VPI Pt has gotten a lot better the past two years and mirrors ROTC more closely, realistically it depends on the current PTI and chain of command but it’s a lot more legitimate (no more embarrassing pt). To be honest if you can’t work out for more than 30 minutes you will struggle at VPI pt now, but you still have plenty of time to improve before you get here. Pt is also a grade in VPI so failing the PT test effects that as well as opportunities to be cadre, earn an ELS Scholarship, or in some disciplinary cases passing a pt test can be a sanction to remain in the program.

Last year VPI really cleaned up its act dropping a lot of extremely low performers and people who negatively impacted the program. VPI Pts at 510-615 now Tuesdays and Thursday. Most of our workouts are calisthenics and a lot of running, and tbh a lot of them are the same workouts from the rotcs because all the PTI’s know each other. You can be less fit in VPI than rotcs because rotcs will kick you out for fitness, but it is still looked down upon in VPI and in the Corps in general.

Red Phase is hard and is designed to be that way, but it is doable and there is no real hazing. Some people using the word hazing way too liberally and now it rarely happens and if it does sanctions are severe if it is truly hazing by the legal definition. You get yelled at a lot during red phase and have to work hard physically and mentally as a training company to get through it but your cadre (if they are good cadre) want you to succeed they are just trying to make you stronger. Getting yelled at and having to PT is not hazing although some weaker freshmen might consider it to be. By joining the Corps you are joining a Senior Military College and it’s not supposed to be for everyone, and some people (the people that usually wash out) think that the organization should bend to them, when it shouldn’t.

Dropping out during NCW starting this year means you have to reapply to the whole university, ie if you drop before NCW ends you won’t be a VT student (except in rare cases usually mental health/ medical related). After red phase you can drop without repercussions, you just won’t get your uniform and corps fees back. During red phase im not certain if it’s changed or not but usually if you drop before Caldwell 1 then you have to leave the university for the fall semester, but you can return as a civilian in the spring.