VIRGINIA TECH CORPS OF CADETS

VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

AND STATE UNIVERSITY
BLACKSBURG, VA 24060-0002

Date: 18 AUG 2010

MEMORANDUM

TO: Major General Jerrold P. Allen

FROM: C/COL Micah Hafich

CC: C/LTC Randy Coates

C/LTC Nicholas Rush
C/LTC Ryan Anderson
C/LTC Benjamin Augspurger

SUBJECT: Regimental Demerit System (RDS)

The Following policies will be in effect for the Fall 2010 Semester:

• The Regimental Demerit System is punitive in nature and, therefore, punishment will be served
through rifle drill and marching in accordance with FM 22-5.

• RDS:
a) Will be conducted at least once per week on Saturdays from 0600-0900.
a. If the forecast wind chill is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, RDS may be moved
inside consisting solely of work details. Alternatively, RDS may be moved to
Friday afternoon.
b) Fridays will be utilized as an alternate time depending on the VTCC schedule, or
weather prediction. This decision will be made by the Regimental CO and C/CSM
NLT 1700 Wednesday.
a. When conducted on Friday, RDS hours will be served 1600-1900
c) Cleaning and/or maintenance of the Upper Quad area may also be conducted in lieu of
marching tours at the discretion of the Regimental CO and C/CSM
d) Special projects requiring additional assistance may pull cadets from the RDS list to
alleviate hours. Cadets will be selected at random.
e) Cadets will not attend RDS unless they have accumulated 10 or more demerits. All
demerits (even 5 demerit offenses) will continue to be passed up through C/SGMs to
the C/CSM, but cadets with only 5 total demerits will not be told to attend RDS.

• RDS punishment Distribution:

a) RDS lists will be compiled through each battalion and sent to the Cadet Command
Sergeant Major NLT COB Thursday of each week.
b) Demerit slips will be held at the battalion level.
a. Only the Battalion Commander can award merits for any cadet in his/her
battalion
c) The C/CSM will compile the battalion lists and send them to the following: Company
CO’s, BN CO’s, BN SGM’s, and RDS listed cadets.
d) This list will also be sent to the Commandant and Deputy Commandants.
e) All Battalions will ensure each cadet is properly notified of his or her RDS duties and
responsibilities.
a. In turn, the Battalion SGM will be responsible for notifying the Regimental
SGM, via email, NLT 1200 Friday that all cadets have in fact been notified of
their RDS assignment

• Accountability:
 a) Under normal operation, RDS will begin at 0600 and end at 0900 every Saturday.
b) Regardless of the number of hours received, each cadet will form up in the appropriate
uniform at 0600 to begin his/her tour. Ex:
○ 2 hours received: 0600-0800
○ 3 hours received: 0600-0900
a) Unauthorized Absences will not be tolerated. Punishment will be served in the form of
a 15 demerit penalty for the first offense. If a subsequent unauthorized absence occurs
a Regimental Non-Judicial Punishment and any other additional punishment deemed
necessary by the Regimental CO and XO will be applied.

b) Personnel accountability will be taken by the NCO leadership and passed to the
NCOIC for that morning.

• Uniform:
a) Uniform for all RDS marching tours will be Summer Dress A until the uniform for the
Regiment changes to Winter Uniform.
b) The purpose for wearing Dress A is to improve marching proficiency at parades,
PNR’s, and other regimental marching events.
c) In case of inclement weather, rain jacket, over coat, cape, black gloves, and watchcap
will be approved by the Cadet OIC for the day.
d) If overcoat is part of the UOD, cadets will assume Dress A with overcoat, NOT Dress
C.
e) NCOIC will send an email to all of the RDS cadets the night prior if there are any
changes to the uniform.
f) If the cadets are performing cleaning or maintenance duties for RDS, the uniform will
be VTCC PT gear, Modified BDU’s with grey VTCC PT shirt, or Full BDU’s as
necessary.

• Procedure:
a) OIC duties will rotate through Regimental Primary and Secondary Staff positions and
will be present to ensure proper RDS procedures are followed.
b) NCOIC position will rotate through C/CSM and C/SGMs.
c) RDS Staff will be selected from company FSG’s and will rotate through all Battalions.
d) The armory will be distributing and recollecting rifles every hour throughout RDS by a
rotation developed by the Regimental Armorer.
e) Cadets will meet outside of the Regimental Arms room NLT 0550 to draw their rifles.
f) Cadets will form up by Battalion on the VT at 0600 and conduct an open ranks
inspection.
g) Upon completion of the inspection, cadets will break up into platoon-sized groups to
march around the VT.
h) All marching units will remain on the VT. Marching behind Lane Hall is NOT
permitted.
i) While units are marching, NCOIC and staff will follow formations to correct
marching, rifle angles, and drill movements.
j) Jodies will NOT be authorized during RDS marching tours.
k) Breaks will be conducted at least once per hour, weather dependent.
l) Failure to comply with OIC, NCOIC, or any staff orders will result in the following:
i. Cadet will be sent back to his/her room and will have to re-do hours
the following week
ii. No hours will be counted for that morning
iii.A Regimental Non-Judicial Punishment will be issued.

Very Respectfully,

Micah Hafich
Cadet Colonel, VTCC
Regimental Commander, Fall 2010