The Ratline and "Brother-Rat" class system will be re-established at SMI and will be considered the direct lineage of the VMI Class System. The "Dyke" system will also be adopted by SMI and will be considered the direct lineage of the "Old Corps."
The SMI Corps of Cadets will be organized according to the traditional "Triangle" Regiment. Therefore, the "Corps" will be equivalent to an infantry regiment consisting of three (3) battalions, each battalion consisting of three (3) companies. In turn, each cadet company will consist of three (3) platoons and each platoon will consist of three (3) squads of 11 men. The cadet ranks will follow the traditional cadet ranks of the former VMI and The Citadel Corps of Cadets.
The total strength of the cadet regiment is computed as follows:
• 1 platoon = 1 2LT + 1 PLT SGT + 3 CPLs + 30 Privates and Lance Cpls = 35
• 1 company = 1 CPT (CO) + 1 LT (XO) + 1st SGT + 1 Guidon + 3 Platoons (105) = 109
• 1 battalion = 1 CPT (BN CDR) + 4 Staff (S1-S4) + 3 companies (327) = 332
• Regimental Band = 1 CPT (CO) + 1 LT (XO) + 77 Cadet Musicians = 79
• Cadet Regiment = 1 CPT + 5 Staff (S1-S5) + 3 Battalions (996) + Reg. Band (52) = 1081
Therefore, the SMI Corps of Cadets is expected to have a total strength of approximately 1000 to 1100 cadets.
The Board shall consist of three to nine members and will establish Advisory Groups, as necessary, to assist the Board in conducting necessary business affairs, self-studies, and fund raising activities of the Institute. The Board members should be graduates of VMI, The Citadel, and West Point, or have demonstrated an understanding of the traditions of those institutions.
Additionally, the Board members must have a deep appreciation and respect for the moral truths of the Christian faith as taught by Jesus of Nazareth (the Messiah and Christ) and his disciples, and handed down to us in the Holy Scriptures.
The SMI Corps of Cadets will live by the original VMI Gentleman's Honour System. The Corps of Cadets will elect the Honour Court members from the upper two classes and the President of the Honour Court will be a member of the First (Senior) Class. The Honour Court will be responsible for education on and enforcement of the Honour Code without interference by the Board of Visitors, administration, or faculty in accordance with tradition.
All SMI cadets must make the following pledge upon matriculation at the Southern Military Institute:
"I hereby pledge to serve as a cadet of the Southern Military Institute, and will obey all legal orders of the constituted authority of the Institute. I give my word of honour, as a member of the SMI Corps of Cadets and as a future Alumnus of the Institute, that I will never lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do. I affirm that I am not married or divorced, and that I have no legal dependents. I will not join or affiliate with any secret society or fraternity while a member of the SMI Corps of Cadets. So help me God. "
Dr. Michael J. Guthrie of Madison AL, President
Mr. Lester S. Phillip of Madison AL, Secretary
Mr. Jay C. Willis of Madison AL, Treasurer
Mr. Michael S. Guthrie of Madison AL, Director
Note: All senior staff members, including the Superintendent, will be members of the faculty and teach courses of the standard curriculum.