My son has attended MMA since the summer following his 8th grade year. He just graduated with the…read morerank of Captain as Executive Officer of Delta Company. I can honestly say I am beyond grateful to the DI's, ADI's, faculty and staff of MMA. He would not be the person he is without those amazing mentors. My son lives and breathes the military life and that made MMA the perfect fit.
The following comment is made by Lt. Col. Douglas G. Dry, USMCR, Retired:
I only knew one former graduate of MMA by the name of Warren Driggers, with whom I attended TBS in 1979 as Second Lt's. He was one of the more impressive Second Lieutenants in my class. I subsequently ran into him a few times in Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield. He was a Major and I was a Major Select. I always thought he would make General some day.
I have visited MMA in 1998 and then attended the Summer School Graduation of Shannon's son in 2013 and more recently I was in attendance for his High School Graduation in May of this year. Each time I was highly impressed. In addition I served in the Reserves with a MMA former soccer coach and trained at 29 Palms in 1986-87 with a Major Rocky (I forget his last name) who was a former counselor at MMA. I was impressed with everyone associated with MMA. However, I have been informed by one of the individuals mentioned that there were several wealthy and apparently spoiled kids that did not want to be there but were sent by their parents due to the conditions in either their home county, or to help correct behavioral issues they were having with their child. In addition to some kids with behavioral issues sent to MMA by their parents, as a 30 year practicing attorney, (17 years as a defense attorney and 13 years as a prosecutor), I can understand where a defense attorney may propose and the Court and State Prosecutor may accept the proposal that a troubled kid attend MMA in lieu of some other form of punishment or institution. However, the Court would not just order and send juveniles to MMA as it is not contracted with a Court System and the parents have to pay approximately $40,000.00 per year for their son to attend MMA.
In the case of Shannon's son, I can attest that he only attended MMA because he wanted to be there. I always encouraged him to attend based on my understanding of the values, discipline and education he would receive at MMA. As to the individual that stated that he had a terrible and abusive experience at MMA in 96-97, I assume there have been periods of time where cadets have been allowed and possibly encouraged to administer peer discipline, which I am totally opposed to. And I am sure it's possible that there were some abusive employees from time to time. I certainly do not believe this is systematic of MMA.
I have experienced some abuse in my early years of the Marine Corps, particularly boot camp, however, my overall experience with the Marine Corps goes beyond extremely positive and had helped me gain the discipline and confidence to lead a productive life. I served 2 years enlisted and 4 years as an officer on active duty, then 20 years as an officer in the Reserves.
No parent should send their child to any institution without first checking out that institution, including MMA. But as for me, if I had a son or grandson that wished to attend and had the finances to provide such an experience, I would definitely do so without hesitation. But again, I would always keep my hand on the pulse of MMA and make sure my cadet was having a positive experience. The MMA is not for every child, as the Marine Corps is not for every young adult, but most of the greatest people I have ever known were Marines with who I served.
Douglas G. Dry,
Lt. Col, USMCR, Retired
