Attention parents and cadets - Tuition for the Spring 2025 semester is due by Dec. 15, 2024.

Blue Ridge Battalion News

Follow the latest news and exploits of cadets, faculty, and staff in Army ROTC at VMI.


 

Army ROTC cadets from the Virginia Military Institute exit the CBRN stand at Exercise Cambrian Patrol on October 8, 2024, in Wales

VMI Army ROTC Cadets Win Bronze Medal in Welsh Event

October 28, 2024

Eight Virginia Military Institute Army ROTC cadets — members of Ranger Challenge, the “varsity sport” of the Army ROTC program — made history when they traveled to the Welsh mountains of the UK to participate in Exercise Cambrian Patrol, the British Army’s premier patrolling event in early October.

Amber Strapponi ’26: Inside the Secure World of Cybersecurity with Joint Special Operations Command

August 23, 2024

Amber Strapponi ’26, a computer science major, took an internship with the Joint Special Operations Command. She focused on security policies on their platform development team and strengthening the security posture of ARK, their custom-built Kubernetes platform.

VMI cadets in Marine and Army ROTC raise their hands as they take their service oaths.

VMI Commissions New Officers - Over 170 Take Oath

May 15, 2024

It was an overcast day, but spirits were bright and hearts were full when more than 170 Virginia Military Institute cadets commissioned into the armed services in Cameron Hall, May 15 in the annual Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) joint commissioning ceremony.

Kenneth Dinkel ’25 and Alex Bodner ’26, first place winners of the two-person team match are flanked by second place winners, Paul Doty ’26 and Colin Russell ’26, and third place winners, Carter Hugate ’24 and Garret Kelenske ’24. —Photo courtesy of Kenneth Dinkel ’25

Combat Shooting Club Dominates at Competition

May 2, 2024

The combat shooting club team at Virginia Military Institute, coached by Paul Lahah, outperformed the competition at the 2024 ROTC College Clash Marksmanship Competition, April 19-21 at Fort Barfoot, Virginia.

Dakota Birdsong ’24, a cadet at Virginia Military Institute, poses with his bagpipe and VMI Pipe Band uniform, which includes a tartan.

Birdsong Excels with Bagpipes

February 2, 2024

Dakota Birdsong ’24, a modern languages and cultures major, has taken his skills with bagpipes from VMI Spirit Night, to Lexington events, and even to Troy, Ohio, where he is the piper for the American Legion. This March, he will look to add to his collection of medals for his musical skills..

VMI graduates toss their gloves in a tradition that concludes the commencement ceremony and their time in the Corps of Cadets at the military college.

Joyous Moments at December Commissioning and Graduation

December 21, 2023

The shortest day of the year was a great day of celebration, joy, and pride at Virginia Military Institute, as families and friends gathered in Memorial Hall surrounded by holiday greenery, to witness 35 cadets cross the stage to receive their diplomas during the commencement ceremony Dec. 21.

VMI cadets receive award plaques at an Army ROTC pistol competition.

Taking Aim: Cadets Bring Home Honors From ROTC Pistol Championship

October 27, 2023

Members of VMI's Army ROTC Ranger Challenge and Combat Shooting Team recently attended the 2023 College Clash Shoot Out competition hosted by the Virginia National Guard’s Marksmanship Training Unit, with four cadets nabbing top marks.

Students commissioning into the six military branches at VMI, a military college in Virginia.

VMI Commissions New Officers: History Made as They Enter Six Military Branches

May 16, 2023

Approximately 170 Virginia Military Institute cadets, commissioned into the armed services in Cameron Hall Monday, May 15 in the annual Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Joint Commissioning Ceremony. The historic day marked the first time VMI cadets were sworn in to all six branches.

The VMI team receives their Sandhurst Medallion for placing fifth overall at the annual Sandhurst Military Skills Competition at West Point.

VMI Places Fifth at Sandhurst

May 4, 2023

Team members of Ranger Challenge, the “varsity sport” of the program at Virginia Military Institute, placed fifth, winning a Sandhurst Medallion for the top five overall teams out of 48 teams in the annual Sandhurst Military Skills Competition at the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) at West Point.

Skiers, including Erik Gottman ’25, assist avalanche victims on mountain in snow. Helicopter in the background.

VMI Cadet Assists in Avalanche Rescue

January 17, 2023

When Erik Gottmann ’25, a cadet at Virginia Military Institute boarded a flight to Austria for a ski trip with his family over winter furlough, he had no way of knowing he and his brothers would be an essential part of a Christmas miracle.