Jared Backus

Ben Shrewsbury: Preseason All-American🇺🇸 #Brotherhood | #RahVaMil

You don’t change people but you can show them your Heart and see what happens. 🔥⬆️⚔️❤️

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THE SPARTAN LIFESTYLE Earned, Never Given One of the first lessons rats learn at VMI is that privileges are earned, not expected. Increased responsibility leads to increased trust. As cadets demonstrate discipline, accountability, and commitment to Institute standards, they earn privileges that mark their progress. With each year at VMI, cadets are entrusted with greater responsibilities, leadership opportunities, and privileges. As they grow from rats to upper-class cadets, they are expected to set the example for those who follow. The lesson goes beyond cadet life: responsibility comes before reward, and trust is earned through consistent actions and proven character. At VMI, privileges aren't given because of time served. They're earned through growth, leadership, and accountability. That's the Spartan lifestyle. #VMI #SpartanLifestyle #RatLine #CorpsOfCadets #Leadership #CitizenSoldier #NoOrdinaryCollege

“In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” Albert Schweitzer 🔥⬆️⚔️❤️

The Next Step: Curran Workman ’27 Curran Workman ’27 is taking his aviation ambitions to new heights this summer. From aviation engineering with Garver in Denver to hands-on experience at a U.S. Coast Guard Air Station, Workman is gaining real-world insight into both infrastructure and flight operations. Read more here: pulse.ly/8bh9ftnlgc

The first full weekend of the Summer Transition Program is here! Earlier this week, incoming cadets arrived on post and checked into barracks to begin three weeks of preparation for the coming academic year. STP gives participants a head start on the VMI experience before Matriculation Day in August. From completing a college course to learning more about life on post from cadet counselors, these next few weeks will help set the stage for their cadetships. Welcome to VMI, STP participants!

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” Ralph Waldo Emerson 🔥⬆️⚔️❤️

“Each of us has been put on earth with the ability to do something well. We cheat ourselves and the world if we don't use that ability as best we can.” Coach George Allen 🔥⬆️⚔️❤️

🎖️ ROTC at VMI Space Force The Newest Frontier. As the newest branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Space Force is focused on protecting and defending the space domain while supporting operations around the globe. Through Air Force ROTC, qualified cadets may pursue opportunities to commission into the U.S. Space Force and contribute to missions at the forefront of national defense. Guardians serve in highly specialized fields such as space operations, cyber operations, intelligence, engineering, and other technology-driven career areas critical to the future security of the nation. While the pathway is smaller and highly competitive, it offers unique opportunities for cadets interested in innovation, problem-solving, and emerging technologies. At VMI, cadets interested in the future of national defense can develop the leadership, technical skills, and adaptability needed to succeed in this rapidly evolving domain. For those looking beyond the horizon, the Space Force represents the newest frontier of service. Follow our ROTC at VMI series as we continue exploring the many paths to service available at the Institute. #VMI #SpaceForce #USSpaceForce #ROTC #Leadership #CyberOperations #SpaceOperations #Innovation #FutureOfficer #NoOrdinaryCollege

“People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don't know when to quit. Most men succeed because they are determined to.” Coach George Allen 🔥⬆️⚔️❤️

“Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.” Randy Pausch 🔥⬆️⚔️❤️

“A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals.” Larry Bird 🔥⬆️⚔️❤️

🎓 Matriculation Mondays How To Prepare Physically for VMI You don't need to arrive as an elite athlete, but preparing now will make your transition to VMI much smoother. 🏃 Running — Build your endurance by running regularly and gradually increasing your distance. 💪 Pushups & Core Strength — Focus on pushups, planks, situps, and other bodyweight exercises that build functional strength. 🥾 Hiking & Conditioning — Spend time on your feet. Hiking, rucking, and other conditioning activities can help prepare you for the physical demands of cadet life. 💧 Recovery & Hydration — Proper rest, stretching, nutrition, and hydration are just as important as training. The key is consistency. Small improvements made throughout the summer can make a big difference when you arrive on post. 💡 Incoming rats: Start building healthy fitness habits now. Your future self will thank you during Matriculation Week. Follow #MatriculationMondays as we help the Rat Mass of 2027+3 and their families prepare for Matriculation Day. #VMI #MatriculationMondays #RatMass2027Plus3 #VMIRats #MatriculationDay #PhysicalPreparation

“Show up daily with more energy than the problem brings resistance” 🔥⬆️⚔️❤️

THE SPARTAN LIFESTYLE Learning To Rely on Your Brother Rats No one gets through VMI alone. From the first days of the Rat Line to graduation and beyond, cadets learn the value of relying on one another. Shared challenges create shared bonds. Early morning workouts, demanding schedules, difficult classes, and long days in barracks become experiences that rats face together. Through those experiences, classmates become teammates. Teammates become trusted friends. And those friendships often last a lifetime. The Spartan lifestyle teaches that success isn't just about individual achievement—it's about supporting the people beside you and working toward a common goal. The bond formed through shared hardship is one of the most enduring parts of the VMI experience. That's the Spartan lifestyle. #VMI #SpartanLifestyle #BrotherRats #CorpsOfCadets #CitizenSoldier #NoOrdinaryCollege

Repetition without enthusiasm is the death of progress. 🔥⬆️⚔️❤️

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, VMI proudly reflects on 187 years of preparing citizen-soldiers and leaders to serve the nation. Today, we honor the enduring ideals of liberty, duty, and service that continue to unite us. Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸 #IndependenceDay #FourthOfJuly #America250 #USA250

“Duty, honor, country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.” Gen. Douglas MacArthur 🇺🇸