Found the following press release in my inbox earlier today. For the record, I had never even heard of waterboarding until after I graduated VMI.
LEXINGTON, Va., April 30, 2009 — False reports have been circulating on some talk television and radio programs and on the Internet alleging that cadets are routinely waterboarded at VMI as part of a “ritualized hazing.” These false accusations are apparently being made to justify the practice of waterboarding suspected terrorists, now banned by the President.VMI does not waterboard anyone, nor can we find any reference in our records that such a practice has ever occurred here. Some reports are specifically alleging that George C. Marshall, a graduate of VMI’s Class of 1901 and arguably one of the greatest soldiers America has produced, was waterboarded when he was a cadet. We have found no reference in our records or in the voluminous biographical information about General Marshall that he was ever subjected to waterboarding.
In their first months at VMI, cadets experience the Rat Line. This is a very tough period, both physically and mentally. The Rat Line at VMI today is a carefully calibrated experience that is professionally run. It does not include waterboarding, and it cannot be equated with hazing.
These allegations are not appropriate to the reputation of General Marshall or the Virginia Military Institute.
My BR wrote next to the press release: How many meetings do you think they had to have about this? After the fourth check form, I am sure cadets were starting to claim the water boarding was a VMI tradition dating back Corporal Atwell.
Where’d that rumor even come from??
OK what is “finning out?” Something indecent with a denizen of Finland?
John:
I received a comment in an earlier blog about this, where the commentator stated that Dick Morris had stated on Fox News that General Marshall had been waterboarded while a Cadet.
My reply was to the effect I had never hear that although in Pougue Education of a General he indicated that Marshall had been hazed by being required to squat over a bayonet. I also added that much of what passed in Marshall day for innocent discipline would land a person in jail today.
I have heard of references to this several other places but can not confirm. This is the type thing that, if not checked, can quickly become fact and have a negative impact on VMI. As for the Corps of Cadets I am sure they are now convinced that in the earliest days a Number 1 was drawing and quartering on the Parade Ground (it is not a deck–there is no freaking ship on the Maury River.)
After talking to my rats who are finishing off their education at the “Mother I” the word came out that this was yet another Keydet prank. Though I do vaguely remember a drowning sensation most of the time I was a cadet at VMI.
Let’s not forget the right of passage known as “Rat Drowning.” oops, I mean survival swimming.
As a current cadet living within the walls of barracks, i am appalled that media outlets are throwing around accusations of such ridiculous hazing practices. The current Ratline now constantly regimented and under the constant eye of our Commandant’s Staff, that the idea of waterboarding a Rat is ridiculous. These accusations again prove that people/media do not understand the VMI system. Never once was I was physically assaulted as a Rat, in every instance where a Cadre member needed to make a correction by way of touch, they clearly stated “Permission to Touch?” Yes as a Rat we are worked out on Sunday nights, in a secure environment, for a set amount of time, and with certified EMTs standing by in case of emergency. This Institute has taught me much in terms of Leadership, Moral Conduct, Honor, Trust and all by safe means, that I would repeat again in a heartbeat if only to prove such accusations of foul-play in the form of waterboarding DO NOT EXIST
-VMI’11
RAH VIRGINIA MIL…
These allegations are truely ludicrous, never have I heard of such a thing. The George C. Marshall Library has thousands upon thousands of books…not one specifies this has happened.
VMI ’09
Yes, that’s right, but then again, thirds eat shit! Yours in the Bonds, LBL
While I’m tempted to start this comment off w/ “…back in the old corps…”, I think it’s pretty clear that this is ridiculous beyond description.
In response to the venerable young cadet’s comment, “…i am appalled that media outlets are throwing around accusations…“, I suggest the quote from “The Matrix”…”Welcome to the desert of the real.” This is how it is, where there is little responsibility in reporting and one should never let the facts get in the way of a good story. Any cadet with 6 months under his or her belt knows the story of George Marshall, and knows that there is only one kind of “water bored-ing” that occurs at VMI, and that’s during survival swimmer training.
Ooh-rah and God bless to all of those who have gone before, all of those who are now there, and those yet to come.