Cadets Give Back to Local Veterans During Cadre Leadership Camp 2026

Approximately 70 Missouri Military Academy cadets spent Tuesday, Aug. 4, serving the local community through a volunteer project at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mexico as part of Cadre Leadership Camp 2026.

Returning and emerging cadet leaders, representing both middle and high school grades, dedicated the afternoon to improving the Veterans Home grounds by power washing, painting, assembling outdoor furniture, trimming landscaping, and completing other beautification projects.

"It means a lot because we are personally helping the people who have done a lot for this country," said Cadet Battalion Commander Emiliano Martinez, a high school senior from Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

The service project is one component of Cadre Leadership Camp, a week-long leadership development program that prepares cadets for the responsibilities of leading the corps of cadets throughout the upcoming school year. Cadets participating in Cadre Leadership Camp returned to campus Saturday, Aug. 1, to participate in leadership instruction, military training, physical fitness, mentoring and activities designed to reinforce Academy standards and expectations.

"Part of being a leader means serving others," said Commandant Colonel Tim Baer, USA (Ret). "One of the reasons we decided to do a community service project during Cadre Leadership Camp is so that our cadets have an opportunity to give back to our community and our veterans."

Cadre Leadership Camp helps prepare returning and emerging leaders to serve as role models, mentor younger cadets and lead by example throughout the school year. The week concludes with cadets welcoming incoming students during New Cadet Registration, putting their leadership training into practice from the moment the academic year begins.

The community service project reflects Missouri Military Academy's commitment to developing young men of character through leadership, responsibility and service to others.

Watch this highlight video with Cadet Battalion Commander Emiliano Martinez and Commandant Baer.