Page 12, The Institute Report, OCTOBER 2010
Three rats help their dyke, S-3 Regimental Lt. Elizabeth Carlos, dyke out for parade. – VMI Photo by Kevin Remington.
Old Barracks Sentinel Box Resounds Once More Larger Corps Challenges ‘Stoop Integrity’ and One-on-One Rat-Dyke Relationships By George Abry
It would be hard to find a cadet in barracks who misses the construction that has been a fact of barracks life since 2005. The noise was pretty stressful, and the closure of certain arches caused hiccups in the class privilege system. The completion of renovations this year has eased congestion and seems to have improved the whole atmosphere of cadet life. “Corps morale has gone up,” said Alex Mason ’12, a cadet battery gun captain who is a member of Band Company. “Barracks is a lot cleaner, and I know everyone doesn’t feel as cramped as they did when we were under construction,” said Samantha Jones ’12, a regimental S-5 public affairs sergeant who lives in Old Barracks. “We are able to use the traditional Old Barracks sentinel box again for reunions and old yells, and it’s a great central meeting place for the Corps.” While members of VMI’s largest ever Corps settle into newly furnished rooms, they are finding that more than furniture has shifted. Two timehonored traditions with a long and storied history at VMI also are changing: the dyke system and stoop assignments. “I think the Corps has realized that due to its increasing size ‘stoop integrity’ is something of the past,” said Mease Brockman ’11, a 2nd Battalion S-4 logistics lieutenant. Even though all new cadets are living on the fourth and fifth stoops – which can accommodate more than 550 cadets – a number of 1st Class cadets are not living on the first stoop due to a lack of space. With about 350 1st Class cadets in the Corps, some requested assignments on the second stoop to remain with roommates from last year while others had no choice. Angela Redmond ’11, a 4th Platoon lieutenant in Bravo Company, said she wishes there were more rooms on the first stoop, but said she can’t complain because her second stoop room is big and located right next to the stairs. “Essentially, I think the cadets would agree that the space provided by the third addition to barracks makes life a lot more comfortable, but wish that classes were not broken up between stoops.” “While it is a little bit of a letdown for those not living on the first stoop, everyone seems to be taking it stride,” said Christopher Moser ’11, F
company commander and managing editor of The Cadet newspaper. Although he shares a first stoop room with two other cadets, Moser has had firsthand experience with the effects of the Corps being larger. “As a cadre member during matriculation week, it was at times overwhelming trying to organize such a large group with the same number of cadre as we had in the previous two years,” Moser said. Company F has 54 rats. According to Moser’s math, there are five rats for every three 1st Class cadets, and Moser is a dyke to two rats. “I couldn’t be happier. It gives me more opportunity to pass on my knowledge,” Moser said. The ratio of dyke to rat is a bit more challenging for female cadets, where having two to three rats per cadet is the rule, not the exception. The original purpose of the dyke system was to provide rats with one-on-one assistance in maneuvering the intricacies of VMI culture. Some female dykes are concerned they’re not giving rats the attention they deserve. “I act as a mentor or an older sibling,” said Erin Hawes ’11. “I try to help my rats get organized in their classes; I try to teach them tips on how to study and adjust to academics at the college level.” Heather Schmidt ’11, regimental S-5 captain, said she and her two roommates on the first stoop have three rats each, which means mornings can get crowded and loud. Schmidt said she wouldn’t change it. “They have helped me get in touch with my 18-year-old self,” Schmidt said of her young charges. “My whole focus has changed from being a regular cadet who wakes up at 0645 and rushes to formation, to a cadet who is fully dressed and ready to go at 0645 so I can teach my rats Rat Bible knowledge and make sure they’re well-prepared. It’s given me a whole new reason for being at VMI.” Brockman said this year VMI cadet leaders are putting a priority on having a more unified Corps and that the size of the Corps doesn’t bother her. “We have really tried to stress ‘One Corps, One Team,’” said Brockman, who mentors three female rats. “I’d rather sleep on the tile floor of any stoop in barracks than be sleeping in a dorm at any other school. I just look at this problem VMI has as something we have to go through to get where we are going.”