17 Aug 2019 VMI Matriculation for Rat Mass 2020+3

Falcon A

Just a Proud Dad
5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2014
Messages
1,398
To all those that have accepted their VMI appointments . . . congratulations . . . you have chosen a difficult, but worthy path . . . this will be the last weekend of "freedom" for a while . . . enjoy it, and then get prepared . . . stay focused and remember your end goals . . . remember why you chose this path . . . next Saturday will be a great but challenging day. . .

Best wishes for your final week of preparation and a prayer for safe travels to all who are making the trek to Lexington this coming week . . .

1. Brodiecaps1, DS , NY, Marine NROTC, International Relations
2. CatDog99 / DS / VA / NROTC-MO / History
3. BBQDevil /DS/NC/AFROTC/Declined/Mechanical Engineering -- USAFA Appointment
4. Motherof4/DS/NY/AROTC/Mechanical Engineering
5. Pickering2019/Ds/LA/AROTC/History/
6. HiSpeedLoDrag/DS/NH/ AF or AROTC / Declining / Applied Math -- USMA Appointment
7. Gd305/DS/Fl/ROTC Undecided/ Computer Science
8. Hap836/DD/VA/AROTC /Computer Science
9. luke5891/Self/VA/NROTC-MO/History
10. Pololive5/Self/VA/AROTC/Computer science
11. Jfelg/DS/VA/AROTC/Physics
12. YaFilthyRat/Self/OH/Marine NROTC/Mechanical Engineering
13. highhopesmom/DD/VA/AFROTC/Biology
14. harrisono/Self/VA/AROTC/Undecided/Business
15. Lizardsoup/DD/MA/AFROTC/Physics
16. EmptyNest2021/DS/VA/AFROTC/International Relations
17. Magna Venari/ DD/ LA/ NROTC - Marine Option/International Relations or History
18. TXChas/DS/TX/AROTC/Mechanical Engineering/Rifle
19. Laurantwins/DS/TX/AROTC/International Relations
20. Sam5/DS/CT/NROTC/Business -- USCGA Appointment
21. mid-distancemom/DS/NC/AROTC/Computer Science
22. MoganVT/DS/VA/MROTC/Mechanical Engineering.
23. faabmom/DS/VA/AROTC/Psychology/Wrestling
24. ServiceAcademyHopeful19/Self/VA/NROTC-Marine Option/Computer & Electrical Engineering
25. Pro_vs_Bot/DS/VA/AFROTC/Computer Science
26. Dareruizjr/DD/CA/AROTC/International Studies/Women's Soccer
 
This is going to be a hard week for me but I know my son is prepared. He doesn’t do ordinary :)

I already feel like part of the VMI family and look forward to watching the cadets throughout the next several years become the leaders that they are meant to be.

I bought my football season tickets and plan on taking any opportunity I can to see my Rat and his BRs.
 
On matriculation day, keep your incoming Rats hydrated up to the point they are called to their respective Company. They may not want to eat but it is essential they have fluids for this first day and thereafter.
We have been stressing hydration to no end with him! He’ll figure out how important it is real quick ;)
 
Parents ... how’d it go? What did you think of Matriculation Day? Of Lexington? Of VMI? My own SA experience was profound and luminal to me ... In my own experience with my DS, I found the “call down” for Rats to report to the Company guidon, and the “march up” to Barracks to be one of the most “pure” and profound of actions ... a true demarcation to denote a transition to a new path ... curious to hear your thoughts...
 
Falcon A, I agree with your description. We enjoyed the entire Matriculation weekend (ROTC contracting day on Friday, and M-Day on Saturday) and everything went well for my VMI son and for our family. A very emotional event for my wife and I, since this is our youngest child of 4, and we are now officially "empty nesters." Truly the beginning of a new chapter in life both for my VMI son and for his parents -- both transitioning to a new path...very profound! Both Lexington & VMI are beautiful places, and we are very excited to become part of the VMI family. We look forward to returning on Parents Weekend in October.
 
I found the “call down” for Rats to report to the Company guidon
a true demarcation to denote a transition to a new path

^This. I've had the opportunity to be in the stands and witness the call down from the perspective of someone without a new Rat being called down. Looking around at parents and new Rats, there is a definite change in the air when the Alpha Company commander calls down the first group of Rats. Looking around you can see the change in parents and Rats faces; sort of a "deer-in-the-headlights" look as they anticipate their turn to be called down to their new company and start on a new path. You can almost read on their faces "this just got real".
 
Parents ... how’d it go? What did you think of Matriculation Day? Of Lexington? Of VMI? My own SA experience was profound and luminal to me ... In my own experience with my DS, I found the “call down” for Rats to report to the Company guidon, and the “march up” to Barracks to be one of the most “pure” and profound of actions ... a true demarcation to denote a transition to a new path ... curious to hear your thoughts...

I did not cry on Friday as my son contracted with ROTC or on Saturday as he was called down to stand with his BRs. I looked with admiration at him and the other young men and women about to embark on possibly the hardest path they may take in life.

I cried on Sunday when I saw my first glimpse of my bald headed rat. I cried again on Monday when one of my son’s roommates mom messaged me to say her son was leaving. So, my son has already lost one roommate who realized that VMI wasn’t for him while another is injured at the hospital and we are awaiting news of him.

Yesterday I received an awesome phone call from him and then an email today describing his experience with House Mountain. He said it was the most beautiful view he has ever seen and worth the soreness he endured to get there.

So, Matriculation Day was great. I even watched as they closed the gates and didn’t even flinch. He was ready and I was too.
 
If you are within striking distance of Virginia and your son or daughter is a new Rat- I would encourage you to attend the oath ceremony on September 1st. This is not that old a tradition- at post dates me by a long time, but it is really meaningful and well done- The Rats will swear in on the New Market Battlefield, and will parade through the town of New Market. They will be able to go off post with you to dinner which is a big deal for them as well. Again- this isn't a must like Parents Weekend in October, but if you can make it- I believe you will find it well worth the trip. And if you can't make it- not to worry- one of their brother rat's families will undoubtedly take them under their wing and adopt them for the evening!

https://www.vmi.edu/cadet-life/events-and-traditions/matriculation/new-cadet-oath-ceremony/
 
If you are within striking distance of Virginia and your son or daughter is a new Rat- I would encourage you to attend the oath ceremony on September 1st. This is not that old a tradition- at post dates me by a long time, but it is really meaningful and well done- The Rats will swear in on the New Market Battlefield, and will parade through the town of New Market. They will be able to go off post with you to dinner which is a big deal for them as well. Again- this isn't a must like Parents Weekend in October, but if you can make it- I believe you will find it well worth the trip. And if you can't make it- not to worry- one of their brother rat's families will undoubtedly take them under their wing and adopt them for the evening!

https://www.vmi.edu/cadet-life/events-and-traditions/matriculation/new-cadet-oath-ceremony/
I am looking forward to seeing my son this weekend and meeting his brother rats. From what I have gathered, many parents of his Company Rats will also be able to attend. Parents have already connected through our own Company FB page.
 
My wife brought a big poster board sign with the Company letter our son was in. It helped all of the Rat parents for Company X find each other at New Market and it helped the Rats then find us parents after they were released after getting their Rat shoulder boards.
 
My wife brought a big poster board sign with the Company letter our son was in. It helped all of the Rat parents for Company X find each other at New Market and it helped the Rats then find us parents after they were released after getting their Rat shoulder boards.
LOL, I just saw this but I already made 6 signs to display for parents. I’m really looking forward to meeting my new extended family.

My son has already emailed to tell me to be ready for some stories. I might let him sleep first ;)
 
New Market was amazing! We watched “The Field of Lost Shoes” prior to traveling to Virginia for the weekend. What an experience to watch the rats begin walking in formation and then accelerate to charge up the hill! Little changes in my son already - he stands a little taller, is very aware of how he carries himself and conducts himself. So far, all 6 in his room are still there. I know that my son has already faced challenges and some difficult times, but he is staying the course. So much fun watching the last home football game and seeing the Rats do all those push ups!
 
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