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Stories in this issue:
- Upcoming Admissions Events
- Bravo Zulu Awards
- One 'R at a Time
- Cheering for the Chiefs?
- Do you want to be a part of our Cadet Corps?
Upcoming Admissions Events
The best way to learn about Fork Union Military Academy is to schedule an appointment with our Admissions Office and come for a family visit and receive your own individual tour of the campus.
We also schedule a number of Admissions Fairs in various cities and regions throughout the year.
Saturday, Jan 22—Admissions Fair in Fairfax, VA
- Meet with our admissions staff at an Admissions Fair on Saturday, January 22nd, from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks.
Saturday, Feb 19—Admissions Fair in Fairfax, VA
- Meet with our admissions staff at an Admissions Fair on Saturday, February 19th, from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks.
Bravo Zulu Awards
Every Friday the Fork Union Military Faculty and Staff meet to nominate a few who have exceeded the standards and demonstrated superlative performance. Whilst we have various awards and recognitions - a simple "Well Done!" we hope, is also appreciated. The combination of the Bravo and Zulu nautical signal flags, i.e., Bravo Zulu, also referred to as "BZ," is a naval signal, typically conveyed by flag hoist or voice radio, meaning "Well Done" with regard to actions, operations or performance.
The following are the Bravo Zulu awards for this week:
Cadet Private Thomas Manganiello is a junior and first-year cadet in Alpha Company. He is a boarding student from Northford, CT. Cadet Manganiello recently started serving as interim Squad Leader for 3rd floor Alpha. Each day, he makes sure his squad is on time, has a fresh clean shave, beds are made, and rooms are in general order. His leadership skills improve daily, and his hard work and dedication will provide for more leadership opportunities in the future. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Manganiello!
Cadet Private Mathew Snyder is a sophomore and first-year cadet in Bravo Company. He is a boarding student from Stafford, VA. This week, he volunteered to clean the company area inside the dining hall. Cadet Snyder stayed behind each morning and evening cleaning up to ensure proper sanitation, ensuring that his company would remain healthy. Cadet Snyder is a true team player and willing to give up his free time to help his company and fellow cadets. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Snyder!
Cadet Staff Sergeant Nicholas Coleman is an eighth grader and first-year cadet in Charlie Company. He is a boarding student from Woodbridge, VA. Cadet Coleman has set a high standard for his fellow cadets, as he is a true scholar, leader, athlete. He is currently assigned to Charlie Company, First Platoon, which is made up primarily of first-year seventh graders. He has been remarkable, continuously setting a positive example since his promotion to Squad Leader. His leadership style and patience have gained him the utmost respect from his Squad members, peers, and senior cadet leaders. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Coleman!
Cadet Staff Sergeant Thinh Pham is a sophomore and second-year cadet who serves in the HSC Company. He is a boarding student from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Cadet Pham has worked tirelessly over the past several weeks to earn his beret, becoming an official member of the Retan Rifles. He continues to set the standard and has consistently performed flawlessly on inspections. Cadet Pham displays a solid work ethic and is a true servant leader in Retan. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Pham!
Maintenance and Landscaping Crews are recognized for their hard work this week after another snowstorm affected the area. Their teams prepped for the storm and cleared roads, parking lots, and sidewalks, ensuring the safety of the Corps of Cadets as well as staff and faculty. Bravo Zulu, Maintenance and Landscaping Crews!
MAJ Alex Grant is recognized for volunteering his time to assist Maintenance and Landscaping crews with snow prep and removal over the weekend and on Monday. His dedication to the Academy is very much appreciated. Bravo Zulu, MAJ Grant!
Ms. Sara Miles, Head Athletic Trainer, graciously agreed to step into the classroom on short notice for the final four weeks of Term 3. Since the cadets' return to class on 10 January, she has done a wonderful job balancing her new temporary teaching duties along with her full-time duties in the athletic department. Mrs. Miles' commitment to our cadets' well-being both in the classroom and on the athletic field is unsurpassed! Bravo Zulu, Ms. Miles!
SAGE Dining Services was here to provide meals during the winter storm this past weekend. Their dedication is much appreciated by the cadets, faculty, staff, and the parents. Bravo Zulu, SAGE Dining Services!
Go FUMA!
One 'R at a Time
In the March 1949 issue of Reader's Digest an article titled "One 'R at a Time" attracted the attention of COL J. Caldwell Wicker, who was at that time the President of Fork Union Military Academy. The Reader's Digest article described a curriculum plan that was tried briefly at two different schools: Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio and the Kiskiminetas Springs School for Boys in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. Each school was independently experimenting with a program where one subject was taught at a time. Instead of students going from class to class, taking courses like English, algebra, biology, and French all at the same time, students would spend up to eight weeks in a single course before moving on to the next.
Fork Union Military Academy was in quite good shape in 1949. Enrollment was good, students were doing well, and the school was financially sound. But Colonel Wicker was not one to let the status quo stand in the way of something that might make his school even better. He asked the school’s headmaster, Harry M. Waldron, to look into implementing this new One Subject Plan in the 1950-51 academic year.
Within the first five years of implementing the One Subject Plan, Fork Union Military Academy saw its Honor Roll double in size!
Although this curriculum plan, like many other educational reforms throughout the years, was tried and soon abandoned by at least ten schools, the idea took root at Fork Union. The first couple of years were difficult as faculty, students, and administration adjusted to the new plan, but, under the leadership of Colonel Wicker and Headmaster Waldron, the concept was patiently developed. The plan has undergone some minor tinkering since those first days, but the overall outline of the program has remained largely unchanged from that first concept.
From September of 1950 until the present day, the One Subject Plan has been the cornerstone of Fork Union Military Academy’s Upper School academic program.
Cheering for the Chiefs?
Are you cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs? Members of the FUMA Family have good reason to root for the players in the red and white as they continue in the hunt for their third Super Bowl appearance in as many years.
Why are so many Fork Union folks cheering for the Chiefs?
Fork Union Military Academy alumni have long had an association with the Kansas City Chiefs through the team's history, from present day all the way back to the very beginnings of the team.
FUMA alumnus Travis Crittenden has been with the team as a strength and conditioning coach since 2013. A member of the PG Class of 2000, Crittenden has helped the Chiefs make it to the past two Super Bowl games, coming away with the Lombardi Trophy in 2020. The Chiefs fell short last February, losing in the Super Bowl to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This year, Crittenden and his Chiefs are just two wins away from making their third consecutive Super Bowl appearance.
Alumni who have worn the Chiefs' jersey include Marques Hagans (Class of 2001), Duane Ashman (Class of 1993), Ernest Dixon (Class of 1990), Mike Bulino (Class of 1971), and Lowell Vaught (Class of 1959). Lowell Vaught will be remembered by many not only as a FUMA alumnus but as the Chaplain of Fork Union Military Academy for many years.
But our very favorite reason to cheer for the Chiefs has to do with a cadet who graduated from Fork Union Military Academy way back in 1920.
Cadet H. Roe Bartle was one of those larger than life figures, even in his high school days. At age 13, Bartle attempted to enlist in the US Army, but after his father produced proof of his age, the Army discharged him.
Bartle's father was a Presbyterian minister and a teacher at Fork Union Military Academy, teaching history and military science. Roe Bartle enrolled in Fork Union in 1916 and had risen to the top cadet position on campus, Battalion Commander, by the time of his graduation in the Class of 1920. He headed for the University of Chattanooga intent on obtaining his law degree. Bartle's life continued on in a dizzying mix of business success, leadership roles in the Boy Scouts of America, community service, and, ultimately, local politics in Kansas City, Missouri. Known to all by his nickname "The Chief," H. Roe Bartle served two terms as the mayor of Kansas City.
It was during Bartle's years in office that Lamar Hunt, owner of the Dallas Texans, began looking for a new city to serve as home to his football team...and Bartle was intent on making that new home be Kansas City. Bartle's exhaustive efforts accomplished his goal, and the Texans moved to Missouri. A "Name the Team" contest in 1963 brought in many possible choices including the Mules, the Stars, and the Royals, but it was the Chiefs...chosen to honor the mayor who helped make it happen...that was chosen as the winner.
So, the Kansas City Chiefs are named in honor of a Fork Union Military Academy alumnus—H. Roe "The Chief" Bartle.
It is possible that Kansas City may be forced to choose a new team name, just as happened to the Washington DC NFL team, as controversy continues over teams using names related to Native American culture. But even if the football team's name is changed, the name of H. Roe "The Chief" Bartle will still be remembered and honored in the city of Kansas City. The city's spectacular Convention Center—whose four large pylons climb high into the air making the structure a central pillar of the city's skyline—is named Bartle Hall, and a statue of H. Roe Bartle stands in its lobby.
Let's hear it for The Chief! And for his namesake team. Good luck in the playoffs!
Do you want to be a part of our Cadet Corps?
Are you a young man in the 7th to 12th grade? Do you want to be a man known for integrity, respect for yourself and others, faith, character, and discipline?
We encourage you to fill out an application for enrollment and join our cadets here at Fork Union Military Academy.
Thank you!
Credits:
Photos by: Kristin Firewicz, Kelly Barnette