Colonel Tom Pickle, USA (Ret), has joined the staff of Missouri Military Academy (MMA) as the deputy commandant for residential life. Pickle comes to the private, college preparatory, all-boys military boarding school after a 32-year career in the United States Army. Throughout his career, he has exhibited exceptional leadership, planning, program management, and talent management, making significant contributions to the military.
Parents News & Events
2023-24 - MMA NEWS
Competitors from the Missouri Military Academy Future Business Leaders of America chapter joined attendees from nearly 400 chapters at the Missouri State Leadership Conference on April 14-16, 2024, in Springfield. Eleven MMA cadets qualified to compete at state during the district competition held in February. The MMA Color Guard presented the colors in front of more than 5,000 high school students at Great Southern Bank Arena.
Missouri Military Academy cadets gathered on Colonels Field for a partial solar eclipse watch party on Monday, April 8, 2024. Thank you to alumnus Jose E. Garcia '78, uncle of Cadet Luis Ochoa, for donating solar eclipse glasses.
At Missouri Military Academy (MMA), the approach to education extends far beyond traditional academics. Cadets are delving into a curriculum that covers a spectrum of practical life skills. From basic household tasks to financial literacy, the Life Skills class offers a comprehensive toolkit for navigating the complexities of adulthood. With the incorporation of guest speakers, the class adds depth and real-world insight to the cadets' learning experience.
The Commandant has issued the following special orders: one authorizes certain cadets to receive the Maroon Bar based on their conduct from January 8 to March 1, 2024, and the other awards the Soldier's Bar to cadets for outstanding military demeanor and performance of duty.
Upon the approval of the commandant, the following promotions and designations will go into effect on 27 March for the school year 2023-2024.
The high standards we hold cadets to help instill positive character, leadership, personal responsibility, and accountability. Among the guidelines of these high standards at Missouri Military Academy, deportment grades characterize a cadet’s behavior, self-discipline, respect for authority, adherence to established standards, character development, and ability to lead by example.
On March 16, 2024, Missouri Military Academy musicians competed at the MSHSAA district music festival. Out of eight events, MMA cadets earned seven Silver Outstanding awards (the second-highest achievement) and one Gold Exemplary award (the highest achievement).
Missouri Military Academy Cadet Bradley Thumbi ’24, from Overland Park, Kansas, has been awarded the prestigious NROTC scholarship, which is worth $180,000. Since joining MMA in September 2020, Cadet Thumbi has been actively engaged in a diverse array of activities, including football, soccer, Fusileers, Color Guard, track, Boy Scouts, the dual-credit Triumph Program and the Lunch Buddy program. He holds the esteemed position of Battalion Commander and serves as the Fusileer Color Guard Commander.
Missouri Military Academy Cadet Blake Krull ’25 from Fenton, Missouri, and Cadet Josiah Emminger ’27 from Mexico, Missouri, are the 2024 recipients of the Missouri S&T Jackling Institute: Introduction to Engineering Camp scholarships. The cadets were selected for the scholarships due to their academic achievements, curiosity and interest in the STEM field
What drives an alumnus to continue to support MMA? Read about Rex Rodenbaugh, Class of 1995, and why he says that MMA is more than just a place you go to school
Missouri Military Academy (MMA) hosted its annual Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge University on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Over 600 Scouts, leaders and family members from seven states attended, doubling the number of attendees from 2023.
Jennifer Yelton has joined the staff of Missouri Military Academy as the chief financial officer. Yelton comes to the private, college preparatory, all-boys military boarding school from Westminster College in Fulton, where she has served as associate vice president for business and controller since 2017.
Recent MMA graduate Gage Blanton, Class of 2023, reflected on the value of his time at MMA in a recent interview.
This Women's History Month, Missouri Military Academy cadets in Cheryl Morris’s Art Fundamentals and Painting and Sculpture classes have learned about the significant contributions of female artists across history. Through this exploration, cadets have immersed themselves in the remarkable achievements of women in the arts, further enriching their understanding and appreciation.
Missouri Military Academy Cadet Seydina Diop, a high school junior from Southaven, Mississippi, is celebrating Ramadan this month at the Academy.
Congratulations to cadets who have earned Academic Fourragère and/or Delta Phi academic honor society membership following marking period 3, 2023-2024.
The MMA Corps of Cadets participated in a community service day on March 22, 2024, volunteering at various organizations in the local community. MMA cadets contribute roughly 8,000 hours of community service hours annually.
On Tuesday, March 19, the 2024 Leadership Mexico class visited Missouri Military Academy as part of their mission to learn about top Mexico, Missouri employers and organizations. A Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce program, Leadership Mexico provides personal development and an avenue for community participation for its members.
Missouri Military Academy Cadet Mason Brooks ’25 from Henrietta, Texas, has achieved the status of Eagle Scout, marking a significant milestone in his scouting journey. For his Eagle Scout project, Cadet Brooks addressed a pressing need on MMA's campus by installing trail markers on the back campus, enhancing navigation in challenging areas.
On Wednesday, March 13, Arthur Center Community Health delivered a presentation on suicide prevention to Missouri Military Academy cadets, faculty and staff.
The 2024 Missouri Military Academy Winter Sports Assembly was held in Memorial Chapel on March 13. Cadets were honored for their successes in wrestling and basketball.
Registration is now open for the Maroon & Gold Masquerade Gala, which will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 6 p.m. in Centennial Gymtorium. Guests will enjoy an elegant evening complete with musical performances from the cadet choir, band and pipers, as well as the traditional Maroon & Gold auction, raffles and presentations.
The MMA young alumni survey was conducted with cadets who have graduated in the last five years. When asked the question: “What aspects of your MMA experiences positively benefited you?” most respondents — 85% — indicated that leadership training was among the most beneficial aspects.
Missouri Military Academy Cadet Zijie Zhou, a high school senior from Shenzhen, China, gained valuable hands-on experience through an internship with the Public Works Department of Mexico, Missouri, during the fall 2023 semester.