- Joined
- Dec 15, 2008
- Messages
- 270
Ah, yes. The personality-deficient. One of the RDC Officers from my dyke's class was thoroughly disappointed when he told me to strain and I look at him incredulously and said, "Um, no." We were standing in the hallway at work about three months after I graduated. He was slightly offended when I told him that if I didn't have a Ratline and never broke out, it was his fault. Friggin' classic! 
And yes, Bruno... it was a Class of '83 Alum who I met briefly at the VMI Museum when I was giving tours on Legacy Day '09. He seemed to remember your persona in a humorous light, despite the lingering memories of torment. It was funny for me, 'cause I had no idea you'd been on the RDC at that point, but then I went to Preston Library and Bomb stalked you to see what a toolbag you were.
It's astounding how perspective changes over time.
You're terrified of the RDC at first, but then when you get as much quality time with them as I did, you begin to see the humor. After a while, it gets annoying for the simple time consumption aspect of it. Gross misconduct workouts just before Taps cut out about 30 minutes of study time. Rather than being fear-stricken when the Second Class RDC Rep hand delivers the RDC send up and decides to do a little pre-gaming, you just roll your eyes and adjust your study plans accordingly.
Rats =
...and then as a Third, you watch the RDC flaming the little rat-ties every chance you get. There are many reasons that the say "Thirds eat sh*t". (Please pardon the vulgarity... so goes the vernacular of a traditionally all-male school. And if you knew any Thirds, you'd understand completely!)
Thirds =
...and then as a Second, you get ticked off because the RDC inadvertantly wakes you up with their nonsense when they wake the rats up. Collateral damage.
Seconds =
...and then as a First, you love watching your BRs flame your rats, because you remember what pieces of crap they were as rats. And because you appreciate the fact that your rats are being given the hardest Ratline since your own.
First =
...and then as an Alum, your RDC (from your rat year) was the toughest ever, but it wasn't that bad. You handled it all with grace and they never broke you off. No sweat, man.
Alumni =
So goes life at the Institute.
As a sidenote, I can't speak to the RDC right now, but in my four years at the Mother I, the RDC as an organization became progressively more professional without losing the flare or the dramatic effect.
And yes, Bruno... it was a Class of '83 Alum who I met briefly at the VMI Museum when I was giving tours on Legacy Day '09. He seemed to remember your persona in a humorous light, despite the lingering memories of torment. It was funny for me, 'cause I had no idea you'd been on the RDC at that point, but then I went to Preston Library and Bomb stalked you to see what a toolbag you were.
It's astounding how perspective changes over time.
You're terrified of the RDC at first, but then when you get as much quality time with them as I did, you begin to see the humor. After a while, it gets annoying for the simple time consumption aspect of it. Gross misconduct workouts just before Taps cut out about 30 minutes of study time. Rather than being fear-stricken when the Second Class RDC Rep hand delivers the RDC send up and decides to do a little pre-gaming, you just roll your eyes and adjust your study plans accordingly.
Rats =
...and then as a Third, you watch the RDC flaming the little rat-ties every chance you get. There are many reasons that the say "Thirds eat sh*t". (Please pardon the vulgarity... so goes the vernacular of a traditionally all-male school. And if you knew any Thirds, you'd understand completely!)
Thirds =
...and then as a Second, you get ticked off because the RDC inadvertantly wakes you up with their nonsense when they wake the rats up. Collateral damage.
Seconds =
...and then as a First, you love watching your BRs flame your rats, because you remember what pieces of crap they were as rats. And because you appreciate the fact that your rats are being given the hardest Ratline since your own.
First =
...and then as an Alum, your RDC (from your rat year) was the toughest ever, but it wasn't that bad. You handled it all with grace and they never broke you off. No sweat, man.
Alumni =
So goes life at the Institute.
As a sidenote, I can't speak to the RDC right now, but in my four years at the Mother I, the RDC as an organization became progressively more professional without losing the flare or the dramatic effect.