A Home Away From Home

Cadet Life

The Academy's student body is organized as a Corps of Cadets and is divided into five companies: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Echo. Our cadets are expected to conduct themselves with kindness and respect. This expectation is reinforced and clarified in our mandatory Christian chapel services and student assemblies held during the week and on Sunday mornings.
Leadership. Integrity. Teamwork.

Cadets On a Mission

At Fork Union Military Academy, our cadets are expected to tuck in their shirts, to say “Yes, sir” and “No, ma’am”, to stand when a lady enters, and to open doors for others. Our cadets learn to look others in the eye, address others with respect, and speak with confidence. Our cadets are taught to “sweep in the corners”—that is, they are expected to pay attention to detail, to be accountable for their actions, and to set high standards for themselves and others.

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Students having funStudents Praying
A Battalion of Brothers

Our Cadets are Bound Together by Brotherhood

Our cadets are bound together by bonds of understanding and friendship that are built on things that are real, strong, and true. Our cadets simply call it a brotherhood.

  • Cadet officers provide leadership within the Cadet Corps.
  • Each company has a Company Commander and a few other cadet officers who assist him.
  • The companies are divided into platoons of perhaps ten or twenty cadets with their own platoon leaders.
  • These platoons are then further divided into squads of a few cadets that are led by a squad leader.
  • The five companies of the Corps of Cadets together form a battalion. A Battalion Staff comprised of the Corps' top cadets lead the battalion, headed by the Battalion Commander, who is the highest-ranking cadets in the Corps of Cadets.

Cadets typically share a rather Spartan room where they study, relax, and sleep. For many, this is the first time they have been away from home for an extended period or had to share a bedroom. Our regular operations of class, physical activities, military training, and study establish a routine that varies little from day to day. 

Cadets are responsible for cleaning their room, shining their shoes, and taking care of their clothes and personal belongings. In this lifestyle, our cadets learn self-discipline, organization, and responsibility. 

Every cadet participates in military drill training that helps them learn teamwork and cooperation. Great emphasis is placed on visibly rewarding personal accomplishments. However, clear punishments, usually in the form of demerits and loss of privileges, follow if cadets fail to do what is expected of them. Cadets who receive demerits are required to perform Extra Duty (ED), which usually means marching during what would otherwise be their free time.

What Our Cadets Say

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Our Core Values

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Respect

We respect ourselves, others, and the resources around us. We treat each other with fairness, dignity, and compassion. This creates trust, confidence, learning, and high performance. We value diversity and encourage individual opportunity, growth, and creativity. We are a team.
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Integrity

Integrity is synonymous with truth and honesty. We mean what we say, and say what we mean. When we make a promise, we do so in the presence of God. We always tell the truth and are people of our word.
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Faith

Faith means to have complete trust. We acknowledge that God provides opportunities for us to have a positive impact on the world. We know we are on this Earth to serve Him. The world revolves around God; it does not revolve around any one of us. We focus on serving others.
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Character

Reputation is defined by our character. We live lives guided by our conscience, and directed by respect, integrity, and Christian values. We demonstrate our character every day, and always strive to do what is right. We support others as they do the same. We reflect our God.
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Discipline

We create positive habits of thought, speech, and action through deliberate practice. We maintain high standards. Learning discipline allows us to improve, achieve our goals, cooperate with others, and thrive in adversity. Freedom comes through discipline.
Educating, Developing, and Inspiring Young Men
Body. Mind. 
Spirit.

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