
Here is the real deal -- A post from Feb 2018 From Kadet Life -- Google it:
"Here's a post I made two years ago, I think now is a fitting time for its return. Edited for grammar.
"Although they don't exist in large numbers, there are those who would call VMI's sacred Ratline cruel, overly demanding, or just outright hazing. I took this photo immediately after the last sweat party of 15+3's breakout. The Rats had come back from grueling PT at McKethan Park, after an arduous extended sweat party this morning, which had followed a straight week of sweat parties and workouts. This sweat party was delivered by the Thirds, the Seconds, and finally their Dykes.
The kid was spent.
His limbs were moving without any sense of precision or fine control. His mouth was gaped open, gasping for air. He was sweating profusely despite the cold.
Regarding energy, his emergency tank was running on fumes.
But this was the end of an experience that forged a brotherhood equaled in no other institution of education. His Dyke, his mentor and guardian, was in front of him, and it was for his Dyke that he would burn the precious few grains of energy he had left.
The moment the horn signaled the final sweat party was over he collapsed into his Dykes arms as they locked in an embrace, and patting each other on the back. His Dyke was proud of him, and that embrace vindicated, for me, our entire system.
I remember my Dyke, and this Rat will remember his."