From Navy SEAL Wrestling Camp to Missouri Military Academy: Preparing a Cadet for a U.S. Service Academy

High school junior Cadet David Woodcock is no stranger to challenges. As a dedicated cadet-athlete at Missouri Military Academy (MMA), he's constantly pushing himself and those around him to excel. His journey to MMA began with academic ambition as he attended MMA’s Summer Academy to accelerate his academics. He solidified his commitment to the Academy's rigorous and rewarding environment the following winter.

Cadet Woodcock’s father, Chad, recalls a pivotal family conversation that helped clarify his son’s path. They spoke candidly about David’s long-term goal of attending a U.S. service academy and whether a public high school would realistically prepare him to compete at that level. When Chad asked his son directly if he thought he could earn an appointment coming from public school, David was honest: “Probably not.”

But when the conversation turned to MMA, David’s confidence shifted. Asked whether returning to MMA would improve his chances, David responded, “I think my chances are a lot better.”

With his family’s full support, David’s decision came quickly. By the next day, he was already taking action. He told his parents, “Mom, Dad, I’m packing my bags. I’m going to MMA.”

Elite Training and Team Leadership

This past summer, Cadet Woodcock took his dedication to new heights, attending the prestigious Navy SEAL wrestling training camp at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. He spent a grueling week pushing through 3 AM wake-up calls and 28 intense sessions covering advanced techniques, SEAL-style physical challenges and team problem-solving exercises.

“It was harder than any other camp that I’ve ever attended, more physically and mentally challenging, every day,” David says.

The camp demanded constant effort, both individually and as part of a group. Days were filled with running, team workouts, boat runs, carrying logs, hitting the surf and swimming. Just as challenging were the mental components, which required participants to communicate, adapt and work together under pressure.

Those teamwork-based challenges felt familiar to David. He saw clear parallels to MMA’s Crucible, the rite of passage all new cadets complete during their first semester. That experience, he says, helped prepare him for the intensity of the Naval Academy camp. “It’s like applied learning,” he explains. “Once you learn it, it’s something you always have to apply.”

While the camp helped David improve personally, he was also focused on a bigger picture for his MMA brothers. “I wanted to bring something to the table for the MMA wrestling team,” he says about attending his goals for attending the Navy SEAL camp.

The MMA Colonels wrestling team pauses for a moment of team unity and strength before a meet in fall 2025.

This season, he’s putting those lessons into action by supporting his teammates and strengthening the program, with goal to achieve a leadership role as team captain to help guide others both on and off the mat.

MMA head wrestling coach Levi Iman says he has seen David grow as an athlete and leader since he joined the team mid-season in January 2025.

Cadet Woodcock shakes his opponent's hand before a spring 2025 wrestling match.

"He started off very reserved both in personality and his wrestling style," Coach Iman notes, commenting that David has always been very respectful and has set a positive example by working hard academically as well as athletically. "After the first month, he started to open up and experiment with different moves and started to see more wins. With his MMA experience and summer training, we're planning to see big things out of him this year as a returning varsity starter and positive influence on our younger wrestlers."

MMA wrestler Woodcock competes in the December 2025 Battle of the Katy Trail wrestling tournament in Sedalia, Missouri.

Accountability and Accomplishment

For Cadet Woodcock, MMA's structured environment fosters accountability to himself and others. Beyond wrestling, he's strengthened his discipline and teamwork by participating in the Civil Air Patrol during the summer. Academically, he thrives under MMA's college-style block scheduling, diving deep into subjects with a laser focus on excellence. Currently vying for the valedictorian spot, he demonstrates relentless commitment, even retaking courses to achieve his own high expectations.

Chad, David and Carrie Woodcock at a 2025 MMA wrestling competition. The Woodcock family is from Eureka, Missouri.

David's parents, Chad and Carrie, have witnessed profound growth in their son. "MMA has definitely increased his independence, leadership skills, confidence and the ability to problem-solve on his own," Chad shares. "He always had kind of a negative thought process with problems, but now he seems to take a more positive approach."

Though being separated from David is difficult, Carrie says that "knowing he's developing life skills that a public school simply cannot provide" makes the sacrifice worthwhile.

Setting Goals for a Bright Future

Looking ahead, Cadet Woodcock aspires to attend a U.S. service academy and become a combat pilot. He encourages fellow cadets to try wrestling, if they haven’t before, for the unparalleled sense of accomplishment they can find through the sport.

“Once you've competed and won, you really feel like you've accomplished something,” he says, describing the self-motivation he has gained through wrestling.

"He really likes it at MMA. It has been a great experience," Chad says, reflecting on his son’s tenacity in the classroom, on the mat and as an emerging leader.

Missouri Military Academy’s U.S. service academy pipeline continues to produce results, with graduates earning appointments to some of the nation’s most competitive leadership institutions.

• Lucas Sydlewski, Class of 2023, and Mason Brooks, Class of 2025, are currently attending the United States Military Academy at West Point.
• Bradley Thumbi, Class of 2024, is attending the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School.
• Anthony Melick, Class of 2023, is attending the United States Naval Academy.
• Ryan Miles, Class of 2025, is attending the United States Air Force Academy.

Only a small percentage of MMA graduates enter the military. MMA maintains a 100% graduation rate for senior cadets, and every graduate must earn acceptance into at least two colleges, universities or postgraduate training programs.