Honor at VMI: Trust in Cadets?
VMI’s Honor Code; one of the most famous systems of trust and honor throughout the country. Rats have this code drilled into their heads throughout their entire Ratline: “A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do” (Honor System 1). Because of this system, there are levels of trust at VMI not seen anywhere else. For example, during tests or exams, professors leave the room and wait for the cadets to finish, the only thing preventing cheating is the high regard in which all VMI cadets hold the Honor Code. However, at a school where cadets are trusted with so much more than regular students at ordinary colleges, the matter of permits may confuse many people. A permit is something one signs out on to leave Post for any reason, whether it be a family emergency, to pick up groceries, or simply to enjoy the weekend. Permits have become a complicated matter recently, due to how complex the entire process has turned into (Blue Book 25). In 20th century VMI, all a cadet had to do to sign out was sign the Black Book. Now, the procedure involves complicated means of securing the permits, getting them approved, and then signing out on it correctly. This change is likely a result of VMI modernizing, and as a result, having less trust in cadets.
It was best phrased by a passing 2nd classman: “Man, you gotta sign out on a permit just to piss at this place.” This overly complicated sign out process directly affects the mental health of cadets, turning something as joyous as leaving Post into a stressful process that leaves cadets constantly worrying about if they signed out correctly or are at risk for being boned, or worse, specialed. It would make sense for an institution that places so much trust in its cadets to not require this mass of paperwork and accountability, and rather have cadets bound by honor to leave and return to Post on time. This would fix a multitude of problems found within the VMI system of accountability. Making the process of signing out infinitely easier, making the entire procedure less strenuous on both Comm Staff and cadets themselves. Also, it would serve to strengthen the code of honor which binds cadets together in a system of mutual accountability and respect.
It is no secret that there is no shortage of things to complain about at VMI. Whether it is plumbing, food, or staff related, something always could use improving. VMI is a school that is indeed proud of its tradition, while this can be a good thing when it comes to maintaining discipline and securing donations from alumni, it also means the school is reluctant to respond to change. Take for example the several stories that The Washington Post has written on the Institute. Ian Shapira, the author of the articles, commits many mistakes when writing about VMI, such as his baseless claim that minority cadets are treated differently than white cadets. That, however, is a different story for a different essay. What Shapira does correctly in his articles is highlighting the fact that VMI is slow to change (Shapira 3). While this is not an inherently bad thing, it means that any changes that need to be made to the Institute are often slow to come to fruition.
Taking this into account, and for the best results, it would benefit the success of any new implementations to VMI’s operating procedure to be introduced in increments, so as to not disturb the delicate balance that is VMI’s day-to-day function. When it comes to issues such as permits, small changes such as simplifying the permits, or not requiring them for certain events, is sure to be the best way to bring about positive change when it comes to the permit situation. It should be made very clear that the problem and solution presented in this paper are minor in comparison to other issues on Post such as racism, sexism, or even tuition. However, the matter of signing out and permits is still an issue that requires addressing.
Senior Military Colleges (SMCs) like VMI are not known for their ease. The challenging nature of the lifestyle and curriculum are what draw many to the school in the first place. However, simple things such as leaving campus for a specified amount of time being overly complicated serve no practical purpose other than pure inconvenience to both cadets and staff. To make things clear, this proposal’s goal is NOT to completely dismantle the system of signing out, but to simply change it in order to make things easier for both VMI cadets and the Commandant’s Staff. The process of signing out usually goes as follows: One ensures they are in an authorized place on Post, they have to check to see that they are signing out within the proper time limits of the permit, and then sign out digitally through Post View. After that, one is strictly bound to the stipulations of the permit they signed out on, and any breach results in a Form 24, which is a cadet’s version of turning oneself in. Once they have arrived back from wherever their destination was, the cadet must once again ensure they are in an authorized area on Post, and then sign in, taking care to make sure they are once again within the time limits of the permit. To someone not familiar to the Institute, this process can either seem simple or complicated, depending on your experience.
From the perspective of a cadet, it is a general consensus that this process is a waste of time and needlessly complicated. What this proposal seeks to change is very simple, yet can have drastic, time-saving effects on the way cadets leave Post. First of all, the number of permits needs to be drastically shortened. For example, a simple general permit could cover everything from religious services, dining by invitation, and medical leave. To further expand on this, a general permit would be what a cadet would sign out through, and then simply label the reason for leaving in the comments section of the permit. Then cadets, being bound by their honor, would have it placed upon them to return on time and in the correct location. This solution would have two major positive effects. First, it would increase the regard in which cadets hold their honor, since this is an increased responsibility on their part, leaving it up to them to be men and women of their word. Second, if a cadet needed to leave for a reason that is not covered by a preexisting permit, they would need to get permission from their company TAC officer to have permission to leave. Under this new system, the cadet would only need to write down their reasoning for leaving, putting less stress on the shoulders of the already overworked TACs.
VMI, like any other college in the United States, has its problems. Some, as evidenced by the series of WaPo articles, are more serious than others (Shapira 2). The problem which this proposal seeks to amend, is perhaps minor in comparison to the issues of racism and sexism, but is nonetheless one that can be fixed. The Honor Code is the focal point of VMI’s educational system, and this proposal seeks to expound further on the trust the code grants the Corps of Cadets. By simplifying the method of signing out for cadets, the trust in and strength of the Honor Code would be further extended. Also, it lessens the mental stress on cadets when they are leaving Post, as many can attest to, those last minute worries about signing out properly in face of a Form-24 bone can be stressful. This problem requires only the slightest of effort on VMI’s part, but its positive consequences will be far reaching, making the VMI a healthy and happy place to be.
Works Cited
“Honor System.” Honor System – Cadet Life – Virginia Military Institute, https://www.vmi.edu/cadet-life/cadet-leadership-and-development/honor-system/.
“Military Schools.” Military Schools – Today’s Military, https://www.todaysmilitary.com/education-training/military-schools.
Shapira, Ian. “In the War for VMI’s Future, Some Powerful Alumni Resist Change While Others Demand It.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 5 June 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/06/05/vmi-alumni-racism-clash/.
Shapira, Ian. “VMI Has Tolerated ‘Racist and Sexist Culture’ and Must Change, Investigation Finds.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 1 June 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/vmi-report-investigation-racism/2021/06/01/380c08c4-c2cb-11eb-93f5-ee9558eecf4b_story.html.
“VMI Blue Book.” Blue Book PDF, Virginia Military Institute, www.vmi.edu.