VMI Parents Weekend Report

easter2

5-Year Member
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Sep 16, 2011
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Just got back from VMI Parents' Weekend in VA....was a good time, very nice to see our DS and meet his BR's and his Dyke. Our DS was pretty sad this morning when we dropped him off--had to fly out very early this morning to get back---but he understood. Lots of pics, went to both parades, the football game, the barracks...
Onto a sweat party I hear tonight
 
Glad to hear it was a good visit. We had a good time in Charleston as well. DS seems to have made the transition smoothly. He is not enamoured with the freshman year foolishness. Fortunately, grades are good so that is once stress he does not have. One month and the Thanksgiving Break will be here. Time sure does go by quickly..
 
Just got back from VMI Parents' Weekend in VA....was a good time, very nice to see our DS and meet his BR's and his Dyke. Our DS was pretty sad this morning when we dropped him off--had to fly out very early this morning to get back---but he understood. Lots of pics, went to both parades, the football game, the barracks...
Onto a sweat party I hear tonight

I greatly enjoyed it too. Meet with DS's academic advisor, Col. Turk McCleskey, who is very impressive. The weather was fantastic and VMI football finally won and the Rats got the Ratline lifted for the day on Saturday. A banner day.
 
Just got back from VMI Parents' Weekend in VA....was a good time, very nice to see our DS and meet his BR's and his Dyke. Our DS was pretty sad this morning when we dropped him off--had to fly out very early this morning to get back---but he understood. Lots of pics, went to both parades, the football game, the barracks...
Onto a sweat party I hear tonight

Got an email from my DS this morning. No sweat party. Instead, the Rats rioted against the Thirds. A few hays made it to the quad before cadre and RDC broke it up. Looking forward to hearing more info!
 
Got an email from my DS this morning. No sweat party. Instead, the Rats rioted against the Thirds. A few hays made it to the quad before cadre and RDC broke it up. Looking forward to hearing more info!

Yep, something went down last night...they had a Rat riot a week ago or so and lost the privilage of eating with their dykes at lunch. They were supposed to have a sweat party last night but my DS was saying the rumor was the Rats were going to Riot instead. This morning, heard that there was a Riot, nothing to lose privilage-wise they thought...getting some further rumor aspect of what they did or could actually lose (like Sunday host family time, etc), having to do a sweat party for the next couple of nights, fights, etc...not sure what actually went on, the story confuses me and probably needs a good rumor control before I know what is hype and what is real. Sounds like things may have gotten a little out of hand?
 
I don't think that there normally is a sweat party on the Sunday night after Parents weekend- but I am pretty certain they will see one this week at some point. As far as the rest- "Stoop poop" is always confused and usually can be compared to an Oyster's pearl- a small grain of truth surrounded by about 1000 layers of opaque material that looks nothing like the original nugget of reality.:rolleyes:
I hope that all of those parents who attended had a great Parents Weekend experience. You got to see a winning football game (not such a common experience), two parades, maybe the chance to tailgate before and after the game, and the weather was great. what more could you ask for?:thumb:
 
Yep, something went down last night...they had a Rat riot a week ago or so and lost the privilage of eating with their dykes at lunch. They were supposed to have a sweat party last night but my DS was saying the rumor was the Rats were going to Riot instead. This morning, heard that there was a Riot, nothing to lose privilage-wise they thought...getting some further rumor aspect of what they did or could actually lose (like Sunday host family time, etc), having to do a sweat party for the next couple of nights, fights, etc...not sure what actually went on, the story confuses me and probably needs a good rumor control before I know what is hype and what is real. Sounds like things may have gotten a little out of hand?
I heard about this too. The thirds hays went overboard and there was apparently some sort of "fighting" between the thirds the rdc and the rats. Doesn't sound serious but there will be consequences I'm sure. Rat riots are discouraged but apparently last night was the first time thirds were permitted to order rats to push. A lot of "thirds eat s%%t " talk which apparently every believes except of course the thirds
 
I heard about this too. The thirds hays went overboard and there was apparently some sort of "fighting" between the thirds the rdc and the rats. Doesn't sound serious but there will be consequences I'm sure. Rat riots are discouraged but apparently last night was the first time thirds were permitted to order rats to push. A lot of "thirds eat s%%t " talk which apparently every believes except of course the thirds

3rd's hays were definitely tossed..DS said that there were other unscheduled events as well which postponed the sweat party until tonight and another sweat party will happen later in the week. They also will be waking a bit earlier and putting their boots on tomorrow morning prior to BRC. DS swears it was "totally worth it". Aren't "Rat Riots" normal occurrences? Not frequent nor a true "riot" as we would think of one?? Bruno?? RaVahMil? Someone? I guess I am looking for the definition of a "Rat Riot" because all I knew that they were planning on was throwing the 3rd's hays into the court yard. Considering the normal standard of conduct at VMI that in itself is riotous.
 
3rd's hays were definitely tossed..DS said that there were other unscheduled events as well which postponed the sweat party until tonight and another sweat party will happen later in the week. They also will be waking a bit earlier and putting their boots on tomorrow morning prior to BRC. DS swears it was "totally worth it". Aren't "Rat Riots" normal occurrences? Not frequent nor a true "riot" as we would think of one?? Bruno?? RaVahMil? Someone? I guess I am looking for the definition of a "Rat Riot" because all I knew that they were planning on was throwing the 3rd's hays into the court yard. Considering the normal standard of conduct at VMI that in itself is riotous.


I hear of the sweat party tonight as a consequence and I think tomorrow too? As far as I can tell and have read "rat riots' are fairly normal....although not encouraged so to speak, the rebellion is expected and a sign that the Rats are forming their 'brotherhood'. I hadn't heard about the hays being tossed-I heard of some physical altercations and maybe things got a little out of hand, doesn't sound like from the Rats but they will be the ones to pay for it so to speak....they didn't have a lot to lose I guess they figured.
 
Rat's charging down and tossing the 3rd Hay's is pretty common and it's basically sold to the Rat mass as a way to show they are becoming a class. they'll get a sweat party.
 
Rat's charging down and tossing the 3rd Hay's is pretty common and it's basically sold to the Rat mass as a way to show they are becoming a class. they'll get a sweat party.

I heard it got pretty violent too at least in one barracks with folks waking around with gashes and black eyes one Monday and that the commandant is pretty mad. Some thirds are getty physical?
 
That is what I heard too....DS mentioned injuries too. Looks like the Rats are going to suffer the repercussions for several days
 
I heard it got pretty violent too at least in one barracks with folks waking around with gashes and black eyes one Monday and that the commandant is pretty mad. Some thirds are getty physical?

Well, I heard that the Thirds weren't even there when it went down - Thirds were waiting over at Cocke Hall for what was supposed to be a sweat party (the first that they were to "host":rolleyes:) As I understand it, it was RDC and Seconds who were in charge of "protecting government property."
 
Well, I heard that the Thirds weren't even there when it went down - Thirds were waiting over at Cocke Hall for what was supposed to be a sweat party (the first that they were to "host":rolleyes:) As I understand it, it was RDC and Seconds who were in charge of "protecting government property."

Sounds like it got pretty rough, at least in one of the barracks. I am curious how the school handles this
 
Sounds like it got pretty rough, at least in one of the barracks. I am curious how the school handles this
I can't stress enough that the " stoop poop" is always really exagerated - regardless of the evnt and often bears very little resemblence to what goes on. If you take any of it as a factual retelling of the exact events- you really are making an error. Rumor mongering is a barracks past time and the accuracy is in inverse proportion to
The altitude you live from the courtyard. You have to learn to listen and enjoy the entertainment value of the stories without taking it too seriously or recycling the stories too much.
 
I can't stress enough that the " stoop poop" is always really exagerated - regardless of the evnt and often bears very little resemblence to what goes on. If you take any of it as a factual retelling of the exact events- you really are making an error. Rumor mongering is a barracks past time and the accuracy is in inverse proportion to
The altitude you live from the courtyard. You have to learn to listen and enjoy the entertainment value of the stories without taking it too seriously or recycling the stories too much.

Bruno: I take your point about rumors, but reports that purport to be from eye witnesses of actual fighting and first hand reports of injuries like black eyes and gashs are understandably disturbing to parental units. Now, I don't intend to do anything about it as it seems to be part and parcel of the VMI culture and these kids are, after all, legal adults, but I am intrigued that other parents have heard pretty much the same thing from different sources, which tends to add weight to the rumors. This forum is most useful for this sort of sharing, if only to quash unfounded rumors. BTW, VMI can best kill rumors with a candid discussion of the actual facts from those in charge.
 
Bruno: I take your point about rumors, but reports that purport to be from eye witnesses of actual fighting and first hand reports of injuries like black eyes and gashs are understandably disturbing to parental units. Now, I don't intend to do anything about it as it seems to be part and parcel of the VMI culture and these kids are, after all, legal adults, but I am intrigued that other parents have heard pretty much the same thing from different sources, which tends to add weight to the rumors. This forum is most useful for this sort of sharing, if only to quash unfounded rumors. BTW, VMI can best kill rumors with a candid discussion of the actual facts from those in charge.

Did you talk to your son about it? Only the kids there now can give you an idea of what went down. I wish I could say that it probably is blown out of proportion, but I have no way of knowing. Bruno's point about "stoop poop" is accurate, but the reality is that we just don't know. Indeed, there may very well have been some fighting. It happens at colleges all over the country. Fraternities get nailed all the time for stuff like that. I HOPE there wasn't this kind of behavior, but I'm not naive enough to say that this kind of thing has never happened before (while I'm an alum and think it's a great school, I'm not an apologist for the place).

If the circumstances warrant it, I'm sure there will be an investigation into the matter by VMI administration and the cadet government. OGA used to handle stuff like that when I was there. VMI does, in my opinion, a very good and fair job of punishing people who act in a barbarous way. They will sort out the truth from the rumors. Gen. Peay especially, and even Gen. Bunting before him, have made big steps to promote civility in the Corps.
 
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Did you talk to your son about it? Only the kids there now can give you an idea of what went down. I wish I could say that it probably is blown out of proportion, but I have no way of knowing. Bruno's point about "stoop poop" is accurate, but the reality is that we just don't know. Indeed, there may very well have been some fighting. It happens at colleges all over the country. Fraternities get nailed all the time for stuff like that. I HOPE there wasn't this kind of behavior, but I'm not naive enough to say that this kind of thing has never happened before (while I'm an alum and think it's a great school, I'm not an apologist for the place).

If the circumstances warrant it, I'm sure there will be an investigation into the matter by VMI administration and the cadet government. OGA used to handle stuff like that when I was there. VMI does, in my opinion, a very good and fair job of punishing people who act in a barbarous way. Gen. Peay especially, and even Gen. Bunting before him, have made big steps to promote civility in the Corps.

Civility is important and yes, I have heard that the Administration was stressing it by making the Ratline more professional. And, Yes, I got several emails about it from DS, as did apparently some of the other parents on this forum. It's the only way we can communicate with our rats. My kid is young (18) but not given to exaggeration, so I tend to listen, albeit skeptically (I am a lawyer/litigator by trade so I am *always* skeptical). I would hope and expect that the VMI administration would not tolerate fighting, especially from the cadre and the upper classmen, some of whom may have physically attempted to prevent or counter what would have otherwise been a harmless rat riot (dumping of the thirds' hays). Bruno has a good point that we should not believe everything we hear so I am more than willing to wait and listen for the facts. I hope that VMI will make an effort to communicate with us on this.
 
My kid is young (18) but not given to exaggeration, so I tend to listen, albeit skeptically (I am a lawyer/litigator by trade so I am *always* skeptical). .

So am I. I'm an attorney and always skeptical. I lost religion after law school. :biggrin:

The Commandant's staff will smell bull**** when it's there. We used to ***** about them as cadets, but they are very fair. If someone went over the line, they'll get nailed for it.
 
So am I. I'm an attorney and always skeptical. I lost religion after law school. :biggrin:

The Commandant's staff will smell bull**** when it's there. We used to ***** about them as cadets, but they are very fair. If someone went over the line, they'll get nailed for it.


Thanks. I am continually impressed by Gen. Peay and the Commandant and I am confident that they will take appropriate measures. I confess that I am curious at this point of what actually went down and how it got out of hand. I am also curious to see how or whether VMI will manage the parents.
 
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