Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

Page 251 text:

Twenty-one years ago, the Rat Disciplinary Committee was formed by the Class of 1962. It replaced the then waning Officer of the Guard Association as the primary instrument within the Corps of Cadets for instilling discipline in the matriculating new cadet classes. Through periodic meetings, new cadets who were considered deficient in discipline would appear before the committee where they were assigned physical workouts as punishment for their many grievous sins. This system of correction, although considered extreme by some factions within the administra- tion, had the affect of forging a common bond of brotherhood within the new classes through common experience. Everyone at one point or another experienced the fury of an RDC visit. Now, after a twenty-one year existence, the com- mittee feared and respected by all is no more. After a short term of normal operation follow ing Cadre this year, the RDC was confronted by the administration on the subject of the unusually high attrition rate of members of the Rat Class. The RDC was asked to consider reducing the penalties it was assigning. The point was considered, but the effect of RDC penalties on the rats was not felt to be a contributing factor in the rats leaving ... no action was taken. Shortly thereafter, a rash of hazing investigations was begun on members of the RDC resulting in the resignations of a few key members. Among the resigning RDC officers was Steven Sullivan, President of the 1984 RDC. Feeling the heat of increased atten- tion directed towards the activities of the committee members, the RDC went into a period of reformation under its new President, Peter Marsenison. Upon returning from Christmas furlough the RDC was served with an SOP which was to govern the operation and limitations of the new organization. Emerging from the period of quiet was a new RDC ... one in which penalties including physical workouts no longer existed. The RDC was also limited to a single half hour meeting each week. Additionally it was stated that future RDC members will be appointed on the company level by the Company Commander with final approval left up to the Commandant. 5 iririfJtiifin uxiriiuJTi ' End of an Era? Corps 247