Sergeant Major Throws Down the Gauntlet

Fishburne Military School’s New Fencing Club Is Gaining Traction

Battalion Sergeant Major Brian Draper (Washington, DC) is a young man dedicated to tradition. He takes great pains to explain the importance of tradition and history to rest of the Corps of Cadets at Fishburne Military School. He has studied school traditions and military traditions. Throughout his cadetship, if an old, school tradition (such as the Cotillion Club or formally presenting the school colors to a new Superintendent) has been revived at FMS, you can be certain that Draper was closely involved or leading the charge.

Now, he has turned his eye to the traditional sport of Fencing.

With the help of faculty advisor, Col Joe Mitchell USAF(ret), Draper has coordinated to bring instructors from Charlottesville Fencing Alliance to Fishburne’s campus to teach the newly formed FMS Fencing Club the finer points of this ancient sport. Draper has high hopes that the 10-15 Cadets currently participating in the club will carry the group forward and into more organized competitions. “I would like this to be a competitive sport where our cadets can compete in a conference [and earn Varsity letters],” he notes in regards to the club’s future.

And, according to Draper, that kind of competitive conference may be closer than many think. “We were the first military school to reinstate fencing, but I just received word that Fork Union is now racing to catch up.” he smiles.

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.