bismo_funyuns75

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What are some of the specific exercises that VMI Cadre make rats do during the ratline? How many reps and how many sets? How often? How can I best prepare in terms of muscular endurance and cardiovascular endurance before I matriculate this fall? Would maxing out my VMI Fitness Test or APFT help the most?? How often is PT conducted with the VMI Corps of Cadets and the ROTC programs there every week?

Also, how should a cadet balance their weight training with all the PT at VMI (ratline) and Army ROTC? What is recommended, what type of training regimen/schedule to be able to focus on excelling at PT tests while simultaneously performing resistance training to build muscle efficiently?
(I really want to make sure I am in great shape before I commission in the Army and especially having a great physique when leading soldiers in the infantry as a platoon officer)
 
Run. Run hills. Run more hills. Push ups, sit ups, squats, flutter kicks.........

Just be strong and run a lot. How often? Very often.
The ROTC's have weekly PT sessions. Rats have PT sessions as often as cadre gives them, no real answer to that question.

You should always strive to Max the APFT and VFT

You will have minimal free time as a rat. You should be able to squeeze in some gym time for weights but not a lot.

Make sure you eat well during the ratline. Not junk food. Protein and carbs.
 
My advice, FWIW is to slow down on thinking ahead to commissioning. You have to get through the Ratline first. Not trying to scare you, but it's going to be hard and you need to focus your energy on more short term goals as a Rat. To get through the Ratline you need to take it a day at a time; sometimes even an hour at a time or less. There are going to be times when the going gets tough that your going to have to think in terms of just making it to the next meal.

You want to show up in good shape. You'll be doing more pushups and running than you can imagine, along with lots of other "fun". I can promise you that you will be in great shape by breakout. Work hard, always try your best, don't fall out of runs, don't be that guy who gets "injured" just to get out of PT. Of course, if you have a real injury, by all means take care of it. Your cadre will quickly figure out who is working as hard as they can and who is not. You don't have to be the best, or even good at everything, but you always have to work as hard as you can.

Once the academic year starts you are going to have to figure out how to study and get decent grades with all the demands of the Ratline. Don't try to study in your room - find a quiet academic building. Also, find a church at the matriculation fair. Even if you are not religious you are going to enjoy a little down time on Sunday with people who will treat you nice, feed you and offer the use of their cell phone.

Good luck.
 
Bismo,
I hope you listened to turtlerunner and dadof2!!!
If you matriculated and you're still there, you are fully immersed in the Ratline and experiencing what is arguably the toughest military college indoctrination system in the country. Please keep us posted. We know several "former rats" who have made it, along with a few former rats who returned home in days or weeks! Not a place for the feint of heart!
As you now know, you needed to be in the best overall physical shape of your life to excel in that environment. If you weren't in the greatest shape when you started, you soon will be. Get through the Ratline first, and along the way figure out how to find the right 'balance' of physical fitness, military, academics, and all the other requirements. Do that and you'll discover the commission and other goals will fall into place. Seriously, Good Luck and hang in there!!!
 
Bismo,
I hope you listened to turtlerunner and dadof2!!!
If you matriculated and you're still there, you are fully immersed in the Ratline and experiencing what is arguably the toughest military college indoctrination system in the country. Please keep us posted. We know several "former rats" who have made it, along with a few former rats who returned home in days or weeks! Not a place for the feint of heart!
As you now know, you needed to be in the best overall physical shape of your life to excel in that environment. If you weren't in the greatest shape when you started, you soon will be. Get through the Ratline first, and along the way figure out how to find the right 'balance' of physical fitness, military, academics, and all the other requirements. Do that and you'll discover the commission and other goals will fall into place. Seriously, Good Luck and hang in there!!!


Yes! I have made it through Hell Week/Cadre Week, it was thrilling and very rigorous but I enjoyed the camaraderie with my brother rats. I am very enthusiastic about my classes even though my passion is military history (HI Major). I have made Preston Library my home after BRC & before Taps. My Dyke chores have also been taken care of attentively so far. I will do my best to get the best grades possible and best score possible for the APFT. Thank you very much for the advice! :)
 
Bismo,
Hope everything is going well for you and hope you're hanging in there and surviving (hopefully thriving) in the Ratline! Any updates for us on the 'road less traveled?'
 
Bismo,
Hope everything is going well for you and hope you're hanging in there and surviving (hopefully thriving) in the Ratline! Any updates for us on the 'road less traveled?'

Everything is going very well! I managed to achieve a 3.5 GPA compared to others who are mostly around 1.8-2.5 GPAs. I am completely settled in and used to the hardships of VMI and embrace it as it feels rewarding. I realized the importance of the embodiment of a "stoic warrior" to endure the strenuous times which instills discipline within me and to keep a great sense of humor and respect. :) VMI is outstanding, and I am glad that I never lose sight of my sense of purpose here, as well as my vision for my life-long army career which leads me to meticulously paying attention to detail in all that I do. I have great pride in attending this school, this "spartan" lifestyle is truly special and a great foundation for a military leader (the "great ones" I look up to have been through even worse than me at VMI & West Point, but it was the same idea). I enjoyed Mattis' speech at Cameron Hall, I embraced the almost sleepless nights during the Army FTX with night guard shifts in patrol bases, I enjoyed doing pushups on the track with my BR's every time the football team scored a touchdown, and am HIGHLY organized here which is great since I always plan ahead compared to those who worry too much about their social life. Looking forward to the VMI vs Citadel football game and 3-hour RDC workout (I hope its a ruck, the assault packs for rats are baby weight compared to our Army rucks). :)

RahVaMil!
 
Bismo,
Hope everything is going well for you and hope you're hanging in there and surviving (hopefully thriving) in the Ratline! Any updates for us on the 'road less traveled?'

Everything is going very well! I managed to achieve a 3.5 GPA compared to others who are mostly around 1.8-2.5 GPAs. I am completely settled in and used to the hardships of VMI and embrace it as it feels rewarding. I realized the importance of the embodiment of a "stoic warrior" to endure the strenuous times which instills discipline within me and to keep a great sense of humor and respect. :) VMI is outstanding, and I am glad that I never lose sight of my sense of purpose here, as well as my vision for my life-long army career which leads me to meticulously paying attention to detail in all that I do. I have great pride in attending this school, this "spartan" lifestyle is truly special and a great foundation for a military leader (the "great ones" I look up to have been through even worse than me at VMI & West Point, but it was the same idea). I enjoyed Mattis' speech at Cameron Hall, I embraced the almost sleepless nights during the Army FTX with night guard shifts in patrol bases, I enjoyed doing pushups on the track with my BR's every time the football team scored a touchdown, and am HIGHLY organized here which is great since I always plan ahead compared to those who worry too much about their social life. Looking forward to the VMI vs Citadel football game and 3-hour RDC workout (I hope its a ruck, the assault packs for rats are baby weight compared to our Army rucks). :)

RahVaMil!

Nice dude. Which company are you in?
 
C76706340 and Bismo, Good luck to you both and hang in there! Remember: no matter the football scores, every player on VMI's team is a cadet. Give them all the support in barracks you can!
 
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