Thank you for visiting the VMI Forum. Please add your candid comments regarding the success or failure of the admission of women to VMI, and thank you in advance for your consideration of this vital question.

Hi there
pelle <pelle2mail.com>
pelle, 123 Pelle -

Are there any alumni who would like to send me e-mail about what you think about women in the Corps at VMI? Pro or con discussion is welcome. I am doing a research paper for a legal issues class at my university. (My boyfriend went to VMI, and I rather believe men should be able to attend an all-male school if they want to. My professor is of the opposite belief, so I want to do a well-researched paper.)
Julia Kiely <jkiely@uci.edu>
Irvine, CA USA -

This web site is great! Visited the Institute a couple of weeks ago to witness Col. Joyner's 'Dog and Pony' show. It made me sick to see the place that changed my life for the better turned into nothing. I really think they should change the name of the school to the 'Veneer Military Institute' because that is exactly what it is. Oh by the way, you're a moron if you donate money to VMI. I always like to see a good track record and history of a potential investment before I actually invest my money into it. The product so far has been pathetic... Bring back COL. DICKSON and get rid of Joyner(Justice Dept. puppet).
Seg! '96 <Viktone@msn.com>
Boston, Mass USA -

I'm not sure where all this is heading,but it's fun to watch I think we must support VMI unless it morphs into dishonor.I haven't seen any evidence of that.
J C Miller '61 <Jmille7670@aol.com>
USA -

Interesting concept...
Bill Jones <woj3@kjellstrom-lee.com>
USA -

I have been getting your email, and thought I should sign in on the guestbook.
George Inge <ginge@erols.com>
Manakin-Sabot, VA USA -

I miss the Old Corps!
Dean Kratzenberg '87 <hd7680@westpoint-emh2.army.mil>
West Point, NY USA -

Where do we go from here. I am taking some time to reflect on where I've been. Some of us are in a wait and see mode. If the mixing of the sexs at the I is handled like the army in Israel (seem to remember that no differences made for either sex, just common facilities) it might work. If there is a lot of bending for either side, then both will have lost.
Dixon W. Tucker, P.E.'80 <dtucker@pipeline.com>
Norfolk, va USA -

The Citadel may never get the Silver Shako back!
Chris Henry '74 <ca141@ix.netcom.com>
Augusta, GA USA -

The entire Wenatchee, Wa.VMI alumni group gathered by the Columbia River on New Market Day and had a cold one for the 'OlD Corps'.
Don Keener <DKeener912@aol.com>
East Wenatchee, WWa USA -

Jay Jarrett, '60, was a first when I was a rat and his comments concerning resurections sent a cold shiver down my spine. Has VMI really ended them?
Mell Lacy <Golphur@aol.com>
USA -

Thank you for the opportunity to voice our opinions. I wonder if the provisional appointments for my three sons is really worth anything anymore.
Doug Lindsey '84 <dlindsey@wyattriver.com>
San Jose, CA USA -

I look forward to checking this site regularly as the "New" VMI develops. Thanks for providing another outlet for those of us known as "Unreconstructed Rebels".
Bob Tannen '67 <bobtannen@sprintmail.com>
South Orange, NJ USA -

i agree with stathis we shouldnt give that place a nickel
andy kestner <winkes@erols.com>
richmond, va USA -

VMI - '48A : USMA '48
Ed Kritzer <edk@rockbridge.net>
Lexington, VA USA -

If it's not to late to change, then we must attempt to chage the SC decision at all cost. If it's to late, then we should accept defeat and implement the changes as professionally as possible. You can't argue with city hall, can you???
Ed Kopsick <ironman@wiesbaden.netsurf.de>
Wiesbaden, Germany -

VMI Class of 65
Ralph Robertson <BenByron@aol.co>
Richmond, Va USA -

As someone esle put it so well, The golden rule is a very powerful tool. If we as Alumni control over 60% of the funds, why don't we exercise the control we already have and TAKE BACK OUR SCHOOL !! I for one have removed VMI from my list of planned contributions since I believe that the school will never be the same. Some may think this unsupportive and your right. I choose to only contribute to those institutions and causes which I believe in. Does any body know whether or not a fund has been created to purchase the school. If so, please email the specifics so I can redirect my contributions.
Brian N. O'Neel '88 <boneel@fred.net>
Frederick, MMMd USA -

Rats AND Hooters does not a VMI make !!
Mac McGinn, VMI '61 <mcginn@capecod.net>
Wareham, MA USA -

Gentlemen, Spring Review - "Doc" Carroll's remarks: "VMI Ain't What it Used to Be, and it Never Was". We have survived change before and we will survive this!
Bill Hala '61 <whala@mw.k12.ny.us>
Monroe NY, NY USA -

I went back yesterday to attend the last all male parade. I also talked to a number of cadets and I'm satisfied that the current crop of cadets view admission of women to the Institute as a change for the worse but I also sensed that they felt it was inevitable; the reason: largely all the cheerleading that Institute officials have been doing for months to prepare the way for the "Inevitable"....disgraceful.
Michael Kevin Murphy 'V.M.I. '64 <mkmurph@aol.com>
Orange, Va USA -

Those of us that remember "Resurrections", might wonder how women would have fared "back in the Old Corps". I can still hear the Old Yell followed by "Resurrection!, Resurrection!, Resurrection!" echoing from Jackson Arch.
Jay Jarrett '60 <jhjarrett@webworldinc.com>
USA -

Whatever happened to the "majority rules" idea of a Democracy?
Scott Jones '87 <sjvmi87@aol.com>
Northern, VA USA -

I've been reading some good comments on this take over of VMI BY THE leftist modern day Bolsheviks. Much better than the "turnouts" on the VMI web page. My comment is simple and to the point. The Alumni, believe or not, supports VMI, monetarily, about 60%+. If we, Alumni, are as strong and as united as we should, then I propose this: NOT ONE ALUMNI SHOULD SEND ONE RED AMERICAN CENT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY TO VMI. The ramifications: 1. VMI will die a quick death. No money, no Alumni support, no pseudo-VMI. 2. After it dies, the Alumni can then purchase it. 3. Its ours again. Private and free. Chris Stathis, '87
Chris Stathis <chris.stathis@mci.com>
Centreville, Va USA -

Greetings Sir, I sincerely believe that I would have gone elsewhere if women had been admitted while I was at VMI. It happened to W&L while I was at VMI and I thought that was an outrage. I was ticked and I am no great fan of W&L. I was much more upset when the same thing happened at the Citadel. Am I to believe that the majority of the Corps is not standing on their heads waiting for an excuse to rebel? I would be!! I assume some cadets would be hard pressed to do much because they may lose scholarships. But, I wonder if we could help organize something that could get this thing turned around. I was just sitting here wondering how many cadets we could influence to sit out 1 year, go somewhere else for 1 year, join the service and return later, or whatever. I just hate to see VMI die. What about "ready in every time of deepest peril"? What about "Never say die"? I feel like the BOV just quit fighting. If a great number of cadets were to sit out and demand that we go private, what do you think would happen?
Doub Flynn <alma mater>
USA -

Love this web site. The VMI fight must continue. It's time for a check formation of tghe alumni to fight the SC.
Bill Nay <bnay@erols.com>
Woodbridge, VA USA -

It is strange that today's news is saying that mixed sex military boot camps do not work and that the Congress is considering a LAW that will prohibit mixed sex Basic Training. It was reported that mixed sex boot camps were tried unsuccessfully in the seventies and now in the 90's it still isn't working. Could this be a forcast of what will happpen with a mixed sex military college such as the V.M.I.?
John L Hart, Jr. VMI Class of 1968 <jlhart@deq.state.va.us>
USA -

John, Barbara and I are leaving in the morning for the ride to Lexington. We want to be part of the history being made there on the 15th The last New Market Parade with the all Male corps, 16th the last Graduation parade and the Last Change of Command. The Institute has a very good tape of the New Market Parade done by the cadets in the Corps on May 15,1995. Really a must for all to see. Put out by the PR department.Col.Micheal M. Strickler 540-464-7207 about 10 minutes and a must see and show... After we return on Sunday I will report back to the group of what was happening and what was said and done.. Need to read the front page of the Cadet April 25, Class of 98's RDC and OGA. is a good indications of what is happening. We can all remember what it was like in the Old Corps before May 16, 1997
Charles Hal Dayhuff <Charles Hal Dayhuff >
USA -

Greetings fellow neanderthals.
Tom Higginbotham '84 <thigginb@erols.com>
Richmond, VA USA -

Here I am.
Kevin Cordray <Kevin_M._Cordray@Vapower.com>
Orange, VA USA -

Just surfed in
Timothy Snow '94 <tsnow@erols.com>
Richmond, VA USA -

While I understand the concern about the SC's decision, it hurts me to see the resignation that you have put forth. If you don't fight because you think that the war is lost is a self fulfilling prophecy. If you want to fight, now is probably the time of greatest need. Actually, if you are worried about giving money and how it will be used,I think you can specify limits on what your money can be used for, and if you want,it could specifically not be used for women's facilities. If you think that this is such a bad decision that it will kill the I, why not do what one of the guys said earlier: Find a (male) high school student who wants to go to VMI, and who is willing to be the test case, and sue Virginia over that student not having the oportunity to go to a single sex school, like say VWIL, which the SC didn't close. Or maybe, if VWIL gets closed, throw it back in the faces of the SC by finding a female high school student who is willing to be the same test case, demanding a single sex female school, stating that the co-ed VMI is not what men had access to, and that she should be allowed to go to a single sex military school. Richard Mustakos '82
Richard Mustakos '82 <mustakos@mrj.com>
Potomac, MD USA -

VMI is a shining example of another fine American institution meddled with by our inflated beaurocracy in a feeble attempt to maintain policital correctness - whatever happened to the adage "If it ain't broke don't fix it?".....VMI '93
Bryan Van Deun
Overland Park, KS USA -

Gentlemen - Humpty Dumpty has fallen off the wal - within a very short period of time no will be able to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. Once the cadets who know the VMI that existed before the SC ruling have graduated - the Institute that we knew is gone forever. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS! It cannot be put back together. It saddens me to think that the institution that gave so much to this country for so long will be gone forever and neither Hilerey C or Janet R will have a penis.
M. T. "Hony" Tarrall <hony@tesser.com>
Boulder, CO USA -

I find it funny that our (VMI) option to the original case, Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership is entering into it's second year as a single sex military academy. While we are forced to allow women in. I am curious as to what VMI is going to do if none of the 24 female applicants is capable of surviving the Rat Line. The media seems to concentrate on Cadre, but this is only a short-term period. My Class started with 444, but within two months over forty had quit. Is the Supreme Court going to make 24 females stay in a male-dominated environment? What if all of them decide to quit? Won't this prove to be an embarrasment to the SC and the Justice Department? What message will this send to young men and women. I believe it will only increase the division.
JKEAYS <JKEAYS@aol.com>
USA -

Even though I've had limited experience in the 'real' world, I do know that the supreme court has reversed the words 'substance is everything, perception is nothing' to 'perception is everything, and substance is nothing'(this is what I see every day in the mil.)) God help VMI when the vultures(lawyers, media, feminazis, politicians) come circling around barracks on that hot august day. Never say die!
Seg! '96 <viktone@aol.com>
Fredricksburg, Va USA -

Regarding the "do gooders" who are changing VMI, I refer to the following quote from the late C. S. Lewis: "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under ominpotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their consciences."
Dave Clarke, '83 <david.s.clarke@usace.army.mil>
Winchester, VA USA -

When the federal government was sued for causing cancer with plutonium their defense was that it was agreed that plutonium caused the cancer, but that the plaintiffs could not prove that it was "their" plutonium which did it. This is the same defense which VMI must use -- how can the federal government prove that it is the "feminists tax dollars" which fund education at VMI? If you demand a roll call on this issue you will discover that a very small minority which does not even contribute to the tax base is the small minority which will not benefit by going to VMI and which demands rights to the exclusivity of everyone else
Bob Cheney
USA -

Stand by
Arthur M. Lipscomb III '69 <artliii@ids2.idsonline.com>
Leesburg, VA USA -

Executive Director of the Sovereign Patriot Group.
Robert Lindsay; Cheney Jr. <spg@c-zone.net>
Chico, CA USA -

This is just another of many obstacles we, as VMI Men, have had to endure. We will prevail! Maybe the DoD should have looked to the Institute for guidance prior to undergoing the scrutiny of the past 20 years (Service Academy's, Tailhook, Aberdeen, etc.), I am sure the VMI Eperience could have/should have set the appropriate standard for grooming Honorable Leaders. Once gain the DoJ has listened to the "Do Gooders" with superficial causes rather than making the correct decision. Where are those "Do Gooders" now......they have moved on to the next Bullshit Cause and focused on other institutions to ruin......I am so glad there are so many organizations looking out for my welfare...I would not be able to survive without them....
Adrian A. Garcia VMI '87 <aagkkg@southeast.net>
Jacksonville Beach, FL USA -

I am in full support of a closure of limits gates this fall. The introduction of coeducation to VMI will not only be a blow to the time tested success of the school's mission, but will be a disappointment to the females who chose to attend. VMI is just the latest attempt by the federal government to destroy this country's choices it was founded to protect. Close the school to further admissions; graduate the final three classes; and "hold down the fort" until this country wakes up to realize it is quickly tearing down the very foundation which makes it great.
Wayne Fuller '86 <Keydet928@aol.com>
Richmond, VA USA -

I am an up coming third classmen at VMI.
Adam Priest '00 <priestat%2000c%vmi@vmi.edu>
Bena, VA USA -

Gentlemen, we have lost round one. But, let us not quit the fight. DOJ and the SC were absolutely in the wrong in this decision; but now that it has been made, let us all rise to the occasion and support the "Mother I" as we never have before. We cannot afford to have scandals like the Federal Military Academies. I bid you good day, kind sirs. Stephen J. Hodak '83
Steve Hodak '83 <shodak1@juno.com>
Fredericksburg, Va USA -

Virginia, which many feel has a good school system, has a really poor set of standards. Bottom line is that the school system has to cater to standards based on the lowest common denominator. Sounds alot like the VMI decision. The government wants to reduce everything to its lowest possible form.
Ray Lawson <Ray Lawson >
Va USA -

I also agree. I truly believe that VMI should close the doors befor allowing one woman inside barracks.
Scott Jewell '87 <SJewell330@aol.com>
USA -

Class of 1986. Very interested in this issue. I feel this is a bell weather case. We should be watching with vigilance the issues facing the DoD relative to coed basic training. I think the Military will ultimately be forced to segregate. VMI should be poised to ride on the political waves that result. Never say die.
Stewart L. Barnes '86 <sbarnes@ch2m.com>
Herndon, VA USA -

To say you will not change the Corp and then take the running of the Corp from the Keydet class of 97 speaks for itself.
Thomas Montgomery <tlmonty@snowhill.com>
Fort Rucker, AL USA -

Interesting comments....seems like the flood gates have opened. I guess now we can really say "Back in the Old Corps" Hope all my BR's are well, e-mail when you can!
Mark A. Pappas <mpappas@madentechnj.com>
Sea Bright, NJ USA -

Class of 92
Byron Crowell <bcrowell@nuos.net>
Tampa, FL USA -

I've had several interesting chats on this with my wife and daughter. It is good to talk about these things and I have enjoyed the comments. Thanks
Mark Albright <mark_albright@sfmmedia.com>
Basking Ridge, NJ USA -

N/A
Aron J. Buss '95 <BussAJ@aol.com>
Fairfax, Va USA -

It is clear that the majority of concerned Americans KNOW that the only beneficiaries of this decision are the members of the legal establishment themselves, and NOBODY else. This self serving decision will not benefit women and most women know it and agree that it is a destructive agenda. The voters of California solidly rejected this agenda with a two thirds MANDATE opposing affirmative action with Proposition 209. It was the first chance the VOTER had the opportunity to speak out against self serving Supreme Court rulings like this in almost 3 decades, and SPEAK OUT they did. Californians support VMI in numbers greater than two thirds!!!
John Knight <father09@idt.net>
Newport Beach, Ca USA -

I for one do not want to take the socialism by the SC lying down. This is what the second ammendment and the Boston Tea Party were all about. I am not calling for armed insurrections, but I am calling for whatever legal and civil means to oust these juducial activists and return our court system to one that obeys the law and not rewrites it.
Bill Nay <bnay@erols.com>
USA -

Unless we all get involved, we'll wish we would have closed VMI to preserve it.
Rich Howe <hower@comm.hq.af.mil>
Washington, DC USA -

Hey Flynn, send me some e-mail damnit! Sincerely, Your ole' roomie!
Jim Seeley <Jim.Seeley@bmdo.osd.mil>
Fredericksburg, VA USA -

Class of 1987 What's next? Men at Tech?
Doug Flynn <df34e@nih.gov>
Frederick, MD USA -

Actually his wife, Carroll, but still interested!
Jay Roach <JRoach3443@aol.com>
Coppell, TX USA -

I'm class of '62. I can't see how VMI can possibly remain the VMI of then. I'm talking about the stuff other than academic training. I still hope for eventual privatization.
Charlie Montgomery <cmontgomery@ascc.edu>
Monroeville, AL USA -

Keep up the fight!!!
John "Jeff" Ax <axman@intellisys.net>
USA -

Just checking in!
Terry Bowers <tlbowers@concentric.net>
Martinez, GA USA -

Let's keep the dialogue going!
Kurt Weitz <kweitz@erols.com>
Sterling, VA USA -

We must do something now about this.
Art Books <artbooks@rocketmail.com>
Virginia Beach, Va USA -

not sure we will do any good
Mike Kearney <mkearney@mail.win.org>
St. Charles, moMO USA -

Welcome to the unofficial VMI Forum
John Knight <manifesto@christianparty.net>
Virginia Beach, Virginia