First Ten Years < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >

Virginia Military Institute, my alma mater. The Institute has been the most formative experience of my life, and I appreciate the integrity and discipline it instilled in me and all its Alumni.

This photo epitomizes the rat year, known as freshman year for everyone else. Taken off a stoop in the Old Courtyard inside the VMI barracks. The cadets are in parade gear, and so are the rats - some of them made it through the rat line to become cadets later. Delta Company Sergeant-At-Arms is administering punishment to a rat for an infraction during the parade. His brother rats join him in pushups for solidarity. Sveltering summer heat makes the punishment even more effective and memorable.

Everyone who carries the VMI Ring has gone through this crucible, including Hell Week during which the Cadre teaches the rats the basics to prepare those who make it to become cadets, and the Breakout, which is also depicted in my US gallery.

Certainly not for everyone, but the citizen-soldier ethos dating back to ancient Greece is just as important and relevant as it was over two thousand years ago.