The Rat Line and Leadership Transformations with 2nd Lts. Townsend & Forehand ’19

This mobile episode captured in our Center's Green Room features our 2019 summer interns and brand new VMI alumni 2nd Lt. Jeybriel Townsend and 2nd Lt. John 'Jay' Forehand. They spoke with Emily and Derek about experiences at VMI before they left town for duty assignments. They talked about the unique VMI experience, the Rat Line, and leadership transformations. 

Hailing from Fayetteville, NC, Townsend was introduced to VMI by a high school teacher. He was a computer science major here at VMI now a 2nd Lt. in the Army Reserves.

Forehand is a Roanoke, VA native, graduate with a degree in international studies, and commissioned in the Marines as a 2nd Lt. Jay became acquainted with VMI as a kid and would visit post frequently with his dad.  He knew he wanted to be in the military since junior high school.

Our Center's mission is to enhance the VMI citizen-soldier journey with programming that educates, engages and inspires critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and leader development. For more information about our Center and its programming, please visit vmi.edu/cle. 

In this episode, we touch on the following leadership competencies from the VMI Leader Journey: motivation, personal values, mentoring, teamwork, inclusion, helping others.