Hargrave Military Academy (HMA) is a private American college preparatory boarding school located in the town of Chatham, Virginia.
Hargrave is a school affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia emphasizing Christian values that focuses on a college and military preparatory program. The school serves boys from around the world for grade 7 through post-graduate (PG).
History
Varsity Soccer vs. Hargrave - Varsity Soccer hosts Hargrave Military Academy.
Hargrave Military Academy was founded in 1909 as the Chatham Training School (CTS). CTS and its predecessor, the Warren Training School, were general training schools for boys. In 1925, it was renamed in honor of one of its founders J. Hunt Hargrave, a well-to-do local farmer. The renaming was part of the school's evolution into a military high school, and is detailed in Colonel Aubrey H. Camden's 1959 book "Fifty Years of Christian Education in a Baptist School: A Historical Record of Hargrave Military Academy:
"In the early twenties, national magazines served as an advertising medium for solicitation of students. Out-of-state inquiries soon convinced the management that Chatham Training School was being interpreted to mean an institution for incorrigibles. It was deemed wise to change the name to Hargrave Military Academy. This change in name served two purposes. First, it corrected a misunderstanding as to the type of clientele desired. Second, it established a permanent memorial to Mr. J. Hunt Hargrave, who sponsored the school with deep convictions, devout faith, and collateral security from 1909 until his death in 1935."
T. Ryland Sanford resigned as President of CTS on February 19, 1918, and recommended to the Board of Trustees that Aubrey H. Camden, then the Dean, be his successor. Camden assumed the position of President on June 1, 1918 and would remain there for more than thirty years.
In response to appeals from patrons and students for military training to be made part of the available academics, a formal government inspection was conducted and H. W. Thomas joined the Hargrave faculty as the first commandant in January 1919. Hargrave has been approved for Junior ROTC (JROTC) numerous times since then, but many in the Hargrave community, most notably the Board of Trustees, feared that the addition of that program would put too much emphasis on military studies and lessen academics. Hargrave has consistently operated independent of JROTC, creating its own uniforms and cadet rank structure.
Hargrave saw a significant rise in interest regarding its military aspects upon the attack on Pearl Harbor and the entry of the United States into the Second World War.
On February 20, 1950, a fire ravaged the Academy, destroying the Old Building, Hargrave Hall, and Founders Hall. Not one cadet or staff member was harmed in the fire, but Sanford Hall alone remained, and at the time that building lacked heat and other accommodations. After an assembly before Colonel Camden in the Sanford Hall auditorium, a two-week vacation was declared. This was to allow time for Hargrave staff to work out a way to continue the regular academic schedule.
Colonel Camden, in his book on the first fifty years of HMA's history, writes:
"This institution was encouraged after the fire by many expressions of confidence in the form of letters, telegrams, and voluntary gifts from friends, patrons, and alumni. These communications came not only from Chatham and Virginia but the North, South, East, West, and abroad... all the hearts and minds of these people were uplifted by the thought that from these ashes would be born a greater Hargrave."
On July 28, 1951, Colonel Joseph H. Cosby succeeded Colonel Aubrey H. Camden as President of HMA. Enrollment was at 214 for his first year as President, consisting of 183 boarding cadets and 31-day cadets.
1951â€"onward
The Camden Rifles, Hargrave's elite drill unit, was formed in 1951, named in honor of Colonel Aubrey H. Camden. The Hargrave yearbook, known as "The Oracle" and "The Talisman" through previous years since its first publication in 1915, was renamed "The Cadence" in 1952.
Many of Hargrave's current buildings were built during Colonel Cosby's time as President. The Walter R. Davis gymnasium was finished in 1961, and both Camden Hall and Cosby Hall were finished in 1963.
The 1970s were highly significant years for Hargrave. Black cadets were admitted to Hargrave for the first time in the summer of 1971 after the Board of Trustees passed a resolution that Hargrave would not consider race, color, or country of origin in its admission or employment policy and Colonel Vernon T. Lankford signed the Civil Rights Agreement.
With enrollment at 586 for the 1970-1971 year, the Hargrave Corps of Cadets was organized into one corps consisting of two battalions. This change did not last long. But while the HMA Corps of Cadets has remained as a single battalion since 1971, its commander is still a cadet colonel. Female cadets were admitted for the first time in the 1975-1976 year, and Geri Lou Huizinga and Lynn Emerson became the first women to graduate from HMA in 1976.
However, the Vietnam War years were not easy for Hargrave. Despite the admission of non-white and female cadets, enrollment dropped, funds became low, and many hard choices had to be made to save money. The school laundry was closed, and the postgraduate program dropped. Enrollment rose again and school finances re-stabilized toward the end of the 1970s.
The General Douglas MacArthur award was presented for the first time in 1981, the first cadet to receive it being Henry A. Haymes. That same year, school officials turned down the request to film on campus by the producers of the movie Taps, after learning of the film's plot and after discovering that producers wanted to erect a wall around the front of the campus. Ten years later, Andrew Ballen (Class of 1991) became the first black battalion commander.
Female enrollment, which had never comprised even half of the Corps of Cadets, was reduced with the closure of the female barracks in the early 2000s, and then the ending of female day cadet enrollment in 2006. Hargrave celebrated as the school turned one hundred years old under the leadership of Colonel Wheeler L. Baker. The 2010 HMA Summer Program had an enrollment of 140 cadets and ran from June 27 to July 24, 2010.
On June 24, 2011, a change-of-command ceremony was held as Colonel Wheeler L. Baker turned over leadership of the school to Brigadier General Doyle Broome, Jr., U.S. Army, the first flag officer to hold the office of President of Hargrave Military Academy. Presiding over the 2011 summer program was Brigadier General Broome's first major act as President of Hargrave. For the next six years, Broome continued to serve as Hargrave's tenth President, until announcing his retirement on May 24, 2017, to take effect May 31, 2017. The search for a new President began immediately after the announcement. Colonel Wheeler L. Baker agreed to return as interim President until a permanent replacement President was found. That occurred in early 2018; a press release dated March 19, 2018, Hargrave's Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Bob White, announced the selection of a new President, Colonel Michael Allen Brown, a U.S. Marine Corps officer preparing to retire from the U.S. Marine Corps after 27 years of service. Colonel Brown is set to take over command of Hargrave on July 1, 2018. Colonel Brown commented, “The Board of Trustees is excited to welcome COL Brown and his family to the Hargrave team. He brings exceptional character and unique leadership skills that will continue to support us in our mission.â€
Organization
Hargrave is governed by a Board of Trustees, many of whom are alumni and community leaders. Also, Hargrave has developed its own charitable foundation to allow philanthropists an opportunity to make gifts to the school.
The school is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and nationally by AdvancEd. The school is a member of the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States and the National Association of Independent Schools.
Presidents of HMA:
- Headmaster Charles R. Warren (1909â€"1911)
- Rev. T. Ryland Sanford (1911â€"1918)
- Col. Aubrey Heyden Camden (1918â€"1951)
- Col. Joseph Hathaway Cosby (1951â€"1970)
- Col. Vernon Thomas Lankford, Sr. (1970â€"1987)
- Col. Michael Bruce Colegrove (1987â€"1989)
- Col. Andrew Wellington Todd (1989â€"1990)
- Col. Thomas Nelson Cunningham (1990â€"1997)
- Col. John W. Ripley, USMC (ret.) (1997â€"1999)
- Dr. Wheeler L. Baker, Col. USMC (ret.) (1999â€"2011)
- BG Doyle Broome, USA (ret.) (2011â€"2017)
- Dr. Wheeler L. Baker, Col. USMC (ret.) (2017-2018)
- Col. Michael Allen Brown, USMC (2018â€"Present)
Education
One of Hargrave Military Academy's four pillars is academic excellence. Both Standard and Advanced High School Diplomas are offered to graduating cadets, as well as dual-enrollment classes through Danville Community College. In addition to the 7-12 grade middle and high school, a one-year postgraduate program is also offered. Eligible students can enroll in a variety of honors and AP classes. Hargrave utilizes an "Enhanced Learning Through Technology" program, providing internet access in every room on campus. Cadets have the ability to work on class material, study, and contact their instructors at any time, from any place on campus.
In 2003, and 2011 Hargrave completed two upgrades to the academic space, including four state-of-the-art laboratory areas, a new art studio, a college lecture-style learning center called the DLC (distance learning center), a leadership center and a greatly expanded video production classroom where cadets produce weekly announcement videos. Also, Hargrave's campus contains a completely refurbished auditorium, featuring the latest in educational video technology, has provided an ideal, modern setting for visiting guest lectures, artists and drama productions.
Cadet technology resources require a personal computer for every student, while Hargrave provides access to Google Drive. An SAT prep program, and a variety of computer-based teaching applications in mathematics, English and psychology are all parts of Hargrave's academic approach.
Hargrave's library contains more than 14,000 reference and book volumes and boasts a powerful computer network. Through the network, Cadets can access 44 reference and research databases online, 19 reference eBooks in the virtual library, access the Atomic Learning Tutor for software programs, and access subject specific learning programs, such as Boxer Math. Hargrave also utilizes Blackboard, a class teaching program.
Honor roll
- President's List
- Cadets with all grades B+ or above to include military grade and classroom performance grade will be on the President's list for that grading period.
- Dean's List
- Cadets obtaining an overall grade point average of a 3.3 and not having any grades below a C to include the military grade and classroom performance grade will be on the Dean's List for that grading period.
- President's Commendation List
- Graduate cadets taking less than six academic courses with a grade point average of 3.3 or above and no grades below a C to include the military and classroom performance grade will be on the President's Commendation List for that grading period.
Colin Powell Center for Leadership & Ethics
Hargrave Military Academy offers a General Colin Powell Center for Leadership & Ethics; that was established to provide Cadets with a challenging, progressive and structured leadership education. Hargrave Cadets are taught to lead in an academic environment and through practical application by applying learned leadership techniques in day-to-day situations. The General Colin Powell Center for Leadership & Ethics, provides Hargrave's Cadets with a stepped approach to leadership.
Cadets are given the opportunity to enroll in a formal Leadership and Ethics Class (a ½ credit class of 18 weeks in length). The curriculum includes an investigation of the foundations of leadership such as Leadership Traits, Leadership Principles, Leadership Styles and Ethical Behavior. During their sophomore year, Cadets begin to assume positions as small unit leaders (squad leaders) which permits practical application of the leadership principles learned in the classroom. Upon completion of this Leadership 1 course, cadets can enroll in Leadership 2, which goes into more detail on the leadership traits, principles, and techniques encouraged by General Colin Powell.
The primary purpose of the General Colin Powell Center for Leadership & Ethics is developing Cadets into leaders that:
- Want to make a difference.
- Are not afraid to promote change.
- Will build a sense of community.
- Will take action when required.
- Have the ability to communicate a vision.
- Understand and seek responsibility.
- Make sound ethical decisions.
Colin Powell Leadership Medal
Cadets who complete the requirements of the Colin Powell Leadership Program may apply for the Colin Powell Leadership Medal; an honor only select Cadets achieve. If they are accepted, Cadets will earn the Colin Powell Leadership Medal, and, upon graduation, a Certificate in Leadership Studies along with their Hargrave Military Academy Diploma.
To be considered for the Colin Powell Leadership Medal, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Successfully complete Leadership I (a C or better is required)
- Hold a leadership position in the corps of cadets for the entire academic year.
- Accumulate 100 leadership points (points are achieved by participating in, or being a part of leadership based activities through the year)
Applicants are disqualified if they are assigned Honor Council tours during the year.
Military
According to their website, "Hargrave's military program is designed to present an environment in which a Cadet may gain a sense of humor, commitment, and fidelity. The daily exposure of a military environment assists Cadets in developing self-discipline, character, ethics, team building, and leadership." Military aspects include the wearing of uniforms, a military-style organization of personnel, ranks, and a chain of command.
The military environment and structure of Hargrave is extended to male teachers and top faculty members, who are given honorary commissioned officer rank if they did not attain O-3 or above in the U.S. Armed Forces. Standard military uniform is the same as the U.S. Army Class A dress blues, the only difference being that staff given officer rank by Hargrave wear U.S. Army ROTC insignia, same as the cadets do, instead of bars, oak leaves, or colonel's wings. All male teachers start as a captain. After 10 years, they are eligible for promotion to major, then lieutenant colonel at 20 and colonel at 30. Female teachers and staff members do not hold military rank unless they were commissioned officers or senior non-commissioned officers in the U.S. Armed Forces. Additionally, if a male member of staff was a E-7 or above in the military, they may keep their enlisted rank and not be addressed or referred to as a commissioned officer.
Uniforms
- Class A uniform is divided into four classes:
- Class A consists of a blouse, gray trousers, white shirt with black tie, dress hat with white cover, black shoes with black socks, belt according to rank, officer's or NCO's sashes, white waist belt, white gloves, sabre for officers. Senior NCO's wear swords.
- Whites is the same as Class A except the blouse is not worn, and only ribbons, President's List, and Dean's List stars may be worn.
- Class B uniform is divided into two classes:
- Class B-I is a long sleeved gray shirt with black tie, dress hat without white cover, and belts according to rank.
- Class B-II is a short sleeve gray shirt with no tie, garrison hat and belts according to rank.
- Chapel Uniform consists of a white shirt with black tie, gray trousers, dress hat with white cover, black shoes with black socks and belts according to rank.
- Class D uniform consists of khaki pants and the black HMA polo shirt.
- ACU uniform consists of the full Army ACU uniform, including the blouse, pants, boots, and cover with a Hargrave issue PT shirt under the blouse.
- Miscellaneous For formal affairs, a black bow tie is worn. The drill team and the Highlander bagpipe unit wear special uniforms. Black jackets and Varsity jackets are also worn by cadets depending on weather.
Companies
The Corps of Cadets consists of a battalion divided into five companies: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Headquarters.
- Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie are where most boarding high school cadets are assigned. Day Students are on Alpha Company. But some Day Students may have positions on other companies.
- Headquarters Company (sometimes referred to as Band Company) consists of two platoons. One holds the Corps Auxiliary Officers, and the other members of the Hargrave Marching Band and Highlanders.
- Delta Company is the middle school company, which includes seventh, eighth, and ninth graders.
Cadets live with their respective companies on assigned barracks. Headquarters is on Barracks 300, Battalion Staff is on Barracks 400, Charlie Company, on Barracks 100 and 200, Alpha company on Barracks 700, and Bravo Company has Barracks 800. Delta Company lives on Barracks 500 and 600. Almost all rooms on the barracks are set up for two cadets to share. Some cadets with leadership positions, such as Battalion or Company Staff, have their own rooms.
Every six weeks grading period, an "Honor Company" is chosen. The honor company is the company with the best overall academic and military performance. For winning, the eat first at mess, and display a streamer on their guidon.
Cadet Rank
The rank structure at Hargrave is similar to that of the United States Army, the only changes being the exclusion of the rank of Specialist and the replacement of Private E-1 with Basic Cadet (BC). New cadets and those who are stripped of their rank have no insignia.
In their freshman year, cadets can achieve up to the rank of Private First Class or even corporal on occasion.
After going to Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) School, cadets can advance to the rank of sergeant. After Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCO) School, cadets can obtain numerous higher NCO ranks. One cadet is appointed to the rank of Command Sergeant Major, serving on Battalion staff as the highest-ranking NCO. Blouse rank is similar to that used at West Point with large yellow and black edged stripes.
Cadet officers
The week before the start of their senior year, cadets have the option of attending Officer Candidate School (OCS), which allows them to obtain commissioned officer ranks. The OCS Completion Ribbon is awarded to those cadets who finish OCS, but like all other ranks, a cadet officer's rank is not permanent and can be revoked.
An officer can hold many leadership positions ranging from auxiliary to Battalion Commander. The corps is run by the cadet officers and is supervised by the military faculty members. From 1970 to 1973, the corps had two Battalion Commanders and a Regimental Commander. When the Corps was recombined into one battalion in 1973, the position of Battalion Commander became the highest leadership position. The Battalion Commander is the commanding officer of the corps. The Battalion XO is the second highest position in the Corps of Cadets whose primary job is to manage the Battalion Staff. The Battalion Staff is responsible for all operations throughout the Corps, despite the fact that they have no authority. The Battalion Adjutant is responsible for all Administrative duties throughout the Corps, Drills and Ceremonies (Color Guard, Camden Rifles, Parades, etc.), Advising the Battalion Commander, Public Relations, Chapel Services, Postal Services, The Library, Information Technology, and choosing the Cadets of the Month and Honor Company. The Battalion S-2 Officer is responsible for the discipline and performance of the Military Police at Hargrave, the responsibility of maintaining a standing guard on post at all times and the upkeep of discipline in the school. The Battalion S-3 Officer is responsible for day-to-day operations ranging from making calls for formations and special events to running the daily schedule. The Battalion S-4 Officer is responsible for all Logistics and Supply duties at Hargrave. He is in charge of the Quartermaster, the mess hall, laundry, and athletics. The S-5 Officer is in charge of Student Activities and Clubs. Company Commanders are the leadership at the Company level. They are responsible for the success and failures of their respective companies, the discipline of their cadets and all together the success of the Corps as well.
Discipline
Any cadet that is caught violating a rule may receive punishment. There are many ways to get a "character report" and the severity of the character report reflects what your punishment will be. For minor things such as not being prepared or not being on time, will most likely result in counseling from the Chain of Command. If the offense is more severe such as fighting or possession of tobacco products, it may result in PT from the TAC Officer or another staff member from the military department. If it is a reoccurring issue with a Cadet, or a very severe case of fighting or possession of tobacco products, the cadet can receive ISS (In-School-Suspension), where he sits in the military office and receive 0's on all of the work that is missed. OSS (Out of-School-Suspension) may also occur, where the cadet is sent home, receives 0's on all work missed, and upon the General's discretion may be dismissed from the Academy.
Honor system
The honor code prohibits cadets from lying, cheating, or stealing. Any cadet that violates, or is accused of violating, any part of the honor code may be sent to the Honor Council which consists of a panel of cadets that are appointed by school officials, where, if found guilty, may be sentenced to punishment based on the severity of the incident. Punishment usually comes in the form of Honor Council tours and a letter of apology.
Awards
- Superior Performance
- Is the highest award a cadet at Hargrave can receive. The award is given annually at an awards ceremony towards the end of every school year. It is traditionally given to the Cadet of the year; who is chosen based upon very subjective criteria.
- Gen. Douglas MacArthur Award
- The General Douglas MacArthur Foundation presents the MacArthur Cadet Awards in recognition of outstanding cadets within the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States. The MacArthur Award is presented annually to seniors at these military schools. The award is designed to encourage cadets to emulate the leadership qualities shown by General Douglas MacArthur, as a student at West Texas Military Institute and the U.S. Military Academy. Approximately 40 schools are authorized to provide the award to its top cadet each year.
- Cadet of the Month
- Every month an award is given to a Cadet from each company that displays good conduct.
- Cadet of the Six Weeks
- The Cadet Chain of Command selects one of the Cadets of the month to honor as Cadet of the six weeks.
- Cadet of the Semester
- There are three six weeks per semester. When the Cadet earns the award of Cadet of the six weeks, he is in the running for Cadet of the semester.
Clubs and organizations
There are several clubs and organizations that cadets can participate in while attending Hargrave, including, and not limited to: Boy Scouts, Latin Club, Camden Rifles, Chorus, Band, and Beta Club.
Notable alumni
- Branden Albert â€" National Football League player for the Miami Dolphins
- Joe Alexander â€" American-Israeli basketball player who plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Jeff Allen - basketball player for Hapoel Be'er Sheva of the Liga Leumit
- Andrew Ballen (1991) â€" A&R executive, entrepreneur and TV personality in mainland China
- Armon Bassett - basketball player with Ironi Ramat Gan of Israel
- Curtis Brinkley NFL player
- Ahmad Brooks â€" NFL player for the San Francisco 49ers
- Larry Brown (1959) â€" National Basketball Association coach and Former head coach of the SMU Mustangs
- Zach Brown â€" NFL player for the Buffalo Bills
- Martavis Bryant â€" NFL wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Ward Burton (1982) â€" NASCAR driver
- Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell IV (1972) â€" former commander of United States Army North (5th Army)
- Quinton Coples NFL player for the New York Jets
- Jordan Crawford (2007) â€" basketball player who for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants
- Walter Davis (1938) â€" former CEO of Occidental Petroleum
- Jared Gaither â€" NFL player who last played for the San Diego Chargers
- Laurence Gibson (2008) â€" NFL player
- Sloan D. Gibson (1971) â€" U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs
- Charles Grant (2002) â€" NFL defensive end
- Torry Holt (1995) â€" NFL player, 7-time Pro Bowler and a member of the Super Bowl XXXIV champion St. Louis Rams
- Josh Howard (1999) â€" basketball player who last played for the Austin Toros
- Walter B. Jones (1961) â€" U.S. Congressman
- Brandon Lang â€" football player who last played for the Ottawa Redblacks
- Jon Nunnally (1990) â€" Major League Baseball player
- Solomon Page (1995) â€" NFL player
- Terry Rozier (2013) - NBA player for Boston Celtics
- Taylor Sanford (1925) â€" head coach of 1955 College World Series champion Wake Forest
- Marreese Speights (2007) â€" NBA player for Golden State Warriors
- Jyles Tucker (2003) â€" NFL player
- DJ Ware â€" NFL player who last played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- David West (1999) â€" professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors.
- James White (2001) â€" Basketball player who currently plays for UNICS Kazan
- Muhammad Wilkerson NFL player for the New York Jets
- Korleone Young (1998) â€" professional basketball player.
- PJ Hairston, last played for Memphis Grizzlies.
Notable attendees
- Stephen Wallace (2000â€"2001) â€" NASCAR driver
- Montrezl Harrell - NBA player for Los Angeles Clippers
- Jarran Reed - NFL defensive tackle for Seattle Seahawks
- Evan Marriott
- Tarell Basham - NFL defensive end for Indianapolis Colts
- Shaq Lawson - NFL defensive end for Buffalo Bills
- Leonard Floyd - NFL linebacker for Chicago Bears
- Cordrea Tankersley - NFL cornerback for Miami Dolphins
- Mike Tyson - NFL cornerback for Seattle Seahawks
- Lee Weiss - (2004-2006) Founder and frontman of Save The Lost Boys - Victory Records , Chicago, IL
Further reading
- Fifty Years of Christian Education In a Baptist School: A Historial Record of Hargrave Military Academy 1909-1959, 1959, by COL Aubrey H. Camden
- From Ashes to Excellence 1950-1970, 1984, by COL Joseph H. Cosby
- Years of Change; Years of Growth: A History of Hargrave Military Academy 1970-2003, 2004, by Mary M. Tallent
References
External links
- Hargrave Military Academy