The Class of 2028 is Born

The Ratline at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) stands as one of the most grueling yet defining traditions in military education, forging discipline, resilience, and unity among new cadets, known as "rats." For the Class of 2028, this transformative process reached its pinnacle with their official recognition following the completion of Breakout, the culminating measure of endurance and teamwork. Matriculation and Initial TrainingThe journey for the Class of 2028 began on August 17, 2024, as 498 incoming rats arrived at VMI. Representing 36 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and six foreign countries, the class consisted of 62% in-state and 38% out-of-state cadets. Among them were 86 females and 168 recruited NCAA athletes. Matriculation Day marked these individuals' transition into "the great equalizer". The rats swiftly moved through administrative requirements, signed the storied Matriculation Book, and took their oath before being marched up into barracks. With the gates closed and locked behind them, the rats then met their training cadre. These upperclassmen, responsible for guiding them through the Ratline, wasted no time in introducing these new rats to the road less traveled that lay before them. Their cadre will teach, and they will learn. Matriculation week had begun. Throughout these initial phases, the rats endured rigorous physical training and tests, military drills and exercises, as well as adopting and adapting to numerous other of the Institute's regulations, customs, and traditions. Following the intensity of Matriculation Week, the rats faced its culminating event known as the Rat Crucible on August 25, 2024. This physically and mentally demanding series of exercises challenged their endurance through numerous north post obstacles including but not limited to log training, buddy carries, and a swim in the Maury River. Designed to push them beyond perceived limits, these activities fostered physical and mental toughness and camaraderie, reinforcing the bonds that would sustain them throughout the Ratline. Beginning of the Academic Year and Rat ChallengeThe following week, the academic year officially began, sending VMI's "three-legged stool" into full effect for the rats to balance now that classes had begun. One of the defining aspects of the Ratline experience during this phase, Rat Challenge, would be the staple of the rats' afternoons for the months to come. Rat Challenge is a program led by a team of first-class leadership separate from cadre which lead the rats in a combination of experiential activities that combine and foster teamwork, physical fitness, peer leadership, and more, all in an environment that is more relaxed than their time with cadre. Rat Challenge culminated in the competition known as Rat Olympics, where all companies compete against one another in a series of events and test of attitude to win the Stockwell Cup, with this ratline's recipient being Alpha Company. The high of this time soon wears off as the rats begin to realize that with the end of Rat Challenge, comes their return to their cadre for the rest of the ratline. The afternoons that used to be filled with obstacle courses and raft-building were now for rifle runs and rat bible knowledge. These months drag along in darkness. Resurrection WeekFollowing these dark ages, as the Ratline neared its conclusion, Resurrection Week began. Serving as the final preparation for Breakout, this phase, through a sequence of physically and mentally exhausting trials, emphasized teamwork and perseverance, among numerous other essential traits for a VMI Cadet. The entire corps bands together during this time as stewards of said preparation. While the rats' cadre pick up on their ratline activities, the rats' dykes give them numerous missions and tasks to complete throughout the week which often include cooperation with underclass cadets. BreakoutThe defining moment for the Class of 2028 arrived on February 10, 2025, with Breakout. The event commenced with the early morning blast of "Little John" in the barracks, signaling the start of an arduous day that began with a workout on North Post before the rats were released for a typical academic day, after which they returned immediately to Breakout events. Van pulls, log exercises, and more ensued before the rats gathered at the far end of the parade field for their final charge as a rat mass. Bagpipes began sounding, gun and cannon fire erupted, and smoke billowed as the rats began to low crawl across the parade deck, breaking out into sprints to cover the final distance. The rats arrived in barracks after crossing the parade field, and soon received a sweat party from each class. Following the rigorous trials of Breakout, the rat mass gathered for a well-earned meal in Crozet Hall. Their transition into the Corps of Cadets began finalization upon a march back into barracks that echoed their arrival 6 months earlier. Their cadre had taught, and they had learned. The rats moved to gather around the sentinel box in Old Barracks and took part in their class's first Old Yell—a tradition that cemented their status as full-fledged members of VMI's storied lineage. For the Class of 2028, the completion of the Ratline was not merely an end but a new beginning. Their journey through Matriculation, the marathon that is the Ratline, and the ultimate test of Breakout forged a class defined by discipline, honor, and resilience. Through these shared experiences, they built unbreakable bonds and secured their place in the proud legacy of the Virginia Military Institute. The Cadet does not receive any support from VMI and is 100% dependent on donations to operate. PLEASE HELP US BY DONATING at WWW.THECADETFOUNDATION.ORG