Commandant Staff Engages in Training to Support Cadet Safety and Success

A CMC Rescue trainer in the feature photo above leads Missouri Military Academy commandant staff in rappelling certification training. During the academic year and summer camps, commandant staff helps MMA cadets and campers learn to rappel on the campus's 40-foot rappel tower.

Missouri Military Academy (MMA) conducted commandant staff training on campus June 5-9 and 12-14, 2023. Conducted each year to educate commandant staff on the best practices for supporting cadets and to provide key safety education and certification, the training emphasized safety, security, leadership, the Academy's mission and history, and the staff's role in implementing MMA's military educational model based on structure, self-discipline, and accountability.

Throughout the year, MMA employs assistance from expert third-party organizations to ensure faculty, staff and coaches receive top training to support cadets. During the June 2023 commandant staff training, those organizations included CMC Rescue, which trains First Responders across the United States, and CenterPointe Hospital of Columbia, whose health professionals led training such as de-escalation techniques and suicide prevention.

MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret), met with the staff to discuss expectations for their successful performance of duties and support of the MMA mission to empower young men to unlock their potential through a program of academic excellence, character and social development, and leadership training within a structured environment.

President Geraci addresses the commandant staff.

President Geraci emphasized that each member of the commandant staff plays a role in supporting cadet success.

"Every employee is a role model for our cadets," Geraci told the group. "You must demonstrate what right looks like in appearance, presence, demeanor, healthy lifestyle, leadership and patience."

He emphasized the importance of the Academy's partnership with parents and the expectation that company leadership advisors (CLAs) contact parents and guardians regularly by phone, email, Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, or WeChat to inform them of cadets' academic and conduct performance and overall health and welfare. He also stressed how CLAs' close, working relationships with coaches and faculty positively impact cadet success. Responsible for overseeing cadet life in the barracks after the academic day and on weekends, CLAs help cadets realize their full potential by working to provide a safe and secure environment, positive health and welfare, mentoring, leadership development, discipline, and accountability. 

In addition to hands-on training and certifications related to supporting cadet life, the commandant's staff received leadership training, including "Concepts of Leadership" course highlights from William Woods University (WWU) professor Scott Zimmerman (learn about MMA's partnership with WWU to offer the College Triumph dual-credit program). They also engaged in a group discussion after watching the video "Why Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek (below).

Additional aspects of the training included the following:

• crisis management
• how to conduct health and welfare checks
• boundary, sexual harassment, and diversity and inclusion training
• uniform, grooming, and room standards for cadets
• how to conduct a formal/informal personnel inspection
• how to conduct a formal/informal room inspection
• behavioral management and tension reduction techniques, plus de-escalation and suicide prevention
• contraband identification and searches.

Commandant COL Rick Grabowski, USMC (Ret), discusses key training points with CLAs.

Select groups of staff members achieved certifications in the following areas to ensure cadets' safe and proper engagement with campus activities:

• first aid
• rappelling (photos below)
• archery 
• marksmanship and air rifle 
• paintball course 
• obstacle course.

Members of the commandant's staff in attendance for the training included CLAs and staff from Ekern Health Center, laundry, the quartermaster, and transportation and security.

President Geraci hosted a social at White Hall, the president's residence, to thank the group for their hard work and dedication. See photos below.