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Front & Center News from Fork Union Military Academy – October 20, 2023

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Learn what's happening on the campus of Fork Union Military Academy by subscribing to Front & Center. You'll receive regular updates on the news, special events, and success stories from our Corps of Cadets, conveniently delivered to your inbox for easy viewing on your computer, tablet, or mobile phone.

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Kristin Firewicz Studios is our authorized vendor to provide custom cadet portrait services. If you are looking to get some outstanding custom portraits of your cadet, just contact Kristin Firewicz. Make sure you take advantage of the Autumn colors! Learn more at: https://kristinfirewiczstudios.com/fuma

Stories in this issue:

  • 125th Celebration/Day of Giving
  • Get to Know Our Teachers Segment
  • Save the Date: Parent's Day/Weekend Leave
  • This Week's College Acceptances
  • The Conductor's Corner
  • Bravo Zulu Awards Update
  • Upcoming Admissions Events
  • Do you want to be a part of our Cadet Corps?

125 Years of FUMA!

This past weekend was Fork Union Military Academy's 125th Founder's Day, which is also our annual Day of Giving. It was such a wonderful weekend, filled with an amazing showing of alumni and supporters, and a tidal wave of giving!

Get to Know Our TACs:

PO2 Marshall Smith

Petty Officer Smith enters his first year at the Academy. He is a day and weekend TAC. He is also the sponsor for the SCUBA Club, and will be an assistant coach for the wrestling team!

Let's get to know PO2 Smith!

What brought you to Fork Union Military Academy?

The Military, and Christian environment was the determining factor in coming to FUMA. I believe that this academy is truly developing future leaders of America and I wanted to be a part of that.

What made you want to become a TAC?

I vecame a TAC officer here at FUMA because it truly brings all of my skills, abilities, and needs together into one career. This opportunity allows me to use my experience from the military, The Citadel, firefighting, and education into one career. I get to come to work every day and pass on the knowledge I have gained to our cadets to make them better leaders and men of GOD.

What is your favorite thing about being a TAC?

Every day I get to come in and have a positive impact on the future of our country. I have the chance to develop the cadets into the leaders that will one day lead our nation. I get to demonstrate to our cadets how a man should live a Christ-filled life.

What makes Fork Union special to you?

FUMA is special because it creates an environment where our students can not only learn but practice leadership skills that will carry them through life. The bonds that they create here will last a lifetime and that is an experience they will not get at a public school.

What other responsibilities do you have a FUMA besides being a TAC officer?

Other than being a TAC, I am one of the assistant wrestling coaches, I help out with the Retan Rifles, and I am the sponsor of the SCUBA club.

What is one thing the cadets would be surprised to learn about you?

I was a Sea Cadet when I was in High School and earned the Rank of Chief Petty Officer..

Welcome to the Academy, PO2 Smith!

Join Us for Parent's Day!

The Academy's annual Parent's Day Weekend is here! Please join us for an afternoon of festivities, prior to having a three-day weekend with your cadet, Today, Friday, October 20, 2023.

Below you will find the schedule of events:

Friday, October 20, 2023

  • 1:00 PM | Parents arrive on campus
  • 1:00 to 2:30 PM | Meet & Greet for Parents & Teachers in Dining Hall
  • 2:30 PM | Parent's Day Parade
  • 3:00 PM | Cadets eligible for leave

Monday, October 23 is not a class day. All cadets who depart campus are required to return by 7:00 PM Monday evening.

This Week's College Acceptances

It's that time of year again when our seniors get the exciting news of college acceptances!

Our goal each year is that 100% of our seniors gain college acceptance. Each year, our seniors work hard with the College Placement and Academic Services team under the leadership of the department's Director, Kelsey Hill, and the Assistant Director, Dr. James Benson.

Check out this week's acceptances!

The Conductor's Corner

Welcome to the Fork Union Military Academy Band’s weekly update! We have a lot that we are doing this year and a lot of extremely motivated students. Every two weeks, the Academy's Band Public Affairs Officer will be writing a short update on how things are going in the band, do individual spotlights or group spotlights. Keep an eye out in the Front & Center for the Conductor’s Corner to see what the band is doing from the cadets’ perspective.

So without further ado, here are the words from our Public Affairs Officer, Cadet Second Lieutenant Niv Patel.

The 125th has come and gone! Throughout the weekend, we put on our first ever field show, performed a concert in our Chapel, played at the pep rally, and marched in the change of command ceremony. Our parents, alumni, and visitors who have supported the academy came and were able to see everything we have become and we impressed everyone.

Now we have to shift our focus to prepare for our Christmas events. We have plenty of Christmas music that Petty Officer Warren has given us and now we just have to continue to practice. Our music may shift, but the work and focus we have to maintain doesn't change. One event may be over, but now it is on to the next!

This Week's Bravo Zulu Award Update

Going forward Bravo Zulu's will be handed out to each company and a staff member once per term; the Fork Union Military Faculty and Staff will 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.

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 Events on campus and in various cities and regions throughout the year.

Monday, November 13 | Admissions Open House on Campus

  • Come visit our beautiful campus and learn about Fork Union Military Academy! You will be able to go on a cadet-led tour of our campus, participate in an information session to learn more about the Academy, speak directly with members of our admissions team to get answers to all of your questions, and enjoy lunch in our dining facility. Registration to this event is required. Open Houses are from 8:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Monday, February 19 | Admissions Open House on Campus

  • Come visit our beautiful campus and learn about Fork Union Military Academy! You will be able to go on a cadet-led tour of our campus, participate in an information session to learn more about the Academy, speak directly with members of our admissions team to get answers to all of your questions, and enjoy lunch in our dining facility. Registration to this event is required. Open Houses are from 8:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

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.