Marine Military Academy

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Marine Military Academy, a private college preparatory academy located in Harlingen, Texas, offers a college preparatory curriculum for boys in grades 8-12 plus one-year of post-graduate study. The school was founded in 1965. Its traditions and ideals are inspired by the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Military Academy is only affiliated with the United States Marine Corps through its Marine Corps Junior ROTC program. The school also offers summer programs including a four-week adventure summer camp for boys 13-17, as well as ESL classes for foreign students.

The academy is situated on the site of the former Harlingen Army Air Field, established in 1941. After closing, the field was re-opened in 1952 as the Harlingen Air Force Base which closed in the early 1960's. Since opening its doors as the Marine Military Academy most of the original buildings have been replaced with modern facilities. The adjacent runways became the Valley International Airport.

[edit] Academics

Courses offered include regular high school classes as well as honors courses, Advanced Placement authorized courses and dual enrollment courses for which college credit may be earned. These credits can result in a cadet placing out of basic courses when entering college. Most courses are taught year-long.

Cadets have required attendance at tutorials for if they are failing any classes. There are no make-ups for failed exams or missed homework assignments without acceptable reasons and mandatory Closed Call to Quarters (time set aside each evening in the barracks for the completion of homework and studying for exams).

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[edit] Dual Enrollment

Through an agreement with Texas State Technical College, cadets are able to earn college credit in each of the six academic departments.

[edit] Athletics

All Cadets are required to participate in one of the offered extracurricular activities during the afternoon activity period which goes from approximately 4:00-5:30 P.M. The goal of the program is to provide all cadets an opportunity to participate in sports activities regardless of their skill level. Many of the activities serve to foster teamwork, promote physical fitness, instill confidence in the Cadets and help them to develop an appreciation of the outdoors. In addition to normal sports found at most schools, the Academy offers such activities as judo, boxing, rock climbing, cycling and drill.

Beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, varsity sports began competing in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (T.A.P.P.S.) for statewide honors. Also offered at the eighth grade level is the V.I.S.A. program (Valley Independent School Association), with yearlong competition in various sports. As they are not permitted to participate in TAPPS competitive activities at until they reach grade nine age, this program provides eighth graders the opportunity to participate in volleyball, basketball, soccer and track and field sports against other member private schools.

[edit] Corps of Cadets

The Marine Military Academy established one of the first Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (MCJROTC) in the nation. [[2]] All Cadets are members of the MCJROTC unit, unless they fail to qualify for full membership because of age or citizenship. In this case they receive the training as associate members.

Cadets are assigned to one of seven company barracks, supervised by a Drill Instructor and an Assistant Drill Instructor. Introductory training lasts for four weeks, during which new cadets are taught varied general military skills and knowledge. These include military rank structure, uniforms, close order drill. They also undergo training on rapelling, a confidence course, obstacle course and high ropes course.

Cadets come from various cultural backgrounds, including students from approximately forty-one states and eight foreign countries. Cadets from Mexico make up the largest compliment of international students, but the school includes cadets from Latin America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Rank Structure

The cadet rank structure is based on the United States Marine Corps rank and billet system, with the addition of Cadet before the title.

Eighth grade students cannot advance beyond Cadet Lance Corporal, and freshmen cannot exceed the rank of Cadet Corporal. However, eighth graders and freshmen more often serve as non-rates, those ranks up to Sergeant that are not non-commissioned officers. As a Sophomore, cadets may be promoted to an NCO rank. Juniors make up most of the Academy's staff NCOs.

Seniors are generally promoted to officer rank. They hold positions of command responsibility, as Platoon Commanders, Company Executive Officers, Company Commanders, Battalion Executive Officers, and Battalion Commanders. There are also many other Battlion Staff and Company Staff positions available for seniors not in billets of command.

Officer Insignia
Officer Rank	c/Colonel	c/Lieutenant Colonel	c/Major	c/Captain	c/1st Lieutenant	c/2nd Lieutenant
Enlisted Insignia									(No insignia)	(No insignia)
Enlisted Rank	c/Sergeant Major	c/First Sergeant	c/Gunnery Sergeant	c/Staff Sergeant	c/Sergeant	c/Corporal	c/Lance Corporal	c/PFC	c/Private	Plebe

[edit] Uniforms

The uniforms authorized for wear at the academy are parallel to that of the United States Marine Corps. During school days, the uniforms worn on weekdays are the Utility and Green "C" uniforms. Four days a week the prescribed uniform is Utility and on Fridays the Green "C" uniform is worn. During periods of exercise PT Gear is worn. The Dress Blue uniforms are often preserved for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball and periods of Leave. Raincoats and Letter jackets may also be worn when directed during cold or rainy weather. The Pistol belt can be worn in lieu of a Web belt when a cadet is in a "duty status" or, in certain situations, a cadet officer/noncommissioned officer. Cadet officers are also permitted to wear the Pistol belt while wearing the Dress Blue "A" and "B" uniforms.

Cadets are required to wear the uniform of the day at all times while enrolled (with the exception of leave) at the academy. In certain situations, however, such as community service events and other extracurricular activities, civilian dress may be authorized.

[edit] Usage

Since there are many varying cadet uniforms, certain events dictate which uniform is appropriate. For example, Dress Blue "A" is rarely worn. The school holds two specific events which require Blue "A", The Marine Corps Birthday Ball and The HM Smith Foundation dinner. Both Dress Blue "A" and "B" may be worn to civilian occasions which dictate white tie or black tie. Green "A" can be issued at the QM for events off campus, more specifically college visits and any other event in which informal attire is appropriate.

[edit] Controversy

The Academy has been the subject of significant controversy regarding its supervision (or lack thereof) of cadets on campus. Several class action lawsuits have been filed for negligence resulting in injury. At least one class action lawsuit was settled by the academy.

During the 1997 - 1998 school year, Cadet Gabriel Cortez was savagely attacked, by other cadets, and his throat was slit from ear to ear allegedly by Cadet Boze. In 1993, Cadet John Crumby was beaten with combination locks until he was unconscious, spending two weeks in the infirmary, by other cadets in what is referred to as a "blanket party." Cadet Wayne was raped by other, senior cadets in the Fall of 1995 allegedly including Cadet Bottom.

In 1997, the Academy came dangerously close to losing it accreditation after the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools took issue with its testing procedures and lack of a full-time certified guidance counselor. At least once between 1996 and 1998, the state director for the accrediting body had to speak to the MMA about a hazing incident.

Since that time, the Academy hired a full time guidance counselor, and removed the plebe system from cadet control. The Academy has, in addition, installed locks on all cadet dorm rooms. Further current conditions are not covered by this article.

With regard to the Academy, however, it is important to note that most of these lawsuits occurred during the 1990's, when Marine Military Academy enlarged its spending and began accepting less qualified applicants. Since then, the current president, Brigadier General Stephen Cheney has worked to improve Academy conditions and establish a scholarship for motivated students wishing to join the Corps. The average size of Cadets per Company has lessend from 80 to about 45, hence the size of the school is half the size of itself in the 90s.

[edit] Iwo Jima monument

The Iwo Jima monument, located on the Marine Military Academy grounds, is the original mold, a creation of Dr. Felix de Weldon, and was used for the casting of the monument erected at Arlington National Cemetery [3]. After completion of the monument, this sculpture was placed in storage until the early 1980s when its creator donated it to the Marine Military Academy. Donations were collected to fund the transport and reassembly of the monument, which was supervised by Dr. de Weldon. On April 16th, 1982, the monument was officially dedicated. The Marine Military Academy is also the final resting place of Corporal Harlon Block[4] , formerly a resident of Weslaco, Texas, one of the Marines immortalized in the famous photo of the flag-raising on Iwo Jima from which the sculpture is modeled.

[edit] See also

• Walter Stauffer McIlhenny, benefactor of the Academy

[edit] External links

• 1 Marine Military Academy
• 2 Houston Press story on hazing and abuse incidents
• 3 History of military schools in the US
• 4 Veterans Day
• 5 Harlon Block
• 6 History of Marine Corps JROTC