Virginia Military Institute requires structure and dedication. It also becomes a place where bonds are created that can last a lifetime. Maybe it’s a professor, a coach, or a fellow cadet. No one makes it through VMI alone. The Cadet Collective tells the stories of those relationships that help pave the way for success. 

LEXINGTON, Va. April 23, 2024 — Matthew Kleinschuster ’26 tagged along to college tours with his brother Jacob “Jake” Kleinschuster ’24, so he got an inside look at whatever places his brother was interested in. Virginia Military Institute wasn’t the immediate choice for Jake, but his senior year of high school he was decided.  

They kept it in the family. Their grandfather, also Jacob, Class of 1964, attended VMI.  

"Seeing him have his buddies over all the time, telling the Rat Line stories ... I've always wanted something like that with a group of guys I can live life with,” Jake said. 

Jake didn’t pressure Matthew in picking VMI, but he was really gunning for him to.  

"When he did decide, I was very excited that he came here,” Jake said. “I enjoyed being the older brother for the Rat Line because I knew what was coming up for him. Also, I could have some of my other friends go pay Matthew a visit, which was great. Being able to see Matthew go through that, knowing what the weeks and days to come for him would be and get to kind of mess around with him here was really enjoyable for me, but just solidifying our relationship.” 

It wasn’t even a question when Matthew had decided where to attend. 

“Having my brother here was definitely a perk,” Matthew said. “It was nice to know where I'm going to go, I already have a guaranteed friend. We were best friends growing up.” 

The two have always been close — sharing a room growing up, starting a landscaping business during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, where they’d work together every afternoon. Their relationship grew as they spent more one-on-one time together as young adults.  

“Fast forward to college. Once I got to the Rat Line, he was always shooting glances here and there kind of encouraging me. Then after the Rat Line, we did Ranger Challenge, which was a lot of fun,” Matthew said.  

He said they wake up and work out together, attend classes, and more.  

"It really solidified that friendship. And that's what I think kind of encapsulates our relationship,” Matthew said.  

Jake said his friends have become Matthew’s friends and vice versa, making a larger family unit for them both on post. 

"We're like the glue that links everybody together, because we're brothers and I'm hanging out with his buddies now,” Jake said. “Having a brother here has been really special because I get to see those friendships I've made with my brother rats, but also at the end of day I get to share everything with Matthew.” 

Matthew was intimidated to come to VMI, especially after his brother. He said that Jake had made a name for himself here. 

“Jake definitely excelled here. He made a big name for himself,” Matthew said. “Coming in, I was nervous. It's hard to hide the last name Kleinschuster. I felt like I had targeted my back. But after a while, I realized at the end of the day, VMI wants you to become your own man.” 

Matthew said having his brother here served as a form of encouragement.   

“I have big shoes to fill, but someone behind me who's going to support me, whatever I do,” Matthew said. “That was probably the biggest motivation of having a brother here. Not the nerve-wracking and being nervous of not living up to his title, but just knowing no matter what happened, I had someone in my corner.” 

The brothers say after their time at VMI, their relationships will continue to strengthen after having shared the camaraderie of going through the same experience. They even have corresponding majors. Jake, an economics and business major with a math minor, and Matthew, a math major with a business minor. The two plan on entering the U.S. Army after graduating — another shared bond that will continue.  

“We'll continue to make connections there. Then when I go to the Army, I'm excited to do the same thing,” Matthew said. "We get different furloughs off, come back and hang. The more and more we experienced separately, the more we get to share together, which I'm excited about.” 

Jake said that having Matthew at VMI made him appreciate the small things and not take any day for granted. 

“Knowing that in a few months I'll be gone for a handful years and just taking these days, slowly enjoying the time to spend with Matthew," Jake said. "Being here studying, being able to go to the gym with Matthews is a blessing.” 

For Matthew, it’s served as a motivation.  

"It's fun to know that whatever happens, my brother's going to support me," Matthew said. “I push myself every day to be better than Jake, which is pretty difficult, but it's fun to try and strive for. And he encourages me in all aspects. He's always behind me, motivating me and then vice versa. We're kind of pushing off each other.” 

Jake said they’ve created a bond that many admire. 

"When our friends see our relationship, it's a fun special relationship that I think they look up to,” Jake said. “Being able to just create that big group of guys, everyone just getting along and hanging out regardless of where they came from. It's been fun.” 

After Jake graduates in the spring, Matthew said he’s not looking forward to finding a new routine without his brother on post.  

“I'm going to continue making a name for myself and lead,” Matthew said. “I'm excited to see what that looks like when he's gone, when I don't have that guy in my corner. I'm not too worried knowing that I've got other guys in my corner just for me, but I’ll miss him. I'll need to find another gym partner, another study partner. But, I'm excited for him and I'm excited to see where I go and do my thing.” 

Laura Peters Shapiro
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE