Unless things changed recently (maybe during your time as an officer), VMI is a state school with a mandatory military requirement, not an arm of the Defense Department. Like other schools with ROTC, it's offered commissions based on military needs. It's a numbers game, not a joob guarantee. Dealing with a broader market may have its advantage. Your first real business trip may not be to a place that doesn't have designated "safe spaces" and does have IED, dynamite vests and real assault weapons pointed at you.