Legacy Cadets

Tradition & Honor — Legacy Cadets LEGACY CADETS

Legacy cadets are the sons, stepsons, brothers, grandsons, step-grandsons, nephews or cousins of an MMA alum who completed at least one full year as an MMA cadet. “Since the Academy was founded in 1889, we have had a rich tradition of legacy families who have seen the positive impact that MMA has on their sons,” says MMA President Richard V. Geraci. “Recognizing our legacy cadets is an important way to honor those special families who are committed to MMA’s mission, core values and rich traditions, so much so that they encourage and support their family members’ attendance.”

The 2019-20 legacy cadets and their families were recognized at the Homecoming 2019 Alumni Awards and Donor Recognition Banquet. Cadet Loyal Smith, legacy of his cousin D’Cherion Nelson ’15 Cadet Kenny Gisa, legacy of his cousin Jean-Luc Shyaka ’17 Cadet Ziad Hossam Sabry, legacy of his cousin Mohamed Ahmed Shiha ’ 02 Cadet Eric Gentry, legacy of his father, Chris Gentry ’88

Cadet Daniel Chapa, legacy of his brother, Hector Chapa Gonzalez ’16 Cadet Patricio Grunberger Castillejos, legacy of his uncle, Rodolfo Alejandro Grunberger Reynoso ’82 Cadet Diego Perez, legacy of his brother, Jose Perez,’12 Cadet Roberto Rodriguez Jr., legacy of his father, Roberto Rodriguez ’89 Cadet Keveth Sangster, legacy of his grandfather Brian Rockell ’57 Cadet Marco Tavarez, legacy of his father, Marco Tavarez ’89

Cadet Marco Vega-Pinero, legacy of his father, Marco Vega ’94 Cadet Gorka-Aitor Yarte-Zertuche, legacy of his father, Jorge-Alberto Yarte-Sada ’89 Cadet John Murphy, legacy of his brother, Paul Murphy ’18 Cadet Derek Nguyen, legacy of his brother, Dion Nguyen ’16 Cadet Diego Lopez, legacy of his cousin Jose Luis Castro ’08

A Father’s Advice Chris Gentry ’88 and Eric Gentry ’21 Chris Gentry entered MMA at age 15, and at age 14, his son Eric followed in his father's footsteps. Below, Chris talks about the advice he shared with Eric before his son began his own MMA experience. “Before Eric arrived at MMA, I told him he would need to listen: do exactly what was told of him from instructors and cadet leaders. I advised him not to give any feedback but rather just follow the instructions given. I warned him, many may not make any sense, but he would get along much better to just do as asked. I drilled this into him every communication his first year as well. We titled it Ears Open Mouth Shut (EOMS), and eventually I just began closing all communications with him EOMS. “I also told him his grades were very important as they would be the heaviest weight when considered for promotions and awards. I told him promotions were everything because life is much easier as a leader. This was key because Eric thrives on the promotion system, which was a big consideration in our choice to enroll Eric at MMA. I explained athletics, activities and discipline records were also very important to his success. “I also told him, no matter who he was speaking with to address them as sir or ma’am. I told him politeness carries a long way at MMA and the real world. ” On the MMA brotherhood, then and now: “The camaraderie of the brothers at MMA has not changed over the years. The cadets are still close and ‘discipline’ each other in a similar fashion. That love is everything.” — Chris Gentry ’88

Left, then-Cadet Jorge-Alberto Yarte-Sada in 1989. Above, Alberto YarteSada ’89 and his son Gorka-Aitor Yarte-Zertuche ’23 in 2019. Eric Gentry ’21 and his father Chris Gentry ’88 during Spring Family Weekend 2019. Below, then-Cadet Chris Gentry in 1988.

Commitment and Pride Jorge-Alberto Yarte-Sada ’89 and Gorka-Aitor Yarte-Zertuche ’23 Message shared by Jorge-Alberto Yarte-Sada via Facebook following the legacy cadet recognition during Homecoming 2019: “I feel very proud and honored for this recognition for an old tradition introduced at the Homecoming 2019 Alumni Awards and Donor Recognition Banquet held at MMA. “Gorka-Aitor Yarte-Zertuche will proudly wear the legacy pin symbolizing the Yarte family’s continued history at MMA (my younger brother Rodrigo Yarte-Sada attended MMA during his eighth year, graduating then from what was denominated MMA Junior School, nowadays MMA Middle School). “We will pursue our commitment as proud MMA alumni and ambassadors, sharing MMA’s core values and rich traditions worldwide so that we may inspire and encourage other families and even other fellow MMA alumni to consider MMA as the best school of their choice for their sons as a consequence of its uniqueness. “Long live MMA!”

Roberto Rodriguez ’20 This May, Roberto Rodriguez will become the seventh young man from his family to graduate from MMA. He has attended MMA for six semesters, and this year he is living in the same barracks room that his father once occupied. He says he grew up with his dad always asking him, “Are you ready for military school?” When Roberto first visited MMA, for his cousin’s graduation, he knew he wanted to attend. “When I came to MMA, I already knew how to shine my shoes and make my bed. When other cadets and cadet leaders asked me, ‘How do you already know how to do everything?’ I told them my story — that I’m not the first in my family. I’m very proud. It’s a tradition in my family to come here because it makes young men into gentlemen.” — Roberto Rodriguez ’20 Legacy connections: Roberto Rodriguez ’89 (father) Ramon Rodriguez ’86 (cousin) Ricardo Rodriguez ’87 (uncle) Roel Rodriguez Garza ’92 (uncle) Roel Rodriguez Valdez ’14 (cousin) Ramon Rodriguez Valdez ’21 (cousin)

Watch a brief video of Cadet Rodriguez sharing his story: bit.ly/MMA-Rodriguez-Interview.

Then-Battalion Commander D’Cherion Nelson in 2015. Roberto Rodriguez ’89 and his son Roberto Rodriguez ’20 during Fall Family Weekend 2019. Below, then-Cadet Roberto Rodriguez in 1989.

D’Cherion Nelson ’15 and Loyal Smith ’21 A junior from Memphis, Tennessee, Loyal Smith ’21 says his cousin D’Cherion Nelson ’15 shared a lot of information with him about the Academy before he arrived. That insider view has matched up with Smith’s own MMA experience, and he says that he attends MMA today in order to receive the best education possible and to improve his leadership skills. Today, Nelson is attending Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he participates in the college’s ROTC program. Smith plans to again follow in his cousin’s footsteps by participating in ROTC after MMA graduation. “My future goal is to commission out of an ROTC program and become an officer in the United States military,” Smith says. He also feels the same pride as Nelson in being a legacy: “I feel that being a legacy cadet at MMA is an honor, and I want to create my own legacy for future cadets to remember.” On the next page, read a Q&A with Nelson about the legacy connection …

Did you offer any advice to Loyal before he arrived at MMA? Nelson: Basically I told him to stay strong, and not to give up if he wanted something. Things will get difficult, and might not be in your favor, but you will have to make do with what you have. What were you most excited for him to learn, experience or do at MMA? Nelson: I was most excited to see how he would lead in this brand-new environment, with so much healthy competition. Why did you choose MMA? Nelson: I chose MMA because it was great for a young man like myself at the time. I had no father figure, and I knew this school would instill the discipline in me that I was lacking. What do you hope your cousin gets out of his time here? Nelson: I hope that Loyal understands that he will always have to work for what he wants. I also want him to learn that the only way he will be successful is through tackling his obstacles and fears head on. What is your favorite MMA memory? Nelson: I can say one of the best feelings was when I was designated to be the battalion commander. The emotions going through my head at the time were crazy, and I felt extremely accomplished. What do you think about being part of a legacy connection at MMA? What does that mean to you? Nelson: Being a part of this legacy is another way that I still feel connected to this fine institution. To me this brings great joy, because I can still influence young minds at an institution that molded me. In a way, it feels like I am giving back.

This legacy pin was introduced at Homecoming 2019. It will be presented annually to legacy cadets to symbolize the family’s continued history at MMA. LEGACY CADETS

Loyal Smith ’20