VMI Rat Mass 2019+3 "BREAKOUT"

Post from the VMI Alumni Association...

“Breakout is a well known VMI tradition. The Rat Mass of 2019+3 began the day with their fellow brother rats with a 5 a.m. alarm clock of Little John, the cannon. They have a full day of testing their physical and mental endurance ahead, culminating in earning the title of Class of 2022.” #RahVAMil
 
A post I've copied and shared here from Kadet Life . . .

February 4th 2017
"Here's a post I made two years ago, I think now is a fitting time for its return. Edited for grammar.

'Although they don't exist in large numbers, there are those who would call VMI's sacred Ratline cruel, overly demanding, or just outright hazing. I took this photo immediately after the last sweat party of 15+3's breakout. The Rats had come back from grueling PT at McKethan Park, after an arduous extended sweat party this morning, which had followed a straight week of sweat parties and workouts. This sweat party was delivered by the Thirds, the Seconds, and finally their Dykes.

The kid was spent.

His limbs were moving without any sense of precision or fine control. His mouth was gaped open, gasping for air. He was sweating profusely despite the cold.

Regarding energy, his emergency tank was running on fumes.

But this was the end of an experience that forged a brotherhood equaled in no other institution of education. His Dyke, his mentor and guardian, was in front of him, and it was for his Dyke that he would burn the precious few grains of energy he had left.

The moment the horn signaled the final sweat party was over he collapsed into his Dykes arms as they locked in an embrace, and patting each other on the back. His Dyke was proud of him, and that embrace vindicated, for me, our entire system.

I remember my Dyke, and this Rat will remember his.' "
 
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For those "lurking" . . .

Now that the VMI Rat Mass has "broken out", they deserve the right to be know as a "Class" . . . The VMI Class of 2022 . . .

The Rats have also now earned the right to be called, and to call themselves, a VMI cadet . . .

They no longer have to wear the white "Rat" nametags . . . they now wear the black nametags like the other Cadets at VMI wear . . .

Their shoulder boards, that were once bear, now include a shield . . .

They no longer have to get the Rat haircut . . .

They get their personal cell phone back, if they have one, from their Dyke/senior mentor . . .

They can now order bathrobes and once they arrive, wear them to and from the communal bathrooms (the "hallways" are outside) as opposed to having to wear athletic gear or some other uniform . . .

They, however, are still 4th class cadets . . . and their journey has not ended . . . it has only begun . . . Congrats to the VMI Class of 2022 . . . you have passed an important test . . . Well done!
 
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