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Blue Ridge Battalion News
Follow the latest news and exploits of cadets, faculty, and staff in Army ROTC at VMI.
CDQC is a 6-week course, known by many as one of the most challenging and selective qualifications in the United States military. On top of being physically and academically demanding, combat divers are required to work extremely well as members of a team and under high pressure situations.
Nearly 200 young men and women, most of them VMI cadets, commissioned into the armed services in Cameron Hall on Sunday, May 15 in the annual ROTC Joint Commissioning Ceremony. The ceremony was also livestreamed for family and friends who could not attend the event in person.
Cadets conquered many challenges on and off post during 2022 spring field training exercises (FTX).
Eight cadets from VMI, two from each class, traveled to Charleston and competed against the Citadel’s team. A series of challenging events and exercises, the competition was designed to foster camaraderie and showcase the best of each institution.
Though Gabriel Fanjul '23 initially had no desire to attend VMI, his perspective changed after attending an open house and staying with his older brother. Once on post, VMI's support services and system of camaraderie helped make his cadetship successful.
As he looks ahead to completing his time at VMI, Kim hopes future cadets remember to focus on what is important and “find that balance between academics, physical fitness, and free time.”
Her senior year of high school, Claire Lee '22 attended an open house to see what post was like, and as she put it, “The parade really got me. I fell in love with the whole system of VMI: the brotherhood, the discipline people are required to learn, the structure."
Cadets Michael Hoffmann ’22 and Christopher Soo ’22 have been recognized by Army ROTC Cadet Command as top cadets in the nation, with Hoffmann ranking No. 5 and Soo No. 7.
On Dec. 31, Col. Eric Hutchings ’77, commandant from 2000 to 2007 and special assistant to the athletic director for military affairs, retired, capping off more than two decades of service to the Institute.
Gov. Ralph Northam ‘81 has appointed E. Sean Lanier ’94 to the VMI Board of Visitors. Lanier, a U.S. Army veteran, is the founder & executive director of Resolve Solutions Inc., an Alexandria, Virginia nonprofit that provides financial and educational college prep support to underserved populations.