I’m a third and a Civil Engineering Major and I’m kinda getting to that point where I lowkey needa make the decision to commission or go non-com.

Bottom line is that I’m scared of regret. I want to go non-comm and potentially go straight to grad school or and get my PE license. On other hand I don’t want to miss out on what the military can offer me. During this past fall FTX I was talking to an NCO and he asked what it would take for me to contract. My immediate response was “if yall could guarantee me a Corps of Eng. spot I really would” Because if I contract, I want to do what I’m passionate about but if the military can’t give me that then to me it’s like what’s the point? However, a lifelong of monthly paycheck sounds very nice, having the gi bill sounds very nice.

Also my Dad is pushing that I commission as well. He was never in the military but we have family that are prior service. And he mentions all the time how they were able to travel the world as service members. I respect service member and what they do for our country but I don’t know if it’s for me. I’m well off with scholarship and I’m blessed to say that my family is more than well off. I wanna be a lil more independent after VMI. I want to choose my job, go on vacation whenever I please, live in my place of choosing etc.

I understand the world isn’t all sunshine’s and rainbows and I’m not going to get everything I want be at least I’m in control. I preach the military almost everyday when I’m not at VMI, and think it’s great for people that don’t know what they want to do with their lives. I don’t think the military needs me and I don’t think I need the military🤷🏽‍♂️.

Sorry for just now asking my question but just wanted to give y’all some context. What would I be missing out on if I don’t commission?

Thank you guys in advance 😁.

rah ‘27 and rvm

I'm curious to see if this subreddit is still active :)

It’s been years since I left VMI but I always find myself feeling a bit empty, having never earned my degree from the Institute. I was a student-athlete and still have a decent connection with my former teammates and BRs.

I left VMI after my Rat year due to family medical issues. Graduated college, served our country and never thought I’d have a desire to return to VMI. But, the feeling of what could have been still kind of haunts me. I struggle to feel a connection to the school where I felt I gave so much. I want to be a part of the school. I want to return. I want to go to a football game where we get blown out. I just don’t know if I’ll feel welcomed.

I don’t have a robe. I don’t have ring. I have a cover with tarnished brass that sits on my window sill, reminding me of a memorable year. Is that enough?

Edit: I’m far removed from earning my degree. When I say “return”, I’m referring to alumni events, etc.

So my friend will be a rat next year. I live about a half hour away. Will he be able to spend the night over the weekend at some point? Is that a privilege they earn eventually?

Hello all,

I recently got into VMI on an early decisions application, and im now beginning the process of submitting medical forms.

I’m not worried about much other than the body fat requirements. I’m an active guy, (I play defenseman for lacrosse and I golf a lot), yet I happen to still have some fat on me. Not a lot, as I’m not overweight, but I’m not exactly skinny either. If I don’t meet the body fat requirements but pass everything else, will I not be accepted?

They're pronouncing Tan Yıldızoğlu's name so incorrectly my ears bleed. The Is (which is really an extra letter from the Turkish alphabet with no dot) are both more like an "uh" sound and the ğ is (mostly) silent. So his last name is pronounced more like "Yull-duz-oh-loo"

Can I get stars second semester of first class year if I get above 3.5 gpa first class fall semester? Anyone know?

I am seeking to attend and I am current trumpet player for my high school band and I want to know if I will need to balance a sport and music while at VMI.

So, I applied for early decision on November 15th, and (obviously) been having the nervous jitters for an answer.

If anyone knows, when will a decision come? I know they say December 15th, but will it be sooner? And another question, will I get an email before hand?

Thank y’all so much.

Is it difficult to be accepted to a ROTC program at VMI?

And how much tuition does ROTC cover?

Hello VMI folks, I’m a student at Lehigh University, and for one of my classes, professional development, my professor is Ned Riester, who taught civil engineering at VMI. Our final project for the class is to do a presentation on anything we want, so I thought it would be funny to do one on Ned himself, so currently, I’m looking for some info that would make him think ,”where in the world did you find that”.

In an article announcing Ned’s retirement from VMI, they mentioned that he took part in a play on campus. After doing some research, I found that he was part of the cast of a VMI community theatre play called “Heroes, Hustlers, and Scamps”, and I thought it would be funny if I could find a picture of him in this play. Despite my best efforts I could not find this, so I figured I would make some calls at VMI. Eventually I got in contact with the photographer who took pictures at their picture day, however she knew who Ned was and said that he was nowhere to be found in the photos. It is very possible that Ned just missed this one day, but I was curious if anyone saw this play in person, it was in July of 2022, and can attest to Ned being on the play.

I know this is a very odd and specific question, but if anyone has any info on this feel free to reach out to me. Thanks!

I write this with humility, even though my time at the Institute has long passed, the heartbreak I have for not finishing, still lingers.

I was apart of the class of 2008 (I know, I know) and I made it through the fall semester of my second class year. I struggled with academics since the beginning and found myself on academic probation numerous times. (undiagnosed adhd decimated my ability to do well academically my whole life until very recently). As an attempt to help me, my parents decided it was in my best interest to not let me continue at VMI and told me this information when I came home for the Christmas furlough (they feared I would never improve my grades and it was a matter of time before I was suspended due to poor academic performance).

I will spare you the sob story of how many years it has taken me to understand their decision and come to terms with my inadequacy I felt for so long having been through such a large part of the brotherhood.

I have successfully completed my bachelor’s degree elsewhere (20 years later: older, wiser, highly medicated) but I have never once worn my class ring or gone back to visit. It is still a huge part of me that I wish I could fix but I know how impossible that is.

I wish there was a way I could somehow go back as an “alternative” student to complete the 1.5 years I had left… I’m not sure what it is would gain from that, though. I’m too old and physically disabled to stand in formation anymore (disabled veteran).

I guess I just wanted to get this off my chest. I miss letting myself reminisce about my time there. It was too painful for so long, I would not let myself think or talk to anyone about it.

But I just found my Bullet and read it for the first time since I left, and the memories are all flooding back.

Rah Virginia Mil, forever and always.

I’m looking at applying to VMI right now and I’m going to one of the open houses soon. A ton of the clubs look cool so I was just wondering.

Given VMI is still a state school like any other college technically it has to take in people and not discriminate. So with that what is the oldest cadet you have heard of there being? I see Army ROTC requires people to be 31 years old by the time they commision. Have you ever seen a 28 year old student starting? What if they do not comission, could in theory you could get 40 year old students? Given more than half of VMI cadets do not join the military?

When do we purchase books for our classes(first year)

Hi, I am a new incoming Cadet and I’ve sort of being confused with regards to the luggage allowed. I keep reading things about a trunk being recommended but also different measure between suitcases and trunks. So in short, am I choosing between a crate/trunk or a suitcase? And if so which one is more convenient?

Does anyone have any 1st or 2nd hand knowledge/experience about VMI readmission? I graduated high school thinking i had things on lock and went to VMI 2 weeks after i turned 17. I got smacked hard with academics and OPd after the fall semester. It is now August 1st 2 months after the deadline for re admission and im still going to try anyways. I loved the Institute and had the honor of being in IRONCLAD INDIA. I really need a second shot to finish what i started. I miss my BRs and they are rooting for me. Please tell me anything you know.

I’m looking to apply to VMI this year. i kinda just want to fire away with a random question. I was wondering what are the rules after taps can cadets keep studying and also are u allowed to leave ur room during taps to use the bathroom. I tend to use the bathroom more frequent at night so I’m not tryna get a whole infection holding in a piss or let alone a dump, this is definitely random and maybe even a stupid question but yea.

Edit: thank you for the answers Lmaoo looks like sink will do.

is the VFT consisted of pull ups or push-ups next year on the link it says push-ups but on the home physical preparation it says pull ups.

I'm from Texas and currently entering junior year of high school. Last school year, I had 3 B's and 4 A's. I did all honors and an AP class. I'm doing band (I was a section leader and made All-Region 3 times in a row) and JROTC (I lead the marksmanship team). My physical fitness is decent, but I've been improving and plan to continue doing so.

I'm hoping to make good connections with alumni here in Texas. I'm also hoping to get a letter of recommendation from my principal, who I've made a good connection with through school volunteering.

I’m a rising 4/C trying to start an incoming rat groupchat. DM me or comment on this and I will start a messages groupchat (or snap) and we will be able to find a dyke for some who do not have one already and be able to meet on another prior to matriculation. DM me!

I have been accepted into VMI and I have been doing some inside research on what to and not to bring to VMI. My question is, is I like to take supplements (B-12, Fish Oil pills, and Black Seed Oil), will I be able to bring these without them being confiscated? And is “breakthrough” the 8 day training process?

A family member is graduating high school soon, and will be heading to VMI later this year. I'd like to get him a graduation gift that he can use at school, but I'm not sure what he's be able to use. I suspect there are restrictions on what a freshman is even allowed to bring and have with them in the dorms, but I don't know the rules. What would you suggest? For people that have gone to VMI, what would you have liked to have as a freshman? What should I avoid? Thanks!

I’m been accepted into VMI and I am committed and interested in STP but I’ve been told that summer classes suck (not by anyone at VMI) I know I would be taking only one but I’ve also been told that it would be very fast paced due to it being a 3 week long program. Just how much did it help you and how fast paced was it?

Hey guys a potential VMI rat was wondering if I can participate in the ranger or recon freshman year.

I'm a conditionally appointed student who very badly wants to go to the institute. I visited an open house on post last weekend and to be honest I'm pretty well hooked. I recently applied for the National 4 year NROTC Marine Option scholarship, but haven't heard anything and have pretty well moved on and given up on that option for now. While at the open house I heard about MCROTC sideload scholarships after your first year, the reason for this post is to reach out and see how others paid for that first year in order to make it through to that second chance. I have 1/4 of my dad's post 9/11 gi bill which should help a lot for that first year, but besides that how have others managed to pay for this rather expensive school? I'm out of state and academics are pretty good as well as test scores and pt.