The Class of 2026 Breaks Out

&emsp;&emsp;Congratulations are in order for the newest Class in barracks, the Class of 2026. &emsp;&emsp;For the first time in recent history, a Rat Mass has broken out on a weekday. On Monday, February 13th, the Rats were startled awake at 0530 with a single announcement: "RATS, WAKE UP!" quickly followed by a shattering explosion from a hot-packed Little John in the middle of New Barracks courtyard. Gunfire erupted from the courtyards of the three barracks and Cadre threw open doorways and got the Rats on-line. This was the second time barracks has been rocked by Breakout this year, as the Class of 2026 experienced a "Fake-Out" on January 31st, in which they were brought out of their rooms early in the morning and formed up by Cadre only to be returned to their rooms with encouraging words from the First Class to carry them on for the next few weeks. &emsp;&emsp;On the morning of the 13th, the Rats participated in physical training with their Cadre that was akin to what they experienced during Hell Week. &emsp;&emsp;The Rats were then forced to endure a day of classes before Breakout activities continued at 1605 with a Log March, in which Rats hefted wooden logs onto their shoulders and conducted upper body workouts while they marched across North Post. &emsp;&emsp;At precisely 1720, the Rats charged across the Parade field within the chaos of gunfire, artillery, and bagpipes. &emsp;&emsp;Following this at 1740, the Rats endured three 10-minute sweat parties on 4th-Stoop (by Cadre), 3rd-Stoop and 2nd-Stoop. This was then followed by the final Dyke sweat party for the final 10 minutes of exertion and the awarding of their black name tapes to indicate their newly earned status as Cadets and no longer that of Rats. &emsp;&emsp;Before 1900, the Rats had taken their picture in Old Barracks courtyard, had dinner with their Dykes at 1930, and ended their Breakout events at 2130 with an old yell for their newly formed Class. &emsp;&emsp;This weekday-Breakout is a new experience for the Classes in barracks. All of the upper Class cadets experienced Breakout earlier, and on a weekend. Rats and Upperclassmen were required to attend regular classes on Monday after their early wake-up and hour-long physical training session on the Drill Fields, before continuing their Breakout events after classes which ended at 1600. Without any confirmation, The Cadet Staff do not doubt that the Rats spent very little time taking notes in their classes throughout the day. &emsp;&emsp;Cadet Stafford Johnson '23, the CEA representative for Bravo company, wrote to The Cadet about one Rat in particular that had a Ratline experience he will cherish forever. "One moment which will stick with me probably forever is one Rat during Hell Week really didn't want to be here, broke down multiple times and didn't have an optimistic outlook on his future at VMI. After Hell Week it was like he flipped a switch and turned his mentality around, I saw him smile and laugh and have fun with the Ratline the way all of us did in our little Rat ways. After breakout he hugged me and thanked me for talking to him during Hell Week and for the support we gave him. I've never seen such a 180 degree flip and I couldn't be more proud of this kid. This gives me hope for the future of VMI." &emsp;&emsp;Like all Ratlines, the Class of 2026 experienced one very different from the other Classes in barracks. Due to administrative interference with Ratline plans, the Ratline was completed in phases - big chunks with cumulative events at the end of each phase of their training. These cumulative events included Battalion-level station workouts, in which the Rats were ushered between stations led by each company, which in turn had one single grueling muscular focus; Ratmass runs, ruck marches, and other PT led by the RXO, Cadet Joe Egbo; and multiple sweat parties. Throughout the entirety of the Ratline, the RDC were always breathing down the Rats' necks. This year saw the introduction of RDC Pit or "Death Row", where a large concentration of RDC First Class Representatives lived on stoop, and where trials and short, intense corrective workouts were conducted. The backside of Third Barracks courtyard is bare of grass from its intense, frequent use. &emsp;&emsp;Although the specific events and times of every Breakout differ, the fundamental unity and brotherhood fostered in Brother Rats is consistent. Every Rat had a chance to quit, and every Rat that has survived this long can attribute their success and determination to the support and encouragement they received from their Brother Rats. The maxim still rings true: "Without shared suffering, there can be no brotherhood." &emsp;&emsp;This bond forged through the adversarial system of the Ratline is constant regardless of the Ratline's application. Years may vary, yet the experience remains the same. Cadet Hannah Buttner '26 identified this as she wrote: "There were times throughout the ratline that I was forced to literally lean on my BR's. Specifically, some of the workouts when we had to run up one of the more grueling hills on post, Hospital Hill. Whether we had rucks on our backs, sprinting or jogging, or whatever the case may be, Hospital Hill was difficult. When running up the hill with BR's our instructors encouraged us to push our BR's up the hill. Later on in the ratline, it became an instinct to push our BR's up the hill. This is just one example of many that exemplifies the tradition of embracing the Brother Rat spirit of VMI." &emsp;&emsp;This element of the VMI experience is felt by all during their time as a Rat and it is also seen by the upperclassmen. It is a necessary aspect of becoming a Class that you earn the respect of those above you; that you earn the title of Cadet and earn your place among those who call themselves a Class. To this extent, the First Class has an acute perception of the Brother Rat spirit as it is observed by Cadet Cole Corson '23 who said; "I wouldn't say that there is any specific event during breakout that displays the Brother Rat Spirit as it is more of a progression as the day goes on. As the rats are working out and getting more and more tired you start to see the Rats and the Cadres attitude's shift. The Rats start to encourage each other more and work together. The cadre encourage the rats to squeeze every last bit of effort out of them. As the end approaches everyone is working together to push through breakout, and it is the building Brother Rat Spirit that gets them there." It is imperative that the Ratmass bonds through shared suffering in order to form greater cohesion, a change they will use to their benefit throughout their Cadetships as they proctor future Ratlines. While this brotherhood through shared suffering is integral, it is not the only factor in the development of a Class, as the conduct of the First Class provides an unparalleled example for their Rats' Class. &emsp;&emsp;In whatever way, shape, or form the inspiration of the Rats by the First Class manifests itself, it is always present within VMI's Dyke System. Cadet John Worley '26 recounted the impression of his Dyke's Class by saying; "The Class of 2023 is something that means so much to me now more than ever. Our Dykes' Class has shown us a perfect example of what is expected of us here, and I think they did a great job forming us into the Class we have become. Something that my Dyke, Liam Breslin '23, told me at the very beginning that has stuck with me through the Ratline was at the first sweat party when I asked, 'How much longer is this?' he said to me 'To get through this place, don't worry about how long it's gonna be. Just keep going until it's over.'" This not only touches on the element of a Dyke and their impact on their Rat but also on the universal experience of unified struggle. Cadet Buttner '26 reiterated the impact her Dyke room had on her in the words; "Although every Rat mass or Class may say this, I undoubtedly believe we have one of the best Dyke Lines to enter barracks. They led our mass through the rat line and traditions of VMI with grace, pride in our mass, and determination to carry on their legacy. The First-Class leaders to me will always be representations of what a VMI cadet is supposed to be, and I'm confident that through their leadership, our newly established Class of 26 will more than conquer our years at VMI, just as our Dyke's Class prepared us. On a more personal level, my Dykes have been critical in my journey up to this point. The ratline taught me a lot about myself, but through my Dykes am I able to better myself too. They have provided a balance of friendship and mentorship the past six months, and they will continue to be individuals that I can look up to indefinitely. Carlie Shaffer, Ainsley Fritter, Lauren Kattman, and Emily Wells, thank you so much for your dedication to me and the rest of my brother rats. RAH '23, RAH '26." &emsp;&emsp;The impact of the Ratline on the Rats is as much an individual effort as it is on the part of the Cadre, the Dykes, and those outside of the immediate training of the Rats. An inspired and motivated Rat will no doubt have the fortitude to carry on through hardship, relying on their BRs yet also providing a pillar of stability for those around them. Cadet Corson '23 observed this in the actions of his own Rat Camden Hadley as he said; "I believe my Rat's Class will be a strong one. I personally was a part of their creation and believe that the final product is a well-trained and motivated Class. My Rat is Camden Hadley in Delta Company, from the start he was confident, and a hard worker and it paid off as now he is a fantastic VMI Cadet." While the celebration of a new Class beginning its Cadetship holds an element of joy, it is important to understand the responsibility that comes with administering a successful Ratline. &emsp;&emsp;Cadet Corson gave a few words of advice for the advancing Classes as he wrote; "The biggest advice I can give to the Classes of 2024 and 2025 is to make sure they don't forget that the Ratline is about creating a final product. You need to break the rats down and make it difficult, but it is equally important to start building them up and progressing the ratline along with the rats. We often fail to do this and then once breakout comes, we just let them go, like a switch. There should be a progression, or the Class created will have learned nothing." The responsibility of maintaining development changes hands as the Second Class rises to the role of Firsts and the Rats come into their own. Each Cadet and each Class remain accountable for and to each other as they should and as they must. &emsp;&emsp;Class of 2026, do not grow complacent and entitled. Your cadetship is a journey, and each of you will experience future struggles. Your only chance for success is to continue building yourself and supporting your Brother Rats. Congratulations again from The Cadet on reaching the first milestone of this four-year journey.