Incoming Rat Mass may see first transgender Cadet

In response to a lot of "barracks buzz" and rumors, The Cadet confirmed that a transgender pre-strain (biological female) applied, was accepted and has a formal appointment to the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) for the incoming Rat Mass this August, 2023. The pre-strain (incoming rat) visited VMI under the Open House "overnight in barracks program" where the pre-strain spent the night in an all-male room. LGBTQ, including transgender, applications to VMI are not new. A transgender cadet applied under the previous administration but decided not to attend just prior to matriculation. Although there have not been any openly transgender Cadets at VMI to date, it's unquestionable that gay an lesbian cadets successfully attended at various times throughout VMI's history. As The Cadet previously reported, the Citadel and VMI Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA) is one group that seeks to connect and support LGBTQ+ Cadets, alumni, and their supporters. They strive to work with The Citadel and The Virginia Military Institute to ensure safe and welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ Cadets, graduate students, faculty/staff, and alumni. It is important to note that their focus is on ensuring these Cadets receive the same VMI experience and benefits of attending as all other Cadets. The focus is on imparting the VMI ethos and experience, not changing it. Members of the transgender comminity serve in the Department of Defense and all branches of the military today. Although this is an evolving area of the law, with much of it unclear, a person cannot be barred from serving or from attending VMI because of their persuasion. Just as with other allegations against VMI in recent years, no empirically supported evidence has yet been provided that systemic racism, sexism or bias against transgender persons exists at VMI. The reports of racial and gender incidents shows VMI, like any Institution of Higher Education, has its challenges, but historically the Corps has met these when allowed to govern themselves. Years before VMI integrated in the 1960s the Corps, assisted by the administration, prepared itself and its policies. The same is true with opening VMI to women. While VMI fought becoming co-ed and taking VMI private failed only by a single vote in the Board of Visitors (BOV) at the time, the administration worked openly and diligently with the Corps overall, and Class leaderships in particular, to prepare for Women to join the Corps. As LTG John LeMoyne, former Army G-1 remarked, "In the end, VMI did it right". The apparent difference in the current situation is that it remains unclear what the policies will be regarding the numerous questions surrounding a transgender pre-strain joining the ratline. They range from rooming, bathrooms, haircuts, physical standards and more. Although VMI currently has no published policy in these areas, it is likely under development based on one started under Gen Peay's administration. VMI has unique challenges with Cadets sharing all aspects of their daily lives and the confined area of barracks. The policies covering transgender Cadets faces new and greater challenges as not only the right of the transgender pre-strain must be considered, but the social, religious, moral and other rights and beliefs of all other members of the Corps must be both respected and, especially, protected. One Cadet who requested the name not be used commented: "No matter your political or religious beliefs, we can not expect Smith Hall or members of the Board of Visitors to take steps to prepare a plan that does not alienate, nor give special privileges and care, to Rats like this [...]. They need to work with current cadets." Any final policy must be fully vetted and approved by the BOV before implementation, likely in one or more Special Sessions over the summer. Review of integration and the admission of women conclusively shows that such significant changes at VMI will only succeed with full Corps involvement in developing the policies and implementing them. Many in the Corps continue to express concerns that, over the past several years, the Corps is less and less empowered and being told what policies will be, rather than being involved in developing them. GALA, also, is an asset for both the Corps leadership and the administration that should be included. Lack of involvement by the Corps writ large, and especially the rising first Class, from the start could spell disaster for what should be just one more chapter in VMI's history. There will undoubtedly be loud voices on both sides of this emerging issue. The Cadet intends to follow this situation as it develops and report on all sides to better inform the Corps and the VMI Family so they may form their own opinions based on the facts and that those in authority hear those voices.