I wouldn't worry- I also talked to a friend in the commandant's office- in fact the drop rate is lower this year than expected
DS told me he though that they had lost 20 or so total of his class 2012 +3..he figured they had over 480 remaining. That is not much different than any college. Considering the differences in comparison I'd say that is a positive reflection on the selection process. Added.. DS stated that is just an educated guess.
You can see the actual enrollment status on Post View. Click on the "Guest" link on the main Post View page, then select the "Corps Count by Major by Class" link to submit various queries either by "Matriculating Class" or "Academic Class." With this very cool capability you can track enrollment numbers through the entire school year.
As of Friday, 16 Sep, at around noon, 34 rats have "out-processed" thus far. (If memory serves, this number is slightly higher than last year.) Of the 34, 26 departed during Cadre Week before the start of classes, and another 8 departed after the start of classes. With 509 rats matriculating, a loss of 34 would be 6.7%.
Hint for those of you new to this phenomenon- when somebody starts off with a "back in the Old Corps" story- you need to ensure that you have a fresh drink in your hand and an open tab because you are about to be treated to the military equivalent of the Lake Woebegone affect- a phenomenon where "all the women were strong, the men were good looking and the Children were above average".
In the case of btexino- he went into the Infantry because the slots for dirigible pilot were already filled up! He is an OLD old grad
BTW: I still think that's a great avatar I was pretty positive that I actually heard your son wince though when your car pulled up with that Citadel sticker on it. There are some family secrets that should never see the light of day
Well, truth be told, they put me in the Army Signal Corps, but that's because I was proficient with tin cans and string.
Bruno, your hearing must still be okay if you heard my son wince. But, you probably should do something about your failing eyesight, because it appears you're suffering from color blindness caused by your own advancing age. Although you were able to clearly see the blue and white decal on the top of my car rear window, you failed to see the red, yellow, and white spider logo right under it. Maybe we can get the nice folks on this forum to pass a hat so you can visit your local eye doctor?
Speaking of my alma mater, "SCcandidate2015" says about 90 knobs have quit so far. Heck, that's nothing! Let me tell you how hard things were back in the "Old Corps" -- if I could only remember how things were in the "Old Corps", that is. Now, let me see, where did I put my Depends and my walker??
...or they were just girlfriends.Now back in the "old corps" [...] a phenomenon where "all the women were strong..."
How was that "Ensure" you were drinking? Next round is on me while I tell you how hard it was back in the day-back when we had to light candles to read in the barracks at night and firstclassmen had to register their horses on post.
For those just joining- this is called a friendly rivalry between two elderly alumni of two great schools.
Not as old as I intend to become, but older than the guy I expect to see when I look in the mirror (that guy just turned 21). btexino on the other hand was in the Signal Corps when those flags in the Branch insignia actually were TOE equipment for a Signal Company.You guys are a hoot. I am very much enjoying this exchange. I am compelled to ask, just how OLD are you guys? (I'm no spring chicken either).
Hmmm.....making a point are you?!?!?!
You guys are a hoot. I am very much enjoying this exchange. I am compelled to ask, just how OLD are you guys? (I'm no spring chicken either).
Well, since Bruno didn’t reveal his exact age, I won’t either. But, I’ll give you a better hint: While at The Citadel my fellow cadets and I very closely followed the events of the “Tet Offensive” and saw way too many names go up on a commemorative plaque on the chapel.
Bruno is absolutely right when he says we’re from “two great schools.” Back in the old corps, (sorry, couldn’t resist), VMI-Citadel was a truly great sports rivalry – the “Southern Military Classic.” It was more like a “sibling” rivalry to us, though, because The Citadel’s hated archrival back then was Furman. (Hope it still is, even if 88 cadets again have to walk 120 punishment tours for an “unauthorized” trip to Greenville.) So, it pains me no end when I see – even in this forum sometimes (you know who you are !) – a Citadel or VMI person seriously ripping the other school to shreds.
There’s no college rivalry that involves as much pure hatred – not Ohio State-Michigan, not Oklahoma-Nebraska, not USC-UCLA – as one in my Big 12 (but for how much longer?) neck of the woods, and that’s Kansas-Missouri – a rivalry born from being on opposite sides of the Civil War. So, I’m very puzzled when I see a similar attitude stemming from either a Bulldog or Keydet. Somehow, we’ve forgotten that the VMI cadets at New Market and the Citadel/Arsenal (“SCMA” at the time) cadets at Tulifinny Creek, two battles in which ENTIRE corps of cadets participated, were fighting on the SAME side. If it’s a “sibling” rivalry, then that means we’re “siblings” – brothers and now sisters (RahVaMil’s gonna’ like that one !). So, let’s please keep it that way. Instead of fighting each other, we should be attacking the Federals at West Point! Generals “Stonewall” Jackson and Evander Law would certainly have shown us the way.
Okay, I’m done. Thanks for letting me vent.
P.S. “Ensure” isn’t all that bad if you put some bourbon in it.
Similarly, our big rivalry was VaTech (otherwise known as VPI: hence the song: "Far beyond the hills of Blacksburg in a field of Rye. Stands an old deserted outhouse, known as VPI" ) We had a lot of good natured mutual bashing with the VPI Corps in the runups to those games. Sadly though that has gone by the wayside as they have gone bigtime and we have not (putting it gently). So this year marks the resumption of the VMI-Citadel football rivalry- and I assume the presenting of the "Silver Shako" trophy to the winning Football team. I am a tad bit concerned that based on the season so far, this may be an occasion where both I and btexino's long suffering son will be subjected to some post game citadel propaganda But hope springs eternal!!