Rat Mass down 10%

Bird85

10-Year Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2009
Messages
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DS emailed today. Cadre told them they have lost 10% of the class so far. I believe final matriculation number was 503. Is this higher than prior years? Bruno?
 
Don't worry too much. Cadre always says stuff like that. :rolleyes: :smile:

The ratmass of '12+3 matriculated 509 on Aug. 20th, and as of Friday (Sept. 10th), they'd lost ~30 overall. I heard this number during a conversation with a member of the Commandant's Staff and one of the professors.

It is possible that they were referring to a 10% attrition rate of rats in their company. It would only take the departure of 5-6 rats from a given company reduce the number of rats in that company by 10%.

Hope this helps.

Jackie M. Briski '09
First Class PVT (Ret.)
 
I wouldn't worry- I also talked to a friend in the commandant's office- in fact the drop rate is lower this year than expected (and it's not at 10%- or at least it wasn't last week- much closer to what RVM is posting). I think they got the benefit of the weather turning a couple of days before they showed up. Amazing what a 15 degree drop in temps will do. They are doing ok from what I've been told.
 
I wouldn't worry- I also talked to a friend in the commandant's office- in fact the drop rate is lower this year than expected

This is somewhat stressful for the profs, because it means they have more rat advisees to keep track of and check in with. :smile:

Actually, come to think of it, it's probably a good idea to encourage your rat-ties to be proactive in meeting with their ac advisors for exactly that reason...

-jmb-
 
DS told me he though that they had lost 20 or so total of his class 2012 +3..he figured they had over 480 remaining. That is not much different than any college. Considering the differences in comparison I'd say that is a positive reflection on the selection process. Added.. DS stated that is just an educated guess.
 
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DS told me he though that they had lost 20 or so total of his class 2012 +3..he figured they had over 480 remaining. That is not much different than any college. Considering the differences in comparison I'd say that is a positive reflection on the selection process. Added.. DS stated that is just an educated guess.

You can see the actual enrollment status on Post View. Click on the "Guest" link on the main Post View page, then select the "Corps Count by Major by Class" link to submit various queries either by "Matriculating Class" or "Academic Class." With this very cool capability you can track enrollment numbers through the entire school year.

As of Friday, 16 Sep, at around noon, 34 rats have "out-processed" thus far. (If memory serves, this number is slightly higher than last year.) Of the 34, 26 departed during Cadre Week before the start of classes, and another 8 departed after the start of classes. With 509 rats matriculating, a loss of 34 would be 6.7%.
 
You can see the actual enrollment status on Post View. Click on the "Guest" link on the main Post View page, then select the "Corps Count by Major by Class" link to submit various queries either by "Matriculating Class" or "Academic Class." With this very cool capability you can track enrollment numbers through the entire school year.

As of Friday, 16 Sep, at around noon, 34 rats have "out-processed" thus far. (If memory serves, this number is slightly higher than last year.) Of the 34, 26 departed during Cadre Week before the start of classes, and another 8 departed after the start of classes. With 509 rats matriculating, a loss of 34 would be 6.7%.

btexino-Thanks for the tip on the Post View page. 6.7%- the first class this year has obviously gone soft. Now back in the "old corps" ....:wink: (Hint for those of you new to this phenomenon- when somebody starts off with a "back in the Old Corps" story- you need to ensure that you have a fresh drink in your hand and an open tab because you are about to be treated to the military equivalent of the Lake Woebegone affect- a phenomenon where "all the women were strong, the men were good looking and the Children were above average". In this version- The last hard Ratline was theirs and the Corps went to hell immediately after the old grad graduated). In the case of btexino- he went into the Infantry because the slots for dirigible pilot were already filled up! He is an OLD old grad:yllol:

BTW: I still think that's a great avatar:thumb: I was pretty positive that I actually heard your son wince though when your car pulled up with that Citadel sticker on it. There are some family secrets that should never see the light of day:biggrin:

As the girl with the goofy song sings: It's Friday. Have a good weekend folks wherever you are- even if you are squaring corners in a barracks somewhere!
 
Hint for those of you new to this phenomenon- when somebody starts off with a "back in the Old Corps" story- you need to ensure that you have a fresh drink in your hand and an open tab because you are about to be treated to the military equivalent of the Lake Woebegone affect- a phenomenon where "all the women were strong, the men were good looking and the Children were above average".

In the case of btexino- he went into the Infantry because the slots for dirigible pilot were already filled up! He is an OLD old grad:yllol:

BTW: I still think that's a great avatar:thumb: I was pretty positive that I actually heard your son wince though when your car pulled up with that Citadel sticker on it. There are some family secrets that should never see the light of day:biggrin:

Well, truth be told, they put me in the Army Signal Corps, but that's because I was proficient with tin cans and string.

Bruno, your hearing must still be okay if you heard my son wince. But, you probably should do something about your failing eyesight, because it appears you're suffering from color blindness caused by your own advancing age. Although you were able to clearly see the blue and white decal on the top of my car rear window, you failed to see the red, yellow, and white spider logo right under it. Maybe we can get the nice folks on this forum to pass a hat so you can visit your local eye doctor? :eek:

Speaking of my alma mater, "SCcandidate2015" says about 90 knobs have quit so far. Heck, that's nothing! Let me tell you how hard things were back in the "Old Corps" -- if I could only remember how things were in the "Old Corps", that is. Now, let me see, where did I put my Depends and my walker?? :redface:
 
Well, truth be told, they put me in the Army Signal Corps, but that's because I was proficient with tin cans and string.

Bruno, your hearing must still be okay if you heard my son wince. But, you probably should do something about your failing eyesight, because it appears you're suffering from color blindness caused by your own advancing age. Although you were able to clearly see the blue and white decal on the top of my car rear window, you failed to see the red, yellow, and white spider logo right under it. Maybe we can get the nice folks on this forum to pass a hat so you can visit your local eye doctor? :eek:

Speaking of my alma mater, "SCcandidate2015" says about 90 knobs have quit so far. Heck, that's nothing! Let me tell you how hard things were back in the "Old Corps" -- if I could only remember how things were in the "Old Corps", that is. Now, let me see, where did I put my Depends and my walker?? :redface:

How was that "Ensure" you were drinking? Next round is on me while I tell you how hard it was back in the day-back when we had to light candles to read in the barracks at night and firstclassmen had to register their horses on post.

For those just joining- this is called a friendly rivalry between two elderly alumni of two great schools. :rolleyes:
:thumb:
 
as far as attrition goes this year at The Citadel my battalion (3rd) has accounted for the majority of the attrition of the corps... same as last year. but really, things are not that bad, you just have to keep everything in perspective:)
 
How was that "Ensure" you were drinking? Next round is on me while I tell you how hard it was back in the day-back when we had to light candles to read in the barracks at night and firstclassmen had to register their horses on post.

For those just joining- this is called a friendly rivalry between two elderly alumni of two great schools. :rolleyes:
:thumb:

You guys are a hoot. I am very much enjoying this exchange. I am compelled to ask, just how OLD are you guys? (I'm no spring chicken either).
 
You guys are a hoot. I am very much enjoying this exchange. I am compelled to ask, just how OLD are you guys? (I'm no spring chicken either).
Not as old as I intend to become, but older than the guy I expect to see when I look in the mirror (that guy just turned 21). btexino on the other hand was in the Signal Corps when those flags in the Branch insignia actually were TOE equipment for a Signal Company.:wink:
 
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Hmmm.....making a point are you?!?!?!

I was merely acknowledging the rich history of women at VMI.

You see, coeducation aside, women have always been an important part of the VMI community. There have always been women in barracks. The only question is whether or not they were "technically" allowed to be there... and it's all about the technicalities. :thumb:

Of course, Bruno was too busy studying and shining his shoes for four straight years. But I'm sure he can tell us plenty of stories about his Brother Rats and their girlfriends.

(Sorry for the thread hijack. Some opportunities are simply too good to pass up. :shake:)
 
You guys are a hoot. I am very much enjoying this exchange. I am compelled to ask, just how OLD are you guys? (I'm no spring chicken either).

Well, since Bruno didn’t reveal his exact age, I won’t either. But, I’ll give you a better hint: While at The Citadel my fellow cadets and I very closely followed the events of the “Tet Offensive” and saw way too many names go up on a commemorative plaque on the chapel. :frown:

Bruno is absolutely right when he says we’re from “two great schools.” Back in the old corps, (sorry, couldn’t resist), VMI-Citadel was a truly great sports rivalry – the “Southern Military Classic.” It was more like a “sibling” rivalry to us, though, because The Citadel’s hated archrival back then was Furman. (Hope it still is, even if 88 cadets again have to walk 120 punishment tours for an “unauthorized” trip to Greenville.) So, it pains me no end when I see – even in this forum sometimes (you know who you are :thumbdown:!) – a Citadel or VMI person seriously ripping the other school to shreds.

There’s no college rivalry that involves as much pure hatred – not Ohio State-Michigan, not Oklahoma-Nebraska, not USC-UCLA – as one in my Big 12 (but for how much longer?) neck of the woods, and that’s Kansas-Missouri – a rivalry born from being on opposite sides of the Civil War. So, I’m very puzzled when I see a similar attitude stemming from either a Bulldog or Keydet. Somehow, we’ve forgotten that the VMI cadets at New Market and the Citadel/Arsenal (“SCMA” at the time) cadets at Tulifinny Creek, two battles in which ENTIRE corps of cadets participated, were fighting on the SAME side. If it’s a “sibling” rivalry, then that means we’re “siblings” – brothers and now sisters (RahVaMil’s gonna’ like that one :thumb:!). So, let’s please keep it that way. Instead of fighting each other, we should be attacking the Federals at West Point! Generals “Stonewall” Jackson and Evander Law would certainly have shown us the way.

Okay, I’m done. Thanks for letting me vent. :wink:

P.S. “Ensure” isn’t all that bad if you put some bourbon in it. :biggrin:
 
Well, since Bruno didn’t reveal his exact age, I won’t either. But, I’ll give you a better hint: While at The Citadel my fellow cadets and I very closely followed the events of the “Tet Offensive” and saw way too many names go up on a commemorative plaque on the chapel. :frown:

Bruno is absolutely right when he says we’re from “two great schools.” Back in the old corps, (sorry, couldn’t resist), VMI-Citadel was a truly great sports rivalry – the “Southern Military Classic.” It was more like a “sibling” rivalry to us, though, because The Citadel’s hated archrival back then was Furman. (Hope it still is, even if 88 cadets again have to walk 120 punishment tours for an “unauthorized” trip to Greenville.) So, it pains me no end when I see – even in this forum sometimes (you know who you are :thumbdown:!) – a Citadel or VMI person seriously ripping the other school to shreds.

There’s no college rivalry that involves as much pure hatred – not Ohio State-Michigan, not Oklahoma-Nebraska, not USC-UCLA – as one in my Big 12 (but for how much longer?) neck of the woods, and that’s Kansas-Missouri – a rivalry born from being on opposite sides of the Civil War. So, I’m very puzzled when I see a similar attitude stemming from either a Bulldog or Keydet. Somehow, we’ve forgotten that the VMI cadets at New Market and the Citadel/Arsenal (“SCMA” at the time) cadets at Tulifinny Creek, two battles in which ENTIRE corps of cadets participated, were fighting on the SAME side. If it’s a “sibling” rivalry, then that means we’re “siblings” – brothers and now sisters (RahVaMil’s gonna’ like that one :thumb:!). So, let’s please keep it that way. Instead of fighting each other, we should be attacking the Federals at West Point! Generals “Stonewall” Jackson and Evander Law would certainly have shown us the way.

Okay, I’m done. Thanks for letting me vent. :wink:

P.S. “Ensure” isn’t all that bad if you put some bourbon in it. :biggrin:

Amen! I'll meet you out at Jackson's tomb in Lexington and we'll suck a lemon in his memory with an Ensure and bourbon chaser:wink: (Keep in mind though as a native New Yorker and current resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts I'm kind of partial to the Bluebelly side.)

Stonewall-Jackson-grave-site-statue.jpg


Similarly, our big rivalry was VaTech (otherwise known as VPI: hence the song: "Far beyond the hills of Blacksburg in a field of Rye. Stands an old deserted outhouse, known as VPI":eek: ) We had a lot of good natured mutual bashing with the VPI Corps in the runups to those games. Sadly though that has gone by the wayside as they have gone bigtime and we have not (putting it gently). So this year marks the resumption of the VMI-Citadel football rivalry- and I assume the presenting of the "Silver Shako" trophy to the winning Football team. I am a tad bit concerned that based on the season so far, this may be an occasion where both I and btexino's long suffering son will be subjected to some post game citadel propaganda :shake: But hope springs eternal!!
 
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Similarly, our big rivalry was VaTech (otherwise known as VPI: hence the song: "Far beyond the hills of Blacksburg in a field of Rye. Stands an old deserted outhouse, known as VPI":eek: ) We had a lot of good natured mutual bashing with the VPI Corps in the runups to those games. Sadly though that has gone by the wayside as they have gone bigtime and we have not (putting it gently). So this year marks the resumption of the VMI-Citadel football rivalry- and I assume the presenting of the "Silver Shako" trophy to the winning Football team. I am a tad bit concerned that based on the season so far, this may be an occasion where both I and btexino's long suffering son will be subjected to some post game citadel propaganda :shake: But hope springs eternal!!

Bruno, never mind about the “Silver Shako.” I know you’re just trying to soften the blow that VMI and The Citadel aren’t going to be invited to become the ACC’s 15th and 16th members. That’s okay, I understand, really, I do. Since “hope springs eternal”, though, maybe our schools can both schedule that “Little Sisters of the Poor” team the Ohio State University president keeps talking about.

Wow, talk about hijacking a thread. Hey, “Bird85” – my man! – sorry about that. :wink:
 
I too apologize for the hijack. I'm no longer even sure where the original post is buried:eek: But to sum up- from everything I've heard the new Rat's are doing fine - stunned perhaps at the hi quality cuisine that they have been enjoying in the mess hall:redface: but otherwise coming along nicely. In only 1 month Parents weekend will be upon them and you will get to see them in all of their glory:thumb:
 
No sweat. I got the straight skinny on the numbers. Thanks for the information on Post View!
 
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