Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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James Autcher Griffin President At the on l of its second year of existence, the Rat Disciphnary Conunittee has trnly made a clean break from its ])redecessor, the old Officers of the Guard Association. This year ' s RDC followed in the footsteps of last year ' s Committee in that the meetings are of a more formal nature, and penalties are graduated according to tiie nature of the offense. The purpose, as the title implies, is to discipline Rats that have committed violations of any of the Rat Restric- tions. Some examples of these regulations are: to keep one ' s person and his room neat and clean in appearance at all times and to remain orderly and quiet while in his rooms. Other restrictions require Rats to l earn all school songs and yells, plus a myriad of facts pertaining to the history of the Institute. Many of the rules are designed to instill some measure of self-discipline and respect for duly constituted authority in the New Cadet. Some of the rules, however, are designed for the convenience of upper-classmen, for example: a Rat shall not visit the barber shop on days when insjjection in ranks is held. The committee is made up of seven elected company representatives, one frcin each coinpaTiy, plus a chairman who is also a member of the (General Committee. Any upper- classman has the authority to send the Rat-deviate to the Committee, where he will receive, if warranted, penalty tours and confinement. RAT DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE FrnnI ru„ . I!, i;. ,„ ,„c, ,Ir., 1). K. lVrkin , Jr., I- ' . I). I)r;ikr, II. I.anipk ' v, Jr. Second row: W. W. Custer, J. A. GrilKn, C. F. McBri.le, U. K. l?Mlclwiii. —

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Seated: L. K. Fuscaldo, N. A. Skinrood, Jr., J. R. Amos, G. N. Savage, III, P. .1. Ippolito. Standing: R. M. Frasche, C. H. Watson, III, G. A. Tucker, B. R. Gardner, K. E. Dice, F. D. Drake. THE GENERAL AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES Student self-government has been a highly cherished tradition at the VMI since the founding of the school in 1839. The central agency charged with the realization of this concept is the cadet General Committee, which is composed of the officers of the upper three classes, the Chairman of the Rat Disciplinary Committee, and several members-at-large elected by the first class. The General Committee has as its primary responsibilities the enforce- ment of the traditional class system and the protection of the rights and prerogatives of the individual cadet within the barracks society. The General Committee is also the parent organization of the Executive Committee which functions to enforce and im- prove the high standards of appearance and conduct of the Corps, for which the VMI is renowned. Cadets sununoned to appear before the Committee are assured of fair and just consideration, for each case is weighed on its individual merit. Findings are tempered by many years of tradition and precedent which provide a uniform code of punitive articles for those found guilty of infractions of the rules and standards of the Corps. Each cadet is well aware that his case is being heard by his peers, his fellow cadets, chosen of, by, and for the Corps to serve and guard the rich heritage of self-govern- ment. JoHx R. Amos President

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Major General George R. E. Shell presents the first ring to Class President J. K. Amu III, Historian, participate in the presentation ceremony. J. II. Macrae, Vice-Presirlent, and (•. N. RING FIGURE Few persons outside of the ' ] II can appreciate the significance and unique quahtj ' of the class ring as a symbol of the Institute and a mark of personal achieve- ment. The privilege of wearing it, earned through toil and integrity, is jealously guarded, for the ring is a visible badge of the trials and successes of a class. Therefore, one of the highest points in the life of a ViNll cadet occurs at the moment in which he receives his class ring. For the Class of lOfiH, that moment is now history. Much hard work went into making that momentous occasion possible, hard work that began well over a year before the Ring Figure itself. In the winter of their third class year, the Class of 1963 began to prepare for their Ring Figure by dele- gating the responsibility of designing the ring to a select committee, headed by the able Cliff Miller, Chair- man. After much deliberation and hard work, a striking design was choseu, and the Class was asked to select the stone which would best enhance the unique design which featured the Battle of Xew Market and Stone- wall Jackson. Civil war raged over the third stoop for several weeks with roommates not speaking to one another until, finally, a striking blue-green zircon was selected for the ring. The planning and organization for the Ring Figure weekend was placed in the hands of the Ring Figure Committee, headed by Paul Quinter. Other members of tJie committee were Ted Chilcote, who edited the Ring Figure Magazine, Rick Traugott, Tony Hancock, Tommy Rountree, Johnny Mills, Roy Evans, Gary Hermon, Bob Troxler, and Lenny Fuscaldo. These were the men who laid the groundwork for the long awaited weekend, a weekend which will always remain a cherished memorv for the Class of 1963. r. Jr.. after the cuniiilotion nf the Kim; Fiirnre