recent version had the Rats climbing a muddy hill on their stomachs while the upper classes dragged them back down.

Virginia Military Institute - Honor System

VMI is known for its strict Honor System. Under the VMI Honor Code, "Cadets will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do." There is only one punishment for breaking the Honor Code: immediate expulsion in the form of a "Drum Out" ceremony. During a Drum Out ceremony, Cadets are awakened in barracks deep in the night to the sound of a long snare drum roll followed by a single bass drum beat, repeated over and over again, and then they listen in the darkness to the announcement from the president of the Honor Court that the Cadet has "placed personal gain above personal honor, and has left the Institute in shame." The name of the Cadet is never to be mentioned inside the four walls of VMI again. [5]

Virginia Military Institute - Minority and female students

Of the 1,251 students enrolled in 2005, 66 were African-American, 39 were Asian, 34 were Hispanic and 71 were women.

The first Jewish Keydet, Moses Jacob Ezekiel, graduated in 1866. While at VMI, Ezekiel fought with the VMI Keydets at the Battle of New Market. He went on to become a artist/sculptor and many of his works are on display throughout the world.

One of the first Asian cadets was Li-Jen Sun, the Chinese National Revolutionary Army general, who graduated in 1927.

The first African-American cadets were admitted in 1968. The first African-American regimental commander was Derren McDew, class of 1982. McDew is currently a U.S. Air Force brigadier general and the wing commander at Pope AFB.

Virginia Military Institute - Admission of women

VMI excluded women from the Corps of cadets until 1997. In 1990, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a discrimination lawsuit against VMI for its all-male admissions policy.

While the court challenge was pending, a state-sponsored Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership was opened at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia, as a parallel program for women. The Mary Baldwin program continued even after VMI admitted women.

The case went through several appeals until June 26, 1996 when the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 7-1 decision in United States v. Virginia, found that it was illegal for a school supported by public funds to exclude women. (Justice Clarence Thomas did not vote because his son was attending VMI.) On September 21, 1996, the VMI Board of Visitors voted to admit women.

In August 1997, VMI enrolled its first female cadets, 31 women who would be held to the same strict physical courses and technical training as the male cadets. Unlike other U.S. military academies, VMI requires that female cadets adhere to the same strict physical regimen as male cadets. Female "Rats" are required to maintain a short haircut. They must keep their hair at a length of approximately four inches or less. Female cadets are also forbidden to wear makeup or jewelry as Rats. The cadets at VMI believe firmly in "One Corps, One Standard" and they expect the same from every Keydet.

Virginia Military Institute - Military service

The Virginia Military Institute supports ROTC divisions of all four military branches.[6] While four years of ROTC is a requirement for all Cadets, accepting a commission in the armed forces is optional. The VMI Board of Visitors has set a goal of having 70 percent of VMI Cadets take a commission by 2015. The VMI class of 2005 achieved a 50 percent commissioning rate.

VMI has graduated 265 General and Flag Officers, more than any other state military college in the United States.[7] Six graduates have received the Medal of Honor, the highest award of the U.S. military.[8]

Virginia Military Institute - Athletics

VMI fields 15 teams on the NCAA Division I level. The sports include baseball, basketball, men's and women's cross-country, football, lacrosse, men's and women's rifle, men and women's soccer, swimming, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track, and wrestling. VMI is a member of the Big South, the Southern (for wrestling), and the Metro Atlantic Athletic (for Men's Lacrosse) conferences.

Mark Ciarrocca was the first lacrosse captin at VMI.

Perhaps the most famous athletic story in VMI history was the two-year run of the 1976 and 1977 basketball teams. The 1976 squad advanced within one game of the Final Four before bowing to Rutgers in the East Regional Final, and in 1977 VMI finished with 26 wins and just four losses, still a school record, and reached the "Sweet 16" round of the NCAA tournament.

VMI has the smallest enrollment among NCAA Division I football schools. Approximately one-third of the Corps of Keydets plays on at least one of VMI's intercollegiate athletic teams, making it one of the most active athletic programs in the country. Of the VMI athletes who complete their eligibility, 92 percent receive their VMI diplomas.

Virginia Military Institute - Notable graduates

VMI's graduates include a Secretary of State, Nobel Prize winners, Pulitzer Prize winners, Rhodes Scholars, U.S. Senators and Representatives, College and University Presidents, and CEOs. Some examples:

• William Mahone, 1847. Confederate Army major general, member Virginia General Assembly, U.S. Senator (1881–1887), and railroad executive.
• Robert E. Rodes, 1848. Railroad civil engineer and a Confederate Army major general killed during the battle of Shenandoah Valley.
• Benjamin Franklin Ficklin, 1849. A founder of the Pony Express.
• James H. Lane, 1854. Confederate Army brigadier general who fought in Pickett's Charge, civil engineering professor, and founder of Virginia Tech.
• Thomas T. Munford, 1854. Confederate Army Brigadier-General.
• John McCausland, 1857. Confederate Army Brigadier-General, serving under General Jubal Early.
• Walter H. Taylor, 1857. Confederate Army lieutenant colonel, chief aide-de-camp to General Robert E. Lee (1861–1865), lawyer, banker, author, railroad executive based in Norfolk, Virginia, and Senator in the Virginia General Assembly.
• Henry G. Shirley, 1896. Commissioner, Department of Highways.
• George Marshall, 1901. U.S. Army General of the Army, Army Chief of Staff during World War II, U.S. Secretary of State (1947–1949), and Nobel Peace Prize winner for the Marshall plan in Europe after World War II.
• Richard Marshall, 1915. U.S. Army general during World War II.
• Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., 1917. U.S. Marine Corps general and twentieth commandant of the Marine Corps.
• Randolph McCall Pate, 1921. U.S. Marine Corps general and twenty-first commandant of the Marine Corps.
• P. Wesley Foster Jr., 1956. President and CEO of Long and Foster Real Estate, Corp., the world’s largest real estate broker.
• Jonathan Myrick Daniels, 1961. American civil rights activist and one of fifteen modern-day martyrs listed by the Anglican Church.
• J.H. Binford Peay III, 1962. U.S. Army general, commander 101st Airborne, commander United States Central Command, and fourteenth superintendent of VMI.
• G. Gilmer Minor III, 1963. President and CEO of Owens and Minor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Robert Flowers, 1965. U.S. Army lieutenant general and commander, Army Corps of Engineers.
• John P. Jumper, 1966. U.S. Air Force general and USAF Chief of Staff.
• Carl A. Strock, 1971. U.S. Army lieutenant general and current commander, Army Corps of Engineers
• Robert B. Newman Jr., 1973. Air Force major general, Adjutant General of Virginia and President of VMI's Alumni Association.
• Daniel J. Darnell, 1975. U.S. Air Force major general, commander and former lead pilot of the USAF’s aerial demonstration team, The Thunderbirds.
• John Adams, 1996. Clerk to the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Micahel Lokale, 2003. Rhodes Scholar and famous Kenyan distance runner

Virginia Military Institute - VMI trivia

• James A. Walker was expelled in 1852 just before his graduation for "disobediance" in Stonewall Jackson's classroom. Keydet Walker had challenged Jackson to a duel over a perceived insult. VMI granted him an honorary degree in 1872 in recognition of his Civil War service, where he rose to the rank of brigadier general.[9]
• Alpha Tau Omega fraternity was founded by VMI Keydets at Richmond, Virginia on September 11, 1865 while the school was closed for reconstruction. After the re-opening, Kappa Sigma Kappa fraternity was founded by Keydets on September 28, 1867, and Sigma Nu fraternity was founded by Keydets on January 1, 1869.[10]
• VMI Keydets formed the second chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity. Today, membership in any secret organization or fraternity is forbidden while a Keydet. Your allegiance is to be to the corps of Keydets and especially your class. Yet in a special arrangement, some Keydets may be nominated by Kappa Alpha Order alumni and inducted into the fraternity following graduation, becoming part of Kappa Alpha Order's Beta Commission (a commission as opposed to an active chapter). This usually occurs on graduation day, and the newly initiated VMI alumni are accepted as full brothers of that fraternity. Kappa Alpha Order insignias and flags often include VMI's colors: red, white, and yellow. These colors reflect the past army colors for artillery (red), infantry (white), and cavalry (yellow).
• The New Mexico Military Institute is the nation's oldest state-supported co-educational college preparatory military high school and junior college, founded in 1891 in Roswell, New Mexico. It was inspired by VMI.
• George Patton, U.S. Army General, studied at VMI for one year in 1903 before resigning to attend West Point.
• Richard E. Byrd, the U.S. Navy rear admiral and polar explorer, studied at VMI for two years, from 1904 to 1906.[11]
• The Keydet, the institute's newspaper, has been run independently by Keydets since 1907.
• Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller resigned from VMI after his freshman year to enlist as a Private in the United States Marine Corps in August 1918. He retired as a Lieutenant General as the most decorated Marine in U.S. history.
• Ronald Reagan starred in the film, "Brother Rat", which was filmed at VMI. Originally a Broadway hit, the play was written by John Monks Jr. and Fred F. Finklehoffe, both 1932 graduates of VMI.[12]
• VMI class rings are the largest class rings in the world and weigh more than Super Bowl rings.
• The VMI Pipes and Drums was founded by Cadet Donny Hasseltine, Class of 1997, and first performed in October of 1996.

See also

• Matthew Fontaine Maury - called the Pathfinder of the Seas and instructor at VMI
• John A. Lejeune - Major General USMC, Superintendent of VMI 1929-1937
• Southern Military Institute- A proposed all-male military college initiated by a VMI graduate to protest the 1997 court decision allowing women.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Virginia Military Institute", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki