VMI Cadet Ranks and Insignias?

[bismo_funyuns75]

What are the order of ranks in the Corps of Cadets at the Virginia Military Institute from least to greatest and what do each of the insignias look like for each rank?? I am very eager to memorize the chain of command and ranks at VMI before I matriculate this fall. Also, what is the application process for duty positions in cadre or staff like being a Company Commander or Cadet Commander??

 

[Dadof2]

bismo, you can find the chain of command information on the VMI website. Use the search box and you'll find a document called leadership opportunities (or something like that). There is lots of information on the website that may be helpful to you, but I wouldn't worry about memorizing ranks and insignia - you'll learn what you need to learn when you get there.

You won't have any opportunity to apply for cadre or leadership positions until after breakout, so don't worry about that now either. For now you need to concentrate on being a good Rat and learning to follow. Show up for matriculation in shape and ready to work. Always try as hard as you can even if you are struggling with some things, don't fall out of runs, and don't get too discouraged about failing some tasks. Your cadre is going to push you to the point of failure at something. Help out your brother Rats if you are better at something and let them help you with things you are not good at. You won't get through the Ratline on your own.

Congratulations on choosing a tough, but potentially rewarding path.

 

[turtlerunnernc]

Your Rat Bible will have everything that you need to memorize. Concentrate on getting into great physical shape. Run. Run hills. Then run more hills.

 

[bismo_funyuns75]

bismo, you can find the chain of command information on the VMI website. Use the search box and you'll find a document called leadership opportunities (or something like that). There is lots of information on the website that may be helpful to you, but I wouldn't worry about memorizing ranks and insignia - you'll learn what you need to learn when you get there.

You won't have any opportunity to apply for cadre or leadership positions until after breakout, so don't worry about that now either. For now you need to concentrate on being a good Rat and learning to follow. Show up for matriculation in shape and ready to work. Always try as hard as you can even if you are struggling with some things, don't fall out of runs, and don't get too discouraged about failing some tasks. Your cadre is going to push you to the point of failure at something. Help out your brother Rats if you are better at something and let them help you with things you are not good at. You won't get through the Ratline on your own.

Congratulations on choosing a tough, but potentially rewarding path.

YES! I found a document called "Leadership Opportunity Inventory" on the VMI website. Thanks for the help, all I could find before were lousy google images of the cadet ranks but most were for West Point. Although the document on VMI doesn't show or explain the insignias in a diagram, it is VERY helpful on explaining the many duty positions and cadet ranks in order.

 

[MidCakePa]

Bismo, you seem to have a great attitude going in. You clearly want to succeed and lead. That’s good, because it will be tough.

Once there, check yourself a bit. Don’t let your ambition “show up” your classmates. In every SMC, ROTC and academy, there’s a disdain for those who are overly hung-ho — showing up with everything already memorized, trying too hard to stand out, appearing as if they’ve got it all figured out. Don’t be “that guy.” If anything, early on, you want to blend in.

Not saying you’re “that guy.” But it can be a thin line between determination and ambition and being “that guy.” Best wishes to you.

 

[bismo_funyuns75]

Bismo, you seem to have a great attitude going in. You clearly want to succeed and lead. That’s good, because it will be tough.

Once there, check yourself a bit. Don’t let your ambition “show up” your classmates. In every SMC, ROTC and academy, there’s a disdain for those who are overly hung-ho — showing up with everything already memorized, trying too hard to stand out, appearing as if they’ve got it all figured out. Don’t be “that guy.” If anything, early on, you want to blend in.

Not saying you’re “that guy.” But it can be a thin line between determination and ambition and being “that guy.” Best wishes to you.

Yes, understood. You are the 3rd person to give me that type of great advice. I will be sure to be modest and will be respectfully attentive to my mentors or cadre who will train and discipline me.

Law 1: “Never outshine the master”
(Robert Greene’s “48 Laws of Power)

A retired honor guard TSgt in the Air force also told me not to “stand out” in an arrogant way after commissioning since I would basically have no experience, the same as a soldier who just got out of Basic Training but with authority over a platoon. (He told me it is common for newly commissioned officers to think they are “hot ****” and make many silly mistakes, especially the ones from SA’s). I will be sure to be modest, focus on my tactical role, and avoid egotistical problems that compromise my integrity and character.

 

[bruno]

Bismo- far and away the most important thing you can do prior to matriculation will be to ensure that you show up in good shape. Nothing will make the Ratline more personally miserable than struggling physically just to keep up with your Brother Rats. Hopefully by now you have been doing a lot of running, lots of pushups and core exercises - because August in the Shenandoah is going to be hot, and there are a lot of hills that you will become intimately familiar with- once you are there definitely will not be the time to get in shape! Cadet ranks, Rat Bible trivia etc ... is all pretty much stuff you will get the hang of along with everyone else - getting ahead of that power curve and memorizing a lot of stuff early will just change the questions somebody will be blasting at you. There is always something that you don’t know- and the point is to stress you out, so if you get answers right that nobody else has memorized ahead of time - they will just ask you different questions. The whole exercise is designed to teach you how to “roll with the punches”. So if you concentrate on showing up in good shape - the rest will come. Good luck