Cadet Gage Blanton, Class of ’23, Awarded 4-Year Army ROTC Scholarship

Cadet Gage Blanton, a Missouri Military Academy high school senior from Newburg, Missouri, has been awarded a four-year U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) scholarship to the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU). He is also the recipient of a merit scholarship from MU, totaling his scholarship funds to $102,820.

Beyond his activities as vice president for the MMA Delta Phi Honor Society and National Honor Society, Cadet Blanton has led the JROTC Raiders team and the Armed Fusileer Drill Team, who recently won a national championship at the Rocky Mountain Drill Classic National Championship in Denver, CO.

“MMA has taught me time management and prioritizing skills. I had to acquire these skills in a quick fashion during my MMA recruit phase because I suddenly had so many responsibilities to handle at once,” Blanton says. “Overall, the MMA experience has developed me into a better leader, gentleman, and brother.”

Standing, left, Blanton and his fellow cadet leaders participate in a briefing with the JROTC 3rd Brigade for the 2023 JROTC JPA inspection.

Blanton says that, through his participation in MMA’s JROTC, he has learned how to manage and organize a team while deepening his belief in the importance of teamwork. Additionally, he credits his participation on the Fusileer drill team — with frequent and rigorous drill practices — for strengthening his discipline-oriented mindset.

Blanton plans to study psychology and minor in military science at MU and aspires to receive an active-duty commission in the U.S. Army after he completes college.

An MMA tradition since 1917, the Army JROTC program is intentionally woven throughout the entire MMA cadet experience. JROTC is available for all cadets at MMA, and everyone will be introduced to the curriculum starting as early as 8th grade. Learn more about MMA's JROTC in the Eagle magazine.