BLUF
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2014
- Messages
- 89
LDH, Your son's choice is probably the correct one for him. VMI is the hardest school in America, probably the world. The Rat line is different from life as a USNS Plebe. Both provide their own challenges. Those that achieve the level of Cadet at VMI do it, because they want it, not because they ease through it due to their grades or athletic abilities, they want it.
VMI has many phases of challenges and stresses, and 8% leave in the first 6 months because it is not for them. Those that become Cadets have learned more about themselves and what they can achieve as an individual and a team. The forge a brotherhood and a bond that last a lifetime. This brotherhood spans beyond their class, a call to an Alumni will always be answered, a room for the night, a ride from the airport, or a job interview. VMI has those that want to commission and those don't but want the experience of VMI.
The Service Academies are great places, and offer a full ride. At the USNS you will be exposed to Navy and Marine life. VMI operates as an Army Regimental style of instruction, and as a Naval Midshipmen you receive you Naval Science Classes from Naval Officers, and Marine Instruction from Marines, Army for Army and Air Forces from Air Force. The uniqueness of this is you are exposed to the other services and their traditions and protocols. In our current military this is an important attribute as many of our units operate in Joint Commands. To understand how your brother in arms operate and to have friendships established in other military branches is something that the Service Academies need to do more.
VMI has many phases of challenges and stresses, and 8% leave in the first 6 months because it is not for them. Those that become Cadets have learned more about themselves and what they can achieve as an individual and a team. The forge a brotherhood and a bond that last a lifetime. This brotherhood spans beyond their class, a call to an Alumni will always be answered, a room for the night, a ride from the airport, or a job interview. VMI has those that want to commission and those don't but want the experience of VMI.
The Service Academies are great places, and offer a full ride. At the USNS you will be exposed to Navy and Marine life. VMI operates as an Army Regimental style of instruction, and as a Naval Midshipmen you receive you Naval Science Classes from Naval Officers, and Marine Instruction from Marines, Army for Army and Air Forces from Air Force. The uniqueness of this is you are exposed to the other services and their traditions and protocols. In our current military this is an important attribute as many of our units operate in Joint Commands. To understand how your brother in arms operate and to have friendships established in other military branches is something that the Service Academies need to do more.