3 minute read
From MMA to West Point
From MMA to West Point, Maxwell Broughton ’15
Broughton, at MMA, senior year, 2014-15.
Nearly six years out from his time at Missouri Military Academy, Maxwell Broughton ’15 is still a fan of military schools — so much so that he spent his college days at one, too. The West Point graduate encourages families and young men to look beyond military school stereotypes and learn what MMA has to offer. “You never know what will come of it,” he says. “Take that leap of faith.” For Max, MMA Class of 2015, MMA helped him achieve his dream of graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point in May 2020. Currently stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, 2nd Lt. Broughton is completing six months of IBOLC (Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course) and in April will start Ranger School.
A stint at MMA’s Leadership Camp after his sophomore year of high school sparked an interest in Max that left him wanting more. He knew he wanted to attend MMA full time. His parents, Amy and Lance Broughton, weren’t so sure. “We didn’t know much about MMA,” Amy says, admitting they at first thought it was a school for troubled kids. “We didn’t know what a good school Missouri Military Academy is.” Leadership experience and a chance to build his resume to apply to West Point were the big drivers of Max’s motivation to attend MMA.
Broughton on commissioning day, May 23, 2020
“I wasn’t excelling in my previous high school,” says Max, who joined MMA his junior year. “[MMA] naturally clicked. I fell in love with everything it had to offer — the intent, the sense of duty and values, giving young kids a chance to see what leadership is like and to get out of their comfort zones.” At MMA, Max participated in JROTC Raiders, serving as captain during his senior year, and Honor Guard, a select group of cadets who fulfill ceremonial duties at community events and funerals. One of his favorite MMA activities was the weekly Vespers service in Memorial Chapel with the full corps of cadets, listening to hymns and worshipping together. “With all of us there, all brothers, the world stopped, and we took a pause before resuming our duties,” he says. Company competitions also ranked high on his list of experiences, as do his memories of “how cadets ran the show.”
Max credits MMA for preparing him for West Point inspections and military grading. “The cleanliness, efficiency and art of military discipline — it was ingrained every minute, even more than at West Point,” he says. Amy watched her son grow as MMA challenged and inspired him
MMA faculty member Lawrence McClarey assists Broughton with his studies during his time at MMA.
to take command in all aspects of his life. With two other children in college, the family initially balked at sending Max to MMA full time, worried they couldn’t afford it, but seeing Max’s strong desire to attend MMA as a springboard to West Point, they made it work. “It was not easy, but it was definitely worth it,” she says. “We didn’t know what a good school it was. It was well worth it.” The emotional challenge of sending their youngest son away to school in high school — an experience most students don’t encounter until college age — made empty nesters of the Broughtons earlier than planned. Amy says they rarely heard from Max because he loved MMA so much and took advantage of every opportunity, from Raiders to scuba lessons to rifle marksmanship to Advanced Placement classes to Future Business Leaders of America.
Max Broughton, center, with his family on MMA commencement day, 2015.
“Max excelled socially, academically, in leadership — in every way possible,” Amy says. “Everything at MMA made him excel. He grew and matured.” Despite the hardship of separation, she adds, “I feel like a lot of the kids who may not have wanted to be there ended up excelling. It’s hard to have that separation [from your cadet] but it’s such a good experience.” Max’s successful graduation from West Point is a testament to his hard work and dedication. While the majority of MMA cadets choose college over military service, Max’s advice to today’s cadets applies whatever their goal: be tenacious. “Don’t ever quit,” he says. “If you want something, keep fighting for it. Sometimes it’s an uphill battle, but whatever your goal, batten down the hatches and drive on.”
MMA President Geraci presents Amy Broughton with a U.S. flag flown on MMA’s campus to use at Max’s commissioning ceremony following his West Point graduation.
