Lessons From the Brotherhood: Advice for the Class of 2026 and Current Cadets

Below, MMA alumni from across generations share reflections and advice for today’s cadets and our graduates as they prepare for the road ahead. 

• Dean Davison ’78
• Ricardo Alberto Uriegas-Sansores ’91
• Jorge Armando Ibañez ’06
• Eric Martinson ’96
• Paul Petit ’85
• Mark Gelino ’79
• Richard E. Heriford ’71
• Zachary Sturgeon ’25
• Francisco Fletes ’18
• Reginald Lafaye ’68
• J.J. Jorishie ’76
• Vinny Mirabella ’82

Advice from Dean Davison ’78

Owner, Davison Strategic Communications
Missouri Military Academy Board of Trustee
B.J. in Broadcast News and A.B. in Economics (Honors), University of Missouri

What advice would you give current cadets about life after MMA?
“Make the most of what you have learned. Especially, choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong. Behave with honor and integrity. Have fun. Work hard.”

What do you personally tell yourself to stay motivated during challenging times?
“Hard times don’t last. Resilient people do.”

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self after Final Formation?
“Don’t worry so much. You’ll be fine. You’ll make mistakes and learn from them.”

Over time, what has proven to be the most important lesson you learned at MMA?
“Setting a good example is a key trait of great leaders. Never ask others to do something you aren’t prepared to do yourself. Be honest. Speak up. Don’t tolerate people who lie, cheat or steal.”

What does “success” mean to you today?
“Having good health, a family that cares for each other, financial stability, a wife who loves me and a sense of purpose about my work.”

Advice from Ricardo Alberto Uriegas-Sansores ’91

President & CEO, Purvine & Miller LLC
Advisor to the Chicago House Athletic Club, Global Life Inc, and The ANAN Foundation
B.S. in International Global Studies, Universidad de Monterrey; MBA in Business Intelligence, Universidad Internacional de la Rioja

What advice would you give current cadets about life after MMA?
“You never start at zero, especially now that you are going to college. You have a base, a solid one, one that has made you into a better human being, a better brother, a better son, and a better student. Not only in the academic sense of the word, but also in the sense of a student of life.

Failure is not the end of the road; failure will come, but that is only an opportunity opening doors for you.

I recommend everyone read a poem by Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken. I personally took it by heart, and can say honestly that I took the lesser traveled by road, the one that was grassy, and not taken care of, and it was my decision in life, and it has been always my decision to not just follow what everyone else is doing, but to look further and find that path that is different, that can be scary, yes, but it can also fill you with happiness, and with big rewards not only financially, but also at a personal level.

Learn to apply what you learned at the Academy. Remember to always do the harder right than the easier wrong.”

What do you personally tell yourself to stay motivated during challenging times?
“Always trust your gut, but before anything, always trust your faith. There is a lot of information pollution nowadays regarding religion. Just remember that without God, there is nothing. First of all, I always say to myself, if this is happening, there must be a reason, and always find something positive about the situation. If you miss your train, bus, plane, Uber drive, you might have just been saved from an accident.”

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self after Final Formation?
“Buy land that costs less than a cup of coffee per square meter, always buy in the outskirts, and hold on to it, if you can have a farm.”

Over time, what has proven to be the most important lesson you learned at MMA?
“How to adapt to change!”

What does “success” mean to you today?
“Success is to be able to look every single MMA Brother in the eye and tell them, I am here for you, my brother, what can I do for you today?”

Advice from Jorge Armando Ibañez ’06

Chief Executive, Family Business Advisor
Bachelor’s in Business; MBA in Family and Corporate Governance

What advice would you give current cadets about life after MMA?
“Life is not that different. Keep working on yourself.”

What do you personally tell yourself to stay motivated during challenging times?
“It all shall pass.”

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self after Final Formation?
“Cherish that moment and embrace those friends. Some will be family, some will be the last time you will ever see.”

Over time, what has proven to be the most important lesson you learned at MMA?
“Learn the rules of the game so you can learn how to use them to your advantage.”

What does “success” mean to you today?
“Achieve whatever goal you set your mind up.”

Advice from Eric Martinson ’96

Senior Director of Critical Infrastructure Protection, Lower Colorado River Authority

What advice would you give current cadets about life after MMA?
“You have the opportunity to choose where your life goes from here. Being successful starts with making the right choices and acting with honor and integrity.”

What do you personally tell yourself to stay motivated during challenging times?
“Every failure is a chance to learn something new and make yourself better. Turn it into an opportunity.”

Over time, what has proven to be the most important lesson you learned at MMA?
“‘I will not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do.’ You will never be on the wrong side of a decision if you follow this code.”

What does “success” mean to you today?
“Earning the respect and trust of others is the ultimate success. Everything else is easier when you reach that point.”

Advice from Paul Petit ’85

President & CEO, Vally Park USA Corp. and Grupo Vally Park
Admissions Consultant for MMA in México
College Universidad Anahuac; South Texas College; Texas State Guard Professional Military Education

What advice would you give current cadets about life after MMA?
“Always be accountable for what you do and for what you leave undone. Never ask someone to do a job you are not willing to do yourself. Always take the initiative — because what you don’t do, someone else will. Don’t leave opportunities on the table.”

What do you personally tell yourself to stay motivated during challenging times?
“During challenging times, I remind myself that this is temporary, but the outcome depends on how I respond. I focus on controlling what I can, taking things one step at a time, and not letting the moment define my standards. I always say I can do it!”

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self after Final Formation?
“You have been trained, equipped, and prepared at the highest standard (MMA). Stay focused on the mission. Execute your duties. Never quit. Maintain your bearing, keep your eyes forward, and stay the course.”

Over time, what has proven to be the most important lesson you learned at MMA?
“Be a man of honor, character, and integrity. Do what is right — especially when no one is watching.”

What does “success” mean to you today?
“Earning the trust of others. Be a role model for my family, colleagues, and others. Leave a legacy for others to follow. Be able to complete all my tasks before the end of the day, never quit! Always give, never take.”

Advice from Mark Gelino ’79

Restaurant Manager
B.A., Langston University

What advice would you give current cadets about life after MMA?
“If you don’t have your college plans laid out, I would recommend enlisting in the armed services. The experience will strengthen your focus on your adult future, and make even more lasting memories of how other people think and act.”

What do you personally tell yourself to stay motivated during challenging times?
“I always have prepared a 'Plan B & C' because life never goes the way you plan it to.”

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self after Final Formation?
“Make a list of all the places you want to go, things you want to do, and things you want to own. Because once you get married, your time and money are for your family, not yourself.”

Over time, what has proven to be the most important lesson you learned at MMA?
“Getting projects completed ahead of schedule. It allows time for changes and improvements.”

What does “success” mean to you today?
“Seeing my children raise our grandchildren to be wonderful American citizens.”

Advice from Richard E. Heriford ’71

CEO and Board Member, Landscape Forms
Architecture and Design, Kansas State University; Liberal Arts, Southern Methodist University

What advice would you give current cadets about life after MMA?
“Carpe diem (seize the day).”

What do you personally tell yourself to stay motivated during challenging times?
“I am truly blessed with friends, family, and financial freedom.”

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self after Final Formation?
“Take pride in what you have accomplished and happy trails for the road ahead.”

Over time, what has proven to be the most important lesson you learned at MMA?
“Courage.”

What does “success” mean to you today?
“Success is personal.”

Advice from Zachary Sturgeon ’25

Environmental Science Student, Norwich University

What advice would you give current cadets about life after MMA?
“After MMA, you really realize how life works. In training, every hour of your day is scheduled, and you know exactly what you’re doing. Apply that to your own life. Plan your day, stick to it, and you’ll master time management while setting yourself up to succeed as a young adult.”

What do you personally tell yourself to stay motivated during challenging times?
“I remind myself that no one is coming to save me. Doing only easy things won’t build growth or character. When life gets hard and stressful, discipline becomes your backbone. Motivation isn’t always there, but if you stay disciplined, you’ll build a stronger mind and become a better, more capable person overall.”

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self after Final Formation?
“That summer is your last summer to do anything you want. Get some of your brothers and go on vacation. When school starts again, it is impossible to all spend time together again.”

Over time, what has proven to be the most important lesson you learned at MMA?
“Time management is the best skill I took from my time at the Academy.”

What does “success” mean to you today?
“Success to me is doing a hard thing every day and still wanting more. You don’t earn success by doing simple and easy things. Get out of your zone and push yourself to your max.”

Advice from Francisco Fletes ’18

Senior Lawyer, Chevez, Ruiz, Zamarripa S.C.
Law Degree, Facultad Libre de Derecho de Monterrey; LL.M. in Tax Law, Southern Methodist University

What advice would you give current cadets about life after MMA?
“Don’t waste it. You’ll miss it.”

What do you personally tell yourself to stay motivated during challenging times?
“There is no tomorrow. Now’s all we got, so make it count.”

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self after Final Formation?
“Don’t let go of your MMA core values. I promise you it’ll be your greatest strength.”

Over time, what has proven to be the most important lesson you learned at MMA?
“Being disciplined, being a gentleman, a steady routine, a good posture and a smile will get you far.”

What does “success” mean to you today?
“Happiness and peace.”

Advice from Reginald Lafaye ’68

Professional Musician
Associate of Arts, Rend Lake College; Southern Illinois University Music Education; Private Music Instruction

What advice would you give current cadets about life after MMA?
“MMA has gifted me with knowledge that has followed me through life: working goals, respect, positive attitude, and spiritual direction. I’m now 74 years old.

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self after Final Formation?
“Respect for education and learning instructions. Follow through without leaning on flaws!”

Over time, what has proven to be the most important lesson you learned at MMA?
“Be respectful to your employers, co-workers and those that share deep truths, trust!”

What does “success” mean to you today?
“To carry myself with dignity, professional work ethic and honesty, self-esteem, and gratitude for those who have assisted your life’s travel.”

Advice from J.J. Jorishie ’76

Engineering Manager, River Spirit Hotel Casino and Resort
United States Air Force; Climate Control Institute; Wichita Technical Institute; Certified Engineering Operations Executive

What advice would you give current cadets about life after MMA?
“Unless you’re going to go to a military college, you will experience freedoms that are not structured, such as time management and study habits. Remember how you learned to take care of business at MMA and take it with you.”

What do you personally tell yourself to stay motivated during challenging times?
“Remember what I learned at MMA.”

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self after Final Formation?
“Stay focused on the future.”

Over time, what has proven to be the most important lesson you learned at MMA?
“Common sense and not to put issues off till later.”

What does “success” mean to you today?
“When others come to you for advice because you’re always on your game.”

Advice from Vinny Mirabella ’82

National Sales Director, Gems One
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance), Avila College and Saint Louis University

What advice would you give current cadets about life after MMA?
“Brother to Brother — my advice is know what you know. MMA already gave you more than you realize: discipline, structure, accountability, and the ability to perform under pressure. That’s your edge. Don’t overlook it chasing something new or trying to fit into someone else’s lane.

The real world doesn’t hand you structure the way MMA did. You have to build it yourself. Most people lose because they drift. You won’t, if you stay anchored in what you were trained to do and hold yourself to a high standard every day.

• Show up early
• Be consistent when no one’s watching
• Do the hard things without being told
• Hold your standard, even when others don’t

That’s not theory — that’s what separates you fast. Understand this: life is competitive. Talent matters, but it’s not enough. The ones who combine talent with discipline and consistent work will outperform the competition over time.

And don’t forget—no one respects a prima donna. Be someone people can rely on, not someone who thinks they’re above the work. You don’t need to reinvent yourself after MMA. You need to apply what MMA already built into you. If you do that, you’ll put yourself ahead of most people without even trying. Stay sharp. Stay disciplined. Stay accountable. That foundation doesn’t leave you — unless you walk away from it.”

What do you personally tell yourself to stay motivated during challenging times?
“I tell myself this is where most people quit — and I’m not most people. Life is competitive, and tough moments are where you gain ground. I stay locked in on the work, control what I can, and keep moving forward knowing that discipline and consistency will always beat talent when it’s tested.”

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self after Final Formation?
“You’re more prepared than you think. What feels structured now won’t be handed to you on the outside, and it’s easy to drift if you let it. Stay disciplined, stay focused, and keep your standards high. If you do that, you’ll always find your way forward.”

Over time, what has proven to be the most important lesson you learned at MMA?
“That consistency beats talent over time. The people who stay disciplined, hold themselves accountable, and keep showing up will always outperform those who rely on talent alone.”

What does “success” mean to you today?
“Success to me is consistency, discipline and self-reflection. That consistency beats talent over time. The people who stay disciplined, hold themselves accountable, reflect on where they need to improve and keep showing up will always outperform those who rely on talent alone.”

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