Marine Military Academy, a private
college preparatory academyA university-preparatory school or college-preparatory school is a secondary school, usually private, designed to prepare students for a college or university education. Some schools will also include a junior, or elementary, school...
located in
HarlingenHarlingen is a city in Cameron County in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, United States, about from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The city covers more than and is the second largest city in Cameron County and the third largest in the Rio Grande Valley after Brownsville and...
,
TexasTexas is the second-largest U.S. state in both area and population, and the largest state in the contiguous United States.The name had wide usage among native Americans, meaning "friends" or "allies"...
, 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 CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for providing force projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. 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
ESLESL is a common abbreviation for English as a Second Language, see English language learning and teaching.ESL may also refer to:-Companies:* ESL ElectroScience, a materials manufacturing company based in Pennsylvania...
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 BaseValley International Airport is an airport located in northeast Harlingen, Texas, United States. After its closure, the airport was redeveloped into Valley International Airport.- History :...
which closed in the early 1960s. 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 AirportValley International Airport is an airport located in northeast Harlingen, Texas, United States. The airport has three runways and is also known as Rio Grande Valley International Airport.The airport serves Harlingen and South Padre Island....
.
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).
Dual enrollment
Through an agreement with Texas State Technical College, cadets are able to earn college credit in many subjects including: Pre-calculus/College Algebra, English III/English 1301, Spanish 3/College Spanish, Calculus/College Calculus, English IV/English 1401 and Political Science.
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, PFT team, 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.
Corps of cadets
The Marine Military Academy established one of the first Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (MCJROTC) in the nation.
http://www.mcjrotc.org/about/history.aspx 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 (now five due to Charlie and Bravo company closing) company barracks, supervised by a
Drill InstructorA drill sergeant is a non-commissioned officer in the armed forces with specific duties that vary by country. In the U.S. armed forces, they are assigned the duty of initiating new recruits entering the military into the customs and practices of military life. In the U.S...
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 rappelling, a confidence course, obstacle course and high ropes course. Introductory training, also called plebe system, is supervised by Cadet NCO's; serving as cadet instructors who are supervised by a Cadet officer, usually the public affairs officer or executive officer of the company. A parade is held at the end of the training during which the plebes place the
Eagle, Globe, and AnchorThe Eagle, Globe, and Anchor is the official emblem of the United States Marine Corps. The current emblem traces its roots in the designs and ornaments of the early Continental Marines as well as the British Royal Marines. The present emblem, adopted in 1966, differs only by a change in the eagle...
on their garrison cover to symbolize the transformation from plebe to cadet.
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.
Rank structure
The cadet rank structure is based on the
United States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for providing force projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
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 Battalion 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 |
Uniforms
The uniforms authorized for wear at the academy are parallel to that of the
United States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for providing force projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. 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. It should be noted that the
blood stripeA blood stripe refers to a scarlet stripe worn down the outside leg seams of trousers on the dress uniform of the United States Marine Corps. This red stripe is for general officers, for other officers, and for enlisted Staff Noncommissioned Officers and Noncommissioned Officers...
is no longer sewn into cadet Dress Blue pants.
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.
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.
Controversy
The Academy has been the subject of significant controversy regarding its supervision (or lack thereof) of cadets on campus. Several
class actionIn law, a class action or a representative action is a form of lawsuit where a large group of people collectively bring a claim to court. This form of collective lawsuit originated in the United States and is still predominantly a U.S. phenomenon, at least the U.S. variant of it...
lawsuitA lawsuit is a civil action brought before a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have received damages from a defendant's actions, seeks a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
s have been filed for
negligenceNegligence is a legal concept in the common law legal systems usually used to achieve compensation for injuries . Negligence is a type of tort or delict . However, the concept is sometimes used in criminal law as well...
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, and his throat was slit from ear to ear allegedly by two other cadets.
In 1997, the Academy came dangerously close to losing its 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 1990s, 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 fallen from 80 to about 45, hence the size of the school is half the size of itself in the 90s.
Iwo Jima monument
The
Iwo JimaIwo Jima, officially , is an island of the Japanese Volcano Islands chain, which makes up the southern end of the Ogasawara Islands. The island is located 1,200 kilometers south of mainland Tokyo and administered as part of Ogasawara, one of eight villages of Tokyo...
monument, located on the Marine Military Academy grounds, is the original mold, a creation of Dr.
Felix de WeldonFelix Weihs de Weldon was an American sculptor. His most famous piece is the Marine Corps War Memorial of five U.S. Marines and one sailor raising the flag of the United States on Iwo Jima during World War Two.-Biography:...
, and was used for the casting of the monument erected at
Arlington National CemeteryArlington National Cemetery, in Arlington County, Virginia is a military cemetery in the United States, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a descendant of Martha Washington. The...
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php?tip_AttractionNo1268. 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 16, 1982, the monument was officially dedicated. The Marine Military Academy is also the final resting place of Corporal
Harlon BlockHarlon Henry Block was a United States Marine during World War II. Born in Texas, Block joined the Marine Corps in November 1943 and subsequently saw action during the Battle of Bougainville and the Battle of Iwo Jima where he was killed in action...
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=18154 , formerly a resident of
Weslaco, TexasWeslaco is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. The population was 26,935 at the 2000 census. Weslaco derives its name from the W.E. Stewart Land Company...
, one of the Marines immortalized in the famous photo of the flag-raising on
Iwo JimaIwo Jima, officially , is an island of the Japanese Volcano Islands chain, which makes up the southern end of the Ogasawara Islands. The island is located 1,200 kilometers south of mainland Tokyo and administered as part of Ogasawara, one of eight villages of Tokyo...
from which the sculpture is modeled.
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