From the moment matriculants take their oath, the Corps Military Experience shapes every cadet’s days, decisions, and growth — turning rats into leaders, classmates into brother rats, and four years into a lifetime.
Preparing for VMI
While nothing can truly emulate life as a cadet, there are a number of programs and opportunities for those who plan to attend VMI to get ready for life at No Ordinary College.
Fitness
The physical demands at VMI require cadets to be in good health. Individuals planning to apply to the Institute should review VMI’s weight and body fat standards and start training to be physically prepared. Appointed students are encouraged to complete the VMI Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) prior to Matriculation in August. This assessment gives Commandant and Regimental staff members an early understanding of your current fitness level so they can prepare the most effective training activities for your first days as a cadet.
Summer Transition Program (STP)
This program is designed to enhance the academic and physical fitness of incoming cadets before they officially matriculate in August. Participants spend three weeks on post during Summer Session II, where they are able to experience what it means to be at VMI: rigorous academics, camaraderie of life in barracks, meals together in Crozet Hall, physical training on the Parade Ground and around post, and access to services and staff ready to help you succeed.
Learning to Lead With Honor
Your VMI journey begins with the transformative Rat Line—a challenging introduction designed to develop discipline, resilience, teamwork, and confidence. Throughout your first year, you'll build lifelong friendships, begin your academic studies, and experience military leadership through ROTC and field training. Guided by your Dyke (upper-class mentor), you'll grow from a rat into a valued member of the Corps.
Notable Events: Matriculation, the Rat Line, the Crucible, Meet your Dyke (mentor), begin academic coursework, introduction to ROTC & Field Training Exercises (FTXs), Rat Olympics, 20-Mile March (with your Dyke), Breakout, New Cadet Military Training (NCMT)
As a Third Class cadet, you'll transition from being mentored to leading others. You'll begin taking on small-unit leadership responsibilities, dive deeper into your academic major, and enjoy greater privileges earned through your success. This is also the year you'll begin designing your class ring while becoming more involved across post.
Notable Events: Serve in small-unit leadership roles (Corporal), increased cadet privileges and responsibilities, begin designing your VMI class ring, help uphold VMI traditions and mentor Rat Line activities, study abroad opportunities become available, you can now join clubs, club sports, and extracurricular organizations, work on post, elect Honor Court representatives for your class, and apply for Sergeant-level leadership positions
Your leadership expands beyond individuals to entire platoons as you assume greater responsibility within the Corps. You'll strengthen relationships with faculty, advisors, and Career Services while preparing for life after VMI. Ring Figure marks one of the most memorable traditions of your cadetship as you celebrate the bonds forged with your Brother Rats.
Notable Events: Serve on or support the Honor Court, explore academic minors and concentrations, celebrate Ring Figure and receive your class ring, apply for Captain and First Class leadership positions, begin ROTC summer training (if commissioning), internships or career experiences (if non-commissioning)
As a First Class cadet, you'll hold the Corps' highest leadership positions while leading and mentoring the rest of the Corps and next Rat Mass through their own transformation. You'll help shape the VMI experience for future cadets, prepare for your military or civilian career, and culminate your VMI experience with commissioning (if applicable), and graduation.
Notable Events: Company and Regimental leadership opportunities, select and mentor your Rat as a Dyke, plan and execute Rat Line training and traditions, prepare for employment or military commissioning, commission into military service (if applicable), graduate and join the accomplished and global VMI alumni network.
Regimental System
Explore how the Corps of Cadets functions as a military unit, led by young men and women who represent the best of what VMI provides.
Rat Line Highlights
Get an inside look at the first year on post — from Matriculation to Breakout — as rats work to earn the right to be called 4th Class cadets.
Email: hostetterah@vmi.edu
Phone: 540-464-7208
Office
Old Barracks
Mailing Address
Corps Military Experience
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450