The Regimental Leadership

Every fall at the Virginia Military Institute brings with it a new Rat Mass but beneath the grandeur of the matriculating cadets and the ceremony involved, lies a great effort on the part of VMI's First-Class leadership. The operation of each Ratline and even the few months following breakout are managed by a number of determined Cadets from the three classes of the Institute. While the public does not recognize this effort until mid-August, the groundwork is laid even before the end of the preceding spring semester. Cadets Kasey Meredith and Robert Hoeft, the Regimental Commanding Officer (RCO) and Regimental Executive Officer (RXO) respectively, have already established and utilized communications with the leadership of '22 in order to pave the way for a successful year at the "Mother I". The Class of '22 was the last class to have a full year at VMI unscathed by the COVID-19 pandemic and will utilize their experience to help VMI return to a state of normalcy. A highlight of this anticipated struggle is the influx of new members to the Superintendent and Commandant's staff. 2LT Troy Smith, the previous RCO, reflected on his interactions with the newly selected superintendent MajGen Cedric T. Wins '85 by saying; "Logistically, not much changed... He made adjusting easy, reaching out to cadets and prioritizing the Corps." In a similar spirit CDT Meredith has been looking forward to the new perspectives brought by new leadership outside of the Corps. The introduction of Col Adrian Bogart III '81 as the new Commandant adds to this pursuit as new connections are to be made in the upcoming year. CDT Meredith stated that, "We need to find a balance between tradition and change, bringing in new perspectives from COMMSTAFF, finding a new incentive and drive for VMI, and what the school means." CDT Meredith plans to maintain strict contact with the commandant on a daily basis to ensure that the 'one team mentality' is understood and upheld by both parties. While this relationship between cadets and COMMSTAFF is important to the greater function of the Institute, it is not the only relationship that the RCO will be focusing on. Cadet Meredith expressed the standard of communications between her and her Brother Rats; "We are all BRs on a level playing field. We will maintain fair and friendly communications which should be easy." She expressed that a trust and confidence in her classmates ensures her that she will receive their best. One Corps issue she identified from last year was the major blow to morale experienced by everyone due to the pandemic. CDT Meredith intends to help preserve Corps morale by introducing and reviving some traditions as well helping coordinate Corps-wide events such as those ran by the S7 Staff during the previous year. While the Class of 21 may have graduated and escaped the confines of barracks, they still have ample advice to offer the upcoming class of commanding cadets as reflected in the words of 2LT Smith; "Focus on VMI, not what's going on outside. Benefit the Corps as your one pursuit. ['22] has a unique position to revert to a normal year while changing cadet autonomy due to the new Comm Staff. Cadets can do great things, overcome the challenges… make it happen." The role of RCO encompasses a large portion of logistics in the cadet-run arena, but the RXO holds the major role in the facilitation of an effective Ratline. CDT Hoeft has already been hard at work applying principles from both the Class of 21 as well as his dyke's class in order to ensure that 22+3 is properly trained to earn the title of a VMI Cadet. One aspect of '21's success that he explicitly referenced as a base for his upcoming administration was the emphasis on professionalism created by the previous year's leadership. CDT Hoeft plans to uphold this environment of professionalism by forging a path separate than that taken by the previous year's leadership by including the cadet officers in Ratline instruction to a higher degree. He upheld that in the previous year, the First-Class cadets were a source of knowledge and experience which went unutilized. He plans to channel their capabilities through a descending chain of training, having the officers train sergeants, sergeants train corporals, and corporals train the rats. This is a standard of operation that he will uphold by maintaining constant communications with each level of Cadre, placing an emphasis on the concept of "our ratline" in reference to equal involvement. While both the RCO and RXO have been appointed due to their own capabilities, they have clear intentions to channel the influence, ideas, and experience of not only their BRs but the Corps as a whole in order to improve VMI. Following a difficult year at the Mother I, there is hope for the Corps upon their return in August. Alongside these promises of change, Cadet Meredith leaves a message of stability saying; "VMI is still structure, challenge, and diversity" alongside Cadet Hoeft's expression of opportunity; "Be excited for opportunities without COVID and a new COMMSTAFF. Be ready and open." With an emphasis on improving COMMSTAFF-Corps relations as well as a deep rejuvenation of the Corps itself. Communication will be the staple of the regimental leaders' introduction to a new year at VMI and will provide the Corps with the necessary hope to return.