Honest Question about VMI

Another reason there may be a somewhat "interesting" response when one mentions VMI is the Honor Code. It is VERY unique at VMI. Some call it barbaric that they still do a "drum out" ceremony at 2AM and mark the "rolled" cadet's face in black marker with an X in all the yearbooks on post. Understand there are several organizations trying to put an end to this tradition by calling it outdated, inhumane, and draconian. I've heard VMI is unapologetic about it and will continue it's "single-sanction honor code."
 
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VMI2017+3 said:
To be fair, VMI did stop doing the drum out with the rolled former cadet on post.
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That's true, good point--I heard they changed that because two cadets waiting for the walk of shame and the drum out hung themselves in the chapel... Definitely an interesting place... and not for everyone!
 
repatriot said:
That's true, good point--I heard they changed that because two cadets waiting for the walk of shame and the drum out hung themselves in the chapel... Definitely an interesting place... and not for everyone!
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What's your source for that?
 
kinnem said:
What's your source for that?
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Read it on a forum about honor problems at the academies and it was also in a Roanoke Times article on VMI's Honor Code. Seems the Richmond Times Dispatch did an article on VMI's system as well. That said, Virginia Tech had a very similar and stringent honor code at one point and today VTCC students still adhere to a code as well.
 
They must have aged out or I'm not using the correct search terms but I can't find an article referencing the death of two cadets at either the Roanoke Times website or the Richmond Times Dispatch.
 
Rumors are just that - rumors. We've all heard rumors and some are true, but not all of them. This one seems to be growing in it's shock value (two cadets hung themselves in the Chapel? Really? That's a new one to me).

While there may have been a rumored suicide (or even more) because of the humiliation of being drummed out, neither VMI nor the Honor Code are to blame. Suicide is a terribly selfish act and usually happens because of a mental illness or disorder. Loved ones left behind tend to look for someone else to blame, since blaming the person who committed suicide is fruitless, and they do not want to think about what signs they might have seen and possibly intervened before things became tragic. Those left behind instead want to remember their loved one fondly and say "He committed suicide because of THAT".....such as the Honor Code. Blaming the Honor Code is easy for the loved ones.
 
I agree with that entirely. If the code was the only cause, logic would require more than 2 suicides. I think the point was that drumming out was some sort of trigger to an already loaded gun.
 
The story with the suicide is valid though it was only one and it was in 1964. If you read some of the older histories of VMI you can validate it pretty easily or by reading old copies of the Cadet. I don't think that cadets then were still present for the drum out I want to say that stopped in the 20s or 30s.

I understand the place where some of the posters are coming from in respect to suicide but disagree. I think and most research seems to show now that it is not a selfish act but often a perceived means of escape for someone grappling with issues or mental struggles that seem surmountable. After seeing suicide affect some incredibly tough individuals I have seen doing pretty heroic and selfless acts in combat I think they were facing an internal demon that many of us never struggle with. In nearly every case I have seen in the last 10 years as well alcohol was an accelerant to that ember.
 
KarenH said:
The rat/dyke (4th class cadet/1st class cadet) system at VMI is unique. My DS is a first and his role with his rat appears to be positive support and guidance in all things VMI. DS had an awesome dyke and now DS is continuing the tradition with his rat. Breakout just occurred and rat/dyke bond is like no other...like brother rats, the bond is for life.
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How does the dyke/rat system start? I am going to VMI and doing STP. Does that relationship start during STP or during the ratline?
 
From what my DS said, it begins once Hell Week ends (the first 8 - 10 days after you matriculate.). You may become identified during STP by a First Classman -- you will be observed while at STP -- but it doesn't start until after Hell Week ends and the academic year starts.
 
Blackotter said:
How does the dyke/rat system start? I am going to VMI and doing STP. Does that relationship start during STP or during the ratline?
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It depends. Some Dykes pick their rats based on a commonality, such as sports, major or hometown. Those rats might meet their Dyke during STP or even before that. However, some Dykes wait to watch the rats before they choose one, and not all Dykes are even on Post yet for Hell week; most do not return until the weekend before the academic year starts. (Only cadre is there for Hell week).

My DD's Dyke chose her around the middle of the first academic week, after watching her for a while.

One thing is very certain - you will get a Dyke!
 
Officially, there is a meeting right at the end of Cadre Week where rats without dykes will be divided among the first class. Most of the time the emphasis was on academic major or commissioning service. Unofficially, as the other stated rising first classmen can pick rats they know from hometowns or athletic teams as well as through STP. As a rat I met my dyke through a high school friend who was also a first and thought our personalities would mesh. I remain close to he and his family today. As a first I picked one of my rats at STP as the head counselor he was recommended to me by a public servant who sponsored his admission. I chose my other rat by talking to the former Chaplain based on names he had. Both of my rats were in my wedding and I was in both of theirs. They remain two of my closest friends nearly 15 years later.

To answer an unasked question occasionally there are incidents where rats and dykes personalities do not mesh. The 1st Class President can intervene at the request of either party and reassign the rat to a more compatible dyke. I only saw this happen maybe once or twice a year but it was available.
 
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