The Rat Experience
One of the Institute’s oldest traditions is the system of initiation, known as the “rat” system, administered to new cadets by old cadets. Regardless of background or prior training, every cadet in the first year at VMI is a “rat” and must live under the rat system. Among its purposes are to teach or promote the following in the shortest span of time possible:
- Excellence in all things
- Military bearing, discipline, and conduct
- Self control, humility, and self-restraint
- Respect for authority and the forms of military courtesy
- Habits of neatness, cleanliness, orderliness, punctuality, and the importance of attention to detail
- The history and traditions of VMI and cadet life
- Class unity and the “brother rat” spirit that result from shared experiences in a stern and challenging environment.
The system is designed to remove wealth and former station in life as factors in one’s standing as a cadet, ensuring equal opportunity for all to advance by personal effort and to enjoy those rewards that are earned.
Throughout most of the first year, the new cadet walks at rigid attention a prescribed route inside the barracks known as the “rat line,” and double-times up and down barracks stairs. The cadet must be meticulous in keeping shoes shined, uniform spotless, hair cut, and in daily personal grooming. Additionally, the new cadet must memorize school songs, yells, and other information.
