On Monday, Aug. 22, the Missouri Military Academy (MMA) Corps of Cadets began their academic classes for the fall 2022 semester. This academic year marks the 134th year educating middle school and high school boys at the Academy.

“Our cadets have a more challenging middle school and high school educational experience than what most typical students do,” said MMA President Richard V. Geraci, Brigadier General, USA (Ret). “They do so in an environment marked by high expectations, structure, self-discipline and accountability. This sets the conditions for their success in the classroom and helps them take command of their lives.“Cadets are challenged to reach their full potential using our military educational model, which supports our 360 degree education.”

MMA anticipates 210 to 230 cadets to be enrolled for the fall 2022 semester by Oct. 1, according to Geraci. This year’s corps currently includes cadets from 27 different states and 10 countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, El Salvador, Mexico, Mongolia, Portugal, Rwanda, Uganda and Vietnam.

Cadets have been at the Academy’s Mexico campus since late July, when more than 70 cadet leaders returned to work with the Commandant of Cadets Colonel Rick Grabowski, USMC (Ret) and his staff to prepare for the upcoming year.

Those cadet leaders participated in an intensive nine-day leadership training course. Prior to the first day of academic classes, all new cadets participated in a week-long familiarization of the Academy’s military educational model. During that time, cadets received their haircuts; were issued uniforms; practiced marching, drill and inspections; began athletic training and practices; and underwent training to learn the expectations, customs and traditions of the Academy.