Watch a VMI Parade
Visit the VMI Museum
Much like the Colonnade, the Parade Ground is the most iconic part of VMI’s campus. This large field in the center of campus offers the best view of the most striking buildings. The VMI Corps of Cadets parades, which are open to the public, occur most Friday afternoons at 4:35 p.m. These parades feature the cadets marching through Jackson Arch onto the Parade Ground in full dress uniform to the sound of fifes and drums and the Regimental Band. The entrance to the Parade Ground is easily accessible from W&L’s campus—just follow the sidewalk that begins between the Center for Global Learning and the Admissions building.
As the first existing public museum in Virginia, this museum holds many wonders for history lovers. Some of the highlights include the mounted hide of Stonewall Jackson’s favorite horse, seven Medals of Honor awarded to VMI alumni and 15,000 other artifacts. The museum also traces the careers of notable alumni, including Nobel Prize recipients, Pulitzer Prize winners, Polar Explorers, movie stars and civic leaders. To get to the museum, follow the sidewalk that begins between the Center for Global Learning and the Admissions building. After reaching the Parade Ground, continue down the sidewalk and the museum will be to your left.
Train like a Cadet
Listen to the Band
W&L students are fully aware of the physical demands placed on VMI students when they run through campus and downtown Lexington. When new students arrive at VMI, they have to pass a fitness test that requires a 1.5 mile run, sit-ups and pull-ups. To train like a cadet, hit the Chessie Nature Trail for a seven-mile walk or jog. The trail is relatively flat with a dirt surface and is open to the public year-round.
VMI’s band company, which consists of 140 members, is one of the nation’s premier military college bands. Some of their most notable performances include five presidential inaugurations, the Rose Parade in Pasadena in 2008 and 2016, the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor in Honolulu in 2012 and the New York Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Make sure to seek out opportunities to hear the Band Company during a parade through town or a football game.
Attend a VMI Sports Game VMI has several NCAA Division I teams and some major school spirit. Attend a football game at Foster Stadium to hear the ceremonial cannon and watch the Rats, also known as first-years, come out of the stands to do a pushup for every VMI touchdown.
Take a Cadet-Guided Tour Ever wondered what it would be like to be a cadet? Take a cadetguided tour to get the inside scoop on daily life at VMI. Tours are offered daily at noon departing from the lobby of the VMI Museum in Jackson Memorial Hall (Level 200) and last approximately 50 minutes.
“Many W&L students avoid the high walls of the VMI campus, despite all of the many opportunities inside.”
Fun Facts Only first class cadets, or seniors, may keep civilian clothes in their rooms. New cadets may not have electrical equipment, such as razors and radios, in their rooms.
VMI has an Honor Code much like ours, which states, “A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do.”
Rats—what cadets call first-years—wake up every day at 6:40 a.m. to roll up their “hay,” which is their mattress, before starting their day with chores before Breakfast Roll Call.
In September, Rats participate in the charge at New Market, where they sprint across a historic battlefield as an entire Rat mass to replicate a battle from the Civil War.
Every few weeks, underclassmen participate in “Sweat Parties,” which are a 15 minute workouts led by upperclassmen designed to drench participants in sweat. Sounds fun, right? INGENERAL 11