What VMI isn't

bruno

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Got a kick out of this article because this is literally 180 degrees away from what you will experience at the VMI Messhall::eek:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local...ries/2011/10/05/gIQAB8mCUL_story.html?hpid=z2

Thanks Bruno: That's a hoot. I am going to send this link to my DS, currently a Rat at VMI. The article was about the University of Maryland at College Park and he was admitted there. DS turned it down to go to VMI where the cuisine, ah, just say doesn't include "lobster tanks" or "fire-grilled salmon". I don't think VMI mess is in any danger from being written up on Food and wiine magazine. From the article:

"His options — pho-style brisket, fire-grilled salmon, Pacific rim noodles, deconstructed cannoli — were indicative of a new era in campus dining. Maryland opened 251 North this semester to keep up with a trend that has taken hold across the region recently as campuses add more upscale and locally grown menu options and expand facilities to meet demand. Nationwide, colleges big and small are competing for the attention of tomorrow’s leaders by targeting their bellies with Food and Wine magazine-caliber food.

Out: taco bars. In: lobster tanks."

On second thought, maybe sending that link would be cruel....
 
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Pretty funny...I think my DS cuisine at VMI is peanut butter sandwiches, he is usually excited for the weekend when he can have a spicy chicken sandwich from the PX:redface:
 
Maybe my standards aren't very high, but when we went with my DS last year for the overnight visit, I really liked the food! Maybe it's because I didn't have to fix it and they had lemon meringue pie ... :yllol:
 
Agreed...I have eaten there a couple times and heck, thought it was just fine myself...looking forward to eating there next weekend for Parents' Weekend, I think my DS will eat in the PX tho :shake:
 
Maybe my standards aren't very high, but when we went with my DS last year for the overnight visit, I really liked the food! Maybe it's because I didn't have to fix it and they had lemon meringue pie ... :yllol:

My son (a Third this year) tells us that the food at Club Crozet is much nicer when parents are visiting. :rolleyes:

Hey - the Rats have to strain while their eating, and aren't allowed to look down at their plates. One piece of advice given to my son, pre-Breakout, was to avoid the peas. :wink:
 
My son (a Third this year) tells us that the food at Club Crozet is much nicer when parents are visiting. :rolleyes:

Hey - the Rats have to strain while their eating, and aren't allowed to look down at their plates. One piece of advice given to my son, pre-Breakout, was to avoid the peas. :wink:

I have heard that too. My DS, who used to love eggs, says he can barely eat them now... All I know is that when parents visit, the kids can't *wait* to go eat somewhere else.
 
Haven't heard that about the peas....now I will be making sure to avoid next weekend...my DS asked for fast food one night and out the other.....looking forward to next weekend...even if to eat to Crozet Hall :yllol:
 
Just to clarify...

The rats don't actually strain in the mess hall, but they do have to sit at the position of attention while eating.

Back in the Old Corps they used to strain in the mess hall, but times have changed. Some people think this is an indication that the Ratline has been dumbed down, but I think it's an indication of increased professionalism in rat training.
 
I asked cadets about the food when we did the overnight last year...they said it was better when they had open house too, and they told us it was normally "not so great". DS knew going in that it was going to be an adjustment. The Rats from Taiwan that I talk to think its good. It's all a matter of perspective.
 
Wow. To think people at my school get excited for "Chicken Finger Monday" and "Pasta Friday". But yeah, food is definitely better when there's events going on. Best was definitely Alumni Weekend. Gotta impress the ones paying back the big bucks. :wink:
 
Just to clarify...

The rats don't actually strain in the mess hall, but they do have to sit at the position of attention while eating.

.

Since when?!!!!

:thumbdown:

The mess hall was not a happy place when I was a Rat.

Do they still serve "crispitos"? If you tell me no, I'm going to cry.
 
Since when?!!!!

:thumbdown:

The mess hall was not a happy place when I was a Rat.

Do they still serve "crispitos"? If you tell me no, I'm going to cry.

Now, Sprog: Take it easy. It's best not live in the past. (Something like that from "The Lion Kind") We all know that the current RatMass has it really soft compared to the "Old Corps" I say that to my DS when I want to get his goat. :rolleyes:
 
Since when?!!!!

:thumbdown:

The mess hall was not a happy place when I was a Rat.

Do they still serve "crispitos"? If you tell me no, I'm going to cry.

Just to put you at ease...DS hates eating as much as being in the Barracks because "That's where the mean people wait for you." If DS could take his food box to a study area and live there I think he would prefer it:biggrin: They may not strain but it is still not "A happy place".. they must have figured out ways to make up for the lack of straining because meal time is stressful enough to warrant honorable mentions when telling us what sucks..And he isn't referring to food quality.
 
Just to put you at ease...DS hates eating as much as being in the Barracks because "That's where the mean people wait for you." If DS could take his food box to a study area and live there I think he would prefer it:biggrin: They may not strain but it is still not "A happy place".. they must have figured out ways to make up for the lack of straining because meal time is stressful enough to warrant honorable mentions when telling us what sucks..And he isn't referring to food quality.

Well- he's probably talking about the food too as I believe that description covers it. Straining at meals wasn't done when I was there either- so it must have started after I left . We ate "square meals", so you almost never knew what you were eating since you couldn't look down - and as your son has described -it was truly an unfun place because you were a fixed target while sitting there. (And as an RDC member- that was the place where you could really just share your time and talents with the happy rat's who were selected to eat at the RDC table. I have to ask if they still do that).

But parents take heart- soon you will be oohing and aahhing at your Rat's for Parents weekend , and if you look close you will see their little Rat noses quivering when you drive away on Sunday :rolleyes: but after this comes Thanksgiving, then finals and Christmas. And before you know it- you will be planning for graduation! sigghh- it all goes by too fast.
 
You bet...talked my DS into at least eating at a restaurant on Friday but all he wants on Saturday is fast food burger or such...we are leaving on an early flight out on Sunday so after dropping him off by 1 a.m. Sunday morning, it is back to his normal I suppose...
 
Well- he's probably talking about the food too as I believe that description covers it. Straining at meals wasn't done when I was there either- so it must have started after I left . We ate "square meals", so you almost never knew what you were eating since you couldn't look down - and as your son has described -it was truly an unfun place because you were a fixed target while sitting there. (And as an RDC member- that was the place where you could really just share your time and talents with the happy rat's who were selected to eat at the RDC table. I have to ask if they still do that).

But parents take heart- soon you will be oohing and aahhing at your Rat's for Parents weekend , and if you look close you will see their little Rat noses quivering when you drive away on Sunday :rolleyes: but after this comes Thanksgiving, then finals and Christmas. And before you know it- you will be planning for graduation! sigghh- it all goes by too fast.

In the '90s, you strained when you entered the mess hall and at your seat if not eating. In fact, once you hit the "bricks" of Crozet you were straining.

I might go out on a limb and say that Crozet was my least favorite place to be as a Rat. Fourth Stoop could be hellish, but it also was where you lived (so it couldn't be bad ALL the time). Eating from my food/misc box was SOP during the Ratline. I lost 25 pounds during the first month at VMI, and if it wasn't for mom and dad sending me food, I'd probably have wasted away.

We were never allowed to have dessert at the mess hall, and could drink nothing but water. I distinctly remember our company coming in second place at the Rat Olympics, and we got 1/2 of a scoop of ice cream. I suppose first place would have warranted a whole scoop. That was the only time I had dessert in the mess hall until breakout.

As I tend to enjoy a soda, the first thing I remember doing after breakout at the "steak" dinner was getting a cup of Coke and just enjoying it (being able to look around at the table and actually SEE my food was also a high point).
 
In the '90s, you strained when you entered the mess hall and at your seat if not eating. In fact, once you hit the "bricks" of Crozet you were straining.

I might go out on a limb and say that Crozet was my least favorite place to be as a Rat. Fourth Stoop could be hellish, but it also was where you lived (so it couldn't be bad ALL the time). Eating from my food/misc box was SOP during the Ratline. I lost 25 pounds during the first month at VMI, and if it wasn't for mom and dad sending me food, I'd probably have wasted away.

We were never allowed to have dessert at the mess hall, and could drink nothing but water. I distinctly remember our company coming in second place at the Rat Olympics, and we got 1/2 of a scoop of ice cream. I suppose first place would have warranted a whole scoop. That was the only time I had dessert in the mess hall until breakout.

As I tend to enjoy a soda, the first thing I remember doing after breakout at the "steak" dinner was getting a cup of Coke and just enjoying it (being able to look around at the table and actually SEE my food was also a high point).

DS told me that they cannot forbid them anything to eat or drink that is available there because we pay for it, so that has changed to a degree. Yet whatever they must endure in order to procure deserts or chocolate milk or anything enjoyable makes it not worth the effort. My 6ft 160 pound skinny kid is probably around 145 at this point. On the bright side he may pass his VFT now because its easier to pull up 145 :)

I just filled my trunk with $100 worth of junk food and snacks for his food box. I got a request list for 20 different things to get for him. He prefers we bring things along rather than fighting the crowd at Wal-Mart. The BR we usually adopt also sent a list that we filled. Both think POP Tarts and Pringles are a food group. Both are looking forward to an evening or 2 of Bed N Breakfast time rather than shopping.
Does anyone know if it's allowed to bring along civilian clothes for them while they are at the Bed n Breakfast? It is in RockBridge County, but I figured he would enjoy his pajama pants while in the confines of the room or porch, if that is allowed. thanks
 
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