Virginia Military Institute facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Virginia Military Institute

Motto	Latin: In Pace Decus, In Bello Praesidium Latin: Consilio et Animis (on seal)
Motto in English	"In peace a glorious asset, in war a tower of strength" "By courage and wisdom" (on seal)
Type	Public senior military college
Established	November 11, 1839; 185 years ago (November 11, 1839)
Accreditation	SACS
Academic affiliation	SCHEV
Endowment	$703.1 million (2021)
Superintendent	Cedric T. Wins
Academic staff	143 full-time and 55 part-time (Fall 2019)
Students	1,512
Location	Lexington , Virginia , United States 37°47′24″N 79°26′24″W / 37.790°N 79.440°W / 37.790; -79.440
Campus	Distant town, 134 acres (0.54 km2)
Newspaper	The Cadet
Colors	Red, yellow, and white
Nickname	Keydets The West Point of the South
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I FCS – SoCon MAAC America East
Mascot	Moe the Kangaroo
Location in Shenandoah Valley Show map of Shenandoah Valley Location in Virginia Show map of Virginia Location in the United States Show map of the United States

The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) is a public military college in Lexington, Virginia. It was started in 1839. VMI was the first state military college in America. It is also the oldest public senior military college in the United States.

VMI is different from other military colleges. It only enrolls cadets, who are like students in military training. They only earn bachelor's degrees. The school offers degrees in 14 subjects. These include engineering, science, and liberal arts.

Abraham Lincoln once called VMI "The West Point of the South." This was because of its role in the American Civil War. The nickname stuck because VMI has trained more Army generals than any other ROTC program in the U.S.

VMI is smaller than federal military schools. In 2019, it had 1,722 cadets. Federal academies have about 4,500 students. All VMI cadets must join the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). This program trains them for the United States Armed Forces. After graduating, cadets can choose to join the military as officers. Or, they can pursue civilian careers. About 65% of VMI graduates join the military. This makes VMI a top producer of officers for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.

How VMI is Managed

The Board of Visitors oversees the Virginia Military Institute. The Governor is the commander-in-chief of the school. However, the Board handles most of the school's policies.

The Board chooses the superintendent. They also approve new teachers and staff. The Board has 17 members. Most are former students of VMI.

The cadets are a military group called the Corps of Cadets. They are led by the superintendent. They also have a Commandant of Cadets. The cadets act as the school's guard.

VMI's History and Beginnings

How VMI Started

VMI Campus lawn

An old picture of VMI from around 1863

After the War of 1812, Virginia built places to store weapons. One was in Lexington. Local people did not like the soldiers guarding it. They felt the soldiers were not well-behaved. In 1834, a local group suggested a new idea. They wanted to replace the guards with students. These students would live under military rules. They would also get a good education.

John Thomas Lewis Preston, a lawyer, strongly supported this idea. He wrote letters suggesting the school. He believed graduates could help the state. They could also become officers for the state's military if needed.

In 1836, the Virginia legislature passed a law. It allowed a school to be built at the Lexington arsenal. The Governor signed it into law.

The school's organizers formed a board. They chose Claudius Crozet as their first president. Crozet was an engineer who had worked for Napoleon. He also taught at West Point. The board asked Preston to name the new school. He chose Virginia Military Institute.

Crozet helped design VMI's teaching plan. It was based on the United States Military Academy (West Point) and a school in Paris. VMI became a military and engineering school. It offered a very strong engineering program.

Preston also helped hire VMI's first Superintendent. He found Francis Henney Smith, a West Point graduate. Smith became the first Superintendent and Professor of Tactics. Preston also joined the faculty as a Professor of Languages. Classes began in 1839. Since then, cadets have guarded VMI almost every hour of every day.

The first class graduated 16 cadets in 1842. Living conditions improved when new barracks were built in 1850. In 1851, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson became a professor. He taught Natural and Experimental Philosophy. In 1859, Jackson and VMI units were present at the hanging of John Brown.

VMI Museum: Preserving History

The VMI Museum started in 1845. Superintendent Francis H. Smith asked for items to inspire cadets. He accepted a Revolutionary War musket in 1856. This made it Virginia's first public museum.

The museum was destroyed in 1864 during the Civil War. But it reopened in 1870. Today, the VMI Museum System includes the VMI Museum. It also has the Virginia Museum of the Civil War. Plus, there is the Jackson House. This house shows the life of Professor Thomas J. Jackson.

VMI During the Civil War

VMI cadets and former students played big roles in the American Civil War. Cadets were called into battle 14 times. VMI honors these battles. But it only carries one battle streamer for the Battle of New Market. Many VMI cadets trained new soldiers.

VMI alumni were seen as excellent officers. Some also fought for the Union. Fifteen graduates became generals in the Confederate Army. One became a general in the Union Army. Before a big attack, General Jackson saw many VMI graduates among his commanders. He said, "The Institute will be heard from today."

The Battle of New Market

On May 14, 1864, VMI cadets were called to fight. They marched 80 miles overnight. On May 15, 1864, 247 VMI cadets fought in the Battle of New Market. This is the only time in U.S. history that college students fought as a group in a major battle.

The VMI battalion earned a special battle streamer for this. Only five American institutions have this honor. At New Market, VMI had 55 casualties. Ten cadets were killed. Colonel Scott Shipp, who led the cadets, was also wounded. Six of the fallen cadets are buried at VMI. Their graves are behind a statue called "Virginia Mourning Her Dead."

General John C. Breckinridge was the Southern general. He kept the cadets in reserve. He only used them when Union troops broke through. Seeing the battle turn, he said, "Put the boys in...and may God forgive me for the order." The VMI cadets held the line. They charged across a muddy field. They captured Union artillery and helped win the battle.

The Burning of VMI

George C. Marshall statue

On June 12, 1864, Union forces burned VMI. General David Hunter led this attack. The school was almost completely destroyed. VMI had to hold classes in Richmond for a while. In April 1865, the cadets were sent home. The Lexington campus reopened on October 17, 1865.

After the war, Matthew Fontaine Maury taught physics at VMI. He was a famous oceanographer. David Hunter Strother, who advised burning VMI, later helped rebuild it.

VMI During World War II

VMI trained many U.S. commanders in World War II. The most important was George C. Marshall. He was the top U.S. Army general during the war. Marshall was the first five-star general. He was also the only career military officer to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Winston Churchill called Marshall the "Architect of Victory."

Other VMI graduates held important roles. These included the Deputy Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. Many corps and division commanders were also VMI alumni. China's General Sun Li-jen, known as the "Rommel of the East," also graduated from VMI.

During the war, VMI helped train over 2,100 enlisted men. This was part of the Army Specialized Training Program.

VMI After World War II

In 1997, 30 female students enrolled at VMI. This made VMI a coeducational school.

In October 2020, state officials raised concerns. They reported a "culture of ongoing structural racism" at VMI. Students reported racist incidents. Governor Ralph Northam, a VMI alumnus, ordered an investigation.

VMI Honor Guard

VMI cannons in front of barracks

Six days later, Superintendent Gen. J.H. Binford Peay resigned. He said state leaders had "lost confidence" in him. Three days after that, the VMI Board of Visitors voted. They decided to remove the statue of Confederate general Stonewall Jackson. Jackson was a former VMI professor. The statue was moved to a Civil War museum.

The board also made diversity-related decisions. They decided to appoint a diversity officer. They also created a diversity and inclusion committee. A report later found that VMI "maintained and allowed a racist and sexist culture." It said VMI's leaders were unwilling to change.

VMI Superintendents

VMI has had fifteen superintendents since 1839. Francis Henney Smith was the first and served the longest (50 years). Twelve of the fifteen superintendents graduated from VMI.

VMI Campus and Buildings

The VMI campus is called the "Post." This shows its military focus. It covers 134 acres. About 12 acres are a National Historic Landmark District. This means it's a very important historical place.

All cadets live in a large, five-story building called the "barracks." The Old Barracks is also a National Historic Landmark. It was badly damaged when Union forces burned VMI in 1864. A new part of the barracks was finished in 1949.

The barracks wings surround two courtyards. They are connected by a passage. All rooms open onto porch-like areas facing the courtyards. A third barracks wing was added in 2009. Four arched entrances to the barracks are named after famous people. These include George Washington and Stonewall Jackson.

VMI has raised over $275 million from alumni. This money is for expanding the barracks. It will also update academic buildings. VMI is also building a Center for Leadership and Ethics. This center will be used by VMI cadets and other students. The funds also support study abroad programs.

In 2020, the VMI Board of Visitors decided to move the Stonewall Jackson statue. It was moved from the barracks front to a Civil War museum.

What Cadets Study at VMI

VMI offers 14 major and 23 minor areas of study. These are in engineering, liberal arts, humanities, and sciences. The engineering department has three main areas. These are civil, electrical and computer, and mechanical engineering. Most classes are taught by full-time professors. Almost all of them have the highest degrees in their fields.

Within four months of graduating, most VMI graduates are busy. About 97% are either in the military, working, or in graduate school.

As of 2010, VMI had 11 Rhodes Scholars since 1921. Rhodes Scholars are students who get to study at Oxford University in England. VMI has produced more Rhodes Scholars per student than any other state-supported college. It has also produced more than all other senior military colleges combined.

How VMI Ranks Among Schools

In 2021, VMI ranked fourth nationally. This was in the "Top Public Schools, National Liberal Arts Colleges" category. It was ranked after the U.S. Military, Naval, and Air Force Academies.

Forbes magazine ranked VMI in the top 25 public universities in 2012. It was ahead of other senior military colleges. VMI was ranked 14th in the "Top 25 Publics" section. Overall, VMI was 115th out of 650 colleges.

Kiplinger's magazine called VMI a "great value" in 2006.

Military Service at VMI

George Washington statue

All cadets must take four years of ROTC. But joining the armed forces after graduation is optional. Over 50% of VMI graduates become officers each year. The VMI Board of Visitors wants this number to reach 70%. In 2017, 57% of VMI graduates became officers.

VMI alumni include over 285 general and flag officers. This includes George Marshall, the first five-star General of the Army. Seven VMI graduates have received the Medal of Honor. This is the highest U.S. military award. VMI offers ROTC programs for five U.S. military branches.

VMI has produced more Army generals than any other ROTC program. Many VMI graduates have also become four-star generals in other countries.

VMI Students and Life

VMI cadets march down Pennsylvania Avenue in January 2017.

To become a VMI cadet, you must be 16 to 22 years old. You must be unmarried and have no children. You also need to be physically fit for ROTC. And you must have graduated from high school. The Class of 2022 had an average high school GPA of 3.70. Their average SAT score was 1210.

VMI tries to have no more than 45% of cadets from outside Virginia. Virginia residents pay less for tuition.

The first Jewish cadet, Moses Jacob Ezekiel, graduated in 1866. He fought in the Battle of New Market. He later became a famous sculptor. One of the first Asian cadets was Sun Li-jen, a Chinese general. He graduated in 1927. The first African-American cadets were admitted in 1968. Darren W. McDew, a retired U.S. Air Force General, was the first African-American regimental commander.

Allowing Women at VMI

In 1990, the U.S. Department of Justice sued VMI. They said VMI's all-male policy was unfair. A state program for women was started at another college. This was the Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership (VWIL).

In 1996, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against VMI. They said it was against the Constitution for a public school to exclude women. VMI thought about becoming a private school. But the Department of Defense warned they would lose ROTC programs.

Congress then passed a law. It stopped the Department of Defense from removing ROTC programs from senior military colleges. VMI's board had already voted to admit women. So, VMI became the last U.S. military college to admit women.

In August 1997, VMI welcomed its first female cadets. There were 30 women in the first co-ed class. They had to follow the same strict rules as male cadets. This included tough physical training. The first female cadets graduated in 1999.

Allowing Black Students at VMI

VMI was the last public college in Virginia to allow black cadets. This happened in 1968. But problems with racism continued for a long time. In 2020, The Washington Post reported that black cadets still faced racism.

Daily Life for Cadets

The Regimental Commander gives commands during a parade.

Cadets at VMI live simply. They sleep on foam mats called "hays" instead of beds. These mats must be rolled up every morning. Cadet uniforms have not changed much. The jacket worn in parades is from the War of 1812. New cadets, called "Rats," cannot watch TV or listen to music outside of schoolwork. Living conditions are tougher here than at other military academies.

The Ratline: Becoming a Cadet

The first six months at VMI are called the "Ratline." New cadets are called "Rats." This is an old tradition. All Rats call their classmates "Brother Rats." This term of friendship lasts a lifetime. The Ratline teaches self-control, discipline, and how to follow orders. These are important for becoming a VMI cadet.

New freshmen are called the "Rat Mass." They walk in a special way in the barracks. This is called "straining." The Ratline is meant to build teamwork and discipline. Rats face many mental and physical challenges. It starts with "Hell Week." During this week, Rats learn basic military skills. They learn to march and clean their rifles.

After the first week, each Rat gets a senior cadet mentor. This mentor is called a "Dyke." The Dyke helps the Rat. The Rat also helps the Dyke with their uniform. The tough system, with many push-ups and runs, helps Rats learn military ways.

The Ratline ends with "Resurrection Week" and "Breakout." After Breakout, Rats are officially fourth-class students. They no longer have to strain or eat "square meals." In the past, Breakout involved fighting through upperclassmen. Now, it's a day of tough physical challenges. These test strength and teamwork.

The group of Rats is called a "Rat Mass." They are not officially a graduating class until after Breakout. Their class year is shown as, for example, "2019+3." This means their Dykes graduated in 2019, and they will graduate three years later.

VMI Traditions

A VMI Cadet in uniform, 1914

VMI has many traditions. These include the new cadet oath ceremony. There are also close-order marching parades. And "Taps" is played every night.

A very important event is the "Ring Figure" dance. It happens every November. Junior cadets get their class rings at a special ceremony. Then there is a formal dance. Most cadets get two rings. One is for formal events, and one is for everyday wear.

Every year, VMI honors its fallen cadets. This is done with a New Market Day parade and ceremony. It happens on May 15. This is the day the Battle of New Market was fought in 1864. During the ceremony, names of cadets who "died on the Field of Honor" are called. Wreaths are placed on the graves of those who died at New Market. Since 2021, the ceremony also honors VMI graduates who died serving the U.S.

For a long time, cadets had to be present for a prayer before dinner. This was stopped in 2004. A court ruled that a mandatory prayer at a state-funded school was against the U.S. Constitution.

Guarding the institute is a very old tradition. Cadets have been posted as sentinels 24 hours a day since 1839. They wear traditional uniforms. Each sentinel carries an M14 rifle and bayonet.

The VMI Honor Code

VMI is famous for its strict honor code. It is as old as the school itself. The code says, "a cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do." There is only one punishment for breaking the code: immediate expulsion. This happens in a special ceremony called a "drumming out." The entire corps is woken up by drums. They hear the announcement of the dismissal. VMI is the only military college with such a strict honor code.

Clubs and Activities

VMI has over 50 school-sponsored clubs. These include the student newspaper, The Cadet. There are also recreational activities and military groups. Musical and performance groups, religious groups, and service groups are also available.

VMI cadets helped start several fraternities. Alpha Tau Omega was founded by VMI cadets in 1865. Kappa Sigma Kappa was founded in 1867. Sigma Nu was founded in 1869. VMI cadets also formed the second chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order.

VMI Sports and Athletics

VMI has 14 teams that compete at the NCAA Division I level. These are called varsity sports. They include baseball, basketball, football, and more. VMI is part of the Southern Conference (SoCon) for most sports. The VMI team name is the Keydets. This is a Southern slang term for "cadets."

The VMI Keydets football team from 1896

Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium

VMI has one of the smallest enrollments for a Division I football college. About one-third of VMI cadets play on a sports team. This makes it a very active sports program. Of the VMI athletes who finish their time, 92% earn their degrees.

Football at VMI

VMI played its first football game in 1871. They lost 4-2 to Washington and Lee University. The current head football coach is Scott Wachenheim. The Keydets play home games at Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium. VMI won the 2020 Southern Conference Football Championship. This was their first winning football season since 1981.

Men's Basketball at VMI

A famous VMI sports story is about the 1976 and 1977 basketball teams. The 1976 team almost made it to the Final Four. In 1977, VMI won 26 games and lost only four. This is still a school record. They reached the "Sweet 16" round of the NCAA tournament.

Famous VMI Alumni

VMI has many famous alumni. These include former governors of Virginia. George C. Marshall was a five-star general and won the Nobel Peace Prize. VMI alumni also include Pulitzer Prize winners and Rhodes Scholars. There are also Medal of Honor recipients. Some alumni have won Academy Awards and Emmy Awards. Many VMI graduates have become business leaders. Over 285 have become general and flag officers.

VMI's Financial Support

In 2007, a study found VMI's financial fund was very large. It was the largest per-student fund for any U.S. public college. Over 35% of VMI's alumni gave money in 2006. Private support covers more than 31% of VMI's budget. State funds cover 26%.

See also

• Virginia Defense Force
• Virginia National Guard