I when here this year for 6 weeks (Cadet basic, Cadet Field Leader, and Cadet Search and Rescue). It's extremely challenging but it does great with preaching military values. The Drill Sergeants are not fun but they aren't supposed to but the get the platoon to move as a unit very well. Cadet Basic is not supposed to be easy. It pushed me to my limits and I found how to push thru even when everything goes wrong. CFLC taught me how to lead and helped me in Boy Scouts as a leader. That puts you in a spot where you have to lead or leave. I couldn't ask for a better experience. You get what you sign up for. read more

First: this camp is NOT for everyone. They'll tell you as much in the parent's guide. If you don't think you'll get around to reading the parent's guide then DON'T send you kid here but for my son, this camp was a life changing godsend. I wanted to send him when he was 14 but his mother was opposed to it. My boy was diagnosed as morbidly obese at 250 pounds. We tried different things (but we refused to use drugs or Ozempic) and nothing worked. We all lacked discipline in this regard. In April of this year he weighed in at 290 and I lost it. That was the last straw and now his mother was on board. It wasn't easy money wise but we enrolled him in the cadet fitness challenge and then cadet basic training. He begged me not to send him. I told him if he washed out he would owe me $4500.00 (I recommend all parents of even remotely rebellious children do this). Whatever you are paying 1SG Rosen isn't enough. He prepared my son for basic training and taught him about nutrition and how to maintain a PT regimen upon returning home (which he continues to do). This isn't a fat camp and if it was we couldn't afford it but my son lost 18 pounds in 3 weeks and has consistently lost 2 pounds per week since he got home. When we picked him up from the airport he was so happy to see us. It was yes sir and yes ma'am all month. And the stories.... Ha! So great. This isn't a camp for criminal youths but let's face it, your kid likely isn't going to be there if he or she is a valedictorian and the other kids there are for the most part, not on honor rolls but still good kids overall though some were exceptional. This camp isn't perfect, but as far as I am concerned it is wonderful and sadly, an indictment of some of my failings as a parent. My son weighed in this morning at 254 pounds. Because he's a little taller, soon he won't be morbidly obese anymore. Oh yeah, and he made the football team. Your kid is stronger than you think. I believe the parents wash out before their cadets ever do. Don't enroll your child here if you find yourself consistently asking to speak to the manager when you go out. If you think the customer is always right, you should probably look for a different camp. However, if you can humble out and trust XMC, this camp is the best gift you can give your child. I am so grateful to XMC. Mega-Hooah! read more

Extreme Military Challenge - XMC is legit. One of my favorite photos from the camp. - Summer Camps Near Me - Vinemont, Alabama

As a parent of a 14 year old female who attended this camp, I was very impressed by the staff and program XMC runs, in general. I am allowing my 14 year old to leave her own first person review here: It's really a great camp the first few days are scary but that IS the point: It's realistic and a life changing camp. They will teach you everything from how to make your rack to repel down a fire training tower. It is hard but the words "Extreme Military Challenge" NEVER mean easy. You are in good hands and never without medical care. The DIs will NEVER refuse to let you get medical help if it is needed. You never go without clean sheets and it is always EARNED NEVER GIVEN! I fully recommend this camp so you have the chance to EARN the tittle of CADET. read more

This program is excellent! All the instructors are top notch. This program is not a sunshine and rainbows camp, it is military based and operates just like the military. This is not for the faint of heart and it is for kids who enjoy a challenge. If your child doesn't have thick skin and intestinal fortitude this is probably not the camp for them. My husband and I are both prior military and we are very happy with how this camp helped our daughters' mature, grow, and challenge themselves. We will be sending them again next summer becuase they want to go. This is not a disciplinary camp, it is a camp to teach kids leadership, confidence and promote personal growth. We highly recommend this program! read more

Extreme Military Challenge - Me and my girls - Summer Camps Near Me - Vinemont, Alabama

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I tasked my son with picking a summer camp that was going to have leadership development, physical activity, and teamwork, XMC is what he chose. He was challenged from the beginning and even wanted to quit. After a few days he embraced the difficulty and started to perform at a level he had never envisioned. Throughout physical, mental, and emotional challenges he worked with his battle buddies to excel and complete the program with grit, perseverance, and resilience. He has praised the camp for his ability to learn, believe in himself, and do hard things never imagined before and has expressed interest in retuning next year. read more

I had tried posting this on an XMC parent group run by a PARENT who's kid washed out who is making false allegations against the camp, but every single post I tried posting was denied and all comments I tried commenting were also denied. For any parents wondering my thoughts about this camp I would highly recommend reading this. I respect that everyone is entitled to share their experience, but I also think it's important people hear from those of us who've actually spent a lot of time at Extreme Military Challenge. I've attended for about ten weeks across multiple years, including winter and summer cycles, and my experience has been completely different from what's described over there. Sure, this program isn't easy. It's built to be physically and mentally challenging, but challenging doesn't automatically mean unsafe. In all my time there, I never saw campers being denied medical care, all the sexual assault claims get taken very seriously, but having a group of 30 to 40 teenagers sleeping in the same room utilizing the same latrine somethings gonna happen that is not the camp's fault and as soon as the camp is notified about these situations, they take it extremely serious. The amount of kids that have gotten sent home because of making stupid decisions and being irresponsible is actually crazy. I never saw staff telling kids to keep secrets from parents, the silly chants? You mean Cadences? Yes those are to keep everybody in step while marching not for entertainment for the parents, and I never witnessed the kind of culture that's being portrayed in this facebook group. It was tough, yes, but it was also structured, and focused on building discipline and confidence. I'm not saying every single person will have the exact same experience I did, but serious accusations should be supported with evidence and handled by proper authorities, not assumed as fact because a post says so. This camp is designed for personal growth through challenge. Some people thrive in that environment, and some decide it's not for them. And that's okay, but not liking a program or struggling with it isn't proof of systemic abuse. This camp isn't just about discipline, perseverance, motivation, and physical activity. It is also about the fun and pride and joy you feel when you accomplish something that you didn't think you could accomplish before with some of the best people you will ever meet. I'm not speaking for the camp, I'm speaking as someone who lived the experience over time. For me, it built resilience, confidence, and the best friendships i have. I just want people considering it to see more than one side and to make an informed decision. Personally, this is one of my favorite camps I've ever gone to and met some of the greatest people and mentors in my life. Yes, at times it gets difficult, but also I've had a lot of fun at extreme military challenge read more

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Our son went to this camp and we were nervous going in, it's tough and rough based on his stories. He loved it though and already wants to come back. Some parents complain, a few even called it a "concentration camp." Honestly, if you don't do your research and expect a relaxed "fishing camp" alternative, don't send your kid here. This is EXTREME MILITARY CHALLENGE: kids get yelled at, sprayed with water, and pushed hard to build discipline, strength and character. Come physically prepared and train in advance, they don't hand out the "cadet" rank if you can't pass PT. Bottom line, it gives kids a true military experience, and many of them (like ours) love it. read more

I can't say enough good things about this incredible program. My 15-year-old son completed the Extreme Military Challenge at Camp Liberty and earned the prestigious title of Cadet and let me tell you, I've never seen him prouder! From day one, he was pushed, challenged, and inspired in ways that built not just physical endurance, but mental toughness, leadership, and discipline. The staff are phenomenal, firm but fair, and truly invested in shaping these young people into the best versions of themselves. The attention to detail, structure, and respect taught throughout the camp was exactly what my son needed at this stage in his life. The growth we witnessed in just a short time was beyond what we ever expected. He came home standing taller, speaking more confidently, and carrying himself with pride. We are beyond grateful for the experience. Thank you Colonel Land and to your entire Cadre of making a difference for these young man and women! The bear hug I received on friends and family night after tapping him out was the best feeling ever! read more

As a second-year XMC family, we can confidently say this program has exceeded our expectations. Watching our son return for another summer spoke volumes about the positive impact his first experience had on him. Extreme Military Challenge is so much more than a summer camp. It builds structure, discipline, leadership, resilience, confidence, accountability, and teamwork in an environment that challenges young people to discover what they're truly capable of. The staff genuinely care about the success and well-being of every Challenger while maintaining high standards and expectations. One of the things we appreciate most is that the program teaches life skills that extend far beyond camp. Our son returned home more confident, more respectful, more self-disciplined, and with friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. As parents, we also appreciated the communication throughout the summer. The updates, photos, and transparency helped us feel connected while allowing our son the opportunity to grow independently. If you're considering XMC for your child, our family wholeheartedly recommends it. If your teen is willing to be challenged, work hard, and step outside their comfort zone, they will leave stronger--physically, mentally, and emotionally. We are incredibly grateful for the leadership, guidance, and dedication of the entire XMC team and look forward to seeing the continued positive impact they have on young people for years to come. read more

Putting lipstick on a pig doesn't mean it's no longer a pig. Your ChatGPT response is bs. This is a mean camp and many of the children that attend come from abusive homes. My child did not belong there. It's an abusive space. And the medical care is definitely negligent. If my child had stayed for the second session, the wounds on her feet, which were already crazy, could have been life altering. Say what you want, but I know what really goes down in that camp. I think the age limit has to be at least 16. And parents be aware what you're getting yourself into. I do think there are some benefits to the Camp experience, again, you have to be comfortable with being mistreated, your children being mistreated, and not really trusting the Camp to care about your child's health and safety. Kids are passing out daily. They're sleeping 2 to 3 hours a night as punishment. I don't think they have a real doctor on staff. But I have those things don't bother you and you want your kid to have a real taste of military. This might be the right place for you. read more

This is a great camp but you need to know what you are signing up for. I sent my daughter here because she has expressed interest in joining the military. She is 14 years old and attended Cadet Fitness Challenge and Cadet Basic Training 2026. Professionalism: I found everyone to be professional and doing a good job. The Commander makes it clear that they are mimicking a real military experience even for parents. So we knew not to expect Chick-fil-A customer service. Medical Care: My daughter's experience with the medics was great. She said they took better care of her than I do at home when she was not feeling well. Troubled Kids: There are kids from all walks of life attending this camp just like in the military. Some troubled kids and some amazing kids truly interested in bettering themselves. If your kid has not experienced some bad apples and knows how to deal with them they might be surprised. My daughter had a horrible experience with an idiot kid that threatened her and she reported it immediately. The Commander took action and kicked him out of the camp. XMC has no control if parents send their bad kids to camp but if they do, he will find out and kick them out. Make sure your kid knows how to identify and report bad behavior immediately and it will be handled. Luckily we have taught my daughter what is unacceptable behavior and she knows how to report it and she did. XMC even changed a policy because of her reporting. They do take it seriously. Unfortunately those types of people are everywhere and if you haven't taught your kid about the real world then maybe this will be tough. Food & Drill Instructors: My daughter was aware of the 3 phases of CBT including the first red phase where they do limit the time they spend eating and sleeping and do extra physical training. Again, this is part of the realism of the military. If they get through that then it gets easier. I would get letters from her saying it was a "living hell" but she was committed to finishing and she did! Results: Like most parents when you read letters saying it is a living hell and they are hungry you get concerned, but I was always looking on the parent facebook group and they were great about posting updates. I would see her participating and cheering on her platoon. She looked great. When we picked her up I was expecting her to say she hated it and was so happy it was over. Instead this is what I heard. - yes there were very hard times (like that idiot kid's threats) - yes she cried a lot - yes she was hungry because she didn't eat all the food she had because she didn't like it. - yes she was pushed to her physical limits - yes the drill instructors yelled at her and made her cry - yes, those same drill instructors after red phase started a different relationship and mentored her. She learned amazing life lessons from her DIs and absolutely loved them by the end of camp. - yes, she made incredible bonds with other campers (probably for life) - yes, she wears her Cadet badge with pride - yes, now she wants to go back for more courses - yes, she was SAD to leave when her battle buddies were staying more weeks. - yes, she is a different kid. more responsible, respectful and grateful. So, is this camp for your kid? If they aren't ready to do something truly hard, then no. But if they are ready to be physically, emotionally and mentally challenged and want to be better, then absolutely yes. For my kid: 100% the right place. read more

My son recently graduated from Cadet Basic Training (CBT) at Extreme Military Challenge Camp (XMC) and we could not have been more pleased with this organization. This camp is not a typical "summer camp". It is exactly what it is named: EXTREME: very intense or far beyond norm MILITARY: go watch US military boot camp videos on YouTube for reference CHALLENGE: doing physically hard things and overcoming fears As described on XMC's website, this is the closest thing to real boot camp a youth can experience. My 13 yr old son wanted to experience this because he wants to enlist after high school. Upon getting checked in, the experience began. They were firmly spoken to, some were yelled at (including mine), but it was a very organized, smooth, and simple process as long as you adhered to the packing list provided. I immediately knew my son was in good hands. My son was aware of "shark attack" and knew it would be mentally and physically hard (google shark attack if you don't know what it is). He knew the daily physical activity would be hard. My son is a picky eater and I knew he would have an issue even though he was provided with healthy meals, and the occasional MRE. No soda or junk food is allowed or provided at XMC. He came a few pounds lighter, but I expected that. He was well looked after, given daily electrolytes, well fed, and given clean sheets and towels. There was a medical team present at all times, he was safe, he was given Advil for the middle of the night charlie horses he was having, and he learned valuable skills & lessons all while experiencing what military life is like. We were provided with plenty of daily updates, photos and videos on the family Facebook page. My son's Platoon had a Drill Instructor who was the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant of the Year in 2023. This was impressive and he greatly admired her. That being said, the level of caliber exhibited by the XMC staff/cadre was extraordinary. These people are highly qualified professionals with military backgrounds. They are rigorous and committed to the safety of the recruits/cadets. I had no doubt my son was well taken care of and safe. We highly recommend this camp if your child is wanting to join the military in the future. read more

The camp was negligent in providing proper gear. Because of this my child sustained an injury that has yet to heal.

Great experience for our kids, it build their self steam and teach them organization and to embrace challenges.

My son has been home for three weeks from this camp and I just found out at least six staff were deployed-kitchen staff as well, and the recruits were served two nutri-grain bars and two bowls of cereal for breakfast, and for lunch and dinner at least 6-8 times, they were served MRE's because the kitchen staff was low. As parents, we were not notified that staff/recruit ratio changed. Plus, when I picked him up he had already nearly lost his voice (which could be normal from so much cadence) but he was also sick (I was not notified) and when I took him into the doctor he had an upper respiratory infection. The doctor asked if the pool had chlorine and then I remembered the recruits had water training in the murkey water (which is good practice) however....I'm sure it has parasites and other bacteria that may crawl into eyes, noses, mouths, and ladies and gents, be careful what you dive into. I love good training, but this place is very negligent. I'm almost certain the contaminated grounds and unclean environment is a petri dish of science experiments. Honestly, if I can keep you from attending, I would. But, if you're so inclined, upon your child's return (as they are minors) may I suggest making a doctor's appointment for a full physical, emotional check-in, and be ready for antibiotics and other possible medication and ointments. Don't just take Yelp's reviews, Google and conduct thorough online reviews of what has happened at this place. I missed this step and wish I never even knew about XMC. Usually after a traumatic experience, the person who went through "it" will always have more to say as time progresses. Military dreams or not, you're still a parent before they go into the military, and your child is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY-they don't care. Also, FYI, this is NOT the United States Military, it's a private summer camp(much like STEM or other summer camp) with militaristic exercises and self-appointed titles. I hope they get investigated. Be cautious, be alert, and take mine and my son's advice, please DO NOT allow your child to attend this place. read more

The lack of professionalism and organization on the business and customer service side is impressive. When I spend thousands of dollars, I expect to not be repeatedly disrespected. I don't care that they classify that behavior as, "part of the process," I can spend my money elsewhere. Of my two boys, they both performed well, and didn't find it that difficult because they are hard workers, but certainly not a life changing experience for them and they were indifferent to returning. read more

Since 2012 They've turned out amazing young men & women. All three of my boys attended several times and my oldest became a Marine and is now home in the police academy. Best investment. read more

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I would never send my child back here again. They said this isn't a disciplinary camp and yet it was! My child had a severe anxiety attack (first time ever) she was never offered any medical attention and I was told she was removed for failure to participate. I'm sure it's hard to engage when u are hyperventilating. They would not refund our money. Think twice before you sign up! False advertising and abusive behavior. read more

My 15 year old son loved to play Call of Duty on Xbox and began talking about wanting to join the military. After more than a year of hearing what I felt was an overly "hollywood" view military life I started doing some research . I found the XMC site and started reading & scrolling through the photos. The picture of the DI yelling in the face of a young boy made me bawl when I envisioned my kid in that spot. The descriptions of the program sounded hard. Some of it scary with a bit of fun mixed in. After a few days of getting over myself, I finally showed it to my son. I figured the 6 AM PT drills and crawling through the mud in the blazing hot Alabama heat would scare him off. NOPE. He was ALL IN. I signed him up for the 2 week Cadet Basic program. In all honesty I was hoping he'd hate it and abandon the idea of joining the armed services. I put him on a plane (first time flying alone) and sent him literally across the country. I was sending my baby into the belly of the beast. He told me the first few days were really hard and he constantly thought about quitting. Other guys in his platoon were, too. However they ultimately encouraged each other and persevered. No one dropped out. We traveled to Cullman for graduation (first time to the South for us) and found the people in the town to be incredibly warm and welcoming. My son came home with new friendships, tons of stories (he learned how motivating a 4 AM metal garbage can alarm clock can be!) new found confidence and so much pride. He called my bluff. It wasn't summer camp roasting marshmallows by the fire, it was a gritty, sweaty, exhilarating challenge. He got to prove to himself that he COULD become a soldier someday. He's currently working with an Army National Guard recruiter and intends to apply for delayed enlistment as soon as he turns 17. He's planning to go back to XMC this summer for additional programs. XMC is not for everyone. They DO run the place like the military and are not "fuzzy" with the parents (Ms Terri is the exception - she is a gem!) It totally pet my fur the wrong way at first, but I got trained pretty quickly. They kept my son safe and returned him to me in much better mental & physical condition than how I sent him. We are incredibly grateful for COL Land & his dedicated staff for the priceless experience they gave to my child. read more

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For anyone considering sending their children here, I would highly encourage you to do your research and call and speak with the commander. My son is currently having health issues that make it so he is unable to attend camp. Not only are they unwilling to provide a refund in anyway, but they also refuse to provide documentation and information and when on the phone cussed me out, told me I could talk to "God" about my concerns and hung up twice. I am mortified that I considered sending my son here and just want to caution everyone to research and talk to others. So scary to think these are the people we were trusting our son with. read more

XMC is an incredible military-styled camp for motivated kids. Don't bring your custody battles, druggies, or disrespectful brats. They will be sent home. Can't recommend enough. Parents: don't expect special treatment for your little baby. They won't get it and neither will you. This is as close to military as you can get. This camp is hard. Kids will be in mud, get bug bites sunburn, but will come out tougher and more responsible than you've ever seen them. My son took Basic training in 2021, then 4 weeks of Ranger training in 2022, and will be going back in 2023 for Medic training. This is no "Tra la la summer camp". It builds character not only for your kids, but for you, the parents, too. You will find out quickly who has "tiny heart syndrome." read more

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Our son has attended camp for the past two summers and would stay year round if possible. This experience although hard has prepared him for his future. As a senior in high school he is currently enlisting in the Army. This experience not only prepared him but prepared me as well. I was not too fond of the scheduled calls and lack of communication from my son early on but I believe that's because of the digital age we live in and the instant access we always have-it was a change, therefore it was hard! Does Col. Land and others come off harsh in regards to the logistics-yes to some it may seem so, but read the parent's manual-every thing is there for you! My son missed his flight back last summer due to some miscommunication-not only did they keep him overnight, put him up and took him out to eat, they reimbursed me for the new flight-quickly and with no questions as it was their error. I highly recommend XMC for those who think the military may be a path for them, or those thinking to challenge themselves-it's not for the faint of heart but sure does create resiliency, passion and comrades for life! read more

Has very bad reviews and bad comments from others that actually went to this camp. I tried canceling after one day of the transaction and I was denied to get my money back. read more

When faced with a family emergency and our child not being able to attend, given plenty of notice will not give a refund or even a partial refund. Joseph M. Land Sr you are very rude and actually hung up on me while I was still speaking. I highly recommend that you think twice before sending your child here. Also ask about the safety of your child. read more

I am still absolutely livid after sending my 14-year old son to this place in July 2022 because he desperately wanted to experience a military camp. Not only was he ignored for days when he complained of a sore throat, but the staff, who are self-appointed "drill sergeants", actually called him "defiant" and "lazy", my son ended up getting so sick that he could no longer participate and was sent home with a 103 degree fever. This is absolutely outrageous and completely unacceptable from a camp that works with children as young as 12 years old, and the blatant mistreatment that my son had experienced may have soured his opinion on serving and on the military in general for good. One star is far too generous for this disaster of a camp. I have also done a bit of digging and found this truly deplorable article: https://www.cullmantribune.com/2018/08/06/camp-liberty-intern-arrested-for-rape/ read more

I wanted my Cadet to write this review so you get a first hand account, he said "I want to go back this year because I loved all the challenges. Even though at times it was difficult it turned out to be rewarding when we achieved a goal. I made friends and looked up to the leaders there. They taught me that things aren't just given to you, you have to earn them." As parents, we definitely saw a difference in behavior when our son came back. He is a team player in the household now, more helpful and respectful. We knew that the challenges would be difficult but that why it's call that! We are proud of him for enduring and persevering. And we are considering sending him back summer of 2023. read more

Please take negative reviews posted on this site seriously!!! This camp should not be allowed to have kids younger than age 16 participate and even age 16 is pushing it. Most 13, 14, and 15-year-olds are not psychologically or emotionally strong enough to handle their Full Metal Jacket Boot Camp. The "Colonel" in charge is not actually a military Colonel. He was given that title. It was NEVER earned and yet he constantly preaches about how cadet titles are earned and not given. What a horrible role model! He's extremely disrespectful to parents AFTER he locks in your nonrefundable payment of $5000. He seems to forget that his camp is a business and the parents pay to keep his camp up and running! Without the parents pocketbooks, he wouldn't have a camp to operate. There was another attempted suicide by a recruit this past summer (2021). This child was so traumatized that he requested to leave countless times and all of his requests to contact his parents were denied. He resorted to poisoning himself by swallowing bug spray. The child was found seizing on the floor and foaming at the mouth. There were other kids who were physically abused/injured by cadets and paid camp employees. Some even had to go to the hospital. There were kids who were bullied because they were weaker than the rest which caused their platoon to lag behind. The cadets encouraged the recruits to gang up on the "runts" of the platoon during the night and take turns beating them with socks filled with heavy items (just like in the movie Full Metal Jacket) to teach them a lesson. I pray that the young recruits who suffered this poor fate don't suffer from PTSD for the rest of their lives. There were kids who had injuries ignored and told that they were faking it. Kids were pushed to continue strenuous physical activity while being injured. A medical doctor is not there 24/7. He only shows up briefly once a day. The nurse was okay, but didn't appear to be very knowledgeable. Most medical attention is left up to kids who earned their summer medic certificates at XMC (which will one day eventually get them sued due to their lack of experience and clinical knowledge). If it were a nursing student's last year of college doing clinical rounds giving medical attention and clinical advice to injured recruits, that would be different. Maybe XMC should look into opening up their camp for clinical rounds for nursing students. There's a lot of false advertisement on XMC's site because they make it sound like your child will be in good hands. However, the camp stayed severely understaffed. Parents were repeatedly told to expect and ignore all complaint letters home. Talk about a red flag... These are still underage children for goodness sakes!!! They're NOT adults enlisted in the ACTUAL military no matter how real the fake Colonel wants the camp experience to be! It's sad that parents posting some of these reviews make it sound like if you're 13, 14, or 15-year-old child (still physically, mentally, and emotionally going through puberty) can't tolerate being traumatized or abused then he or she is just a wimp and not "military material". Which only leads me to believe that maybe some of these reviews aren't actually posted by parents. Lawsuit Karma will eventually catch up to XMC even though "The Colonel" thinks he's covered himself with all his non-lawsuit clauses. If camp is THAT worried about being sued, then that should tell you all that you need to know about its history. The only positive things about my son's camp experience was that he got some good physical exercise and there were a few qualified military staff who EARNED their military titles that worked well with the kids. My son was one of the lucky ones because he did have a fantastic platoon leader. Sergeant Rogers was the best one there! In fact, I wish that he could take over XMC and run it appropriately! If your child is 16 years of age or older and seriously interested in joining the military, then they'll breeze through their basic training after attending this camp and officially enlist. Just think twice about sending younger children. read more

My son was interested in a future in the military and I found out about XMC from my nephew attending and this was a huge game changing for my son and me as a mom! He attended the summer Cadet Basic training and he then chose to save up his own money and went back for the winter tactical training! This camp not only helped my son prepare for his military future but it also helped me understand how the military life works and how to believe in the process. Yes it's hard as a parent to not be able to talk to your child when you want and know all that is going on but this is what makes your child stronger and more self sufficient. This is a hard camp and it is suppose to be! Life in the military is not easy and if they do end up being called upon to protect our country they need to be ready and in the right mindset. It's not for everyone and this camp helps your child decide on if this is something they can do. I am proud to say my soldier after this camp fell in love with the military life and just finished his basic training from Fort Sill and his AIT training from Fort Leonardwood and this camp at XMC prepared him and our family for what was to come! He even graduated as the honor grad from his AIT training and finished top of his platoon for basic training! We credit it all to how this camp prepared him and us. Believe me when your child goes to XMC and does the Scripted call and they tell you over and over to read the manual and everything is in there they mean it! This is preparing us parents for the real deal. A few weeks from your child is nothing to what basic training is and what could be if they are called upon for duty. If you choose to be in the military and protect our country you need to be trained properly and in the right mind set. So all in all XMC camp is an A+ in our book for how it prepared our son in deciding on his future with the military and definitely an A+ for preparing our family on how that life will be and should be! Thanks so much for all you do for these young individuals and giving them a top notch experience in a short time as to what is to come if they decide to further there career in the military! read more

From a cadet standpoint: this camp is awesom. there's nothing bad about the camp. this camp will test you in every way. it's not easy. It's meant to make you work hard! Nothing here is going to be giving , it's earned. This camp gave me confidence to be the best version of me. Its giving me new confidence in so many ways. it's helped me not focus on the bad and the good thats going to happen after the hard work. Hard work pays off. I learned to get comfortable with being uncomfortabl. I learned to embrace the suck. I learned to be a leader. this camp is going to get you out of your comfort zone, first timer (recruit) to even being a Cadet. I learned in order to get good at something you have to get out of your comfort zone. The Cadre will test you! it's not your typical summer camp. read more

XMC was the best ever for my kid. Granted this isn't a place for every kid. They have to want it. If you send them thinking it'll be like a scared straight program you'd be wrong (Dead Wrong). This is as close to military as I've ever seen. As close as you can get with teenage minors anyway. I respect and appreciate COL mission so much. I put my kid in the car,drove from Texas on our spring break and volunteered both our times for one week of hard work. Instead of a cruise or beach vacation we chose to spend it at XMC. Would not do anything different even now. Speaking of now my kid is now attending The Citadel (and thriving). COL was there to talk me through it and offer up a recommendation letter. My kid loved/respected/feared the Cadre. But we are still in touch with some. They are the standard when it comes to professionalism. This place is TOP NOTCH! read more

My son had a great experience here. It was not easy, and that was the point. This is a real deal, life changing experience. Know that this is not a camp for "problem kids". It's a camp for kids who want to experience a taste of what boot camp may be like. That includes sleep deprivation, hard physical activity and complete accountability. My son is going back for the Scuba sessions this summer. PS - My older child is a Cow at West Point, so I have some experience for comparison, and this would be a great prep/gut check if your child is thinking about applying to a service academy. read more

Please do not send your child here. They have terrible customer service. They are outright rude to the parents and will not tell you if your child is sick or let you contact them at all. Your child will be exposed to adult content and not be supervised at night. Several suicide attempts are made here every year. The children come back traumatized. This place is run more like a "Full metal jacket" hollywood boot camp than a boot camp from todays military. They will make you sign a release to make you think you cannot sue them for any reason ever and if you do it has to be in Cullman county for gosh sakes. read more

I recommend XMC 100%! My grandson attended XMC for two summers and his experience was top notch! After the first year all he talked about was going back the next summer. He is now serving in the US Army and credits his XMC training for preparing him for his military service. My granddaughter attended last summer at 14 years old and will go again this summer. Again, her experience was excellent. XMC is a camp that provides a military-type experience and they are expected to follow the rules. This is not a summer camp for the weak, it does build character and my grandchildren now know they can do hard things. I learned as much as my grandchildren and how not to jump in and rescue them at the first hard thing they faced. read more

Awesome experience for my son! I highly recommend this camp. So many skills and disciplines taught here that will help in life.

This camp was a great experience for my son who was shy and did not have much confidence. He went for 5 weeks last summer and came back very happy and out going. He started a new school and joined the wrestling team. He started the school year with a willingness to try new things and he's made some great friends. I don't think he would have had the motivation to do that without the confidence he gained from his summer at XMC. The staff all seem to genuinely care about each kid and are really proud of what they accomplish in the summer. My son will be going back again this summer for the medic and ranger program. I would and have recommended this program to my friends for their children. Especially to those parents who want to see their kids off of video games and out realizing they are capable of being successful at hard things. read more

my only complaint is the camp is not equipped medically! my son attended this summer and told his TO several times he was sick and his ears were bothering him and they ignored him. there was another kid sick, they didn't isolate him and he got almost everyone sick in the cabin. my son flew home with 104 fever and a double ear infection, went straight to urgent care after the airport and 2 visits to the doctor later. Doctor said he's lucky his ear drum didn't burst on the plane! that is unacceptable and not how a parent wants to pick up their child after what could have been a truly great experience. read more

My son just turned 18 on July 14th and is an extraordinary young man. I remember the day he came to me and said I want to go to Military Camp. He had his presentation all ready. He showed me three camps and then said "BUT THIS IS THE ONE I WANT." It was XMC. He proceeded to tell me that it was the #1 Military Camp in the world. It was the most realistic and provided the best instructors from across the globe. This is now his third season at XMC and he attends camps all year round. XMC has taught my son confidence, independence, strength of character and pride in his country, teamwork, leadership- and so much more. It truly takes a village to raise a child and I am to grateful for the part that XMC has had in raising mine. Forever grateful, Stacy A. Murtaugh read more

My son absolutely loved this camp! He went when he was 13. The staff was great. He learned alot of himself and got a great sense of teamwork and the military. read more

Best thing I ever did fo my son for his self confidence. Now 5 years later and at the age of 20 years old graduated from college with a welding degree plus the new star at work for his company. He takes on things in life, before he would run. The camp enforced our beliefs of personal responsibility and self discipline to him I always recommend the camp to anyone that will listen!! read more

My son graduated and earned cadet status and I believe the camp drill instructors are really top notch. My son learned a lot from his drill instructor. This camp is very much close to the real thing. However, I am unable to give it a 5 star rating solely due to the man that runs it. He needs to understand that at the end of the day this camp is a business too. Parents are going to have questions because they are leaving their child in his hands. I have seen him speak to parents as if they were idiots. Some people don't have a military background and they don't understand what's going on therefore they will have questions even after reading the parents guide 100 times. He is not a colonel and did not have that rank in the Navy. I am proud of my son for graduating this camp and I really believe they have a lot to offer a young kid who may be interested in a military career. I just wish Mr Land was more personable because I do think he has a good thing in this camp. read more