thedrifter
10-08-09, 12:12 PM
Patriot Academy: New School for a New Start
Indiana National Guard
Story by Spc. Austen Hurt
Date: 08.26.2009
Posted: 08.26.2009 11:59
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - For years, a high school diploma has been a required achievement for a successful life, a pass to higher wages, better jobs and untold other opportunities. Every year, millions of high school students find themselves in situations that they can't overcome and need to leave school. The National Guard wants to give some of those youths a chance to do something better with themselves and serve their country at the same time.
To further that goal, the National Guard has established a revolutionary new facility at Muscatatuck Urban Training Facility in Butlerville, Ind. Dubbed the Patriot Academy, the facility grants newly enlisted Soldiers the chance to get their high school diplomas, not a GED certificate, while in a military environment and receiving full-time military pay and benefits.
The concept of now-retired Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, former director of the Army National Guard and the creator of the Guard Recruiting Assistance Progam, the Patriot Academy held its official dedication ceremony Aug. 26. The dedication was attended by dozens of dignitaries from all across the country as well as Ind. Rep. Barron Hill and Ind. Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman. The first class started in July with 47 students from 16 different states.
"Our mission is, quite simply, to educate these young men... to become the best citizen-Soldiers in the National Guard," said Col. Perry Sarver, commandant of the Patriot Academy. "The Patriot Academy can be described in two words; second chance."
Students at the school enlist in the National Guard and attend basic training before coming to the Academy and all have 10 or fewer high school credit hours to complete. The school also offers several dual-enrollment college courses that will result in college credits for the students.
"I've been here three weeks, going on four, and I've already finished two classes," said Pvt. Derrick Morris, a native of Detroit.
"For the military to offer a second chance, I think it's wonderful," Morris said.
In addition to completing high school and college classes, the students have regular military skills training and a strenuous physical fitness regimen six days a week. According to 1st Sgt. James Duncan, the training is intensive and gives the students a better grasp on Soldier skills while they receive their education.
"It creates a higher echelon of private, which in turn will result in better [non-commissioned officers]," said Duncan. "When a Soldier leaves here, they'll have an experience level that would take two to three years to accomplish as a traditional Soldier."
Despite the tough training regimen, Duncan stressed that Patriot Academy wasn't basic training all over again. The students are self-sustaining, with their own leadership structure and coordination. The students live in a modern, college-style dormitory with spacious rooms, computer labs and internet connections in every living space.
Duncan said they actually patterned the training after Army NCO schools like Warrior Leader Course and Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course.
Another focus of the program is the students' activities within the local community around Muscatatuck. Students are required to complete at least eight hours in a community service program of their choice, but they're encouraged to do more.
"The end result benefits everyone: the state, the unit and the individual," said Sarver. He spoke about how he hoped that students – upon arriving at their advanced individual training sites – would be far ahead of the Soldiers just out of basic training. He said he's certain this will benefit the Guard as a whole.
The Patriot Academy is a pilot program, but the National Guard Bureau is confident in the potential of the school. The program is expected to grow each year, to a maximum of 500 students by 2011. Vaughn said the program is very selective and that recruiters from across the country select candidates for the program.
"These guys are some of the best and brightest," said Vaughn.
Most importantly, though, is the long term effect on the individual, the Army and the country. The National Guard, through the Patriot Academy, strives to take individuals who have made a mistake, who are down on their luck and who need help, and give them a chance to be something, to better themselves and to serve their nation.
"You can't quit at 17," said Maj. Gen. Raymond W. Carpenter, acting director of the Army National Guard, during a speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "There's so much more to the story." Carpenter stressed how he had so many great things in his life after that point and couldn't fathom giving up at such a young age and how great it was to give students another chance at success.
"[This program] is an investment in our most precious resource," said Vaughn. He said it was a great opportunity to help the youth of America while defending American's freedoms.
Skillman, the lieutenant governor of Indiana, spoke about the importance of Muscatatuck to the local community and the state of Indiana as well as her high hopes for the graduates of the Patriot Academy.
"This is a robust program that gives attention to every aspect of a Soldier's training," Skillman said. "I certainly look forward to hearing all the success stories that come from our distinguished graduates."
The school is located in a former school house recently renovated by local contractors. Muscatatuck, formerly known as the Muscatatuck State Developmental Center, was opened by the National Guard in July of 2005 and has since become the premiere urban training facility for civilian and military forces alike. The Patriot Academy is one more addition to an already invaluable training facility.
Ellie
Indiana National Guard
Story by Spc. Austen Hurt
Date: 08.26.2009
Posted: 08.26.2009 11:59
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - For years, a high school diploma has been a required achievement for a successful life, a pass to higher wages, better jobs and untold other opportunities. Every year, millions of high school students find themselves in situations that they can't overcome and need to leave school. The National Guard wants to give some of those youths a chance to do something better with themselves and serve their country at the same time.
To further that goal, the National Guard has established a revolutionary new facility at Muscatatuck Urban Training Facility in Butlerville, Ind. Dubbed the Patriot Academy, the facility grants newly enlisted Soldiers the chance to get their high school diplomas, not a GED certificate, while in a military environment and receiving full-time military pay and benefits.
The concept of now-retired Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, former director of the Army National Guard and the creator of the Guard Recruiting Assistance Progam, the Patriot Academy held its official dedication ceremony Aug. 26. The dedication was attended by dozens of dignitaries from all across the country as well as Ind. Rep. Barron Hill and Ind. Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman. The first class started in July with 47 students from 16 different states.
"Our mission is, quite simply, to educate these young men... to become the best citizen-Soldiers in the National Guard," said Col. Perry Sarver, commandant of the Patriot Academy. "The Patriot Academy can be described in two words; second chance."
Students at the school enlist in the National Guard and attend basic training before coming to the Academy and all have 10 or fewer high school credit hours to complete. The school also offers several dual-enrollment college courses that will result in college credits for the students.
"I've been here three weeks, going on four, and I've already finished two classes," said Pvt. Derrick Morris, a native of Detroit.
"For the military to offer a second chance, I think it's wonderful," Morris said.
In addition to completing high school and college classes, the students have regular military skills training and a strenuous physical fitness regimen six days a week. According to 1st Sgt. James Duncan, the training is intensive and gives the students a better grasp on Soldier skills while they receive their education.
"It creates a higher echelon of private, which in turn will result in better [non-commissioned officers]," said Duncan. "When a Soldier leaves here, they'll have an experience level that would take two to three years to accomplish as a traditional Soldier."
Despite the tough training regimen, Duncan stressed that Patriot Academy wasn't basic training all over again. The students are self-sustaining, with their own leadership structure and coordination. The students live in a modern, college-style dormitory with spacious rooms, computer labs and internet connections in every living space.
Duncan said they actually patterned the training after Army NCO schools like Warrior Leader Course and Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course.
Another focus of the program is the students' activities within the local community around Muscatatuck. Students are required to complete at least eight hours in a community service program of their choice, but they're encouraged to do more.
"The end result benefits everyone: the state, the unit and the individual," said Sarver. He spoke about how he hoped that students – upon arriving at their advanced individual training sites – would be far ahead of the Soldiers just out of basic training. He said he's certain this will benefit the Guard as a whole.
The Patriot Academy is a pilot program, but the National Guard Bureau is confident in the potential of the school. The program is expected to grow each year, to a maximum of 500 students by 2011. Vaughn said the program is very selective and that recruiters from across the country select candidates for the program.
"These guys are some of the best and brightest," said Vaughn.
Most importantly, though, is the long term effect on the individual, the Army and the country. The National Guard, through the Patriot Academy, strives to take individuals who have made a mistake, who are down on their luck and who need help, and give them a chance to be something, to better themselves and to serve their nation.
"You can't quit at 17," said Maj. Gen. Raymond W. Carpenter, acting director of the Army National Guard, during a speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "There's so much more to the story." Carpenter stressed how he had so many great things in his life after that point and couldn't fathom giving up at such a young age and how great it was to give students another chance at success.
"[This program] is an investment in our most precious resource," said Vaughn. He said it was a great opportunity to help the youth of America while defending American's freedoms.
Skillman, the lieutenant governor of Indiana, spoke about the importance of Muscatatuck to the local community and the state of Indiana as well as her high hopes for the graduates of the Patriot Academy.
"This is a robust program that gives attention to every aspect of a Soldier's training," Skillman said. "I certainly look forward to hearing all the success stories that come from our distinguished graduates."
The school is located in a former school house recently renovated by local contractors. Muscatatuck, formerly known as the Muscatatuck State Developmental Center, was opened by the National Guard in July of 2005 and has since become the premiere urban training facility for civilian and military forces alike. The Patriot Academy is one more addition to an already invaluable training facility.
Ellie