VMI cadets participate in many extracurricular activities and clubs that offer opportunities to serve, compete, explore diverse interests, master new skills, and engage with others.
While every club may not be available every year based on cadet interest, here are the typical offerings at No Ordinary College:
Arnold Air Society — The Arnold Air Society (AAS) is a service organization through the Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) that centers on professionalism, honor, and community service. Squadrons are formed by AFROTC in collegiate settings focusing on cadets who are dedicated to their community and to becoming an Air Force officer.
Aviation Club — Club activities include understanding the basic flight controls of a Cessna 172, understanding flight pictures, also studying and working toward the written test portion of the private pilot’s license, which consists of a random selection of 60 total questions from a pool of 1,000.
Basketball — Men’s Basketball Club competes against college and university club teams in the NCBBA Mid-Atlantic South conference (not NCAA).
Battery — The Cadet Battery has existed since 1848, except for a small period between the end of the Civil War and 1875, making it the oldest operating organization at VMI beyond the Corps itself. Cadets handle the guns used in retreat firings at the end of the day to salute the colors, in salute parades, and to support Breakout.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — Club members practice two to three times a week, totaling about five hours a week. The club competes in 3 to 6 tournaments per year, primarily in Virginia and other mid-Atlantic states.
Bomb — Cadets write, edit, and manage VMI’s yearbook The Bomb, which was first published in 1885 and has been published continuously since 1897. Digital versions of some past The Bomb yearbooks are available through the VMI Yearbook Digital Archives.
Boxing — VMI’s boxing club has a proud history of success in major competitions, including the United States Intercollegiate Boxing Association (USIBA) National Championships which is sometimes hosted on post.
Building BRIDGES — The club focuses on three key activities – building bridges between VMI cadets, faculty, staff and the local community; engaging in society through service; and enhancing diversity by providing a forum for discussion.
Coast Guard Club — This club is the founding unit behind VMI becoming a site for the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program (AUP).
Cotillion/Ballroom — VMI’s Ballroom Dance Club welcomes members of all skill levels and can come in handy for those planning to attend some of the cadet dances held on post.
Ducks Unlimited — The mission of Ducks Unlimited is to conserve, restore, and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. The VMI Ducks Unlimited Club works directly with the VMI Alumni Association, the regional director of Ducks Unlimited, and the chairman of the Richmond Ducks Unlimited Chapter.
EMS / EMT — The unofficial program stems back to the 1990s, with a group of about five to six cadets. Cadet EMTs receive training and certification and serve as support at many events from Matriculation and Breakout, to sporting and other events held on post.
Equestrian — The VMI Equestrian Club attracts a diverse group of cadets, some with horse-related backgrounds and others with no prior experience. Cadets provide a valuable service by riding and exercising horses, ensuring their well-being.
Firefighting — Cadet firefighters complete 6 months of training at an academy and must maintain certification. They work alongside full-time firefighters at the Lexington Fire Department.
Fishing Club — Fishing Club offers recreational fishing trips, and skills and knowledge to be successful anglers
Glee Club — The VMI Glee Club is VMI’s oldest club on record at the Institute. It is listed as an activity in the first VMI yearbook, The Bomb, published in 1885. The club performs at a number of annual events on post and travels to sing at other locations.
Golf Club — The mission of Ducks Unlimited is to conserve, restore, and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. The VMI Ducks Unlimited Club works directly with the VMI Alumni Association, the regional director of Ducks Unlimited, and the chairman of the Richmond Ducks Unlimited Chapter.
Ice Hockey — The team is comprised of cadets from all four classes of the institute. The team’s home ice is at Lahaye Ice Center in Lynchburg, Virginia. Like NCAA football, the team competes in its own Military Classic against the Citadel.
Intercollegiate Ethics — The Intercollegiate Ethics Team promotes public speaking, critical thinking, and sound reasoning skills debating real world ethical dilemmas.
Lacrosse — The Lacrosse Club competes against other college and university lacrosse clubs.
Pistol — The Pistol Club at Virginia Military Institute shoots Olympic style, which can consist of three disciplines: rifle, pistol, and shotgun. The club uses air pistol and .22 pistol in a shooting range, where participants aim at targets.
Powerlifting — The club centers on three main lifts: deadlift, back squat, and bench. The club participates in various competitions throughout the year, where members are broken up into different weight classes. Although it’s an individual sport, the club is very team-oriented.
Promaji — Founded in 1972 as the Institute’s Black student organization, the VMI Promaji Club has evolved into an organization committed to supporting and advocating for all students of color, while providing an inclusive community for these students and those who support them.
Ranger Challenge — An elite group of cadets from Army ROTC compete against other ROTC programs and international military units as part of the “varisty sport” of ROTC.
Rock Climbing — The club practices three times a week. They also make excursions to cliffs and bouldering opportunities in the surrounding areas on the weekends. The club isn’t just specifically rock climbing (or top rope), they also do bouldering — done at lower heights and doesn’t require ropes or harnesses.
Rugby — One of the most well-known clubs at VMI, the men’s club rugby team competes locally and often qualifies for conference championships and national tournaments.
Semper Fi Society — The VMI Semper Fi Society is oriented towards the professional development of prospective Marine Corps Officers; it’s members participate in individual, team, and community building activities throughout the school year.
Soccer — The VMI Soccer Club competes against other college and university soccer clubs.
Theatre — With about four performances a year, the club is a little different than others offered on post. It’s technically two entities — the VMI Theatre and the VMI Community Theatre.
Three Gun Team / Combat Shooting — Aside from traditional team practices, cadets can compete and gain certifications. Each year, the combat shooting team travels to New Hampshire where they participate in a shooting competition called “Relentless Warrior Championship,” a six-hour shooting challenge where the team competes against schools from across the country.
Timber Framers (FTX-only) — Timber Framers Club provides cadets with timber frame building skills and activities and has been a staple of Spring FTX activities.
Trap and Skeet — Cadets in the club master weapons and skills in both shooting disciplines. Most of those in the club either grew up shooting or have experience with a gun, but the club also offers a place for beginners to learn and excel.
Triathlon — Members focus on training for triathlons — which encompasses cycling, swimming and running, with twice-a-week practice focused swimming and biking together.
Underwater Torpedo — Cadets in this club participate in an underwater sport first developed by Marine Special Operations Water Survival Instructors.
Yell Leaders / Mascot Moe — This cadet club is responsible for pep rallies and crowd cheers at VMI athletic events.
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