'Every Day, Every Way' Utah Military Academy Cadets

UMA IS JROTC ON STEROIDS!

UTAH MILITARY ACADEMY CADETS LIVE THE LEADERSHIP MODEL 'EVERY DAY, EVERY WAY'

by Loren R. Webb and Michelle Bridges

for valor magazine

The Utah Military Academy (UMA) exists to help students become well-rounded cadets by providing leadership and life opportunities. “We try to find opportunities for our cadets to do things they never thought they could do, to compete at the highest level, whatever the activity is,” said Maj. Kit Workman, one of the school’s original founders. “We try to help them graduate with more than a diploma—to graduate with a future.”

UMA is based on a Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program that was officially recognized as part of the National Defense Act of 1916 and that made it a high school program designed to provide students with citizenship training and personal development skills. Prior to the Vietnam War, it was a mandatory two-year program for all boys entering high school. Currently, only a few Utah high schools have such programs: West, Provo, Dixie; and most notably, Ogden and Ben Lomond that have continued their programs for more than 100 years.

Today’s JROTC programs across the country are mostly considered “extracurricular,” follow guidelines of a specific military branch and have open enrollment—nationally nearly 40% of cadets are female. UMA enrollment is approximately 72% male and 28% female, but it varies from year to year. As a charter school, the Academy is not tied to school boundaries or to a military installation, and school officials find this a plus. UMA is the largest Air Force JROTC in the western US.

The Academy sets itself apart because it is built upon the military culture which is “part of life, every day, every way. We live the leadership model.” Workman adds that cadets every day, in some sort of uniform, represent the culture UMA tries to teach.

“UMA is JROTC on steroids!” Workman exclaims.

BUILDING A DREAM

In the 2013 Utah Legislative session, Sen. Howard Stephenson, an advocate of charter schools in Utah, helped pass a bill to create an avenue for specialized charter schools— agriculture, fine arts, all-girls or military--that were built around a core focus and given a chance to develop. For years, Workman had envisioned building a charter school around a military culture and had shared his interests with Rep. Curt Oda.

In July, Stephenson, Workman and Oda got together to get the ball rolling. They had about five weeks to put together an initial application. Only six schools received approval to move forward, including the Utah Military Academy. They were then given until December to submit a full application. UMA proponents met with the Utah State School Board in February 2014, where they were approved. However, the key to approval was they had to be ready to open by the start of the coming school year.

When they first met with the state charter board, the UMA team was asked if they really thought there would be interest in a

One of the UMA's core goals is to get students into academics, athletics, leadership and service. These four areas of emphasis are the guiding steps in helping

cadets for their future goals. (top) Members

of the Camp Williams Campus' JROTC Drill and Color Guard Team: Kenley Long, Hayden Senski, Gustavo Campos, Sterling Condos, Gabriel Sautter, Shawn Christensen, Mace Swaney, Nick Santana—await their turn at

competition. (beloW) League basketball,

marksmanship competitions and airframe

structure courses. courtesy of uma

school like this. Workman answered, “I really don’t know if there is that interest, but if we build it, they will come.”

UMA was the only school of the six to open before the deadline.

“We had five months to get a facility, a staff and get cadets enrolled,” Workman said. “Oh, we also had to get accredited so our incoming seniors could graduate.”

Workman had been keeping an eye on a vacant facility in Riverdale and now that his dream charter school was about to become a reality, he leased half the building. Limited funding impacted the “bottom line” and staff bought furniture and supplies wherever they could find it: state surplus, schools that were remodeling or tearing down, military disposal, and donations from parents. With 239 students enrolled, the Hill Field Campus opened its doors.

As enrollment grew every year, UMA leased the entire building, then bought it—just in time to tackle a major renovation.

The Camp Williams Campus was always part of the master plan and opened in 2017. The original American Fork location wasn’t sufficient for the school’s needs and was vacated after the first year. The next school year began in a permanent, built-toorder facility in Lehi. The south campus has operated on an Army JROTC program for the first three years. But moving forward, a long-term strategic decision will align both campuses under an Air Force JROTC operation.

EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES

Workman, UMA deputy director and senior commandant, and CMSgt Kelly Martin, senior military advisor, are both retired from active-duty military and have worked together since 2005 teaching JROTC in Davis School District. They have been with the Academy since its inception

“Both of us have a passion for what happens to our cadets,” Martin stressed. “We try to emphasize to the kids how much more school will help open up opportunities for them.”

Likewise, newly minted Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer, Darren Beck, is no stranger to opening opportunities up for a variety of students. He is also no stranger to UMA. He was the Board chair of the initial founding board of directors. Although he has no military background, Beck’s nearly 25 years in public education and especially his working relationships with charter and education reform advocates all over the country make him a natural to lead and grow the system.

“Our teachers at both campuses bring a breadth and depth to their classrooms that signals great learning opportunities for our cadets,” notes Beck. “We are all fully committed to growing opportunities for young people at both campuses and beyond.”

Beck continued with his reasons for serving on the board and now as the system leader. “As a veteran educator, how can I not get fully behind core values like ‘Integrity first; Service before self; Excellence in all we do?’ Everyone at UMA is committed to building tomorrow’s leaders, today, and it shows no matter what is going on in the world. It is very much a place where cadets can graduate with a future.”

One of UMA’s core goals is to get students into academics, athletics, leadership and service. These four areas of emphasis are the guiding steps in helping cadets to build their personal model for their future goals.

The Academy uses a modified A/B format within the JROTC classes. Mondays and Wednesdays are A days, Tuesdays and Thursdays are B days. Friday is a flex day where classes are used for remediation and reinforcement, and the Academy holds special events along with physical training for the JROTC program.

ACADEMICS.

UMA strives to provide academic offerings with an emphasis to encourage students to enroll in college-level classes for those students who want college credit, Workman said. Courses are offered in four focus areas:

n Liberal Arts encompassing language arts, music, debate, law enforcement and the JROTC program. n Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) courses.

n Stand-Alone Computer Sciences offers 25 different courses ranging from web design to video game development to

The GLOVERS

DRAYGEN (2020), DAD JUSTIN, CASHLIN (2019), MOM CHRISTINE AND COOPER (2022) HILL FIELD CAMPUS

As a sixth-grader, Draygen attended a Civilian Air Patrol activity at the Hill Field Campus and was intrigued. A year later while struggling with junior high, he remembered the Academy. He convinced his parents to attend an open house and they all were impressed. So he and his parents, Christine and Justin, decided to enroll in the Utah Military Academy. A year later his older sister, Cashlin, transferred in.

Both teens had found their place. “It was a perfect fit,” said Cashlin.

Draygen easily made friends and excelled at sports, especially baseball and lacrosse. He notes one of the biggest differences from public school is the “caring teachers.” From day one, they were helping him settle in. “After that, I became friends with every single teacher,” he said. “And every one has put forth the energy to help me graduate.”

For Cashlin, it’s the people at UMA that influenced her the most and points out the school’s desire to help everyone achieve success. She held leadership roles in academics and drill team—enjoying five state championships. Cashlin loves learning new things and completed four internships at the Hill Aerospace Museum.

For Cooper, an incoming sophomore, having two siblings ahead of him at the school has made it easier to fit in. “All their friends really liked me, and that has helped a lot,” said Cooper. He enjoys JROTC classes, but thrives on technology.

“This school has really just told my kids, ‘You want to do it? Do it!’”

For Mom Christine it is important to her, both as parents and for each child, they have a voice in all things at the Academy that impacts them. “The public schools didn’t know us hardly at all,” said Mom Christine. “Having people like Maj. Workman ask us how things are going is huge with me. They know us and they know our kids. They care and want to see us excel in all things.”

Dad Justin is inspired by the level of parental support and involvement.

CHRISTINE AND JUSTIN'S ADVICE: To parents who may be thinking about sending their children to UMA. “If you want your kids to have

The Glover family—Draygen, Dad Justin, Cashlin, Mom Christine and Cooper—have been involved with the Utah Military

Academy Hill Field Campus since it opened in 2014. umg photo

opportunities that they might not get at a public school, if your kid isn’t the star athlete or not the smartest kid in the school, the Academy will give them opportunities too make them standout and not get lost.”

—BY MICHELLE BRIDGES AND LOREN R. WEBB FOR VALOR

cybersecurity. Another plus, classes that lead to certification, the Academy will pay $100 toward students taking the test. n Aviation Sciences are divided into three parts: drones, airframe structure and flight instruction. These programs expose cadets to trending technology and gives them a shot to invest in their future.

The Military Academy’s model is to duplicate programs at both campuses to lot cadets learn, experiment and grow.

However, occasionally, a one-of-a-kind program can expose students to unique adventures—like the airframe structure course that lets students work on aircraft for the Hill Aerospace Museum. They learn about structures, design, sheet metal, restoration, quality control, and soon composites will be added to the lineup. According to Workman, two or three former cadets have gone through the program and gotten jobs in the aviation industry, including the current course instructor who is a UMA graduate.

ATHLETICS.

“What makes us different, what sets us apart, is our military aspect,” said Martin. “I would say that our extracurricular activities are second to none.”

Hill Field Thunderbirds or Camp William Marauders … both campuses are Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) 2A schools.

Martin explains for the junior and high school students, club or league play is offered in basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball and most recently, lacrosse. They also provide track, cross-country and wrestling programs. Practices take place “wherever they can find a room or field” in their communities.

The school has a military drill team, a ranger fitness team, a marksmanship team, and a cyber patriot team. They offer military team competitions through UHSAA sports programs. “We give varsity letters for those activities because they involve competition,” Workman said.

UMA also offers non-traditional sports like chess, archery, mixed martial arts, bowling and ping-pong.

“If they (cadets) are bored here, it’s their own fault.”

Both campuses also work with other organizations, such as the Civilian Air Patrol and Naval Sea Cadets to expose cadets to ever-expanding experiences.

LEADERSHIP.

Utah Military Academy cadets are expected to wear either a school uniform or a military uniform every day.

“We are not here to get kids into the military,” said Workman. “However, if the kid is interested in going into the military, this is a pretty good place to be. Because there are things you will learn here, which will get you ready for where you want to go in life.” Workman said the school has had 100 cadets enlist in the military. And while Workman and Martin are proud of that accomplishment, they are more concerned with making sure cadets graduate with some skill or career they are interested in.

The first year of its existence, the Academy did have two students who received ROTC scholarships and another student who received a full-ride national merit scholarship to Trinity University in Texas.

“Over our six years, we have had 13 cadets who have received Congressional appointments to four of the five national military academies: Air Force, West Point, Navy and Merchant Marine,” Workman said. “I doubt there is a school in the country, especially of this size, that can top that.” Rarely does Utah offer appointments to the Coast Guard Academy.

LEARN MORE

UTAH MILITARY ACADEMY Hill Field Campus

801-689-3013 5120 S. 1050 West, Riverdale UT 84405 utahmilitaryacademy.org

Camp Williams Campus, Lehi

3901 W Waterbury Dr., Lehi UT 84043 385-498-6167 umavp.org

SERVICE.

JROTC means serving your community says Workman. “We can’t always provide everything, but the No. 1 thing we do is to present the flag—one of the most important things we do as a community for our cadets.” The school does 60 honor guard ceremonies per year. Those include retirement ceremonies as well.

So one day a year, the school closes on a flex Friday and takes the student body to eight or nine places in the community to do service. The second half of the day, they come back to the school to enjoy a barbecue lunch.

In September 2016, a tornado came through the Riverdale area and over the school. Trees were uprooted, branches were broken off and half a dozen cars had windows blown out. Students helped to clean up shortly afterward.

TRYING TIMES

Last school year, the Academy struggled through a devastating setback—the loss of three cadets. At the Hill Field campus, two students, an 8th grader and an 11th grader, died within 12 hours of each other, from two different flu strains. At the Camp Williams campus, a popular senior committed suicide.

“In this small community, we are a family,” Workman said. “It hit our kids hard. Thank heavens we had great counseling staff here. Both campuses had great counseling staff. The students also helped to support each other.”

Workman also added, “one of the things we try to instill in our cadets is grit and resilience. Every failure is not terminal and every victory is not final. You can’t live on the victories for the rest of your life and don’t let the failures drag you down. Learn from them.”

MOVING FORWARD

“I’m super proud of our accomplishments,” Martin added, acknowledging that while there have been some students who didn’t really want to be at the school, many of those same students became successful because they wanted to change their lives. “Kids just have to find that thing that they want to do,” she said.

A returning eighth-grade cadet at the Camp Williams campus, Olivia Krause loves the community the school has to offer. “It’s easier to fit in, find your place, to make friends, to discover new things. I’ve got a group of friends and we do a lot together,” she says. “At UMA you’re a part of something bigger than yourself. It is a lifetime preparatory school and teaches you lessons to prepare you for life.”

According to Beverly Rose, the academic director of Camp Williams Campus, the coming year will be a new adventure for

The KRAUSES

JOSHUA (2022), DAD JASON, MOM KATY, OLIVIA (2024) AND JAROD (PROSPECTIVE) CAMP WILLIAMS CAMPUS

The first time the Krause family heard about the Utah Military Academy was at an Orem Owlz baseball game at Utah Valley University on July 3, 2019. A young baseball player was doing his Eagle Scout project and was asking people to help carry the American flag out onto the field, so Dad Jason and Joshua joined in.

They noticed several youth wearing military fatigues proudly carrying the flag prior to the beginning of the baseball game. Dad Jason asked one of them about the school they were attending and she started to tell him about UMA. He recalls that she was a “very direct individual and confident.” He asked her how do you get into the school?

That conversation led to Dad Jason and Mom Katy discussing the school’s advantages to two of their children, Joshua and Olivia. Eventually, the four met with staff at the Camp Williams campus and before their tour ended, they were asking where to sign-up. It also helped that both sides of the Krause family were steeped in military service.

Joshua is good at math, but lives for baseball. He had struggled with a Mathfinder program in public junior high but at UMA he caught up and was bumped up to a 10th-grade level, as a sophomore he’s starting calculus. Joshua can “all positions” on the UMA baseball team, but pitcher and catcher are where he shines. Eventually, he wants to fly and plans on enrolling in the flight school program offered through the Academy.

“They’re teaching us responsibility and leadership and they take credit for our actions, as well as they’re teaching us running and growing as a person in school,” Olivia said. “They’re preparing us to become leaders.” She noted that the school teaches them military procedures and constantly provides leadership opportunities in and out of the classroom.

The Krause family—Justin, Dad Jason, Mom Katy, Jarod and Olivia— recently finished their first year at the Utah Military Academy Camp Williams Campus. Youngest brother Jarod is gearing up to join his

older siblings at UMA. umg photo

Olivia also likes that the school “values you as a person. It doesn’t matter where you come from, they take what you are as a person, then they build you up.” Her ultimate goal is to become a Navy SEAL and then become an NCIS agent. “When you go to UMA, you’re a part of something bigger than yourself,” adds Olivia. “Every school wants to say they’re a family. At UMA, we are a family.”

KATY AND JASON’S ADVICE: “We tell our kids that if they go into the military, first, it’s honorable and respectful, and second, even when they’re done with their service, they always have something to fall back on. When someone opens their job file and sees they went to a military school, what they’ve done, where they’ve led … they are ahead of everybody else.”

—BY MICHELLE BRIDGES AND LOREN R. WEBB FOR VALOR

everyone. Along with changing affiliation from Army to Air Force, there have been numerous changes with staff and leadership, and everyone coming onboard at the south campus. “All are dedicated to helping cadets become successful while attending UMA and beyond.”

Rose adds there are many new opportunities for cadets to help them achieve their goals at Camp Williams. Cadets will now be offered a chance to apply for an early college scholarship program with Weber State University or an Air Force scholarship program to get their pilot’s license over the summer.

In response to COVID-19, each family will be able to choose how they want to attend classes this fall. UMA’s new Blended Learning program gives cadets options: to attend five full days on campus, split classes up so they only come to school certain days to attend classes, or choose to stay at home to receive all their classes online.

“This year is a great year to join the UMA family and to be a part of something greater than just returning to the norm,” Rose said. “This is the year we, UMA staff, cadets and parents, will be creating a new norm. We are getting geared up to embark on a glorious adventure!”

A native of St. George, Loren R. Webb has been a reporter in community journalism and a teacher of history and English. An avid historian, he and his wife look forward to retiring so they can chase stories throughout the West. Michelle Bridges is editor for Utah VALOR Magazine and fills in where needed.