George S. Patton Attends Virginia Military Institute Before Transfer to West Point

In 1903, George S. Patton Jr. entered the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, as a member of the Class of 1907. He attended for one academic year from 1903 to 1904, pursuing a preparatory military education while aiming for admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point. During his time at VMI, Patton participated in cadet drills, academic coursework, and physical training typical of the institute’s structured military environment. Patton faced academic challenges during this period, particularly in reading and written work. Later historical assessments have suggested that these difficulties may have been related to undiagnosed dyslexia, a condition not formally recognized at the time. Despite these obstacles, Patton completed the academic year and secured an appointment to West Point in 1904. He departed VMI after one year and entered the United States Military Academy later that year, beginning the course of study that led to his graduation in June 1909.