Thanks Bruno for the confirmation - I thought it should be over - as I read your post I got the phone call - My Ex-RAT sounded content, calm, but tired.
For any of you out there considering VMI or a parent of a student considering VMI - I would recommend it whole heartedly. As a single mom I did and do really appreciate all the infomation I gathered from this site. Especially Bruno's information and tidbits and the young graduate now - female who writes so well. I saw her post last year after breakout of her RAT - helped me understand and have knowledge of what lie ahead. I was very apprehensive about VMI - seeing that the ideals of our academcies might not be everyday practices, made me all the more concerned with VMI and image vs reality.
My observations of this first 6months at VMI -my son is surviving - he is in H company - i am sure had his share of stuff - has weathered well - has made some good friends, had a roommate quit soon after parents weekend, other 2 roommates are athletes so gone much of time,but he has a uncle dyke (who has his major) who has been wonderful -
so that's my recap -as condensed as I could be - my prayers were answered, my son found VMI to live up to his expectations, and their marketing. I am grateful for many things - vmi and nrotc are wonderful and informative to parents - have appreciated not being forgotten or ignored - it is my son that they are really interested in but as a parent I am thankful that they take the time and make sure the parent is informed and included. The mechanical enginerring department and his advisor have been terrific too - I really enjoyed the breakfast social during parents weekend. We followed the advice of VMI - my son attended STP, I signed up for a parent contact, and I tried to attend everything I could - during the RAT period, my son really appreciated my efforts. I sent encouraging emails, goodies for his food box, but my son did the biggest and hardest part - he is working hard, kept the finish line in sight, and was always ready to push himself as hard as he had to. My son really didnt complain much, his one low moment was after parent weekend when his roommate quit and left. Now he will begin the next phase as a cadet - I am looking forward to seeing him next month during mid winter formal weekend.
Thanks again Bruno, sincerely, I hung on your alumi words, advice, knowledge and that young lady who used to write as a senior last year - it helped me have some expectation and knowledge, for I really didn't know much more than marketing stuff VMI sent all those years of high school and we never visited before STP.
Bruno echos my few words of caution - now that the RAT thing is over, the cadets will have to be mature enough to balance enjoying these new freedoms with their studies to keep up their terrific grades. Its all part of their growing up - these cadets chose a different path than most of their friends and I continue to be very proud of the young adult they are becoming. Life is about choices and how one lives up to their honor, commitment, and values. VMI provides a wonderful environment that reinforces and celebrates these virtures.