Preston Library Preston Library Lexington VA 24450
Run independently by cadets since 1907 $ 1 .0 0 Volum eXCVI F riday April 11,2003 Number 22 Corps Goes on Four-Day Spring FTX
By Shaun Jones preparing the cadets for camp. the cadets who CmKT News Writer year Army ROTC cadets] for Advanced Camp this sum The first rotation was encountered hy ARMY mer.” done in what are called “Stix pothermia-like This past weekend, According to Joe Lanes.” This squad training is symptoms. “The April 4"' through 8'\ the Army Didomenico, ’04, the army made to evaluate MS Ill’s and first time [my ROTC Marshall-New Market had nearly every moment of how they react in combat situ body tempera Battalion had its annual the day planned. This was ations. Each MS III acts as a ture became too Spring FTX (Field Training more for the MS Ill’s than the squad leader and leads other low], I was put Exercise). This year, as in the other Army Cadets. They left army cadets through scenarios in a sleeping bag past several years, they went Friday afternoon and arrived such as ambushes, assaults, with MRE heat to Fort Pickett, Virginia. There at Fort Pickett too late for any and many other realistic situ ers and I was they spent the weekend, Mon real training to take place. On ations that a lieutenant in the fine in no time,” day, and Tuesday training. Saturday they started a train U.S. Army may be faced with. she said. “The The whole purpose of the ing cycle that each company This training took the entire second time. I FTX was the “culminating would go through, all of day. had to take a training for the MS Ill’s [third which was geared to better The following day, the warm shower and it took forty- five minutes for my body tem Stegmaier Published perature to re By Shaun Jones Battalion did what is called in order to pass the course, but turn to normal.” women overall.” one of the cadets who trav the Leadership Reaction due to the weather many of After their short Cmkt News Writer “When the IMF and govern eled with Stegmaier. “She Course. This is a series of ob them were not able to find break, cadets were sent back ments work together it cre took us on a number of tours stacles that induce team build more than one or two. Once out into the woods thinking Major Mary ates a transition process that and really tried to expose us ing and trust. Many of them they had completed this they that they were going to be Stegmaier, Assistant Profes effects a lot of different to the culture. We had fun are puzzles, and cannot be had roughly a thirty minute forced to do another session sor of International Studies groups: older generations, and got to see first hand the done without the aid of the break during which they made of land navigation, but at and Political Science, was men, and women,” said effects of being a former entire team. Once these exer hooches, a makeshift tent cre night. Instead they did a “tac recently published an article Stegmaier. “The IMF forces subject of the Soviet re cises were completed, they ated from a poncho that are tical ruck march.” This lasted in the Virginia Social Sci the government to cut pro gime.” headed to the rifle range to often about as effective as the until about 11:00 that night, ence Journal. The subject of grams that enable women to Stegmaier received calibrate their weapons and name implies. According to and was described by Jim her article was the effects of enter the workplace. Com her Bachelor of Arts in Po get some general practice on Didomenico, there may have Bean, ’04, as being “like gender roles on Russian po panies will cut programs too. litical Science and Econom the M-16 rifle. been a few isolated cases of Breakout all over again.” litical attitudes in 1992. The This more than likely causes ics in 1993 from the College It was not until Mon hypothermia, but nothing that At this point the MS article was co-written with companies to lay off women. of St. Catherine in St. Paul, day that the MS III FTX re seemed too serious; nonethe Ill’s day was still not over. Gwyn Erb of the University The governments had a push Minnesota. She graduated ally commenced. In the pour less, the Army ROTC depart Once they completed the ruck of Iowa. An abstract from to return women to more tra early in December and ing rain they did several hours ment cancelled training. march, they stayed up until her articles reads: “Full un ditional roles.” taught English in Ostrava, in of land navigation. Cadets had jCadet Leigh Anne derstanding of the impact of ■^’^'^'“Stegmaier is best the Czech Republic. “In to find five out of eight points Lindenmuth, ’04, was one of gender roles on political at known in the Corps for her choosing the Czech Repub Continued on page 2 titudes in post-soviet societ recent Spring Break trip to lic I was specifically think-" ies must include attention to the Czech Republic. The trip ing about what I could do for the initial years of demo- allowed several cadets the graduate school, because I The Battle for Parking c r a t i c knew I t r a n s i was inter By JB Thompson III fiiifT News Writer tion... ested in Auxiliary Services, who is in saying that while there might O u r Eastern charge of the project, said that be plenty of parking places on analysis E urope For the past year the parking will not be allowed in Post they are not convenient of Russian but I Institute saw the renovation of front of those buildings “to ones, leaving most of the fac s u r v e y d i d n ’t the parking lot behind Scott make it safe for pedestrians ulty to walk a good distance data from have any Shipp Hall, which had been and cars.” There had been no fi-om their cars to their offices. 1992 re opportu breaking up as it slowly slid parking in these areas before Most faculty and staff were veal that nity as an down the hill toward Route the parking lot renovation. planning to have to park great Russian undergrad II. In the meantime faculty “Parking has always distances frorh there offices. w o m e n at a really from nearby buildings had to been a problem at VMI,” is a Joyner responded by pginting were less sm all park in other places on Post, comment most heard from out that parking was also likely than school to including in front faculty. Joyner provided some avail- men to stu d y of Maury-Brooke ab le p o ssess much Hall, Carroll Hall, o n political about or the Old Hospi nearby k n o w 1- Eastern tal. This left a very Route edge or feelings of political opportunity to see the former Europe,” she explained. She discouraged fac II if Soviet country and familiar continued on to graduate empowermeht... The data ulty competing for f a c ize themselves with the cul school at the University of also reveal that while women parking places ev ulty generally supported free ture of Eastern Europe. '“It Iowa. She earned her ery morning, and could was interesting to see the Master’s degree in 1995 and market changes at this time, meant a lot of traf n 0 t economy in its transition to her Ph.D. in 2000. Her main both mothers and women fic on Letcher Av find a capitalist system following focus in graduate school was with feminist orientations enue, a road that a n y were less supportive than the decline of the communist Western and Eastern Europe generally has a lot closer system,” said Tim Price, ’04, and the fonner Soviet Union. of Cadet pedestrian spots “I was really interested in the traffic. t o In This Issue: Czech Republic and Eastern The new Scott Europe,” said Stegmaier. lot is practically Shipp Stegmaier came to ------... finished except for Hall. Virginia with her husband paving, removal of Most « M i l i t a r y when he got a job at the Uni dumpsters and equipment, statistical data; there are 699 faculty and staff replied that School During War, versity of Virginia. She was and the addition of parking legal parking places on,Post, this option wasn’t convenient, looking for a position in a lines. Right now there are with a total of 718 available since it involves an uphill political science department twenty-six spots available, and a demand of only 490 walk. jSntertaitainient. when the position at VMI with six more on the way once spots. This data and the park The fight for more opened up, and she ended up the dumpster and equipment ing announcement were pre convenient parking spaces on ’ PatMcGee:Int^rvieiv)MS.^^^^ . ' i with the job. are removed and parking lines sented to the faculty and staff" Post continues, but the new are put in. Accordingly, the before Spring Furlough; renovated parking lot behind Her article can be found in Institute has informed the fac Joyner said that there was a Scott Shipp Hall will be com The Back the Virginia Social Science ulty that once all spots are good turnout at the meeting. pleted shortly, and parking in Journal, 2003, Vol. 38, 33-. available, there will be no Some faculty and staff front of Maury-Brooke Hall, 51. more parking in front of that have been using the spots Scott Shipp Hall, and the Old Maury-Brooke Hall, Carroll on the bricks in front of those Hospital will be eliminated. Hall, or the Old Hospital. Col. buildings have expressed James Joyner, ’67, Director of there dislike for the new plan. News Editor ■ Staff Jimmy Palmer Joel Andrus Shaun Jones John Thompson Rob Osypowicz
April 11,2003 Prof. Emily Framptom, leaving the Institute tutor. “1 had some interaction “When we were in Pamplona, gree in 2000. Shortly after a hand, but plan on being back with cadets while 1 was there; the group running the program rare opportunity arose: there in Kentucky by the fall of was an opening for a teaching 2004.” She is hoping that she KditoNniChM With registration for my best friend dated a cadet said that if we decided to run Charles R. Munn classes in the fall of 2003, our junior and senior year,” with the bulls, we would be position in the Spanish depart will be able to teach at a small ment at VMI. “It is hard to get school not unlike VMI that Business M anager many will be surprised to sec she said. “It’s just that each kicked out and not get credit. David Coleman that a familiar and much school has stereotypes of each So I missed out on that,” she into teaching at a college with will be closer to her family in loved name will only a master’s de Paducha. not be on the list gree. Usually people Since she started Daniel J. Cragg for professors go straight for their teaching in the fall of 2000, teaching Spanish doctorate after she has thoroughly enjoyed Reese Morris at the Virginia graduate school,” being a part of the faculty Military Institute. said Framptom. VMI. Framptom did take News & Features Editor After spend some time to adjust, finding Joel Andrus Ms. Emily Framptom, who ing four years at col it at times “overwhelming” News W riters currently in lege in Lexington, and “not as easy as I originally Jimmy Palmer structs Spanish she longed to return. thought. I was totally clueless John Thompson “College was an to all the acronyms and sched Amie-Anne Novak 202 and a His Rob Osypowicz panic Civiliza ideal life. I thought ules at first. However, with tion and Culture that by coming back, time I caught on,” she said. Opinion PZditor class, will be tak and teaching here, it Framptom will miss John Noonan ing some time off would bring me back the smaller class sizes, which to my roots, going have allowed her to interact Sports Editor before pursuing Matt Van Wie her doctorate in back to my idealistic with the students on a more the fall of 2004. life,” she said. “Lex personal basis. “ I feel that I Entertainment Editor ington is a quaint actually know my students, Nate Joslyn O r i g i - nally from little town, some and that’s something not ev Humor Editor Paducha, Ken thing straight out of eryone one can have.” She John Noonan tucky, Frampton a Norman Rockwell feels that teaching at VMI has was the fourth painting. And for been an invaluable experi George Cushman member of her family to other, and there isn’t enough me, it has been a ence, and has helped her in her great thing. But for a single development as a teacher. Copy Editor graduate from Washington interaction to break those said. This summer Framptom Curtis Nieboer and Lee University in 1998, ideas.” will be in charge of her first twenty-six-year-old, now isn’t Would she consider where she double-majored in During her years as a group of VMI cadets going to the time for me to settle down returning to VMI to teach Photo Editor here.” down the road? “I would con Aaron Childers music and Spanish. While student at W&L, Framptom Spain, this time going to El there, she was a member of the took the opportunity to study ' Puerto de Santa Maria from Framptom is now sider coming back to Lexing abroad on several occasions. June 26 through August 1. hoping to return to the Univer ton, perhaps later in life,” she Justin Bierens W&L chapter of the Chi Omega sorority, played the She took classes in Madrid, Upon graduating from sity of Kentucky, once again admitted. “But as for right Web Site Coordinator saxophone in the wind en Salamanca, and Leon, and W&L she attended the Uni as a student, to obtain her doc now, Ms. Framptom needs to N o w H iring semble, organized concerts on soaked up the culture and at versity of Kentucky, where torate degree. “I am going to get out of Lexington.” Questions, comments, campus, and was a Spanish mosphere of the region. she earned her graduate de take some time off before and concerns should be written on the Marget Smith: living on the Company Lev^ dets assigned to it under back of a 20 dollar Continuedfrom front By Shaun Jones “Regimental and Battalion travels have taught her how went C.E.R.T. (Community bill and sent to VMI lilifr News Writer positions seem too re to look at issues from a dif around 2:00 that morning Emergency Response B o x 8 0 3 4 2 moved.” Smith first ferent perspective than the cleaning weapons. Training). Cadets learned While the MS Ill’s T m C u tr, student newspaper of the chose to becotne involve average American. “What the basics of rescue tech Virginia Military Institute, was es with the company leader a lot of Americans don’t re were doing their land naviga niques in a disaster situa tablished in the Fall o f 1907 and has ship because of her desire alize is that the rest of the tion and ruck march, the other tion. Cadets took classes been continued since that time. Our world does not operate in ROTC cadets spent the day at newspaper is published every Fri Nearly everyone in to gain some experience in on First Aid, Triage, Fire day afternoon during the academic the Corps is familiar with command before going into the same way that the U.S. the range. They shot M240’s Control, and disaster psy year, except during Corps trips, holi Margaret Anne Smith, ’05, the post-college world. “I does Smith said. “I’ve and M249’s. According to Jeff chology. Instructors days and exam periods. A yearly been able to see so many Butwell, ’06, they were “lay subscription is $20 on Post and $25 and her roommates: if not thought it would be a good brought in from outside or off Post. Tk G u n offices are lo personally then at least vo experience to have some different aspects of human ing in the mud” but “immedi ganizations like FEMA cated on the third floor of Maury cally, as their loud shrieks leadership positions. It life. Traveling has been a ately after the shooting was (Federal Emergency Man Brooke Hall. and laughs can often be taught me a lot, including great experience for me.” done, they were on the bus. agement Agency) as well TmeCmdit She went to Wash- There was no chillin’ out on VMI Box 7 heard as VMI faculty and staff Lexington, Virginia 24450-0304 throughout i n g t o n , the range,” he said. Those taught the courses for the who were very cold and wet B a r r a c k s . D.C., for duration of the FTX. The Main Onice: (540) 463-3537 the FTX were put in heated vans. The I'ax: (540) 463-5679 “My room culminating point of CERT F.-mail: VMICadct(^VMI.edu mates are weekend as land navigation that the cadets occurred on the last day the best; part of the were scheduled to do was also when cadets could test Periodicals postage paid at Model Arab cancelled. Lexington, VA we always their knowledge in practi Postal Number: USP654-880 manage to League The following morn cal exercises around pos:t. have fun, program at ing all ROTC cadets got up at At that time, the Lexington TuCuCT ia published weekly by even when VMI. 4:30 and did some finishing Fire Department simulated The News Gazette, 20 W Nelson, Smith and details such as cleaning the Lexington, VA, 24450. we are a car fire on the Parade her col- barracks, cleaning the mess Deck. Cadets also prac stuck in Barracks,” Smith said. “We keep l e a g u e s hall, cleaning weapons, and ticed first aid and flood each other sane while driving the rest of represented any other miscellaneous control at Jordan’s Point, the corps crazy.” She resides in room the United cleaning items that needed to and movement in a emer 300 with roommates Laura Mack, ’05, Arab Emir be taken care of Around noon gency situation without Emily Naslund, ’05, Amie Novak, ’05, ates for the they boarded buses and re any light in Cocke Hall. and Becca Baas, ’05. weekend. turned to VMI Post. They fin “I learned a lot of “Margaret Smith is awesome, 1 Smitii ished cleaning weapons and things during the week wouldn’t be here without her,” said was born were released from FTX end,” said Rob Osypowicz, Naslund. how to do my job effec December 23'^ 1982. She around 1800. ’03, who participated in Smith is currently a third classman and plans on tively with as little conflict was a student at Moreau CERT. “I hope I wont have graduating with her class in May of 2005. She is the as possible.” Catholic High School in Spring FTX came to to use the skills that I am Alpha Com An English major, Pleasanton, California; a close Tuesday afternoon now certified for, but it pany Clerk, she enjoys going to see there she ran track, cross as cadets prepared to return would be great if VMI and next year plays and concerts. When country and was active in to their usual academic could help out sometime she will be she’s not studying she can the drama society. Smith schedules. Since last Fri with a disaster nearby.” taking the po usually be found socializ is the daughter of Forrest day cadets have been en On Saturday Corps sition of Op ing in Barracks. Her favor and Margaret Smith. She gaging in a number of ac FTX cadets helped out with erations Ser ite novel is Ayn Rand’s has one brother, James tivities ranging from secu the Special Olympics that geant. “I re “Atlas Shrugged.” She en Smith, ’02, who was a rity force training to sail were held at VMI. “I think ally like my joys traveling and going graduate of VMI last year. ing. The purpose of these Corps FTX this year was company; we home to her friends and “I just try to have as events was to train cadets most successful with the have some family. She has had the op much fun as I can so that I for future military careers Special Olympics,” nom m vun great people, portunity to see Western don’t go crazy,” said and as citizen soldiers. Osypowicz said. “It was so I decided to and Central Europe, the Smith. “We are the funni This year, Corps rewarding to see so many stay there,” Middle East, and several est people we know.” FTX took on a different r B jstsx. said Smith. third-world countries. Her role. The majority of ca Continued on page 5 2:i)C lH asljiuiiton ^Jo5t V ..r- . r ^ . k '
( .U llli (ilH n rj % ' j ' .^.r^rnx. - *-:Vv ' S' . .. * . ^ A , . , > ^ . k —« * . . ^ • ♦*». * t .> .i|w.»»rV-< tr-P^, 'T ^ . ' lT V' uW 4t'g: :t>i .i. . • ;» In .'--nt • i . ‘! . , '''- v - ^ > £ i i t' , *'t, T ^ W *"5 mmm EucmoNK mmoK The new AA^sliihKtoti Post Edition IS oulsltfe the home deliye^ a^a>y. \vtr|n ypu^ret at^cltoqiu. an^ and context :';6f The-'Post'?^'p^^ < u''^ :■ ,i ■^■' t''"' 13 G^ diglmlly to yqur japtoji firet ii)iiig ev$>y at home, ■®:';.';ip(5k$Jujst-l!ke The:Rost-becaUste;lti^^^^^ >;'•''.;::V^"V'- .''i'-'W-’'^' S Indudes articles, photosV columnists, comics, giaplilcs and ads. : See how riglvt the mornirtg Peels w ith Tiie \\fesliingt6n Post —at J< Opinion Editor Staff John Noonan Danny Goldberg Tim Johnson Matt VanWie April 11,2003 The Role of a Military School During War T f Charles Munn a critical way here, but have any important task Why not bring in some instructors for a week When can this be done? Well, to continue my force members considered using VMI’s vast end Combat Lifesavers course? If we have “Task Force of One” approach here, I recall C u n Editor-in-Chief resources to better train its cadets, its citizen- all of this money from the Capital Campaign, hearing something about the need for a semi soldiers, for being better citizens or better sol why don’t we spend it on one of VMI’s PRI nal event during Third Class Year. Why not It isn’t often that someone is reminded diers? The suggestions that have been offered MARY MISSION OBJECTIVES? institute a similar training program to the of their mortality. 1 was struck with a sense of so far are laughable at best, so allow me to VMI provides a skeleton for these NCMT, but have the Thirds be the ones pri it when 1 picked up a copy of Soldier maga throw in my two cents’-worth. Right now skills with the New Cadet Military Training marily trained, with volunteers welcomed to zine while loitering around the Army Depart VMI has a lot of latent resources it could be Program, and they are certainly supplemented join the classes? Just like NCMT, cadets cer ment in Kilbourne Hall. In a small photo at using, and the Administration needs to get into with ROTC instruction and voluntary extra tified in the courses could aid in teaching. All the bottom of the page, a soldier clad in desert the mindset of sending our citizen soldiers off curricular activities such as Ranger Company; of this would open up more leadership oppor fatigues was pointing his rifle towards a non to a war instead of to the workforce. but they need to be fleshed out and practiced. tunities in the Corps, and instill actual useful descript cave in Afghanistan. Not exactly a I’d like to point out that the distinc First aid is only one of the skills that could be skills that can benefit us all later in life. swift spiritual kick to the head, until 1 saw the tion between contraeted/non-contracted cadets elaborated upon. Why not introduce some Apparently, however, this has not been name: 1 LT James Bourie. Jim Bourie was my doesn’t exist here. In this New World we live company-level classes about normal men and brought to the attention of anyone important, uncle-dyke and Hotel CO in 2001. Here was in, people working in office towers, fire de women who, when faced with a life-threaten because the only reaction to war that I have the guy whose hay 1 rolled, who chewed me partments, and chemical plants face dangers ing situation, used their heads and prevailed? seen here so far is a tactical re-arrangement of out when 1 got in trouble, and who brought just as American troops on the line do. We have How about some case studies on good deci parking cones to deter terrorists. Is that the me into life as a cadet at VMI. Now he was to first think of the traditional “citizen-soldier” sions made on the tactical level in past con best that VMI can do? Is that the extent of the firing live ammo in a combat zone. I stared at term. What does that mean now? Coined in flicts that could be applicable to fliture attack role we are willing to play as a Military Insti this picture for a moment; Jim’s head was WWIl, citizen-soldiers were ordinary men scenarios on the United States? Why not in tute during wartime? turned away from the camera, and I realized who answered their country’s call to stand up still confidence in cadets here, and let them I answer with a resounding “No:” more that the nondescript trooper pictured there and fight to defeat the greatest threat the mod know that they are expected to be leaders be can, should, and must be done. We are repre could be anyone here at VMI. em world had ever seen. Deep blue hero stuff, cause of the prestige of the school they gradu sentatives of the U.S. military, and the Gov We watch a war on CNN from the just like in the movies. But today the threats ated from? Leadership may be difficult to ernment as a whole, whether we like it or not. relative comfort of VMI, but daily life contin are different, and civilians are now targeted teach, but it is easy to show examples of. I The people that come here on the weekends ues here uninterrupted. 1 don’t want to stand by religious zealots seeking to end America’s have heard talk of the establishment of a and snap pictures of us in our uniforms hold up on a soapbox and stait spouting slogans, influence in the world. This is not as clear a “Homeland Security Think-Tank” for the aca us to a higher standard, even if it is against but we are a military school, and our nation is goal as the Nazis had, so the citizen-soldier of demics on Post. In my opinion, Homeland our will. Because we put the uniform on, we at war. Ask yourself what that means. VMI the 21“‘ century needs to be equipped to re Security starts with the citizens of that home must accept the duties and responsibilities that alumni are fighting in the desert, and I am left spond to these new threats. Therefore, why land. come along with wearing it. So because we here wondering where my role is in all of this. not introduce new programs here at VMI to What else is expected of a New Citi are at war and people are dying, we take on I feel a creeping inevitability of a Middle East prepare cadets for these new conflicts? How zen Soldier? I would say physical fitness is a the extra responsibility of maintaining knowl ern duty station after I commission because about first aid and lifesaving training for the top priority. Being able to haul people out of edge and skills that will secure VMI’s posi of my seven semesters of Arabic language in- whole Corps, more EMT classes, or weekend burning buildings, execute fireman’s carries, tion as a place where leaders are made. stniction. But my role is already in motion; courses offered in various lifesaving certifi and assist in any relief efforts requires a cer The next time there is a terrorist at other cadets here aren’t commissioning. So cations? Why can’t every cadet be certified tain level of physical stamina. Instilling these tack, and there will be a next time, I only hope what is the role of a military school during to insert I Vs? Why shouldn’t VMI be 100% values should be another form of training a that there will be VMI men rushing to help, wartime? certified on CPR and basic first aid? I know new leader for the unknown future. and that they will use what they have learned Is a new Barracks clean-up program we have Physical Education training, but blan I’ve just rattled off three things fore during their four years here to save some lives. the best thing Sye'can come “rally ket training for everyone would'be a better most in my mind that VMI could work on and That is what a citizen-solider should be. the troops?” I hate to posit my suggestions in method of showing concern for cadets’ fiitures. improve to accomplish their stated mission. Those Who We Wish to Emulate commending the authorities of FTX for offer coordinate a list of businesses that agree to labor; and in the real world, no one does that ing an unparalleled opportunity to those ca comply with VMI allowing cadets that pro for free, unless sentenced to do so by a judge Matt Van Wie dets taking a commission in the military. In fess an interest in that field of work to shadow as punishment. And the last time I checked, my opinion, the chance for the future soldiers employees and their operations. The busi people pay to attend VMI with the intention CmKT Opinion Writer of America to take a hiatus from academia to nesses cadets may choose from should be cat of being educated, not being put to work in sharpen their soldiering and further educate egorized, but not restricted, by academic ma the field. As for the “certification” classes, I themselves in their respective areas of train jors. For example, an English major who do not doubt their legitimacy for a minute, but It is an inveterate maxim that people ing is monumental. Not only does it ensure wants to be an attorney could choose “law” I still think cadets could have made better use mellow in their old age, their anger suppressed our nation a more robust military, but it also for his or her Corps FTX assignment and of their time. Giving cadets an opportunity to by wisdom and a gradual loss of concern and solidifies our school’s image of being a mas shadow a lawyer, judge, or particular court shadow someone in their area of career inter energy. For the most part, that general mle ter of producing well-prepared commissioned case. However, if a biology major also has an est would be a constructive process that would applies to cadets too. For instance, whenever officers. Case and point, commissioning ca interest in law, he or she too should be able to not only build skills and knowledge that is you are awoken in the wee ours of the morn dets take advantage of FTX to build on the choose the same FTX, regardless of his or her necessary in the future, but would also pro ing to a sentinel box set ablaze, the Rat Mass skills they will need in their respective pro major. There should also be an “other” cat vide a stage for cadets to network and make is almost always to blame, not the old crows fession, the militaiy. egory for those who may have a special ca connections that could assist them in finding of the first stoop. In short, the simple plea Having said that, 1 feel it necessary to reer interest that does not immediately coor work or getting admitted to graduate school sures that were once derived from destroying examine the benefits of the Corps FTX. In dinate with the list drawn up by career ser after VMI. My plan is much more beneficial Institute property or revolting against admin comparison, 1 am inclined to praise certain vices—further advancing the mission to meet for the Corps and much more constructive—I istrative policies seemingly fizzle out after aspects of it: for example, lessons on terror the career interest of all cadet participants. For think someone should give it a chance. spending four long years inside the contlncs ism and emergency safety, which make for a example, if a cadet wants to start a surf shop, of Barracks. Older cadets eventually awaken safer community in the long run. However, it than as long as he or she can produce written to the ostensible purpose of their cadetship— is the layout of the entire Corps FTX as a whole proof that a particular business in that field which is to graduate—and inevitably become that can be vastly improved to further benefit promises to welcome him or her inside the engrossed in their studies, a nebula that some cadets in the future. operation for the prescribed time of FTX, he how promises to unveil graduation should one My argument is simple: if com.mis- or she should be granted permission to par persist through it. sioning cadets are allowed to use FTX time to take in the experience. Editor's N ote: 1 am no exception to that rule. How build career skills, participants in the Corps Obviously, there must be certain stipu ever, even in the twilight of my cadetship, there FTX should too. Fact: FTX was ostensibly lations to such a plan. For example, no one Till Cutn Opinion Page is intended to pro remains a scintilla of zeal, a trace of vigor that vide a venue for our readers to express any created to train cadets for the military. Prob would be allowed to shadow a drug dealer, ideas and/or arguments pertaining to VMI. refuses to allow me to ignore a boldface exi lem: Nowadays, not all cadets choose to com pimp, or member of the Mafia, but that is un All columns and Letters to the Editor in this gency in Institute policy. Buckle up folks, mission into the military. Common Ground: derstandable since those lines of work are il section express views held by the authors because I am about to embark on my final ride Both commissioning cadets and non-commis legal. and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of of criticism; my victory lap, if you will. Also, sioning cadets have a career ahead of them. This would make for a much more flf Cmbit or its editorial staff. We reserve please note that although it may seem like I Solution: Both commissioning and non-com- pleasant and beneficial Corps FTX since par the right to edit for clarity, length, and taste. am pillaging Institute policy, in reality 1 am missioning cadets should be aflbrded an FTX ticipants would be able to enjoy the same ca merely uncovering hidden truths that, although that will enhance the skills and knowledge they reer building benefits that commissioning ca Please mail contributions to: they are obviously blurred in the minds of need to accelerate their future careers. Now dets receive during their FTX. Participants Opinion Editor many, appear very clearly to me, which allows that I’ve established the facts, problem, com would be able to pick from a wide variety of VMI Box 7 me to express constructive criticism on how mon ground, and a solution, let me explain areas and would be almost certain to find a Lexington, VA 24450 VMI can maximize the educational experience how to make the solution work at VMI, a place field of work that truly interests them, there or E-mail to: VMICADET(®VMI.EDU it otfers to cadets. where the old axiom that “you can’t please fore ensuring their enjoyment and attentive The most recent topic that leaves a bit everyone” is epitotuized. ness, ingredients that yield a positive educa ter taste in my mouth is that of the Institute’s I propose that participants in the Corps tional experience. Let’s face it, folks: nature traditional Field Training Exercises, more FTX be given a spectrum of work areas to in clean ups, yard work, cutting down trees and popularly known as FTX. Let me begin by dulge in for their FTX. Career services should the like is not commiuiity service, it’s manual Opinion Editor Staff T i t G m John Noonan Danny Goldberg Rich Connaroe Matt Van Wie Aprilll,2003 TstCim Page 5 Walking Giants Tim Johnson choked up. soldiers. The writers’ words could not do come to destroy, but to conquer evil and the scene justice. bring freedom to the oppressed people of B u n Opinion Writer Then I see the pictures of the tor ture rooms, the mutilation chambers, and In another part of Baghdad, joy the world. America is the'defender of the The battle is over. We are victori the chemical baths. My eyes glance to ful Iraqi citizens and U.S. soldiers began weak and defenseless, a beacon of free ous. The Iraqi people’s twenty-five year wards another story. An Iraqi man enters to topple one of the statues of Saddam dom in world filled with evil. We figiit nightmare is over. The ruthless, cowardly an abandoned jail in Basra, where he once Hussein. People came pouring into the nobly and courageously. It is the United dictator that oppressed his own people and was imprisoned because he and his broth town center to watch and celebrate, chant States that avoids shooting at women and tortured them with chemical agents, mu ers tried to revolt against Saddam, and ing, “Liberty! Liberty!” A smiling Iraqi children and bombing hospitals. It is the tilation, and severe beatings is either hid describes to reporters the twisted meth man proclaimed, “This is the day we have enemy who hides behind women and chil ing in some remote tunnel or buried un ods Saddam’s henchmen used to punish been waiting for.” The peoples’ faces dren and hides in mosques and hospitals. der tons of debris—either way, he is ir them. The descriptions are vivid and gro light up with joy, as the iron column We seek to pro.tect the sanctity of life; relevant. In the words of Robert Fisk, “a tesque. Reporters squirm and gasp at the crashes to the ground—the Iraqi people they disregard it and seek to destroy it. day that began with shellfire ended with horrors. The man continues to say he en have been liberated, they are now free. Do not be afraid to say you’re an a once-oppressed people walking like gi dured eight months in this house of ter The war in Iraq was never about American. Take pride in who we arc, ants.” ror, but he never saw his two brothers oil, it was about fr'eedom—protecting the what we represent, and what we defend I am moved when I see pictures again. Unfortunately, he is not the only freedom of the American people, preserv as a country. The Iraqi people thank us of American soldiers carrying Iraqi chil one. Many Iraqis faced the shock of a ing the freedom of the free countries of for it. The world will someday thank us dren to safety during a firefight or a young midnight raid from Saddam’s death squad, the world, and bringing freedom to an for it. Never take your freedom for Iraqi child with a smile on her face wav watching family members taken away, oppressed people. I no longer think of granted and always seek to defend the ing an American flag. I recall reading the never to be seen again. WMD or UN approval or links to Al- freedoms of others. The United States is story of an elderly Iraqi man in Basra, Another headline jumps off the Qaeda, but rather my mind goes back to a great nation, founded on the concept of falling to his knees after the British re page: “Jailed Iraqi Children Run Free as the elderly man in Basra. “Where have freedom for all. We are living in a great moved the opposition from the city, cry Marines Roll into Baghdad.” Children you been? I have been waiting twelve time when freedom and liberty are being ing out with tears in his eyes, “Where imprisoned for no reason fled from the years. Thank you! Thank you!” I fight spread across the globe, with the United have you been? I have been waiting for jail, smiling, laughing, crying, hugging to hold back the tears. Bringing freedom States leading the way, serving as a sym twelve years. Thank you! Thank you!” American soldiers, giving thumbs up, and to the Iraqi people is justification enough bol of hope and freedom for all. God He could no longer continue but sobbed showing whatever gratitude they could. for this war. bless America. profusely, overwhelmed with happiness Mothers and fathers run as fast as they can No matter what the media or the because he no longer had to live in fear. towards the jail, meeting their children, anti-American movement or the enemies Waiting for twelve years... now I, too, am hugging them, crying, and thanking U.S. of the U.S. say, the United States does not iu ed fr0m 2 ^ <'yt ''"^Service affer returning tionsl guard ba^§e inJR.icfi' '" , from National Guard Drill mond.' Th^re !hey werfe i f fople bavSTuch a great on Sunifay, lamented^ “I^slow'ed to see^anu^F-16.‘< think cadets did a and4t was^ ^'tatie display,, engine . m\ >erf6rme^^better tlxan^I” yjdwals ijivoived did^very ^ &v'e^saw“t^iem perft>rm, I' ,weU in'ttie situatio/they > gi^en’saiHng e !^ e -. M O V IN G TO praise my BR’s Brianadded. jience,"on oneriand l^o^ ^rdn*ir and BiUy S c h a ller ^ ^ ^ ^ The Air Force held p e r s^ sailboats'. ^ f , r«^heir great cfr^anization |ca r 9.er ^briefs in Knbo»me^^^ad*^airi^g and^Ko'at RICHMOND? the ev^nt.” Osypo>vfczi^aUoii|ridaynigj^t, offer^^.tim^^in otder to^ina$|t i^ped Out with the'"bowlA ing< cad^^s ^n insight into**^ tactics suc|i as w ind tig even? in the S p e c ia l' life as a^cafeer officer, ^he catching* (llrectional ttsa-*^' ;^^pics\. The Olympics* next morning they woke Up jieuyers, and right-ptV^' C a il n ^ d ed events in tracks'’for atHree-ti^ilerun behind’^way regulations. ‘LT ind fie)d^^ bowling j|id Barrack's. Anurahprofca* phrls Powell,"^95, LT J^ersports suited for^e- det^s wer^ ji||vited -to Jra'H K noj^e, i;%Ne»than'^ - Jjikl children. '^Participants; ‘Andrews Aif Force Bai^ on l^rowii* and LYJG THE ^ O th ^ r Corjp’s l^TX^from combat techniques to ^ors ’^nd $'u|ervi$ors!^ APARTMENT did community ser^* nafco|io dogs?; Monday ijThey rct^r^ed ^p ^^^jsybich consisted of, dri’ent^ring and rifle tf^ilq-^ Mon €ho<>se frbmi NVGC offers: ♦ Hundreds of tr^nsff^rabl^ courstfsJ^ \ v « E-mail and Internet ^C ess! • Day, evening and weekend claisstsrr; • High quality instruction! * Full or parMime study! • Affordable tuition! • 12’week,and 6-iveek sessions!. ; ^.w w w ,.^vtc.^■du■ J^VCCinifo<^itvcc.:ejdu ■ Regis^r today and makejyour suitinier count! AIex«indria • Annandale * Loudoun • M ananas rW oodbridge Extended Learning InstUwle : W ay to go Andrew! Entertainment Staff Editor Sean McElroy John Sakalaros Nate Joslyn Frank Toomey April 11,2003 The Hunted Reviewed Pat McGee Band Interview By Chuck Karamon knife. By John Noonan CmDCT Entertainment Writer more straight ahead rock. So where is Tommy C u n Entertainment Writer McGec: Uli you know The Cadet: You’ve been to wliat, we play here witli My main interest, Lee Jones? We meet him up The Cadet: So besides this VMl three times already, every tiling. Two or tlircc when it comes to movies, is in the frozen North, tracking The Cadet: The last time new, aggressive feel, what what can you tell us about years ago, wo played and it entertainment. A Hick might down a wolf that’s been in most of us saw the Pat else can your fans look for your previous experiences was a blast then. It's a cool have the best costumes or sets, jured by a trapper’s snare McGee Band, it was about ward to? here? gig, you guys always seem but if I can't enjoy it as enter (girls cry, guys get pissed). two years ago and Shine to be psyched to have us. tainment, it sucks. Over spring Enter the shady guy with the had just come out. What McGee: Um, as far as my McGee: One of our previ It’s kind of like having a break I did what 1 do best: (no, manila envelope, who per have you all been doing end. I’m singing like I sang ous gigs we came and big club scene where a lot drinking is what I do second suades Jones to come back to since then? 5 years ago. I was singing played Ring... Figure, is of bands come to, not like best), I watched a bunch of hunt down Del Toro. higher, you won’t hear it that what its called? playing any old fraternity movies. In the midst of this Where does Connie McGee: Uh, well, we tonight because my voice or something like that. marathon, I went Nielson fit into all this? She’scinematic toured pretty hard until is killing me. [laughter.] The Cadet: Yeah, Ring with my little brothers to see' part of the FBI. Jones hooks about 2001, end of 2001. All the things I grew up Figure. The Cadet: Well hey, we The Hunted. When it was up...as you were, teams up From that point on I spent with, all the things I lis are Virginia’s biggest frat over, they summed up my with Nielson to take on...as a lot of time doing writing. tened to, were lead-singer McGee: We played on a house, so there you go. thoughts on the film in two you were, take out Del Toro. And we had actually re oriented. Like AC-DC, Led little picnic table they had What can we expect from words, “it rocked.” Nielsen tends to get in the way corded a record in 2002 Zepplin, you know, nowa set up, and there was some you guys as far as the fu This movie stars and ask a lot of questions and expected to put it out days with Cold Play, John guy running around with a ture is concerned? Like Benicio Del Toro, Tommy Lee about the past that Jones at the end of that year. Mayer, and Jack Johnson. handle of bourbon in his tours, radio, TV spots, and Jones and Connie Nielsen, doesn’t feel like answering. [Editor s Note: Pat McGee I’m taking a bigger lead in hand. It was pretty wild. all that kind of stuff? and the mere mention of any It’s a fast paced game Band s new album is sched the music. We had packed up all our of tiiese names brings a of the OC chasing a drunk first ule to be released in August stuff in an old Chevy McGee: Uh, well this pletiiora of great movies to classman, as Jones follows of2003.] The break helped The Cadet: Well on that Blazer and drove all the record is going to push us mind. Who could forget such Del Toro from scene to scene, me spend a lot more time subject, who would you way down from Fairfax. into a whole dilTerent movies as Lonesome Dove, and while the plot gets a little on writing songs. cite as your major musical league. We’ll probably lour Under Siege (1 know you’ve thin from time to time, who influences when you were The Cadet: Yeah a lot of us Australia and maybe Eu watched it, it's OK to admit, didn't like Predator? Allow The Cadet: So we can ex growing up? have been following you rope. And hopefully this Seagal didn’t have the beer me to pose this question: Who pect some big things to guys since you all were record will break us out big gut yet). The Fugitive, and among us doesn’t like to come out of this next al McGee: 1 grew up on all playing small clubs in the here in the States as well, Rules of Engagement. Those watch two guys go at it in a bum coming out? the good classic rock stuff, city of Fairfax. especially with air-time for are only 4 of Tommy Lee crazy knife fight? 1 can tell all the bands I just men our songs. We’ll probably Jones’ 43 movies, but who’s you this much, these guys McGee: Well, we hope so. tioned. Um, you name it, McGee: Yeah that was go on a two-year tour start counting? Del Toro is a lesser would be awesome to have on We spent a lot of time on you can hear sections of back in early ’95, right af ing in August. known actor but has rapidly board for Ranger Co. We also it. There’s a lot more to go songs, whether it be a ter 1 finished up at ascended the ladder of star get to see how cool the mili as far as post-production, Beatles thing, some have Longwood. The Cadet: Okay, well dom on the 11 oily wood scene. tary is. Hollywood ALWAYS but all the pieces of the an Allman Brothers thing thanks a lot for talking to He’s starred in Fear and accurately depicts the mili puzzle are there for it to be to it. It’s definitely not a The Cadet: Let’s go back us, we definitely appreci Loathing in Las Vegas (“Doc tary. Did you know that the a big record. It’s a little Southern rock record, it’s a to VMl for a minute. ate you coming out and be tor” Gonzo, the coolest attor preferred weapon of an assas more aggressive, a lot more straight-ahead rock record. You’ve played here a few ing here with us tonight. ney ever). The Usual Sus sin is a knife and not a gun? I closer to our live show. The only part that may be times as you said, what pects, The IVay of the Gun (if had no clue, but then again But, you know, the jams Southern is any type of an would say your overall im McGee: No problem, any you haven’t seen this beg, bor I’m not SF just yet. Did you and stuff aren’t really on accent I may have picked pression was of playing for time guys. row, or...ummm...borrow a also know that you can make there. As far as a rock up when I lived in Rich the cadets here? car and get to Blockbuster), a knife out of stone in the record I think it’s a lot mond for a few years. Traffic, and Snatch. We’ve same amount of time it would seen Connie Nielsen (soooo take you to make one from hot) in The Devil's Advocate, scrap metal (this is to include The Cadet Program Board Soldier, Mission to Mars, sharpening and making a cool Gladiator, and One Hour hilt for it), and the time it takes proudly Photo. to make both of them is only The movie starts with a few minutes? I was unaware an Ultra Hooah squad of com of these facts as well. announces mandos ninjaing (yes I did use Now is this movie go ninja as a verb) around in ing to be showing up at the the Croatia. It is the mission of the Academy Awards next year? Ultra Mooah squad to make it 1 think not, but then again LTC a very bad day for one of the Bo Bo the Monkey* might be warlords slaughtering Alba moving up in the world. Will nians. As Del Toro is moving this movie end up in half of in for the kill he sees one too the DVD collections on post? many movie extras get shot, Yes, but then again LTC Bo and snaps into permanent Bo may decide that possess “battle fatigue”. ing DVD’s on post is a 15-4- We then ilash-forward 60. to the forests of Washington State. Del Toro has been chill- *If you are confused, refer ing out in the woods, back to older editions of The Robinson Crusoe style. We Cadet Humor Page. Bo Bo come into the scene as a pair the Monkey is a reoccurring of “hunters” drop Del Toro a character. All of Bo Bo’s fans visit. They seem to lose their are hoping for more appear heads as their hunting trip gets ances in the near future. cut short by Del Toro’s uber- Battle of Five Forks Civil War Reenactment w ater If you enjoyed the movie Gods and Generals, or you are simply an ’fASTgS BETTER American history enthusiast, you should consider attending this living IN OL.DB ARRACKS! history portrayal of a Civil War encampment, and a battle that took place in early April 1865, once considered the “Waterloo of the Confed eracy.” The event will be held Saturday & Sunday, April 26 & 27, and will be located on the 5,000 acre historic Oak Ridge Plantation, just 35 miles south of Charlottesville off of Rt. 29. Union and Confederate Civil W^ar era campsites will be open to the public at 10 a.m. both days, and the battle reenactment begins at 3:00 p.m. Saturday and at 1:00 p.m. Sunday. Don’t miss this chance to experience a vivid and powerful window on a conflict that shaped A m erica. The Back Page April 11,2003 T m C u a > E £ f e W E £ k . Top 20 Things To Do HEyf! T)okl a^t^sts O ver Spring FTX t{9tr> SA(ufC. /t suPo-;c^ iyfr/c wouldn't cut it) 20. Place bets on the special 1 Olym pics w ith La6rcne 19. Commit a w ar-crim e with Cambell on the stx lanes. 18. Engage m ultiple bom bings targets I n B - l s w ith Air Force FTX - oh w ait th at was Just a movie they w atched. 17. Search for the 1*^ Stoop New / i . rT;i>/« a>-M« \ B arracks Poopsm ith w ith G u a r d F T X 16. A ccidentally lead your killer M a 6 « ( « O a ''lyV ^ 7'^^* o a m > O ^ . A f c y q ^ rines into the F B rs training facility ^orfoinr T/*s K Q -t W A l r t o t ? t r 6 > i / S V TW a ^ . V ^ O f ' w ith Crennan. A 4!^ « -Aldu (^4^5 ^ . 15. VERY thorough PCI w ith Arm y Olrt fr : t* b J AS*^i^ ^t.ASt rU /VWrsl^/i M S - I V ’s . to 5 t s ^ 1 U U j c X i c t f p A»7 Cdl-ptTwiX + Ctc<{c TfvS ^ooci CA^ 14. Practice underw ater iand-nav with {roy otjr.,4 X t h e A r m y . ■ zrr^rr' 13. M ini-mini BUDS with U S NAVY £fe»*«t>Vr ^ouM ic. L J S t( ! ^ 4 o (v\^. ^ y*t/ outA '5/t55ei> P n ^ - r b a ^ y ' ^ o o m y f- SEAL KILLEft HOOAH R at Rhee. n m a v /^7 A c a I x j ^\^\inf y jjj^ j b c fi^U(e2> V ot^fZ- 12. How big was th at fish again R at , ! r Jv/paV ^v^/'(^£a t k c i ^ Q A S ^ C o iU j^ t, h u j ' U & l^ ve?o A i p J B a c k ? 11. N ice Cowboy H at Cobb, we all h a t e y o u . 10. 6 et 1/99^ of the yearbook done with Bomb FTX 9. Breakout with the M S-IIT s 8. Become intoxicated with the drug of power w ith M ontero. 7. Conscript the C a d e t S taff for slave labor w ith Bomb FTX. 6. Endure taxing 12 hour Tony Hawk 4 m arathons with the Humor Editor. 5. H ijack 6 year old's sailboat w ith sea-pirates Trask« Sanders, and B a r t l e s . 4. Be an orderly, sentinel, S O G , 0 6 , OD, N S 06, and corporal of the relief with Guard FTX. 3. Fall out of the m arch to the M ess Hall w ith VW IL. 2. Practice anti-recruiting w ith the O f b c / <>S ^C ovM > i^.'fcQ, P^^JkLN^ ^k€£pf ^ CJ Army Cadre. T U < 5 i ^ U ^ u ^ U A o t. VMI: Mocking other ROTC 1. ^ t positive feedback from your 6 > e t 0^7 o f KVV r#»CE Bfer«ii£ S S tro ve y « / / ' Units since 1917 troops with M ojor Lethers. a a £ i» » i_ s u p *r»o$> O A i f ^ t A T J i ^ E It Army FTX Recap 1 Bierens and Price get stuck in the swamp m s IV cadets get a real personal Pre during Land Navigation. Hypothermia combot Inspection before the night ensues... march...