Epstein ’28: “The Best Decision I Ever Made”

When Cadet Ethan Epstein ’28 arrived at VMI, he did not know exactly what to expect.

Unlike many incoming cadets, the Hampton, Virginia, native had little familiarity with the Institute before applying. He knew he wanted to attend a military college and eventually commission as an officer, but VMI was not initially part of his plan.

“I always knew I wanted to go to a military school,” he stated. “I knew I wanted to commission later after college and become an officer. My dad was a Norfolk police officer for 20 years, but he was also Air National Guard for 20 years, and that life of service and sacrifice really had an impact on me—also watching my mom take care of us while he was away.”

Epstein’s path to the Institute began when he decided to graduate from high school early after many college application deadlines had already passed. VMI was still accepting applications, and though he admitted he did not know much about VMI at first, “I knew it was a reputable college, and I knew it had a reputation for being difficult, and so that intrigued me and interested me. … “The whole ‘don’t do ordinary’ thing really captured my attention, but I didn’t have any exposure to any alumni or anyone; I’m the first person in my family to go to VMI.”

After receiving a conditional appointment to the Institute in the mail and later being awarded an Institute Merit Scholarship, his decision became clear. “I just knew that’s where I belonged,” he said.

Matriculation Day has a way of testing the resolve of even the most determined incoming cadet, and after signing the Matriculation Book and saying goodbye to his family, Epstein remembers looking around and wondering what he had gotten himself into. That uncertainty didn’t last long. “Then finally, when I said goodbye to my parents … and they marched us up to barracks from Cameron, and they closed the gates and I was looking out, I [thought] maybe I made a wrong decision,” he remembered. “But I would say, now, obviously, it was the best decision I ever made.”

Even before he arrived on post, Epstein was beginning to sense VMI was different from other colleges. During a rat send-off that summer, he began to appreciate the strength of the bonds that tie the VMI family together. “I think it was at that moment, seeing representatives from all the different classes, that made me feel like, OK, this is somewhere that I want to be a part of,” he stated.

Like all cadets, Epstein faced difficult moments during the Rat Line. What helped him persevere, was a combination of faith, family, and personal motivation. During his rat year, he started a fellowship group that met on Friday nights. What began as a small gathering eventually grew to include around 20 cadets. “We would just talk about our faith and … our reason for coming to VMI,” he said.

His family also provided encouragement throughout the experience. “I remember getting my phone call during Matriculation Week and being like, OK, don’t cry,” he recalled. “It was just so nice and refreshing to hear their voices.”

Academics are a central focus of Epstein’s cadetship. He is an international studies major; participates in the U.S. Air Force Special Warfare program, the combat shooting team, and the Pre-Law Society; and he plans to commission into the Air Force after graduation. And as an Institute Merit Scholar, Epstein participates in Honors Forum discussions and is already looking ahead to completing an honors thesis. The opportunity to work closely with faculty has strengthened his interest in international studies and political science, and he is grateful for the opportunities his scholarship support has made possible. “If I could meet the donors behind my scholarship, I would just express my unbelievable gratitude for the opportunity they’ve extended to me,” he said.

Looking ahead, Epstein hopes to continue excelling academically, pursue undergraduate research opportunities, remain active in Air Force Special Warfare training, and eventually serve on the RDC. Through it all, he remains committed to making the most of his VMI experience.

For others considering the Institute, he offers a simple piece of advice: “The battle starts in your mind,” Epstein said. “Every day, you have to … wake up and make that conscious decision that you’re not going to do ordinary, that you want to be different, that you want to be better than you were before.”

Reflecting on his decision to attend VMI, Epstein has little doubt about his choice to attend the Institute. “I always say coming to VMI is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for myself,” he said.