Hang in there, It's worth the wait
For those of you with a DS/DD in the Ratline, I was just like you a couple of years ago. DS was a rat. He's now a 2nd, and like you I couldn't wait for the phone calls and the opportunity to visit the Post every chance I got. Words can't express the feelings of Sunday's when our rat, and a lot of others, went to church to escape the pressure of being a rat for a few hours and how we anxiously waited for that Sunday afternoon phone call that he was allowed to make from his host family's home. Personally speaking, there is an extremely wide range of emotions that will be felt by you and your DS/DD, not only during the Ratline, but during their entire time at the Institute and it will culminate with tears of joy, a great big smile, and so much PRIDE that every one you meet will see it because you will not be able to contain it. I have watched my son develop into a man of honor. The change you will see in your DS/DD is astonishing. As someone stated in a previous post, VMI is a "Family". I have met so many fantastic young men and women and their families at VMI and have been impressed with them all. Many of them gave me advice when my son was entering the "I". I owe special Thank You's to Larry's Mom Linda (Larry2013), Bruno, Sam, Bill, and Monica, Dave and Robin, and the many others who have posted in this forum. We especially enjoy the tailgating during football season and we welcome you and your DS/DD to join us anytime. If you can't come send your DS/DD to make some new friends and enjoy another bit of the VMI experience.
Most of all, I wanted to extend a hello, a few words of encouragement, and offer the opportunity to be of help if you have questions.
Here are just a few tidbits of information and ideas that may help out: When taking or sending items to your DS/DD, put them in gift type bags with handles. They can put their arms through the handles and it makes it easier to carry things while straining. Use chalk or corn starch to rub onto smudges or stains on their ducks (white uniforms) for a quick fix when they can't get to the laundry. Black Sharpie markers are good for touching up heel and shoe scuffs before polishing. Aerosol hair spray. I know, you're thinking what hair are they going to spray? It's not for their hair, but it's great for spraying over their blankets to keep the dust from flying around. Blister pads, lip balm, sunscreen, and a hat clip made from a report binder (cut it to fit under their cover (hat) so they can keep their ID card and other papers from falling out each time their remove their cover), will all come in handy.
Would love to meet you all. Hope this helps. Hang in there, It's worth the wait. Go Keydets!!!!
"Face forward, keep moving, and it won't be long until they're yelling at the person behind you!"
For those of you with a DS/DD in the Ratline, I was just like you a couple of years ago. DS was a rat. He's now a 2nd, and like you I couldn't wait for the phone calls and the opportunity to visit the Post every chance I got. Words can't express the feelings of Sunday's when our rat, and a lot of others, went to church to escape the pressure of being a rat for a few hours and how we anxiously waited for that Sunday afternoon phone call that he was allowed to make from his host family's home. Personally speaking, there is an extremely wide range of emotions that will be felt by you and your DS/DD, not only during the Ratline, but during their entire time at the Institute and it will culminate with tears of joy, a great big smile, and so much PRIDE that every one you meet will see it because you will not be able to contain it. I have watched my son develop into a man of honor. The change you will see in your DS/DD is astonishing. As someone stated in a previous post, VMI is a "Family". I have met so many fantastic young men and women and their families at VMI and have been impressed with them all. Many of them gave me advice when my son was entering the "I". I owe special Thank You's to Larry's Mom Linda (Larry2013), Bruno, Sam, Bill, and Monica, Dave and Robin, and the many others who have posted in this forum. We especially enjoy the tailgating during football season and we welcome you and your DS/DD to join us anytime. If you can't come send your DS/DD to make some new friends and enjoy another bit of the VMI experience.
Most of all, I wanted to extend a hello, a few words of encouragement, and offer the opportunity to be of help if you have questions.
Here are just a few tidbits of information and ideas that may help out: When taking or sending items to your DS/DD, put them in gift type bags with handles. They can put their arms through the handles and it makes it easier to carry things while straining. Use chalk or corn starch to rub onto smudges or stains on their ducks (white uniforms) for a quick fix when they can't get to the laundry. Black Sharpie markers are good for touching up heel and shoe scuffs before polishing. Aerosol hair spray. I know, you're thinking what hair are they going to spray? It's not for their hair, but it's great for spraying over their blankets to keep the dust from flying around. Blister pads, lip balm, sunscreen, and a hat clip made from a report binder (cut it to fit under their cover (hat) so they can keep their ID card and other papers from falling out each time their remove their cover), will all come in handy.
Would love to meet you all. Hope this helps. Hang in there, It's worth the wait. Go Keydets!!!!
"Face forward, keep moving, and it won't be long until they're yelling at the person behind you!"
I was worried about leaving out 450 Burma Road. We were told the package wouldn't get there without it. My Rat needs a watch ASAP and its easier/faster to send it from Amazon. Thanks again!