How the Crucible Builds Resilience, Confidence, and Brotherhood in MMA Cadets

On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, new Missouri Military Academy (MMA) cadets who have met qualifying standards will participate in the Crucible, one of MMA’s most significant rites of passage.

"Completing the Crucible is a significant milestone in the growth and development of each of our cadets," says MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret). "It is an experience that emphasizes the importance of teamwork, perseverance and achieving personal goals.”

About the Crucible

The Crucible is a capstone experience for new cadets at MMA who have completed their Maroon Phase and handbook training. Designed to encourage collaboration, discipline, and perseverance, it marks the middle school or high school recruit's transition to a full member of the corps. 

“The Crucible is a positive, confidence-building experience designed to strengthen teamwork, resilience, and the sense of brotherhood that unites MMA cadets,” said Commandant COL Tom Pickle, USA (Ret). “It instills valuable life lessons meaningfully—through personal experience.”

Physically engaging, the Crucible fosters a deep connection among cadets as they work together to problem-solve and complete various challenging tasks.

"My Crucible was incredibly fun, but it was difficult to keep our group cohesive. It was great because we could overcome all sorts of obstacles on the back campus,” said Cadet Mason Brooks, a senior from Henrietta, Texas. Cadet Brooks has since risen to the highest cadet rank at MMA as battalion commander, demonstrating that he has sharpened his skill set in leadership and group cohesion.

“It taught me to stay committed to my team, as every member is valuable. Stay persistent and encourage those around you to do their best—you can’t complete the Crucible on your own,” Brooks said.

Since his Crucible experience in 2021, Brooks has thrived at MMA. Click here to watch a video interview with Cadet Brooks, where he shares his view of MMA.

Fall 2024 Crucible Challenges

This year’s Crucible will include the following activities…

Physical Training (PT) Test. This PT Test will include push-ups, sit-ups and a one-mile run.

A Long March. Cadets will hike six miles across MMA’s back campus with two ammunition cans and a stretcher. They will carry one cadet on a stretcher for the remaining miles at the halfway mark of the hike. The act is one of heavy symbolism, signifying that they will never leave an MMA brother behind.

"I was in 7th grade when I completed my Crucible, so most of the things I did were very difficult for me. But I enjoyed being carried on the stretcher during the hike,” recalled Band Company First Sergeant Miles Matthews, a high school senior from Fairfield Bay, Arkansas. “The Crucible is important not just as a rite of passage but also as a way to prove that you can work with your brothers as a team and push yourselves through a rigorous physical trial. Help out your brothers—leave no one behind."

Obstacle Course. Each team must navigate obstacles on the back-campus endurance course, ensuring every cadet completes each challenge. The endurance course leads directly into the Bunker Assault Course, further pushing their perceived limits.

Paintball Battle. On Flanagan Field, cadets participate in a paintball battle. This exercise demonstrates their knowledge of small unit tactics and their ability to work together as a team.

Rope Run & Marine Combat Fitness Test (CFT). Very similar to the Marine Corps CFT, this exercise consists of an ammo can lift and a shuttle run.

"My Crucible was very fun. The hardest part for me was the Marine Combat Fitness Test, but I enjoyed working with great leaders and a great group,” said Morale & Activities Assistant Deonte Kerns, a junior from Lincoln, Nebraska, recalling his Crucible experience. “We had fun and focused on lifting each other up.”

Water Challenges. During the boat run and river-crossing exercise in MMA’s indoor swimming pool, cadets must load their gear into a boat and swim the length of the pool twice while pulling the boat behind them.

“The pool was refreshing,” said Battalion Executive Officer Khuslen Turmunkh, a high school senior from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, recalling his Crucible experience. “It was a challenging event, but I learned how to stay on task and accomplish the mission."

Fostering Brotherhood & Teamwork

While the Crucible is graded – and those who fail do have to re-take it – the primary focus is not about competition but about developing camaraderie, confidence, and a sense of achievement through shared success. Most cadets succeed the first time every year because their leaders and peers support them every step of the way.

"I found the Crucible experience to be both challenging and rewarding,” said Battalion S-5 (Public Affairs) John Trippe, a junior from Cleveland, Tennessee. “I enjoyed the sense of accomplishment and camaraderie with my Crucible group. Pushing through difficult moments together and overcoming obstacles as a team was incredibly fulfilling. It taught me a lot about perseverance and the power of teamwork."

Developing Resilience & Grit

Building self-confidence and developing resilience are instrumental in our mission to help young men take command of their lives and futures. In their early weeks as new cadets at MMA, they are provided instruction and begin receiving training in the skill of personal discipline and accountability. The Crucible is a culminating, hands-on project that reinforces these lessons.

What cadets have learned in their handbook become real-life lessons in the form of hard work and sweat. 

“The fact of the matter is the most meaningful lessons in life are the ones you learn yourself,” Col. Pickle said. “We can tell them they’re capable of more than they realize, but until they see it for themselves, it won’t resonate the same way.”

The 2024-25 cadet leaders agree with that sentiment. "It was the most challenging but memorable experience. I learned that your mindset controls everything,” said International Color Guard Commander Irmuun Ganbat, a high school senior from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

“The Crucible is a test of physical strength and endurance, but it also taught me that I am so much stronger than I thought. It gave me more confidence and helped me become who I am today,” agreed Battalion S-4 (Logistics Officer) Dallas Grantz, a high school senior from Hilo, Hawaii.

"The Crucible taught me a lot about leadership and teamwork. Someone in your group needs to make many decisions, whether it is one person or the whole group, someone needs to lead the group to the finish line and motivate everybody to finish. If you can find the fun in it, it will be easier than you think,” said Cadet Kerns.

Challenges Help Cadets Rise to Their Potential

Another important, albeit unintended, lesson that cadets usually learn from the Crucible may not be what you’d expect – that challenge can be fun.

“I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the Crucible and have participated in it every opportunity I get,” said Charlie Company Commander Alexander Pro, senior from Corpus Christi, Texas.

Cadets have found through the Crucible that difficult tasks, even those that seem monumental, don’t have to be negative experiences. With the right mindset, even physically and mentally demanding activities become positive, unforgettable milestones in life.

“(The Crucible) is a significant milestone in your journey to becoming an MMA cadet,” Cadet Pro adds. “Keep your head up and push yourself as if someone was chasing you the whole way through!"