Fishburne Shines in Regional Formal Inspection
Virginia Military Schools Come Together for Annual Inspection
Cadet Benjamin Weaver ’20 (Stuarts Draft, VA) stands inspection for team from VMI
Waynesboro, VA — All Army JROTC Units, including military schools, are required to undergo regular inspections in order to earn and maintain their status within US Army Cadet Command. On Wednesday, an inspection party from the Virginia Military Institute paid a visit to Fishburne Military School in order to conduct FMS’ annual Regional Formal Inspection (RFI). Four senior-ranking VMI Cadets along with Sergeant First Class Bean from the VMI Commandant’s Staff conducted this year’s RFI and, as expected, Fishburne Military School passed with flying colors to maintain their Honor Unit with Distinction rating.
The RFI began with Cadet Staff Officers giving a formal briefing about the state and health of JROTC at Fishburne Military School. Each FMS Cadet Staff Officer gave a brief presentation regarding their areas of responsibility and updated the inspection team on recent FMS achievements and areas of focus.
The inspection team then conducted a formal, in-ranks inspection of the entire FMS Battalion in their full parade uniforms; each inspecting officer stopping to quiz cadets on JROTC history and values while grading them on appearance and bearing. For nearly an hour, the Corps of Cadets stood in their company formations as the inspectors methodically worked their way through the Battalion.
The Fishburne Military School Color Guard was personally inspected by SFC Bean (VMI Commandant’s Office).
Following the in-ranks inspection, the Fishburne Miltiary School Corps of Cadets then marched in review on Anderson Field for their distinguished guests.
For this particular Review Parade, the Corps added and extra surprise: each company, in turn, performed a 15-count manual of arms drill, moving progressively and in unison through right-shoulder arms, left-shoulder arms, present arms, port arms and back to a position of attention. This maneuver, in particular, earned an enthusiastic round of applause from the reviewing stand.
In addressing the FMS Corps, SFC Bean praised the Cadets for their appearance and their precision on parade. He encouraged the Corps to continue their hard work and studies while noting that any cadet wishing to continue their military science studies had already established a solid foundation at FMS and was encouraged to apply to attend the Virginia Military Institute.
The day’s events concluded with a special performance from the Hudgins Rifles (Exhibition Drill Team).
Full photo gallery HERE
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. FMS is 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.
