Maj.Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85There was no stone left unturned in the development of this plan. Every aspect of cadet life, taking into account the needs of the future and the successes of the past, were considered. This plan reflects input from cadets, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and many others.”
Superintendent
VMI Values
"Built upon the time-honored Institute values of honor, excellence, self-discipline, courage, esprit de corps, and selfless service, the ‘Forging 21st Century Leaders’ strategic plan provides a solid foundation from which the Institute will launch into its third century."
—Tom Watjen ’76, VMI Board of Visitors President during strategic plan development
Honor is the heart and bedrock of the VMI experience.
The VMI Honor Code has been fundamental since the school’s beginning in 1839. “A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do.” VMI’s unique, single-sanction Honor System is foundational to the culture of the Institute. Living the Honor Code establishes the framework for an honorable life.
VMI has a long history of excellence.
The VMI experience is predicated on pushing cadets to be the best version of themselves, reaching targets and goals that stretch themselves to new limits. VMI graduates’ noteworthy accomplishments are exemplified through Seven Medal of Honor recipients, 11 Rhodes Scholars, 1 Nobel Peace Prize winner, and 1 Pulitzer Prize winner.
Self-discipline is developed throughout a VMI cadetship.
From sunup to sundown, members of the Corps are responsible for performing the duties of a cadet, including military training, attending classes, studying, parades, competing in NCAA or club athletics, and more, all while managing their time for eating, sleeping, and bonding with their brother rats.
It takes courage to choose the VMI experience.
That courage is an early sign of a successful cadet, and transitions to accepting leadership positions within the Corps of Cadets, standing up for brother rats, training new cadets, speaking up when the VMI Honor Code is violated, and taking the oath to serve within the U.S. armed forces, as a public servant, or in private industry.
Esprit de Corps: No one is left behind, no one struggles alone.
Although a VMI cadetship is challenging from the start, there is no lack of support in the toughest moments. No single cadet’s challenges are greater than another’s. The characteristics of this strong community attract faculty, staff, and cadets to VMI. Graduates of the Institute remain steadfastly involved and connected to each other and to the Institution.
At VMI, self-centered pride takes a backseat to selfless service.
From Matriculation Day to commissioning, where more than half the graduating class joins the U.S. military, selflessness becomes a way of life. They sacrifice time, lead from the front, offer ideas, and develop those around them as they serve. It’s not uncommon to hear of a cadet on furlough, being of service to someone in need.
A VMI cadet’s resilience is tested regularly.
Cadets get tired, get knocked down, and take some tough hits, but it’s how they react and recover that makes them special. Cadets face challenges each day on the field of competition, in the classroom, and as they prepare for the battlefield and the boardroom. There’s no fear in failure, but rather a motivation for doing better the next time.
Reflections of One of the Institute's Finest
"This institution gave me not only a standard for my daily conduct among men, but it endowed me with a military heritage of honor and self-sacrifice."
—Gen. George C. Marshall, United States Army, VMI Class of 1901
"Built upon the time-honored Institute values of honor, excellence, self-discipline, courage, esprit de corps, and selfless service, the ‘Forging 21st Century Leaders’ strategic plan provides a solid foundation from which the Institute will launch into its third century."
—Tom Watjen ’76, VMI Board of Visitors President during strategic plan development
Honor is the heart and bedrock of the VMI experience.
The VMI Honor Code has been fundamental since the school’s beginning in 1839. “A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do.” VMI’s unique, single-sanction Honor System is foundational to the culture of the Institute. Living the Honor Code establishes the framework for an honorable life.
VMI has a long history of excellence.
The VMI experience is predicated on pushing cadets to be the best version of themselves, reaching targets and goals that stretch themselves to new limits. VMI graduates’ noteworthy accomplishments are exemplified through Seven Medal of Honor recipients, 11 Rhodes Scholars, 1 Nobel Peace Prize winner, and 1 Pulitzer Prize winner.
Self-discipline is developed throughout a VMI cadetship.
From sunup to sundown, members of the Corps are responsible for performing the duties of a cadet, including military training, attending classes, studying, parades, competing in NCAA or club athletics, and more, allwhile managing their time for eating, sleeping, and bonding with their brother rats.
It takes courage to choose the VMI experience.
That courage is an early sign of a successful cadet, and transitions to accepting leadership positions within the Corps of Cadets, standing up for brother rats, training new cadets, speaking up when the VMI Honor Code is violated, and taking the oath to serve within the U.S. armed forces, as a public servant, or in private industry.
Esprit de Corps: No one is left behind, no one struggles alone.
Although a VMI cadetship is challenging from the start, there is no lack of support in the toughest moments. No single cadet’s challenges are greater than another’s. The characteristics of this strong community attract faculty, staff, and cadets to VMI. Graduates of the Institute remain steadfastly involved and connected to each other and to the Institution.
At VMI, self-centered pride takes a backseat to selfless service.
From Matriculation Day to commissioning, where more than half the graduating class joins the U.S. military, selflessness becomes a way of life. They sacrifice time, lead from the front, offer ideas, and develop those around them as they serve. It’s not uncommon to hear of a cadet on furlough, being of service to someone in need.
A VMI cadet’s resilience is tested regularly.
Cadets get tired, get knocked down, and take some tough hits, but it’s how they react and recover that makes them special. Cadets face challenges each day on the field of competition, in the classroom, and as they prepare for the battlefield and the boardroom. There’s no fear in failure, but rather a motivation for doing better the next time.
Reflections of One of the Institute's Finest
"This institution gave me not only a standard for my daily conduct among men, but it endowed me with a military heritageof honor and self-sacrifice."
—Gen. George C. Marshall, United States Army, VMI Class of 1901