#virginia military institute

Portrait of five members of the Virginia Military Institute Gymnasium Club from the 1885 edition of VMI’s yearbook named The Bomb.

I’ve always thought overcoat was our sharpest looking uniform. However, I also found it be reasonably Eastern Blocesque, and fondly called it “Soviet Dyke.”

Since the Corps will be busy all day tomorrow going to, participating in, and return from the inaugural parade I figured I should post this a day early.

Have fun guys. Look sharp and make us proud!

It’s always important to set good goals.

Full glory viewable here: www.Kadet.Life/2017-01-09-59-New-Years-Resolution

I don’t understand what the problem is. 

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If you haven’t honored McCormick during your time at the “I” you’re basically an USNA Aunt.

The Corps returns from Thanksgiving furlough today. It was also the Rat’s first break from the I. They’re all probably crying tears of sheer joy over returning to warm, loving, wonderful embrace of the Mother I.

Don’t worry Ratties, it doesn’t get any less pleasant as the years go by.

If you make it, that is

Yeah, sure. Whatever.

We may have “lost” the game in the sense that “the other team scored more points than we did and they got to take the trophy home for the tenth year in a row.”

But their peasant three star Supe has to salute our four starSupe.

So really we win.

P.S. General Rosa’s unibrow game stronk, though.

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Another work in progress.

I gave you my jalapeno cheese spread, and this is how you thank me? What a BRF.

Progress update.

WIP.

I’m taking a stroll down memory lane with the next one.

I’m excited to introduce a new character to Kadet Life: Institute alumnus and Commandant Staff member Captain Gevenson.

Any resemblance to anybody in real life is probably just your imagination.

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Well, more than a year since my last comic, something happened that I just had to doodle out (It also helps to have ample time during this national self-quarantine). Due to COVID-19, VMI is shutting down post, and the remainder of this semester will be completed remotely from home. No formations. No uniforms. No PT’s. No living in a soul-crushing sadness factory.

You lucky little shits.

All kidding aside, that’s a solid move. Keep safe and follow social distancing.

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Presented apolitically.

I’m trying to walk a fine line of making a joke about a very real world experience for Keydets: consequences of social media activity. It’s not just VMI, any military personnel may be held accountable for their social media posts and activity online.

Northam’s explosive photos seemed like they could add some heft, so I included it. VERY. CAREFULLY. 

For those who read about this down the road, here’s what you need to know.

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Congratulations to the class of 2020 on getting your rings! If you’ve missed this, you’re not friends with them on Facebook or following them on Instagram, because once Ring Figure comes around social media is flooded with ring pictures for days.

And who can blame them? I’m amazed I didn’t fall off the stoop or turn into roadkill crossing the street when I got mine. I had tunnel vision for my ring for a month and captivatingly stared at it while walking, in class, or eating. I’m still obsessed with my ring and feel naked without it.

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Everyone gets to go home at the end of Natty Guards’ annual training. Well, maybe not quite to “home.” Some get the joyous honor of going back to VMI for Early Return, where athletes, cadre, and staff all converge at the Institute to get ready for the academic year and the influx of Rats.

It’s also a time for shitbags to knock out a ton of PT’s by serving as the early return guard team. There, these lucky cadets will protect a nearly empty barracks 24/7, wearing wool in the hot and humid summer heat, surrounded by overly enthusiastic motards and thirds, and with nothing to do with their off time. Oh, yes, and they have neither air conditioning nor beds.

Oh, the Mother I, the eternally welcoming and lovely home we all look forward to returning to*.
​
*Terms and conditions may apply.

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I forgot my rifle in the Port A John during training once. Never again. The NCO’s take proper accountability, particularly for rifles and people, very seriously.

If you realize that you’ve left your rifle somewhere, you better find it before the NCO’s do.

Source:(X)

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​Do you know what’s a fairly dangerous combination? The internet and anonymity. Yodel (for those from the especially Old Corps, Yodel is an app that allows anonymous location based posting) has been quite an interesting forum as of late with the recent addition of the 19+3 Rat Mass at STP. How many of these are actually from 19+3 or just an upperclassmen stirring up some fun online I cannot attest to.

​I have also heard about the current incoming attitudes. This is, however, somewhat to expected before the great winnowing. VMI’s rigid hierarchal system is utterly incomprehensible to almost everyone except our sister SMC’s.

They’ll find out though.

​We all did.

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​Anyone else see the press conference where the president announced the Space Force? I did! The whole thing sounds pretty exciting!

Well, there was also this one itty bitty phrase he said that ​seemed a smidgen out of place.

​But other than that…
S P A C E   F O R C E

See full size on website:(x)

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We all know (or worse yet, you are) that one poor bastard who can shave and have a five o'clock shadow seemingly minutes later. It’s a pain in the butt for inspections and outright dangerous during the Ratline. Nothing like getting boned for not shaving when you did a few mere hours ago, or even being the heartless ranker who handed out the demerits (sorry guys).

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Inspired by actual events.

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“Throughout history, there have been many displays of the power of the human spirit to carry on in the face of adversity, but none are quite as inspiring as the fact that W&L sorority girls will still trudge over to the PX Starbucks and get iced coffee when it’s 20 degrees outside.” - Joel Thomas
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Inspired by a true story.

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S L E E P  
I S  
F O R  
T HE  
W E A K

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Ask anyone who has ever gone to the field about the star chamber and terrible memories of agonizingly trying to clean that cursed tiny crevice resurfaces in their minds.

No matter how many times you scrub it with that wiry toothbrush, no matter how much CLP, or how many clean pieces of cloth you sacrifice to the Gods of carbon buildup, it will never be enough because your star chamber is actual a portal to another world made entirely of carbon and grease.

You toil away, and with false hope in your heart, you eventually take it to whoever is inspecting rifles and, with one swipe of a finger, carbon is inexplicably found and your rifle rejected. Back at it again.

Not to mention you’re dirty and hungry with full knowledge that a shower and chow is only a short walk away. But nope, not for you, you filthy peasant. You’ve got a star chamber connected to a universe with at least one dimension made entirely of carbon.

Sucks to suck.

This comic, unfortunately, is based on a true story.

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The transition from Summer to Winter Class Dyke and vice-versa is scheduled, and sometimes the weather does not cooperate. Winter may come in early and hard, and the next thing you know you’re shivering during formation wearing nothing but cotton. A few months later you’re sweating in wool and a jacket as the heat beats down on you.

The last few days has seen the temperature rise above 70*F, but there we went, going to formation in woolies and Duty Jacket.

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Witness the birth of a supervillain.

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