If a young man or woman completes the rigors of VMI then the sky is the limit ! This seems to open a lot of doors not otherwise open to someone who didn't learn the kind of tools VMI teaches. I only wished I would have attended such a school, I just didn't know about it when I was 18. I did join the military. This would be a better option than a civilian school. Everything a person experiances at VMI will be needed upon going out into the world. Because it's extremely CHALLENGING!
Rah Virginia Mil! Hoorah,Semper-fi! God bless all Brother Rats, the world over. Exhilarating and invigorating experience. We live and we learn. Ciao,arrivederci. Alexander. LARYEA A.S.L (V.M.I'06,U.S.M.C).
You were the First Brigade in the Army of the Shenandoah, the First Brigade in the Army of the Potomac, the First Brigade in the Second Corps, and are the First Brigade in the hearts of your generals. I hope that you will be the First Brigade in this, our second struggle for independence, and in the future, on the fields on which the Stonewall Brigade are engaged, I expect to hear of crowning deeds of valor and of victories gloriously achieved! May God bless you all! Farewell!
In a way I wish I had had that kind of college experience. Mine was very average College experiece USC graduate very conventional. Not too much to reflect on. But one of these four year military Academy experience must always be with you...
Stumbled across this video again haha what a scene, i'm somewhere across from the guy filming going into my second year...half of my rat roommates are the echo boys right below this going to town lol. class of '11 rah va mil
Yes, I enjoyed my stay, but I know that what I saw wasn't as nearly as bad as what the ratline is. While I was there I learned a lot about what VMI has to offer, but at the same time I learned about what my goal is.
@rack0730 Wow, this comment is amazing. Way to represent Citadel. Just watching this, I have developed a high level of respect for VMI. I don't know much about their Corps, but this looks similar to our Freshman Orientation Week at Texas A&M. Squadron 20 C/O 2013. Thanks and Gig'em!
Saw VMI for the fist time today. Looks like a prison. So thankful I was poor and stupid. I now realize how lucky I was to go to a huge public university with division I sports and thousands of pretty girls my own age. Go Mountaineers!!!
purp Bullshit. The Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly known as Division I-AA is VMI’s division. You play smaller schools like Elon. I’m talking about the former Division I-A. What kind of collegiate accreditation do VMI’s various programs have?
Thanks! If I decide to go the Army route I'll go to North Georgia since I live in GA for in state but if I decide Navy or Air Force I'm looking at VMI or Citadel. Thank you.
served in The United States Army with one of these "vmi graduates". ABSOLUTELY the most ATE UP INDIVIDUAL and "officer" I had EVER met in my 27.5+ years of service. fortunately he did not last long with my unit and eventually resigned from Active Duty Service and probably went back to virginia or somewhere else. his type of mentality would have definitely gotten a lot of soldiers killed NEEDLESSLY!
@@purp yes. fortunately as a seasoned Captain at the time i had the misfortune of weeding this Lieutenant "X" out. I do not recall serving with any other vmi graduates but I may have served with others. as I recall I did serve with at least 3 citadel graduates. one was a fellow Lieutenant who received a DUI on post, another was a fellow Captain and my partner as a Staff Officer at the Brigade Level and the third was a former Battalion Commander as a Lieutenant Colonel who was probably the most effective leader i had met in my entire career and he should have made it to Colonel and beyond but as I recall he was passed over for promotion to O-6 and he eventually retired after 26 years and went back to Georgia. overall a mixed bag with the private military colleges and their graduates.
I doubt, personally, that any Citadel cadet would like the video, due to the fact that Citadel plays VMI in a football rivalry. However, they might still sympathize with the "Rats" having gone through something simillar on their Matriculation Day.
@@michaelrowland2207 no rats are hated even more as they are recognized months ahead of knobs meaning they get an easier and less challenging experience
yes, but I'm still on the fence about giving up the civilian life. I know that VMI will make me the best that I can be for a military career, and not every regular ROTC will do that. For this reason I want to go, and this is probably what would get me through the Ratline.
@ Malibucompany - Vietnam was over 35 years ago and the Colonel (US Army) that captured Sadaam was VMI class of 85. The Character of men that desire and enter that arch way will not shake or quiver because society changes. The Bible still holds the truth after 2000 years whether a weak minded man or woman choose not to believe yet the end result does not change. Same with an institution like VMI. The Men and Women who enter choose to so the need to change with society is minimal. There are more
Questions: Who are the cadets on the third stoop jeering? How does a rat go from being a rat to a cadet corporal the next year? Can you be a member of cadre and also on a sports team? I dont see how. Is it at all awkward for the upperclassmen who are yelling at the rats who where already veterans? Thanks
@purp Whats required for VMI? I'd like to go there after High School so i need to know whats needed before anything. Do you need a certain GPA in order to be accepted? I'd really like to know the true meaning of honor, have discipline, and character. I'm Determined to be one of VMI's Students.
The other academies are good as well. It seems that they all are difficult. No one is easier than the other. I would think. I was in South Carolina in Basic & the heat was pretty bad.
@purp i understand what its done for. like you said i am in the military. ive been through my fair share of training. but i have also seen the end results of what training like this brings (not all) but there are some come to the fleet and believe that they have this training it takes the place of just plain intellegence. it brings arrogance to the fleet in some cases and just bad leadership. like i said...not everbody is like this.
@@purp I'm surprised VMI lets you participate in ROTC after 2nd year if you you're not going in the military. I mean it's giving a spot to someone who could be a great officer to someone who just wants to play soldier for 2 years.
@@J.B24 That's an incredibly naive way of looking at it. VMI's mission is to create "citizen soldiers". Cadets who commission, and those who do not commission, both learn valuable leadership and personal skills that translate to the civilian and military environments.
@Rich 91 You shouldn't allow them if they don't agree to serve. That spot would be better used by someone who is there to be served not someone who just wants to play soldier for 2 more years.
@@J.B24 I really don't follow your logic. VMI's ROTC program is restricted to VMI. A cadet who takes part of ROTC is not taking 'a spot' away from anybody. Unless your point is that VMI should only accepted people who intend to serve. Because again, that logic is flawed and against VMI's mission.
So 10 cadets either died at the Battle of New Market or from wounds suffered from that battle. But apparently West Point wanted to be able to fix bayonets at its parades, also, so got the rule that a unit had to fight in a battle changed so they could fix bayonets as well. And you, conqueror18888, are claiming VMI is stealing West Point's respect. Really?
Someone whistled at 4:58 and they applauded improper movement, untimed movement, and sloppy cadence. So....get squared away and cheer for the best. Not your ego.
@purp I know. There was supposed to be a hint of sarcasm in that comment, but it's kind of hard to convey over the internet. I am excited to go, but I know it's going to sssssuuuucccckkkkk.
No that was not a serious statement, it was a joke hence the ;). I have nothing but respect for your school and the other senior military schools for that matter. Also, what makes the Ratline different from Rookdom? They are both difficult challenges that both schools use to make better people out of those who join the corps and to help create better officers and citizens. I'm glad you have pride in your school but show a little respect to the other Senior Military Colleges.
kind of lose all credibility when, in the sixth word, you call VMI and The Citadel "private" institutions, when VMI is the nation's oldest state-supported military institute. As for copying west point uniforms, that style of uniform was the uniform of the time when VMI was founded in 1839. And as for risking lives, VMI fought as a unit at the Battle of Newmarket on May 15, 1864 and that's why VMI is the only institute that has earned the right to fix bayonets at parades. Think what you want.
So weak... They can't even push the rats anymore during this. I did enough push ups, and up downs to last a lifetime on Cadre Night... This is borderline SOFT.
wait until you guys get in the real military. you will look back and see how stupid and pointless all this was. how this has nothing to do with actually being in the military and arguing about it is trivial
ВИРДЖИНИЯ - это американская Украина. Ни в одном другом штате на земле нет таких худших граждан, как в Вирджинии рядом с Вашингтоном, округ Колумбия. Необходимое Зло не нужно. У вас нет Воли или Доверия в Северной Америке. Кто вы такой бейдж из Аппалачей? Сколько денег понадобилось Иисусу Христу, чтобы заживо похоронить ВИРДЖИНИЮ? :::: VIRGINIA is America’s Ukraine. No other state on earth has the worst citizens as Virginia next to Washington, DC. Necessary Evil is not needed. You have no Will or Trust in North America. Who are you name tag Appalachian’s? How much money did Jesus Christ need to bury VIRGINIA alive?
***** I wasn't disrespecting them. I merely stated that it was nothing compared to Marine bootcamp. I did 4 years enlisted and then went to OCS. After seeing both sides OCS, wasn't shit.
Zach Zach PI. Quantico next summer. And I would have to say that "this shit is nothing compared to Marine bootcamp" is disrespecting VMI. I went through PI before the VMI Ratline, and was having cadets younger than me yelling at me very intimidating? No. But the ratline was still challenging in many regards, and I learned a lot about myself from it.
Class of 79 here! Someone in my company lasted about 10 minutes of this and freeked!
What happened to him?
dropped out, couldn't take it@@goodcommunitylife
My fraternal twin brother is a cadet at VMI. I have so much respect for what he and all the VMI cadets do, I don't think I could do it myself.
You'd be surprised what you're capable of doing!
If a young man or woman completes the rigors of VMI then the sky is the limit ! This seems to open a lot of doors not otherwise open to someone who didn't learn the kind of tools VMI teaches. I only wished I would have attended such a school, I just didn't know about it when I was 18. I did join the military. This would be a better option than a civilian school. Everything a person experiances at VMI will be needed upon going out into the world. Because it's extremely CHALLENGING!
Rah Virginia Mil! Hoorah,Semper-fi! God bless all Brother Rats, the world over. Exhilarating and invigorating experience. We live and we learn. Ciao,arrivederci. Alexander. LARYEA A.S.L (V.M.I'06,U.S.M.C).
You were the First Brigade in the Army of the Shenandoah, the First Brigade in the Army of the Potomac, the First Brigade in the Second Corps, and are the First Brigade in the hearts of your generals. I hope that you will be the First Brigade in this, our second struggle for independence, and in the future, on the fields on which the Stonewall Brigade are engaged, I expect to hear of crowning deeds of valor and of victories gloriously achieved! May God bless you all! Farewell!
There's a lyric to a very famous song which says "when will they ever learn?".
My name has been floating around these guy's over the year's
In a way I wish I had had that kind of college experience. Mine was very average College experiece USC graduate very conventional. Not too much to reflect on. But one of these four year military Academy experience must always be with you...
good luck there bradshaw. my daughter is cadre.
I remember that Day like yesterday August 17th, 2019. It was the most important day of my life so far.
Stumbled across this video again haha what a scene, i'm somewhere across from the guy filming going into my second year...half of my rat roommates are the echo boys right below this going to town lol. class of '11 rah va mil
Haha, I think a "few similarities" would be an understatement when it comes to the speech. It is practically word for word.
Yes, I enjoyed my stay, but I know that what I saw wasn't as nearly as bad as what the ratline is. While I was there I learned a lot about what VMI has to offer, but at the same time I learned about what my goal is.
Thanks, Congrats on making it through the Ratline.
I can never get enough of watcing my class matriculate! 13!! 13!! 13!! OHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Thankyou for answering. I have endless questions about that place
My son is a Citadel knob. These schools are making men. So proud of those who choose this path.
@rack0730 Wow, this comment is amazing. Way to represent Citadel. Just watching this, I have developed a high level of respect for VMI. I don't know much about their Corps, but this looks similar to our Freshman Orientation Week at Texas A&M. Squadron 20 C/O 2013. Thanks and Gig'em!
Gosh, I wish my cadre was that nice.
-Great Day to be a Bulldog
J3M Master they ain't got shit on the citadel!!!!
Saw VMI for the fist time today. Looks like a prison. So thankful I was poor and stupid. I now realize how lucky I was to go to a huge public university with division I sports and thousands of pretty girls my own age. Go Mountaineers!!!
VMI is division 1
purp Bullshit. The Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly known as Division I-AA is VMI’s division. You play smaller schools like Elon. I’m talking about the former Division I-A. What kind of collegiate accreditation do VMI’s various programs have?
@@toreshammerecelt861 Division 1.
Thanks! If I decide to go the Army route I'll go to North Georgia since I live in GA for in state but if I decide Navy or Air Force I'm looking at VMI or Citadel. Thank you.
people arguing west point vs vmi vs citadel...its all bs... one team one fight. I respect everyone regardless of commissioning source
served in The United States Army with one of these "vmi graduates". ABSOLUTELY the most ATE UP INDIVIDUAL and "officer" I had EVER met in my 27.5+ years of service. fortunately he did not last long with my unit and eventually resigned from Active Duty Service and probably went back to virginia or somewhere else. his type of mentality would have definitely gotten a lot of soldiers killed NEEDLESSLY!
That stinks, but glad he was weeded out early.
Generally I hear nothing but good things from people who have served with VMI grads.
@@purp yes. fortunately as a seasoned Captain at the time i had the misfortune of weeding this Lieutenant "X" out. I do not recall serving with any other vmi graduates but I may have served with others. as I recall I did serve with at least 3 citadel graduates. one was a fellow Lieutenant who received a DUI on post, another was a fellow Captain and my partner as a Staff Officer at the Brigade Level and the third was a former Battalion Commander as a Lieutenant Colonel who was probably the most effective leader i had met in my entire career and he should have made it to Colonel and beyond but as I recall he was passed over for promotion to O-6 and he eventually retired after 26 years and went back to Georgia. overall a mixed bag with the private military colleges and their graduates.
I'm matriculating in 13 days (today is August 8). Can't wait.
If you looking into the Senior Military Colleges also look at Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and Norwich University along with VMI and the Citadel.
so nostalgic.
My uncle started this!! Todd Jacobs! Soo cool :)))
21 Citadel cadets didn't like the video.
30
I doubt, personally, that any Citadel cadet would like the video, due to the fact that Citadel plays VMI in a football rivalry. However, they might still sympathize with the "Rats" having gone through something simillar on their Matriculation Day.
@@michaelrowland2207 no rats are hated even more as they are recognized months ahead of knobs meaning they get an easier and less challenging experience
@@Telco12VMI rats take 6 months to be recognized while citadel is about 7... VMI also looks way more like a prison and has worse weather
I'll be doing this on Saturday!! Can't believe I it's less than 2 days away already!
yes, but I'm still on the fence about giving up the civilian life. I know that VMI will make me the best that I can be for a military career, and not every regular ROTC will do that. For this reason I want to go, and this is probably what would get me through the Ratline.
Then go to some other school as a civilian.
@@J.B24 graduated from VMI 4 years ago
@@NeptuneVAhow's it going are you in the military right now?
I probably met some of these rats this weekend, they are all 1st class now.
Had a choice between this and the Marine Corps. Guess which one I chose?
I remember A. Becky was directly in front of me and was the only cadre that didn't move a muscle when all the other cadre we yellin at us.
Can you compare the Citadel to VMI is it a different experience or similar?
Congrats on your graduation....
I don't remember any one cheering for us Rats.
Can I pay someone to yell at me like this?
Jesus Christ, this awesome and brutal!
@ Malibucompany - Vietnam was over 35 years ago and the Colonel (US Army) that captured Sadaam was VMI class of 85. The Character of men that desire and enter that arch way will not shake or quiver because society changes. The Bible still holds the truth after 2000 years whether a weak minded man or woman choose not to believe yet the end result does not change. Same with an institution like VMI. The Men and Women who enter choose to so the need to change with society is minimal. There are more
Questions: Who are the cadets on the third stoop jeering? How does a rat go from being a rat to a cadet corporal the next year? Can you be a member of cadre and also on a sports team? I dont see how. Is it at all awkward for the upperclassmen who are yelling at the rats who where already veterans? Thanks
@Decogue some of the aspects of the training like
familiarization firing ,
self discipline,
respect ,
brotherhood
I'm really confused about whats going on in the video, can someone explain?
First day of school for rats entering the Virignia Military Institute. This event precedes Hell Week.
29 more days and that will be me standing with my new BRs in new barracks meeting my cadre.
David Kraatz Did you graduate?
3C-FD wondering this as well
Sounds like the USMC DI speech.
@purp Whats required for VMI? I'd like to go there after High School so i need to know whats needed before anything. Do you need a certain GPA in order to be accepted? I'd really like to know the true meaning of honor, have discipline, and character. I'm Determined to be one of VMI's Students.
So in essence shark day?
@purp I.E. even though Lt. General Lewis "chesty" Puller only went to VMI for one year, he became the most well known marine in history.
I am! I haven't what branch or what senior military academy I want to attend. Could you offer some advice?
That's great, but I still think that should be reserved for Marine recruits.
The other academies are good as well. It seems that they all are difficult. No one is easier than the other. I would think. I was in South Carolina in Basic & the heat was pretty bad.
AUGUST 20 2018 is my Matriculation!!!!!
Do you think it works?
Is this stuff going to work in 2011 post vietnam etc. Not so sure. We are a different people now. Invite comments..........
Do you mean he is attending?
Start this Saturday! Class of 2025💪
A few months in now. How's it going for you? Stay strong for a couple more months.
HAZING IS AMAZING!!! WOOO.
7:20 what the hell?!?! They just quietly go back to formation and do an oath of office?!?! Am I the only one who's scratching his head right now?
I heard a couple drumbeats around that time
That's how you separate men from the boys. Grownups from kids.
i wish i could go to VMI but according to my high school gpa and standards im what most people call dumb because of the number next to me
the cadre walking in had no right to go THAT hard
Whats up with the cadet third from behind in the lower line starting at 6:09. His heart is barely in it. He looks like he couldnt care less
@rack0730 Way to represent the Citadel. Hope you aren't one of their cadet recruiters.
@purp i understand what its done for. like you said i am in the military. ive been through my fair share of training. but i have also seen the end results of what training like this brings (not all) but there are some come to the fleet and believe that they have this training it takes the place of just plain intellegence. it brings arrogance to the fleet in some cases and just bad leadership. like i said...not everbody is like this.
@rack0730 I personally would rather have a VMI grad at my side than Citadel or Academy.
by
a Former VMI Hotel Company Rat
the guy at 0:56 made me laugh..
If they would only chosen The Citadel. Sorry boys😏
And a good time had by all!
What happens to the cadets that don't choose to go in the military after graduation?
Military service is not mandatory after VMI. There are many successful graduates in both the military and civilian worlds.
@@purp I'm surprised VMI lets you participate in ROTC after 2nd year if you you're not going in the military. I mean it's giving a spot to someone who could be a great officer to someone who just wants to play soldier for 2 years.
@@J.B24 That's an incredibly naive way of looking at it. VMI's mission is to create "citizen soldiers". Cadets who commission, and those who do not commission, both learn valuable leadership and personal skills that translate to the civilian and military environments.
@Rich 91 You shouldn't allow them if they don't agree to serve. That spot would be better used by someone who is there to be served not someone who just wants to play soldier for 2 more years.
@@J.B24 I really don't follow your logic. VMI's ROTC program is restricted to VMI. A cadet who takes part of ROTC is not taking 'a spot' away from anybody.
Unless your point is that VMI should only accepted people who intend to serve. Because again, that logic is flawed and against VMI's mission.
@Decogue
you reason.... like a washout
So 10 cadets either died at the Battle of New Market or from wounds suffered from that battle. But apparently West Point wanted to be able to fix bayonets at its parades, also, so got the rule that a unit had to fight in a battle changed so they could fix bayonets as well. And you, conqueror18888, are claiming VMI is stealing West Point's respect. Really?
Someone whistled at 4:58 and they applauded improper movement, untimed movement, and sloppy cadence. So....get squared away and cheer for the best. Not your ego.
@purp I know. There was supposed to be a hint of sarcasm in that comment, but it's kind of hard to convey over the internet. I am excited to go, but I know it's going to sssssuuuucccckkkkk.
Proud to be a future SHELLBACK
No that was not a serious statement, it was a joke hence the ;). I have nothing but respect for your school and the other senior military schools for that matter. Also, what makes the Ratline different from Rookdom? They are both difficult challenges that both schools use to make better people out of those who join the corps and to help create better officers and citizens. I'm glad you have pride in your school but show a little respect to the other Senior Military Colleges.
Funny how some of these rats are the teachers now
A good friend of mine is a VMI grad from the 60's. If he sees this he may change his will!
bengemeister why is that?
0:55 epic fail hahaha
@vmi02raven Before it was just the rats "meeting" them lol
@pickettj1970 Jenna Pickett from Bravo? I know her haha
Any one in 2024 😅😅
So did anyone notice the rip off from USMC SDI speech and DI creed? lol
@purp haha not at VMI anymore. In the army now haha fuck third class year
kind of lose all credibility when, in the sixth word, you call VMI and The Citadel "private" institutions, when VMI is the nation's oldest state-supported military institute. As for copying west point uniforms, that style of uniform was the uniform of the time when VMI was founded in 1839. And as for risking lives, VMI fought as a unit at the Battle of Newmarket on May 15, 1864 and that's why VMI is the only institute that has earned the right to fix bayonets at parades. Think what you want.
Norwich Forever
@samadamspatriot Well I'm not really a big fan of sausage so it's ok with me.
V MI Rats....
Fd
He's a third.
Yuhhh
So weak... They can't even push the rats anymore during this. I did enough push ups, and up downs to last a lifetime on Cadre Night... This is borderline SOFT.
Well aren't you a hardass.
Aaaand now they're getting sued for waterboarding their freshmen. Congratulations
Yeah, i guess your right, Rookdom at Norwich will most likely be to hard for him, he really should look at VMI, it will be easier ;)
Miller Mark Walker Angela Brown Mary
This is Virginia military Institute and these are rotc cadets so no not a combat unit lol
wait until you guys get in the real military. you will look back and see how stupid and pointless all this was. how this has nothing to do with actually being in the military and arguing about it is trivial
ВИРДЖИНИЯ - это американская Украина. Ни в одном другом штате на земле нет таких худших граждан, как в Вирджинии рядом с Вашингтоном, округ Колумбия. Необходимое Зло не нужно. У вас нет Воли или Доверия в Северной Америке. Кто вы такой бейдж из Аппалачей? Сколько денег понадобилось Иисусу Христу, чтобы заживо похоронить ВИРДЖИНИЮ?
::::
VIRGINIA is America’s Ukraine. No other state on earth has the worst citizens as Virginia next to Washington, DC. Necessary Evil is not needed. You have no Will or Trust in North America. Who are you name tag Appalachian’s?
How much money did Jesus Christ need to bury VIRGINIA alive?
All these soon to be LTs and they still cant complete the land nav course without getting lost
This shit is nothing compared to Marine bootcamp.
Shut up :\
Zach Zach Cool story bro. Been to both. Both are hard in their own respect.
William Thomas Which "bootcamp" did you go to to? OCS or Hollywood/PI?
***** I wasn't disrespecting them. I merely stated that it was nothing compared to Marine bootcamp. I did 4 years enlisted and then went to OCS. After seeing both sides OCS, wasn't shit.
Zach Zach PI. Quantico next summer. And I would have to say that "this shit is nothing compared to Marine bootcamp" is disrespecting VMI. I went through PI before the VMI Ratline, and was having cadets younger than me yelling at me very intimidating? No. But the ratline was still challenging in many regards, and I learned a lot about myself from it.
USMA better, always will be
Not impressed at all
I feel sorry for those guys, that is a terrible way to be.
The Citadel is 10x better
Gay