Question: do vmi graduates have to serve in the military

Answer: No, While VMI has been called ``The West Point of The South'', it differs from the federal military service academies in several respects. For example, VMI numbers only 1700 cadets and the living conditions are more austere. Also, while all cadets must participate in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) of the United States Armed Forces, VMI cadets are afforded the flexibility of pursuing civilian endeavors or accepting an officer's commission in any of the active or reserve components of any of the U.S. military branches upon graduation.