Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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A New Beginning Matriculation On a rainy Wednesday, the nineteenth of August, 405 young men. fresh out of high school, entered VMI in the hope of becoming VMI cadets. For many, the ex- perience was a shock, and many of the new rats left in the days to come. Others stuck with it, despite the rude welcome that they received on Matriculation Day. The matriculation process began in Cameron Hall, with the rats going through the in-processing and filling out some im- portant, if not vital, information for the Institute ' s records. The incoming cadets then said goodbye to their parents and then went to be introduced to the VMI system, to embark on a journey that would for many prove to be a living hell. The rats were first taken to meet the Rat Council members and were given their Rat Bibles, a booklet that contained all the pertinent information that the rats were required to learn. The Rat Council mem- bers instructed the rats to keep the Rat Bible with them at all times, but by the end of the day many rats had proceeded to lose them anyway. The rats were later brought up from Cameron Hall and into barracks to be as- signed their rooms and to be issued uni- forms and other items of necessity. In past years, this process had been confused and not as orderly as it should have been, but this year ' s cadre was commended for their efficiencN. The issue of uniforms to the rats, which is usually the proverbial mad- house, ran smoothlv this vear due to the efforts of the Q.MD staff and the cadets who came back early to work in the QMD. Overall, the cadre was rated highly for their first day performance, and received the treasured kudos from the comman- dant. The rats had been taken through the process efficiently, and their first wonder- ful day at the loving Institute was over. So they thought. The traditional rude awakening took place shortly after the rats had been put to bed for a peaceful night of slumber. The cadre kicked in their doors and escorted them into the new courtyard, where they were introduced to the three classes, and the First Class President made a brief speech to motivate them. The rats then went to meet the Rat Council as a whole and to converse with RC president Steve Neary. Afterwards, the rats were taken back to barracks and put to bed for the night. The day was a success, as the rats had made the transition from civilian life The rals are led up to barracks from Cameron Hall by a cadre sergeant (lop). A rat receives special the special honor of meeting with RC members John Scarpino and Mike Leeney (left). The Regimental S-3. Joe King, mans his communications post (above)

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nmnraim Scon McCumbci The Navy ROTC program provides many cadets with the chance to practice what they had been taught during the past two semesters. The Navy cadets are sta- tioned aboard the various ships of the modern Navy and serve in the capacity of junior officers and are assigned what is called a running mate. This running mate is an officer who instructs the midshipmen and shows them the ropes. Navy cadets are assigned to all types of ships on both the East and West Coast of the United States. .Many cadets visit such places as San Diego, Miami, the Bahamas, and oth- er places known for their recreational fa- cilities. Navy cruise is known for the many good times that are enjoyed by all. Howev- er, it is important to keep in mind that these men are preparing for a very serious job. While there are many good times, these men are learning the keys to becom- ing a successful Naval Officer who are at the forefront of our nations defense. The Navv — it ' s an adventure! The Marine Option cadets of the NROTC program spend their summer training at Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. Bulldog as this training is commonly refered to consists of six grueling weeks at Brown Field. The men are organized into companies and platoons with the majority of VMI cadets in Golf Company. Within each company men are broken down into platoons who are led by a Platoon Commander, Pla- toon Sergeant and a Sergeant Instructor. After being introduced to way things are done in the Marine Corps candidates undergo some of the most rigorous pt they have ever experienced. This is capped off with the endurance run a grueling 4.5 mile run through numerous obstacles. After completing the OCS program men are readv to become one of the best.

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■— — WWlgt W into VMI and had received the necessary uniform items and initial indoctrination on schedule and as planned. Matriculation Day was over and the mood for the up- coming week with the cadre was set.