Knobs/Rats/Rooks Weekends? Activities? Boredom Control?

OK, straight up question-

During your first year as a Knob, Rat, Rook or so -

Despite of all the restrctions, lack of freedom,
and "disconnection" with the outside world -

"What kind and How much and freedom of that do you get during weekends?"
"...and How do you get over it?"

I'm asking this because I know how a military school is.
I'm at a Military Academy in California, and I've been here for all highschool.
I've been tortured near death with pure boredom by staying in campus
for most of my whole 4 years of highschool due to my parent's international
buisness going in and out of Korea often.
IT ALMOST MADE ME A PURE SOCIAL OUTCAST !


I DO like the Military environment when it comes to education.
Otherwise I'd never be going to Norwich University Corps of Cadets next year.
Only fear I have is the fear of how much boredom I'd suffer for another
year or more.

OK, Here's the Question Again to Refresh -


"What kind and How much and freedom of that do you get during weekends?"
"...and How do you get over it?"



Surely, thank you Bigtime for Reading the Question, and Even Answering it.

cadetfighter said:

OK, straight up question-

During your first year as a Knob, Rat, Rook or so -

Despite of all the restrctions, lack of freedom,
and "disconnection" with the outside world -

"What kind and How much and freedom of that do you get during weekends?"
"...and How do you get over it?"

I'm asking this because I know how a military school is.
I'm at a Military Academy in California, and I've been here for all highschool.
I've been tortured near death with pure boredom by staying in campus
for most of my whole 4 years of highschool due to my parent's international
buisness going in and out of Korea often.
IT ALMOST MADE ME A PURE SOCIAL OUTCAST !


I DO like the Military environment when it comes to education.
Otherwise I'd never be going to Norwich University Corps of Cadets next year.
Only fear I have is the fear of how much boredom I'd suffer for another
year or more.

OK, Here's the Question Again to Refresh -


"What kind and How much and freedom of that do you get during weekends?"
"...and How do you get over it?"



Surely, thank you Bigtime for Reading the Question, and Even Answering it.

Click to expand...

I can't give you any direct experience, but I do have to ask regarding your Norwich decision...

The educational side (outside of ROTC) at Norwich is the same for both cadet and traditional students. I can appreciate the desire to attend an institution that has that kind of discipline (and corresponding students) inside the classroom, but you didn't need to sign up for the cadet program and give up the free time to get this classroom environment. Can you tell us more about your decision?

goaliedad said:

I can appreciate the desire to attend an institution that has that kind of discipline (and corresponding students) inside the classroom, but you didn't need to sign up for the cadet program and give up the free time to get this classroom environment. Can you tell us more about your decision?

Click to expand...

Thanks for the Reply,

I believe strongly that the name "Military School" shines upon my life record.
The Uniforms, drills, PT, Norwich University Corps of Cadets, first in America, etc... -
Pretty much, being a "Cadet" itself is an honorable thing to be said and called by others for me, with pride.
A bit sophisticated thing to say.

Although I am eager to put my head down and go with all the programs,
well still, I'd like to refresh a bit from some times to times.

cadetfighter said:

Thanks for the Reply,

I believe strongly that the name "Military School" shines upon my life record.
The Uniforms, drills, PT, Norwich University Corps of Cadets, first in America, etc... -
Pretty much, being a "Cadet" itself is an honorable thing to be said and called by others for me, with pride.
A bit sophisticated thing to say.

Although I am eager to put my head down and go with all the programs,
well still, I'd like to refresh a bit from some times to times.

Click to expand...

I'd venture to say that you are probably in for a sense of deja vu all over again (as Yogi would say), with regard to your upcoming experience.

I'm sure that Norwich (along with the other SMCs) has designed their program to handle the least common denominator (those who haven't experienced the military school experience). In that they do separate the rooks from the rest of the population (and society at large) in order to instill the discipline that they wish to build upon in later years.

You probably saw something similar when you first entered military school (whatever initiation session you had) and it set the order for the years at the school you attended.

And while you probably enter Norwich much further ahead on that curve from your personal experience, it is still the shared experience of rookdom (or similar experiences at other SMCs) that builds a class of cadets - a team built for the individual to focus upon his/her duties and the betterment of the corps as a whole.

Best advice is to first be humble, use your experience and leadership to make things better for your entire class' rook experience. Learn what you need to learn, do what you need to do, and help your team to achieve. Your leadership will shine through.

I assume you already know this from having attended a military high school, but in general and for the benefit of others: don't go to a military school expecting freedom.

I'm 23 years old and will have a four year degree in under two weeks, and I have an 8:30 curfew on school nights. That's not to say that no one ever stays out later than that, but if they get caught they can plan on being grounded for a month and a half (6 weeks confinement) and wasting thirty hours marching around (30 Penalty Tours).

As for leaving on weekends as a rat, you won't. If you stay out of trouble you'll be able to leave for one "weekend" spring semester... but you can't leave until noon on Saturday and you have to be back by 11:30pm on Sunday. I'm sure Norwich has their own rules, but since you asked about rats and knobs too, there's the scoop on VMI.

Just part of the lifestyle. Yes, it's a major sacrifice. Yes, it sucks. Yes, I chose to come here. Yes, I choose to stay here every moment when I could easily choose to leave at any time.

Ask me on May 17th if it was worth it.

Jackie M. Briski
VMI Class of 2009

Norwich is a great school ..but it is a bit isolated

Norwich is a great school - strong academically and - I believe - the oldest Senior military school. Congratulations on selecting a path that is more challenging than your peers.

Have you visited Norwich? It is in Northfield Vermont - a VERY small town. I think the major excitement is at the Subway. I graduated from the Naval Academy - and I can tell you having Annapolis right outside the gate - an ability to at least run in the "real world" and walk out there when able was a major psychological boost.

If this is a concern maybe you should consider Citadel or another Sr Military School. Citadel is in Charleston and its not unusual to see Cadets out running in the "real world". I'm not familiar with the other Senior Military schools - so maybe some others can chime in.

This type of freedom at a Senior Military School usually is awarded after the first year - so the first year you probably won't see much freedom - but neither will you be bored!! But after that - when you do have the chance to get out - the closest excitement for Norwich cadets I think is Burlington Vermont - an hour drive away.

Whatever you do - good luck.