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| The
Marine Corps Association |
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 For all who have earned and worn the eagle, globe, and anchor, the Marine
Corps Association is
the professional organization for all Marines -- active duty, Reserve,
retired, and Marine veterans.
The MCA understands and identifies with the sacrifices made and the
services rendered as a
Marine to this great country. We strive to keep our members informed of
developments and future
plans, while emphasizing the rich history of the Marine Corps and keeping
everyone abreast of
current operations.
The association achieves these goals primarily through
our flagship
publications, Leatherneck magazine and the Marine Corps Gazette. These two
great publications
foster the spirit and traditions of our Corps. Search the magazine
archives back to their very first issue
at http://www.mca-marines.org/. Demonstrate your commitment to the Marine
Corps and join the
professional association for all Marines today. Join, subscribe or
give-a-gift now through
December 31st, and receive 15 issues for the price of 12 on your first year
(please reference key code NIMCOM04). Semper Fidelis!
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Story and photo by Thomas D. Segel
The MMA president, retired MajGen Wayne E.
Rollings (far left), frequently reviews the well-attended cadet
parades. His 39 years of active duty, both as an officer and enlisted
Marine, prepared him for developing the leaders of tomorrow who
pass through MMA.
"His picture has looked down at me from above every desk I have
ever owned. He stares at me as if saying, 'Get back to work, C.
J.' " This is how C. J. Johnson recalls his drill instructor, the
late Sergeant Major Harvey Gilmore. "My main adult male role model
was and remains the sergeant major. He taught me character. He taught
me leadership. He taught me to follow through with what I say and
what I do. Much of who and what I am as an adult is because of him."
Most Marines
have the picture of their drill instructor strongly imprinted on
their minds. This recollection was formed following about three
months of daily contact. How much stronger would that imprint be
if the three months had been three years? Those years and the DI's
lessons are what Johnson remembers most about his time as a cadet
at the Marine Military Academy (MMA).
Twenty-two years have passed since C.
J. Johnson's time as the cadet commanding officer of "Delta" Company.
He graduated with the rank of major in 1982. The son of a single
mother went on to complete college, write six books on marketing
and magic, start four businesses and entertain as a performer on
both stage and television.
The academy Johnson and his fellow cadets
entered was a far cry from the modern facilities of today's only
Marine-oriented college-preparatory school. What were then the remains
of an old military base have grown into an impressive physical plant.
The hot Texas sun is unrelenting as it
beats down on red tiled roofs of the Marine Military Academy in
Harlingen. Even the structures seem to radiate in the heat. But
the picture is not complete until you take in the green grass, the
tropical vegetation and the imposing sight of an Iwo Jima Memorial,
which dominates the gateway to the facility.
Those who wear the forest-green uniform
are keenly aware there is only one United States Marine Corps, and
there is none like it—anywhere. There also is only one Marine Military
Academy. No other military school in the world comes close to meeting
the image it projects.
As one scans the ranks of this 360-member
Corps of Cadets, it is worth recalling those who first wore this
modified Marine Corps uniform as members of the Junior Reserve Officers'
Training Corps. On that first day in September 1965 there were only
58 cadets who arrived on a campus carved from the remains of a former
World War II Army Air Corps and later an Air Force base. That first
contingent was the beginning of what would grow to more than 2,000
living alumni today, and it all came because of the dream of a single
Marine.
MMA owes its creation to the dedication
and persistence of Captain William A. Gary, USMCR (Ret), a Prescott,
Ariz., rancher and businessman. Gary had attended a military-oriented
school as a boy. He felt it had been so beneficial to him that it
also would be valuable to his own son.
He wanted the school to base its teaching
and training on Marine Corps tradition. He conducted a nationwide
search, but found no such school. With that discovery, an idea that
grew into a vision formed.
In the beginning Bill Gary thought such
a school would be attractive to those who had served in the Marine
Corps. He knew that "Semper Fidelis" was not a meaningless Latin
phrase to Marines and that they would be supportive of a school.
"I felt the Marine concept would be attractive to former Marines
all over the nation," he recalled, "and I felt the format would
enable a person to solicit financial support from former Marines
and people interested in the Corps nationwide to help in setting
up the academy."
The first person recruited to his cause
was retired Marine Corps General E. A. Pollock. Gen Pollock was
named president and the school's first superintendent. Together
Gen Pollock and Capt Gary visited Gen David M. Shoup, Commandant
of the Marine Corps. The 22nd Commandant voiced strong interest
in the establishment of such a school. He stated that he could not
give it an official endorsement, but would offer his unofficial
support. Gen Shoup informed Gary that the school could not be named
the Marine Corps Military Academy. "But," said Gary, "with the name
Marine Military Academy, people would automatically think of the
Marine Corps. That is what we want them to do."
For 18 months following Gen Shoup's unofficial
endorsement, the captain and Gen Pollock devoted themselves to fund-raising
and seeking support from Marines and Marine organizations. The search
for financial support and a school site led them to a small town
in South Texas and the birth of the Marine Military Academy.
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Thirty-nine years later, the school's
president, Major General Wayne E. Rollings, USMC (Ret), watches
over a campus that has grown from its original 94 to 142 acres.
Where cadets once trained for athletic competition on tropical grass,
students now enjoy a series of playing fields, an obstacle course,
COPE (Challenging Opportunities for Personal Enhancement) Course,
leadership course, paintball course, rappelling tower, rock-climbing
wall, swimming pool, soccer field and tennis courts. Bowman Stadium,
named in honor of the late MajGen George S. Bowman Jr., who served
both as the academy's superintendent and vice president on its Board
of Trustees, has a press box, snack bar and spectator bleachers.
An AAU-certified track circles the football complex.
Gone, too, are the former military buildings.
In their place stand the Cadet Activities Center, a modern mess
hall, a 1,000-seat auditorium and a 14,500-square-foot library.
There is an athletic center with weight room and basketball and
racquetball courts. There is also an indoor rifle range. Business
is conducted from a new administration building, and the 39,000-square-foot
Coleman Hall houses academic offices, the military department, a
college-placement office, SAT prep room, post exchange and classrooms.
Two nearby academic buildings make up the balance of the classroom
space. There is also a 24,000-square-foot cadet services center,
which houses a tailor shop, barber shop, clothing issue and military
equipment. All were built with private funds.
The primary thrust of MMA is academic
excellence, and according to Charity Munoz, a seventh-year mathematics
teacher, the school is meeting its objective. Most graduates seeking
higher education can attend the college or university of their choice.
Munoz, a former naval Reserve officer, teaches algebra, pre-calculus
and calculus. She is pleased that MMA requires all students to complete
four years of mathematics. "I also enjoy teaching in a disciplined
environment," she said. "The teacher-student ratio is great too.
I usually have about 12 cadets per class."
(continued)
© 2004 Leatherneck Magazine. All rights reserved.
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