Fishburne Military School Concludes Training Detail
By Cadet Daniel May ’15, Battalion S-5
Fishburne Military School Training Detail polishes up their skills prior to start of school year.
While most High School students were lazily finishing up their summers, the cadets at Fishburne Military School were already hard at work. The Caissons’ Football, Soccer, and Cross Country athletes reported back to campus on Friday, August 15th, to start training for the fall season. In addition to these athletes, Cadets in consideration for leadership positions were invited to “Training Detail” week.
The week-long training session began on Friday with the Cadets moving in. Other than sports practices, the night was mostly about unpacking, catching up with friends and getting ready for the busy week ahead. Saturday morning consisted of a “methods of instruction class” as well as sports practices. In the afternoon Cadets received a lesson from Master Sergeant Morton on teaching RATS the proper way to march, salute, and stand at attention. Senior Army Instructor, LTC Robert Hunt USA(RET), also gave a lesson on leadership methods in a classroom setting. Overall, it proved to be a very productive day and a great start to the new year.
The following Sunday started out like any other week day for the Cadets as reveille came bright and early at 600 hours. Once the Cadets were lined up in formation, they marched over to the gym where they would take part in the Cadet Challenge, an evaluation of the Cadets’ physical fitness levels. The Challenge included a one mile run, sit and reach, pull-ups, sit-ups, and the shuttle run. Needless to say, it challenged the Cadets’ mental and physical conditioning. Brunch was served at 1000 hours and then the
Fishburne Military School Superintendent delivers a lecture to Training Detail.
work started again as Master Sergeant (MSG) Morton drilled the aspiring leaders in marching and close-order drill. The rust began to fall away and Cadets showed improvement from the previous day, marching smoothly in-sync . After about an hour of Drill and Ceremony, the Cadets marched to the Chapel for a discussion and class on the importance of good counseling, given by MSG Morton. 1st Sergeant Hensley then gave an informative presentation on ways to effectively communicate with subordinates.
Monday started out with sports practice from 0800 – 1000 hours, after which the Cadets went right back to leadership training. After an hour and half drilling session by MSG Morton, the Cadets were given thirty minutes to ready their class B uniforms for inspection. After Lunch the Cadets’ uniforms were inspected and the Cadets then received a lecture from FMS Superintendent, Colonel Gary Morrison (VA) on the impact that Cadet Leaders have on the Corps’ morale. The Commandant of Cadets, Colonel Alec Gunn (VA), followed Morrison with an informative presentation on the regulation book. Immediately following these presentations, the Cadets were taken through another hour of drill practice. Needless to say, the Cadets at leadership training week worked hard to make this year one to remember.
Tuesday was packed with informative seminar-style classes on academic strategies as well as rules and regulation. Following these classes, the cadets moved on to practice
Fishburne Training Detail Hits the Ropes at Virginia Military Insititute
armed drill in the gym.
At 0700 hours on Wednesday the Cadet leaders of FMS embarked on an exciting adventure to the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). After about an hour bus ride to Lexington, VA, the boys arrived at the VMI obstacle course. Although the Cadets have also been training for fall sports this week, the obstacle course would provide a unique challenge, demanding that the Cadets used a variety of skills to complete the course. A number of Cadets excelled on the course using little effort, however there were also a few Cadets who were not as physically gifted; instead of being ridiculing them for their weakness (as you may expect from high-school boys), the stronger cadets rallied around them, cheering, coaching and helping them on to complete the tasks. It was not easy; but, with the help of their fellow cadets, all Caissons were able to make it successfully through the obstacle course. The day was a true team-building experience and brought the cadets even closer together.
Having completed the requirements of TD, the Cadet Leaders anxiously awaited their assignments for the coming year. Finally, on Thursday, following a presentation entitled “The History and Heritage of Fishburne Military School” by President Emeritus of the F-HEF, Inc, JB Yount II, Esq., Fishburne Class of 1954, LTC Hunt began to call Cadets “front and center”..
When all was said and done, the following Cadets had risen to the top of their TD class:
Fishburne Military School’s Battalion Commander, Cadet Curt Rowell, and his Company Commanders
Battalion Commander — Cadet William C. Rowell (Chesapeake, VA)
Battalion Executive Officer — Cadet Logan Amico (Pittsgrove, NJ)
Alpha Co. Commander – Cadet Diego Dura Ballester (Spain)
Bravo Co. Commander – Cadet Blake Justen (Mentor, OH)
Charlie Co. Commander – Cadet Elijah Benito (Deale, MD)
Band Co. Commander – Cadet Noah Combs (Woodbridge, VA)
Congratulations to all and best wishes for another great year at FMS!
Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. Boasting a 100% college-acceptance rate for the past 10 consecutive years, FMS has also been designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command. For more information visit www.fishburne.org.
