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Stories in this issue:
- Congratulations to Band & Retan Rifles!
- Leaving a Legacy - General Chain
- Happy Birthday to the Summer Babies!
- President's Convocation
- College T-Shirt Day
- 2022-2023 Cadet Leadership Announced
- This Week's Bravo Zulu
- Upcoming Admissions Events
Band & Retan Rifles Win Awards at the Apple Blossom Festival
On Saturday, April 30, Retan Rifles and the Fork Union Military Academy Band competed at the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Virginia. The Apple Blossom Festival hosts hundreds of entries composed of bands, floats, and auxiliary units. The students were entered to compete against other private school marching units from across the East Coast.
On Tuesday, May 3, the Academy received word that Fork Union Military Academy won the Most Outstanding Military School Band and Most Outstanding Military Drum Major awards, bringing home both trophies for the first time in many years.
"These young men have spent many hours outside of the classroom, athletic fields and clubs practicing and it has shown," said Music Director John Warren. "These young men had nine performances between Thursday and Sunday of that week and the Apple Blossom was in the middle of it. They went in having already spent a lot of energy and time on other performances and the parade was a mile and a half route with non-stop performing. To say I am proud does not do it justice. Seeing them not only be able to successfully compete in this difficult parade, but come out on top is a testament to their hard work and dedication that they have put in all year.
"That Tuesday morning, LTC Tony Moss, COL Mike Goad, Mrs. Kayla Jones and myself announced the results to the group. Their cheers and smiles showed a sense of pride that gave me chills. These young men exemplify what it means to be a cadet. They showed thousands of people what it means to be a cadet at Fork Union Military Academy," Warren added.
Following the exciting news, Band and Retan Rifles joined cadets who have participated in Art at the Fine Arts Festival on Thursday evening at Pruett Lake. The festival was put on by Warren and Mrs. Jones to display to faculty, staff and parents what these young men have worked on all year round. Below are photos from the Fine Arts Festival.
Leaving a Legacy
In 2001, the late General John T. Chain, Jr., USAF (Ret.) and his wife Judie decided to make an extraordinary planned gift to the Academy—naming Fork Union Military Academy as the sole beneficiary of $2 million in life insurance. This is the kind of gift that can be best described in one word:
Transformational.
“This gift has given us the means to create the Chain Fund for Endowment Growth,” states COL Tripp Billingsley, the school’s Director of Advancement. “Growing the size of the Academy’s endowment is the most important step to guaranteeing our school’s longevity and securing the future of Fork Union Military Academy.”
Throughout his life and career, General Chain remained an active supporter of the school’s annual fund and a generous donor to the capital improvements made on campus. His legacy gift gives a major boost to the endowment of the school from which he graduated in 1952.
“People are a product of their environment,” General Chain said in a 2001 interview for the Academy’s Call to Quarters magazine. “Fork Union Military Academy provides an atmosphere for self-realization, personal responsibility, and personal and institutional integrity,” he continued.
Entering Fork Union Military Academy as a sophomore in 1950, Chain soaked up the environment, learning lessons both in the classroom and within the Corps of Cadets. Those lessons would resonate within him throughout his lengthy career in the United States Air Force, commissioning as a second lieutenant after college and rising through responsibilities, roles, and ranks. His military career culminated in his service as the Commander in Chief of our nation’s Strategic Air Command, adding his fourth star in 1980. In the entire history of the US Air Force, fewer than 230 officers have been named four-star generals. Following his retirement from the military, his service continued in business, corporate governance, and philanthropy.
“FUMA teaches you that you are a member of a team,” General Chain stated in an interview in 2001 for the Academy’s Call to Quarters magazine. “For that team to succeed, all members of the team must abide by the rules. The team—and you personally—will never achieve your goals unless all members work together.”
“I learned that simple rule at FUMA and applied it to my life since then,” he said, “achieving many goals along the way and striving still for more.”
General Chain, a member of FUMA’s Class of 1952, did achieve many goals during his more than 86 years of a life well lived. He was a generous benefactor to the Academy throughout those years, making four-and five-figure donations annually to help meet the school’s needs. To describe just one example of General Chain’s active support for the school, Fork Union Military Academy has a free-time computer gaming lab that our students have enjoyed for a number of years. The Chain Lab, as we refer to it, is named after General Chain who helped to finance the renovations of the lab back in the 1990s and early 2000s. Our cadets can sign up and play these games during their bits of free time in the evenings. This lab is also used for weekend play on Saturday afternoons and for our esports team.
General Chain passed away on July 7, 2021, but he insured, both figuratively and literally, that he would be helping Fork Union Military Academy achieve many such goals for many years to come. He explained that decision very simply in 2001: “Judie and I want to help FUMA continue to exist and provide these same lessons and opportunities for many more young men.”
Fork Union Military Academy is receiving the proceeds from two life insurance policies, one paying $1 million as one lump sum, and the second policy to pay the $1 million benefit in four equal installments over four years.
When giving us the permission to release the information about this gift publicly, Mrs. Judie Chain said that it is her hope the gift will both honor the memory of the General and inspire others to support the Academy.
President's Blog:
President's Convocation
Earlier today I met with our Corps of Cadets in Wicker Chapel in our President's Convocation to give them my thoughts and congratulations as they neared the finish line of this school year. I wanted to share those remarks with you, to let you know how proud I am of these young men here at Fork Union Military Academy.
We started this year together and we will finish this year together.
We prayed for every cadet in here, by name, this year.
A few didn’t follow the rules…and they are not with us here today. In the end, you will have earned the right to be called a FUMA Cadet.
FUMA is a tough place, I know it.
I was on active duty as a US Marine Officer and spent most of that time deployed or in combat environments and I learned what tough is. Before FUMA I was at VMI as the Commanding Officer/Professor of Naval Science of the NROTC unit with about 1,500 gifted, and tough Midshipmen. Many became Navy SEALS, nuclear propulsion officers, infantry officers, and Navy and Marine pilots. Like VMI, and the Citadel, FUMA has long days, exacting rules, high standards and an honor code which you must uphold. It’s not easy. It’s not supposed to be easy. FUMA is something you must earn and it’s tough. I think each of you are tough. I am proud of you. So, keep what you have earned.
Cadets, we had a good year coming through COVID and everyone is safe. Our average test scores and GPA’s are up from last year. We have many earning scholarships, some attending special programs for this summer, and some enlisting in the military. Thank you for your service. We have very impressive international students. You help us better understand the world…and ourselves. I hope we were kind to you, and you feel like you are part of the FUMA Family for life, because you are and please stay in touch with your FUMA friends. I am proud of you. You never know when you’ll run into a FUMA brother. Stay connected for life. Come back to visit and be an active alumnus. One day, we’ll be gone and you, your class, your generation of FUMA men will lead the way. Who from amongst you will return to FUMA and continue to legacy of body, mind, and spirit passing it on to the next generation of Cadets? One of you may well be a future President of FUMA. That would make me very proud.
To the faculty, I believe teaching is more than an occupation, it’s a profession and a mission. Thank you for believing in the mission of the academy and your cadets. Thank you for shaping these young men into what they’ll become in body, mind, and spirit. Thank you. I respect you. I am proud of you.
For the staff, you did your job to keep us safe, provide for our needs from administration, safety, food, the barracks, washed our clothes and made the campus look so good. You believe in our Cadets and our mission. I respect you for your dedication, hard work and performance. Staff—Thank you. I am proud of you. Cadets, before you leave, you should make the time to look our employees in the eyes, shake theair hands and say, “Thank you Ma’am or Sir.”
Let us close in prayer.
Thank you, God, for FUMA. Thank you for each young man, for each faculty and staff member. Thank you for religious freedom. Thank you for your divine protection over us this year. In Jesus name. Amen.
Go FUMA!
Colonel David L. Coggins, USMC (Ret.) | President | Fork Union Military Academy
Fork Union Hosts College T-Shirt Day
On Monday, May 2, Fork Union Military Academy hosted its annual College T-Shirt Day where seniors are encouraged to wear their college apparel representing their destination following graduation.
This year, Mrs. Kelsey Hill organized the event, making it extra special for our seniors. The cadets were provided with cupcakes, sparkling grape juice, a photo booth, declaring their post-high school plans on pennants, and putting their names in for a $30 gift card drawing. The winner of the gift card was Sean Lovely!
Seniors will cross the stage at Fork Union Military Academy to receive their high school diplomas on Friday morning, May 20, 2022, in a commencement ceremony scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM.
All Fork Union Military Academy graduating seniors will have the opportunity to continue their education at college in the fall as the Class of 2022 achieved the Academy’s annual goal of 100% college acceptance.
Check out the photos below:
Happy Birthday to all the Summer Babies!
This past Thursday, Fork Union Military Academy celebrated all cadets, staff and faculty who have birthdays over the summer. Thank you to SAGE Dining who continues to surprise us with amazing desserts each month.
Happy Birthday to:
MAY
STAFF/FACULTY
- John Jackson
- James Benson
- Kate Goad
- Phillip Hernandez
CADETS
- Grant DeMorro
- Laith Haddad
- Braden Piersol
- Maxwell Dumas
- Hunter McDonnell
- Sebastian Espino Jimenez
- Dino Siervo
- Daniel Desulme
- Ashton King
- Joaquin Yescas
- Zacarya Mara
- Diego Serrano
- Antwan Dunmyer
- Tucker Miller
- Sean Hall
- Phillip Johnson
- Zachary Piper
JUNE
STAFF/FACULTY
- Stephen Plumb
- Carol Tipton
- Frank Arritt
- John Hurley
- Alex Grant
- Kelly Barnette
- Aniela Macek
- Kayla Jones
- Tori Beaulieu
- Bill Hooper
CADETS
- Mason Bligen
- Nicholas Petrillo
- Kendall Coard
- Nathan Gomes
- Nathaniel Hopkins
- Jayden Anderson
- George Boitano
- Copeland Spearman
- Nicholas Coleman
- Chayse Hill
- Jack McCall
- Will Stimson
- Sean Lovely
- Jaxon Brooks-Powell
JULY
STAFF/FACULTY
- Jarrett Hopewell
- Tripp Billingsley
- Mike Goad
- Nicole Adams
- Joseph Kenny
- Melanie Amos
- Shannon Higginbotham
- Robert Rodriguez
- Teresa Crawford
CADETS
- William Girod
- Yonas Wilcox
- Kelvin Montesinos
- Jayden Pieron
- Virgil Ryland
- Mitchell Coe
- Grayson Mitchell
- Theophilus Aberra
- Daniel Bartsevich
- Peter Signorino
- Maddox Beaulieu
- Connor Smith
- Robert Crippen
- Nicholas Sasser
- Samson Hauler
- Fritzner Black
- Wesley Lay
- Isaac Gilman
- Giancarlo Antunes
- Alibek Saurambayev
- Vu Tran
AUGUST
STAFF/FACULTY
- Steven Wilson
- David Wallace
- Clarence Bates
- Jose Rodriguez
CADETS
- Ethan Schroyer
- Sean Hurley
- Aidan McCants
- Trevor Shirk
- Myles Graybill
- Dreylan Creasy
- Oghenetejiri Idudu
- Francisco Solino-Villacampa
- John Parks
- Niv Patel
- Elijah Munoz
- Jayden Ginty
- Sebastian Antoine-Pompey
- Lance Gowans
- Josiah Johnson
- Kieran Meyer
- Thomas Manganiello
- Jihwan Park
- Dalton Davis
- Oliver Hall
- Robert Callahan
- Damien Baize
- Val Kelestyn
- Massimo Swail
- Charles Campbell II
Cadet Leadership Selected for the 2022-2023 School Year
Over the past couple of months, the Commandant’s Department and current senior cadet leadership have been interviewing candidates for next year's billets.
This past Tuesday, the interim nominations were announced to the Corps of Cadets.
"We consider this an interim position, because it is not permanent; these positions will be solidified at the completion of Cadet Leadership Training (CLT) on August 27-28, 2022," said GySgt Charlie Coulter."
Battalion Staff positions and Company Commanders were the only leadership positions selected at this time. Each company will now work with their TAC Officers and other cadets to build the rest of their team.
Below are the cadets that were nominated for their interim positions (this is subject to change, and will likely not be the same at the start of next academic year):
- Battalion Commander: Cadet Grant DeMorro
- Battalion Executive Officer: Cadet Ethan Schroyer
- Battalion Commander Sergeant Major: Cadet Trenton Maxwell
- Battalion S1: Cadet Hunter McDonnell
- Battalion S3: Cadet Kendall Coard
- Battalion S4: Cadet Matthew Vinso
- Battalion S5/S6 & Chaplain: Cadet Jackson Pretus
- Battalion S7: Cadet Jacob Clodfelter
- Alpha Company Commander: Cadet Aiden Bailey
- Bravo Company Commander: Cadet Charles Campbell
- Charlie Company Commander: Cadet William Girod
- Headquarters and Service Company Commander: Cadet Wesley Lay
Congratulations, gentlemen!
This Week's 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 Dalton Davis is a junior and a first-year cadet in Alpha Company. He is a Boarding student from Wilmington, NC. Cadet Davis was a pivotal piece in helping the Commandants Department place the State and Territorial Flags around the circle outside of Hatcher Hall for both Founders Day and Alumni Weekend. He took initiative to make sure the flags were displayed correctly and looked great for both events. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Davis!
Cadet Captain Michael Luce is a senior and fourth-year cadet in Bravo Company. He is a boarding student from Woodford, VA, and is the Company Commander. Cadet Luce set a record for Bravo Company by earning the most company competition points during the academic year. He also recently received a scholarship to the University of North Georgia, where he will be attending in the fall. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Luce!
Cadet Ethan Schroyer is a sophomore and a second-year cadet in Charlie Company. He is a boarding student from Newport News, VA. Due in large part to his leadership efforts, Charlie Company was awarded “Best Overall Company” and “Best Drilled” in the Corp of Cadets this week. In addition, Cadet Schroyer was chosen by his peers and the Commandants Staff to serve as Battalion Executive Officer for the upcoming year. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Schroyer!
Cadet Private Matthew Moore is a junior and fifth-year cadet in Headquarters and Service Company. He is a boarding student from Alexandria, VA. Cadet Moore has been instrumental in the rebirth of the drumline as its own entity this year. This past week, his hard work, dedication, and leadership skills resulted in his selection as the Drum Major for the upcoming academic year. He has already started putting plans in place for his new leadership role. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Moore!
A special Bravo Zulu to our FUMA Moms of all generations—and to those who have the vitally important role of mothers—may God bless and keep you. We honor you and are thankful for you. Happy Mother’s Day! Bravo Zulu, FUMA Moms!
Bravo!
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. The available spaces at our upcoming admissions events have been filling up quickly with our Fairfax, VA admissions events.
Saturday, May 14 -- Admissions Fair in Fairfax, VA
- Meet with our admissions staff at an Admissions Fair on Saturday, May 14th, from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks.
Saturday, June 11 -- Admissions Fair in Fairfax, VA
- Meet with our admissions staff at an Admissions Fair on Saturday, June 11th, from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks.
Saturday, July 9 -- Admissions Fair in Fairfax, VA
- Meet with our admissions staff at an Admissions Fair on Saturday, July 9th, from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks.
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, Dan Thompson, Kate Goad, James Benson, John Warren