CONFIDENCE CAMP SCHEDULE 2014 DAY ONE: JULY 7
0600: Reveille 0630: Physical Training Assessment 0800: Morning Mess 0930: Leadership Class, Teambuilding Events 1230: Noon Mess 1330: Rock Wall & Rappelling 1530: Compass & Map Reading 1800: Evening Mess
DAYTWO: JULY 8 JULY 6: ARRIVAL & REGISTRATION Campers arrived at Missouri Military Academy on Sunday, July 6. The first stop was the registration desk in Barnard Hall, where parents checked in with Cadet Clinic representatives and students were fitted for and issued uniforms by Quartermaster Department employees. Once settled in the barracks, campers changed into their uniforms and headed to the Centennial Gymtorium for a test of their swimming abilities in the pool. Before reporting for dinner at 1800, campers lowered the flag and reviewed mess hall procedures with their counselors. After chowing down in the mess hall, campers attended an orientation session and ice cream social. CSGT Mike Harding and MAJ Brian Galarza hosted the first team-building event: noodle hockey. Back in the barracks, campers socialized in their platoons until lights-out. ABOVE Quartermaster staffer Irene Hard fits Joseph Kays for his ACU outfit July 6 in Stribling Hall. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAJ PAUL PETIT ’85
MILITARY ACADEMY 1 MISSOURI CONFIDENCE CAMP YEARBOOK
0600: Reveille 0630: Obstacle Course 0800: Morning Mess 0900: Leadership Reaction Course 1230: Noon Mess 1330: Paint Ball Battles 1530: Water Basketball War 1800: Evening Mess 1930: Platoon Competition
DAYTHREE: JULY 9 0600: Reveille 0630: Eight-station Circuit Training 0800: Noon Mess 0900: Field Trip to Scattering Fork 1230: Lunch On-Site 1530: Water Basketball 1800: Evening Mess 1930: Platoon Competition
DAY FOUR: JULY 10 0600:Reveille 0630: Relay Races 0900: Rifle Range Safety Talk 0930: Marksmanship Practice 1230: Noon Mess 1330: Pugil Stick Battles 1530: Free Swim 1800: Evening Mess 1900: Overnight Bivouac & Bonfire
DAY FIVE: JULY 11 0430: Reveille 0630: Breakfast On-Site 0900: Three-Mile Ruck March 1200: Lunch On-Site 1330: Paint Ball Battles 1500: Free Swim 1800: Evening Mess 1900: Movie Night
AT LEFT Campers chow down in the dining hall during noon mess July 8. ONE Sebastian Viard. TWO Clayton Hutto. THREE Anderson Gao. FOUR Lance Newland. FIVE David Johnson. ABOVE Campers and counselors pose for a group photograph in front of Stribling Hall on July 9. (Pictured: Mike Baker, Lawrence Benz, Jacob Enderle, Carson Goodell-Strauch, David Johnson, Joseph Kays, Ian Marlow, Hayden McDonald, Cameron Newman, Grant Willert.) PHOTOS BY ERIN CHAMBERS
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Tyler Scott Arterbury Farmer City, Illinois Mike Kenneth Baker, Jr. Truesdale, Missouri Lawrence Thomas Benz St. Elizabeth, Missouri Michael Nye Bowers Pittsfield, Illinois Jacob Gregory Enderle Wentzville, Missouri Anderson Hai Tian Gao British Columbia, Canada Carson Goodell-Strauch Springfield, Illinois Clayton Thomas Hutto Tulsa, Oklahoma Denver Mark Jenkins Anacoco, Louisiana David Robert Johnson Plainfield, Illinois
Joseph Kenneth Kays Hartsburg, Missouri Geoffrey Madras Brentwood, Missouri Ian Edward Marlow Collinsville, Illinois
Hayden Carl-Xavier McDonald St. James, Missouri Lance Evan Newland Orangevale, California
Cameron Nathaniel Newman Claremore, Oklahoma Sebastian A. Viard Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Peyton Andrew Weber Dardenne Prairie, Missouri Grant Nicholas Willert St. Louis, Missouri
TOP RIGHT Confidence Campers pose for a group photo. (Pictured: Anderson Gao, Tyler Arterbury, Michael Bowers, Denver Jenkins, Geoffrey Madras, Peyton Weber, Lance Newland, Sebastian Viard and Clayton Hutto.) LEFT PAGE Confidence Camp cadet Geoffrey Madras prepares to have his photo taken on July 9. PHOTOS BY ERIN CHAMBERS MILITARY ACADEMY 3 MISSOURI CONFIDENCE CAMP YEARBOOK
2014 Missouri Military Academy
CONFIDENCE CAMP
CELEBRATING MILESTONES AT MMA
Camp counselor and Alumni Association President MAJ Paul Petit ’85 celebrated his birthday July 6 by sharing a cake with several summer school cadets —including Denver Jenkins and Joseph Kays, the son of alumnus Jeff Kays ’84. Two days later, camper Geoffrey Madras celebrated his 10th birthday. On July 10, camper Lance Newland lost a baby tooth — that evening, he was visited by the tooth fairy. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAJ PAUL PETIT ’85 AND MAJ BRIAN GALARZA
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MMA RAPPEL TOWER RULES ONE Think safety at all times. TWO No horseplay at any time. THREE Stay out of safety zone. FOUR Listen & follow all commands from the safety cadre. FIVE No more than one cadet on any platform. MILITARY ACADEMY 5 MISSOURI CONFIDENCE CAMP YEARBOOK
PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN Missouri Military Academy’s annual Confidence Camp activities include physical training, paint ball, rappelling, rifle marksmanship, Pugil Sticks, swimming, knot tying, Leadership Reaction Course, high ropes course and map reading. New additions to the schedule this summer included classes on an American icon. During an overnight campout July 8, MAJ Brian Galarza led cadets in a ceremonial flag burning, demonstrating the proper technique for disposing of an unserviceable American flag. AT LEFT On July 9, campers performed flag detail, removing the American flag from the school’s pole and folding it following morning reveille. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAJ BRIAN GALARZA
LT M. Andrew Adams Residential Life Department Deanna Blair Cadet Clinic MAJ Brian Galarza Assistant Commandant CSGT Mike Harding Camp Counselor
Edwin Harris Camp Counselor CPT Joseph Head Residential Life Department CPT Chad Herron Residential Life Department Julia Hunt Stables Coordinator
1SG Randal Jacobson JROTC Instructor Linda Maasen Director of Health Services LT Jesse McKee Residential Life Department LTC Gregory Seibert Commandant of Cadets
ONE Camper Geoffrey Madras scales the rock wall. TWO WO2 Richard “Rik” Thornton gives campers a safety speech session July 7. THREE Jacob Enderle and a fellow camper race to the top of the wall July 11. FOUR Hayden McDonald nears the bottom of the rappel tower July 7. PHOTO THREE BY CPT GREG MAXIMOVITCH, OTHER IMAGES COURTESY OF CPT CHAD HERRON & MAJ PAUL PETIT ’85
Dainec Stefan Camp Counselor WO2 Rik Thornton Director of Cadet Life GYSGT Mark “Gunny” Tompkins Transportation & Activities Director MAJ Paul Petit ’85 Camp Counselor
CONFIDENCE CAMP STAFFERS CAMP COUNSELORS NOT PICTURED Zoe Ashbury, Aron Aycock, John Biddle, Mason DeMayo, Michael Jacobs, Sean Kelly, Tanner Martin, Katie South, Jacob Thompson, Richard Woodruff.
Confidence Campers benefit from the guidance of the caring Missouri Military Academy mentors and educators who serve as camp counselors. Camp Director and Missouri Military Academy Commandant of Cadets LTC Greg Seibert has nearly 20 years’ experience working with cadets at MMA. LTC Seibert and his staff are experienced teachers and military leaders who impart the values of confidence, leadership, good character, self-discipline and teamwork in every student at Missouri Military Academy.
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ONE Student leader Derek Ryan ’15 and camp counselor Dainec Stefan pose with campers David Johnson and Cameron Newman while taking a break from the obstacle course July 7. TWO Campers raise their heads during a discussion led by Director of Cadet Life WO2 Rik Thornton on July 7. THREE Confidence Campers Geoffrey Madras, Anderson Gao, Grant Willert and Ian Marlow listen as Camp Director LTC Gregory Seibert speaks during leadership class July 7. PHOTO TWO BY CHRISTINE SMITH, PHOTOS ONE & THREE COURTESY OF MAJ PAUL PETIT ’85
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“BACK WHEN I WAS LIKE FOUR OR FIVE, I WAS AFRAID OF HEIGHTS. BUT MY DAD HELPED ME OVERCOME THAT FEAR BY RIDING A ROLLER COASTER. ACTUALLY, I SCREAMED AND CRIED THE WHOLE TIME. BUT AFTER WE WERE DONE, I SAID, ‘CAN WE GO AGAIN?’” CLAYTON HUTTO
CAMP DAY ONE: LEADERSHIP 101 a one-hour class by LTC Gregory Seibert Morning reveille echoed across campus at 0600 on Monday, July 7. The day’s events began with a physical training assessment, including a mile run around the track and timed sit-up and push-up challenges. After a brief break for breakfast at 0800, campers transitioned from the athletic field to the classroom. Camp Director LTC Gregory Seibert addressed students in a one-hour course, quizzing students on the importance of “pushing yourself to the limit.” “We are all different,” Seibert said. “We all have different strengths and different weaknesses.” He turned to sports as an example, asking students to name their favorite basketball player. Campers waved their hands in the air — Anderson Gao suggested Michael Jordan, while Clayton Hutto said Kevin Durant and Denver Jenkins suggested LeBron James. “If LeBron James was my size, would he be in the NBA?” Seibert asked. “It’s possible. But is it likely?” No, campers responded, illustrating his point — height helps athletes score points, just as other physical attributes define individual strengths and weaknesses. Seibert then turned to a discussion of conquering our weaknesses. He asked students to consider what they would do if there were a fire in their home. “You might be on a third-floor apartment or something. Now you have a choice. What do I do — try to climb down, or do I just wait to die?” he asked. Those who are afraid of heights, he reasoned, might be unable to escape due to crippling fear of falling. “I’m gonna get out on that ledge and I’m gonna start going down,” he concluded. “I’m not gonna let my fear limit me. So, confidence is very important. It can save your life. That’s what this camp is about. ... You have gotta overcome fears in life.” MENTOR/LEADER SOURCES OF POWER Seibert next discussed the five sources of power: legitimate, reward, coercive, expert and referent. Coercive leaders threaten with punishment, he explained, while reward power promises a prize. “Because you’re so good at [your job], people want to follow you,” he said. “That’s called referent power.” Seibert highlighted expert and referent powers as the most effective methods. “If you’re a sniper, the best way to be a good leader is to really know your job. Know everything about being a sniper,” Seibert said. For example, he said, let’s say a sniper approaches his leader and asks him how to assemble a weapon. If that commander cannot answer a simple question, Seibert asked, what does he lose? His subordinate’s respect. “You assume I should know it because that’s my job,” Seibert said. “Whatever you choose to do in life, you’d better know your job and be very good at it.” He then presented the rappel tower as an example scenario. When leaders are securing safety devices, he said, how would campers feel if their instructors didn’t know how to tie knots in the rappel rope? “When somebody knows what they’re doing, it builds confidence,” he said. “It makes it easier for you to follow
them. So, if you’re the leader, you’d better know your job.” LEADERSHIP STYLES Seibert presented four leadership styles: directive, delegative, participative and transformational. To illustrate directive leadership, he discussed military basic training. A drill sergeant, for example, will order a cadet to do something, like pick up his pack and run five miles. “He’s using directive leadership. He’s telling you what to do because you don’t know anything,” he said. “But after a while, you become somebody that understands. ... You become experienced.” Our leader, Seibert continued, now orders the cadet to lead new recruits. The leader lends his authority to his subordinates, allowing them to take charge of their own group of followers — this is delegative leadership. “Participative leadership is a little bit different,” he said. “Participative leadership is where we have a problem in front of us. ... We’re using everybody’s brain power.” Participative leadership requires an individual to facilitate teamwork during a group activity, Seibert said. The theory of participative leadership suggests that two heads are better than one. “The last one is really the highest level of leadership,” he said. “This is where you can motivate people.” A transformational leader allows his subordinates to take personal ownership of a task. Subordinates are determined to complete an activity due to an emotional connection to their goal. To end his lesson, Seibert concluded that transformational leadership requires an individual to master and use all of the sources of power and styles of leadership. Campers then exited the classroom to practice acting as leaders of their platoons. “We are gonna do some team building exercises,” Seibert said, “so that you guys ... can get to know each other a little better and get used to working together. Some of you will have leadership positions in these exercises. So you’ll have a chance to try to use some problem solving ... and motivational things to get these guys to achieve.”
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ONE Joseph Kays pauses for a photo after being struck in the face mask by enemy fire July 11. TWO A camper takes cover inside an paintsplattered obstacle. THREE Lawrence Benz prepares for battle on the paint ball field July 11.
PARENT TESTIMONIAL Overall, Denver enjoyed it. At first said he did not — but [he] would not shut [up] for most of the 12-hour ride home! ... He will be coming back next year for the Leadership Camp. ... I myself, as a parent, was very happy and thought it was well worth the time and effort for him to attend. HUNTER JENKINS, FATHER OF DENVER JENKINS FOUR Campers screw in their CO2 cartridges. FIVE Clayton Hutto prepares for battle July 11. SIX A Confidence Camper stabilizes his gun on an obstacle and takes aim at an opponent. SEVEN Denver Jenkins poses for a photograph in the paint ball safe area. PHOTOS BY MAJ PAUL PETIT ’85 AND CPT GREG MAXIMOVITCH
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July 11: Confidence Campers engage in
PAINT BALL WARFARE
PAINT BALL RULES ONE Think safety at all times. TWO Obey all rules at all times. THREE No horseplay at any time. FOUR Keep mask on during play at all times. FIVE Keep muzzle plugs in weapons & keep muzzle pointed down at all times in safe area. SIX Keep finger off trigger in safe area.
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF PAINT BALL? It felt really energizing, and then it was also an adrenaline rush! CLAYTON HUTTO MISSOURI MILITARY ACADEMY CONFIDENCE CAMP YEARBOOK
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LEFT PAGE After completing their first marksmanship class July 10, campers pose with camp counselor Dainec Stefan in front of Stribling Hall. (Pictured: David Johnson, Ian Marlow, Hayden McDonald, Jacob Enderle, Lawrence Benz, Carson Goodell-Strauch, Lance Newman, Grant Willert and Mike Baker.) TWO A camper takes aim July 10 in the rifle range. THREE Confidence Campers set up their targets prior to taking their first shot. PHOTOS ONE & TWO COURTESY OF MAJ PAUL PETIT ’85 PHOTO THREE BY ERIN CHAMBERS
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JULY 10: READY, AIM, FIRE! LEARN THE LINGO
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF RIFLE RANGE SAFETY ONE Treat every rifle as if it were loaded. TWO Always point the rifle in a safe direction. THREE Any person who observes an unsafe act will give the command to STOP/CEASE FIRE. FOUR Upon hearing STOP/CEASE FIRE, shooters will open the action, unload, place the CBI, and ground their rifle. FIVE Actions will remain open until shooters are told to load. SIX Horseplay will not be tolerated. SEVEN Shooters will not load the rifle until instructed to do so by the range instructor. EIGHT Eye protection will be worn at all times when firing is in progress. NINE No one will go forward of the firing line without permission of the range instructor. TEN When moving about the range, rifles will be pointed down range with the action open and the CBI in place.
ACTION A bolt which may be opened or closed, cocking the firing mechanism and preparing the weapon for firing. AIR RIFLE A relatively safe weapon, which uses compressed air and a soft pellet. Unlike a high-powered rifle, an air rifle will not kick or eject a projectile. Campers used Daisy Avanti 887 model single-shot air rifles, which can fire a projectile at 600 feet per second. CBI Clear Barrel Indicator. A brightly-colored zip-tie which indicates that a weapon’s chamber is clear and safe to handle. CHAMBER The portion of an air rifle into which the pellet is loaded. PELLET A projectile which is ejected from the rifle. Shooters must load rifles with the flat end of the pellet pointing down-range. PRONE A position in which marksmen lie flat on the ground while shooting. SAFETY A switch which prevents the use of a firearm. Used to prevent the accidental firing of a weapon. SIGHT Devices which assist shooters in precise aiming. Campers used rifles which feature a front and rear sight. STOCK The butt of a rifle, which is held against one’s shoulder when firing. Provides for firm support and easy aiming. TARGET The object at which a shooter aims. TRIGGER The lever which fires a weapon. Surrounded by a trigger guard, which prevents unintentional use. Campers were instructed to gently squeeze — not jerk — the trigger. ZEROING A process of adjusting sights until a shooter can consistently hit a target. Each person aims differently, thus each individual must zero their rifle to ensure accurate aim. MISSOURI MILITARY ACADEMY CONFIDENCE CAMP YEARBOOK
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THE WAY I SEE IT: GEOFFREY MADRAS WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE PUGIL STICK FIGHTS? It was a lot more different than I thought it would be like. I thought we could like hit them until they fell over or something, but it was three hits. … It was really fun. I didn’t get hit at all. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED AT CONFIDENCE CAMP? Listen to your instructor, or you will do lots of push-ups!
Campers carried their sleeping bags and supplies and marched into the woods July 9 for an overnight campout. After they set up their tents, the boys started a bonfire and ate s’mores. The following morning, cadets packed up their campsite and prepared to set off on a ruck march. Before setting out, campers received a safety talk. They were briefed on proper hydration, first aid procedures, wildlife and road discipline. Campers were also given a communications plan and instructions in case they became lost. Mentors next issued kits of necessary materials, including a cyphertext code and terrain map. Campers deciphered an example code and discussed the rules of the competition, which pitted two teams of campers against one another in a timed race to the finish line. Confidence Campers then began a 5-mile treck over a mixture of paved and gravel road. MILITARY ACADEMY 13 MISSOURI CONFIDENCE CAMP YEARBOOK
DECODED MESSAGES From drop off point RVI, proceed east to RV Pawn at road junction 424/421. From RV Pawn, travel south to RV Bishop at road junction 421/416. From RV Bishop, head west to RV Knight at road junction 416/417. From RV Knight, march south to RV King located at road track crossing. From RV King, head west to RV Castle located at Pollock Road entrance to back campus.
ONE Sebastian Viard roasts a marshmallow over the campfire. TWO Campers set up their tents July 9. THREE Campers carry their supplies and sleeping bags across Colonels Field. FOUR MAJ Brian Galarza supervises as the boys roast their marshmallows. PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE SMITH
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MILITARY ACADEMY 15 MISSOURI CONFIDENCE CAMP YEARBOOK
SCATTERING FORK
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF SCATTERING FORK? We had to go through a spider web. ‌ It was just string. If you rang the bell you had to re-try. And we walked across a bridge. JACOB ENDERLE I thought that it was really fun and I got to hang off the edge of the main platform. CLAYTON HUTTO It was really fun, especially the ropes course. PEYTON WEBER TOP LEFT Denver Jenkins climbs the ropes course at Scattering Fork on July 9. TOP RIGHT Campers work pull their peers through a tire during a teambuilding exercise. ONE Tyler Arterbury completes the ropes course. TWO A camper guides his blindfolded partner during a teambuilding exercise. THREE Confidence Camper Michael Bowers completes the ropes course. FOUR Mike Baker smiles for the camera. FIVE Peyton Weber clips his helmet. SIX Lawrence Benz smiles for the camera. PHOTOS BY CHERYL MORRIS
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LEFT PAGE Hayden McDonald completes the individual high ropes course at Scattering Fork on July 9. ONE Confidence Campers Peyton Weber and Anderson Gao wait their turn to complete an obstacle. TWO A camp counselor helps Lance Newland prepare to attempt a high ropes course obstacle. THREE Denver Jenkins, Geoffrey Madras, Tyler Arterbury and Ian Marlow pose for a photograph at Scattering Fork on July 9. PHOTOS BY CHERYL MORRIS
GRADUATION DAY
SCATTERING FORK Scattering Fork Outdoor Center is a non-profit educational facility dedicated to providing personal growth through outdoor education. Scattering Fork specializes in building confidence, self-worth and teamwork. Activities increase communication and leadership skills while instilling an awareness of the environment and an appreciation for the great outdoors. When a person is placed in an environment where they are supported and encouraged
to move out of their comfort zone, and that individual has a successful experience, confidence is built. This is the theory behind Scattering Forks. LOW ROPES COURSE During the low ropes course, participants primarily remain on the ground. Low ropes course teambuilding activities included the spider web and the blind polygon.
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SPIDER WEB: The group must move all of its members from one side of the web to the other. Each opening in the web can be used only one time. The web and its supports cannot be touched by anyone, or the whole group starts over. Persons cannot be passed over or under the web. BLIND POLYGON: The group is blindfolded in an open area. Rope is stretched out in a straight line about 20 feet from the group. The group is to form a perfect square using the full length of rope. Everyone must be touching the rope during the activity. HIGH ROPES COURSE Individual campers faced their fears in one-on-one challenges in the high ropes course. In this course, participants primarily remain off the ground for the bulk of their training experience. Activities included zip lines, grapevines and lillypads.
Nineteen boys graduated from Confidence Camp during a ceremony in the Centennial Gymtorium on July 12. The ceremony began with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance led by camp counselor and incoming MMA senior Derek Ryan. After a brief slideshow of photographs and video created by the MMA Marketing Department, Camp Director LTC Gregory Seibert distributed medals and awards to campers. Each platoon formed up and recited its motto for the final time before campers were dismissed.
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