Virginia Military Institute 08-09

This is a video showing an assortment of videos and photographs from the 2008-2009 academic year. This video was made to show the path taken during a Cadet's first year at the Virginia Military Institute, known as Rat Year. Upon entering the Institute, "new cadets" are referred to as "Rats." The title of Cadet is earned upon completion of the Ratline -the challenging and demanding indoctrination period every applicant must complete. When the administration, upper classes, cadre, and the 1st classmen (seniors) decide the "Rat Mass" is worthy enough to "breakout" of the Ratline, the Rats then go through Breakout Day. Breakout Day can be compared with "Recognition Day" for the Service Academies, but involves a full day of constant physical activity, culminating in the upper-class recognition of the Rats as Cadets. Once broken out the Rats go from being a Rat Mass to an official VMI Class. For example, at the time I made this video, the VMI Class of 2012 was the Rat Mass of 2009 + 3. Rats get most of their training of the VMI system and mentoring from the 1st Class, so the Rat Mass gets the designation of their 1st Class mentors (Known as "Dykes") plus three years. Upon Breakout, Rats earn the official title of Cadets and are recognized as a class. Breakout typically occurs at the end of January, but the Ratline has been known to last longer or shorter depending on how well the Rat Mass is able to bond and work together as a Class.

Most of the photos and all of the videos were taken/filmed by me, but the song is "Rock and Roll Train" by ACDC. I do not own the rights to the song, and all rights apply. Some photographs are copyright of the Virginia Military Institute, and all rights also apply as well.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• VMI
• Virginia
• Military
• Institute
• Class
• of
• 2008
• 2009
• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• 2009+3
• Ratline
• Rat
• Breakout
• Army
• USMC
• USAF
• US
• Navy

[rrbond07]

I had worked with a graduate from VMI some time ago and he was the most rude, arrogant and insulting person I ever knew. He certainly DID NOT bring honor to this school, and certainly hope others coming from this school are trained better than that, but also how to operate in the buisness world if they don't go into the armed services.

[2011VMICadet]

@rrbond07

I'm sorry to hear that but thank you for your understanding. Not everyone that manages to make it out of here is the perfect reflection of what we try to do here, but I guess it's just like any other organization in that respect. The vast majority of graduates are respectful and overall great "team players." There are some that don't ever grasp the Brother Rat spirit, sense of duty, respect, or integrity and I think you ran into one of those rare few.

[coleman1489]

yall need a knob year

[2011VMICadet]

@coleman1489

I think it is the Citadel that needs to experience the Ratline. We have a Citadel Alum that is on the staff here, he's ashamed of his school nowadays. I never understood why until I visited the Citadel myself. He was on the Summerall Guards, maybe his expectations are too high. Either way I think VMI and The Citadel are side by side in the challenges of modern society and keeping with tradition in military schools.

[SamHagagaga]

Rat Mass of 2013 hopefully.

[CookingwithVictoria]

Great video! I hope to be headed there in a couple of years myself! Thanks for your hard work and dedication, God Bless!

[sound2loud4U]

had a Lt from VMI best Dam Lt i have ever had

west point officer are pussy's

[mobilechief]

Hey Virgins thank Ya! R

[AnubisEye009]

I'm 19 and almost 20. I'm also in community college. How do I transfer over if I can?

[Worker927]

Great movie Ryan, as always! Greetings from Hungary :)