Every year, during a weekend in October, VMI grants a specific the title of ‘Parents’ Weekend’ and gives cadets’ the ability to sign out on special permits to spend the majority of their weekend with their family. The weekend gives the school an overwhelming jolt of energy and positive emotions after the cadets have been grinding through the semester and the mid-terms that marked the halfway point in the semester. However some cadets are dealing with more than just midterms, a rat from Clio, Michigan says that he appreciates his family making the trip for Parents’ Weekend because, “It reminds me that I’m not alone during the ratline and that there are people you love rooting for you to do well.”
Andrew Bradshaw, a second classman in Bravo Company believes that it is the “official label” placed on the weekend that encourages parents to seize the opportunity to support their cadet come to VMI. He lives in Christiansburg, Virginia and said that his parents have come to see him both his rat and third class year. He explains that they will come again this year and why he appreciates it so much by saying, “It’s always good to see family, and know that they are still present and invested in my life. I really enjoy tailgating with not just them, but also with the families of my roommates and BRs.”
While Parents’ Weekend is just a short three days, Friday through Sunday, it is filled with plenty of events that families can participate in alongside their cadet. Families are invited into the classrooms on Friday and are encouraged to sit and learn alongside their cadet in any class from Gen-ed Biology to a senior level Political Theory or Research Methods. At the conclusion of classes on Friday, cadets and parents will separate to return to barracks and make their way to the parade field, respectfully. Following the completion of the parade, cadets are allowed to take the Parents Weekend permit and all classes are allowed to be off post with their family until 20:00.
Saturday morning there is another parade followed by the corps wide tailgate on the parade field that Mr. Bradshaw mentioned when asked what he enjoyed most. The tailgating festivities continue all the way up to the kickoff of the VMI home football game at the Alumni Memorial Field. This year, on October 17th, VMI played Chattanooga at 13:30. During the second half of the game, cadets are given the opportunity to go sit with their parents and enjoy the game with their family. At the conclusion of the VMI Spirit and Doxology, cadets can again spend the rest of the night with their family. Often there is nothing scheduled on the following Sunday in order to allow cadets ample time to have quality family time which for many cadets will be the last time they see their loved ones until Thanksgiving or even Christmas furlough.