“God Bless the Guard!” can be heard echoing through the halls of the National Guard Patriot Academy High School when Sgt. 1^st Class Tony J. Edmond reports to work.  Edmond, a native of Dublin, Georgia, reported to the Patriot Academy in April 2010 to serve as a Human Resources Non-Commissioned Officer.

The Patriot Academy is the U.S. Department of Defense’s first and only accredited high school for dropouts who wish to serve their country and earn their diplomas.  Approximately 1.2 million high school students nationwide drop out each year, a trend the National Guard Patriot Academy is trying to end–one Soldier at a time.  Edmond said he has the passion and dedication it takes to help guide these former dropouts to make positive changes.

“I just really want to make a difference in young lives,” said Edmond.

Edmond is a 17-year military veteran having served on submarine duty with the U.S. Navy and as a human resources specialist with the Georgia and South Carolina Army National Guard.  He is a 1983 graduate of East Laurens High School in Dublin and is currently scheduled to graduate from the American Military University with his bachelor’s degree in Military History in the fall of 2010.

“We graduated 38 students from 16 states for our first year,” Sarver told Hill. “Four students who were not able to complete their degree requirements, received their GED through the Guard’s Professional Education Center at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. This year, we’ll grow to 250 students from around the nation who will better themselves, their communities and their nation.” Sarver said students contributed more than 550 hours of community service to the area.

Hill listened and responded to each graduate’s personal story of triumphs over challenges in their lives.

“You guys are an inspiration for a lot of reasons,” said Hill. “Reason number one: who knew that this thing was even going to work? You’re looking at some men and women who put their necks out on the line for you guys. I’m sure that they guided you along the way, but you had to respond to what they were trying to teach you. And because you responded to the challenge, there’s going to be 250 new people coming into the next class. And that’s because you were a success in your class. So, the experiment worked.”

“I am so delighted that you guys from all over the United States, were kind of down on your luck a little bit, are now back on top of your game,” Hill continued. “And good things are now to come.”

The Patriot Academy is the Department of Defense’s first accredited high school for service members by a state department of education. Once applicants complete basic training, they report to the Patriot Academy to begin their academic training which lasts three to nine months depending on courses needed to graduate.

Each week, students attend five days of class, conduct six days of physical training and one day of military training. Soldiers are issued laptops and receive a tailored degree completion program according to their past transcripts. They are also provided full-time pay and benefits along with meals and housing.

The Patriot Academy accepts male and female applicants who are eligible to serve in the Army National Guard between the ages 17 and 21, must have successfully completed their sophomore year of high school, be out of school for at least six months, have no sole custody of dependents and possess no felony offenses.

Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, Ind. – The military’s first ever accredited high school, Patriot Academy, graduated its first class today at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center near Butlerville, Ind.

The program is aimed at combating the nation’s growing high school dropout rates by providing youth with an opportunity to earn their high school diploma, join the Army National Guard and contribute to their community.

After a year of planning, Director of the Army National Guard retired Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn’s vision to turn high school dropouts into student-Soldiers became reality in June 2009 with the funding and support of the National Guard Bureau.

“This is about the young men and women who will have a second chance,” said Acting Director of the Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Raymond Carpenter on the program’s opening day in August. “Our mission at the Patriot Academy, very simply, is to educate and train these young men to become the best Citizen-Soldiers in the Army National Guard.”

Students of the Patriot Academy come to MUTC after completion of Army Basic Training. They continue to collect active-duty pay, taking classes to earn their high school diploma, while simultaneously honing their military skills before graduating and shipping out to learn their military job.

“It’s really a good opportunity,” said Sgt. 1st Class William Long, an instructor and assistant platoon sergeant. “The average National Guard Soldier drills one weekend a month, two weeks a year. These guys do almost a year of active duty before they meet their unit. These guys are gonna have a better head start to that.”

Additionally, the course is designed to prepare the student-Soldiers to contribute to society.

“There were three objectives when they came here,” said Patriot Academy Commandant Col. Perry Sarver. “First one, of course, was to get their high school diploma. Second was to expand on their military skills that they learned in basic training, and finally they provide eight hours community service in and around the Jennings County area.”

The program was implemented during a ‘dropout crises’ in America as over 1.2 million students, equating to 7,000 per school day, either dropout or do not earn their high school diploma according to the Alliance for Excellent Education.

“There’s hundreds of thousands of young men and women who have not achieved their high school diploma and the Army National Guard provides these young men and women an opportunity to do that,” said Sarver.

This graduating class consisted of 38 of the original 47 student-Soldiers who started the course, originating from 16 different states. Each Soldier will return to his respective state’s National Guard after receiving their military occupational training.

“We are trying to diversify our next class,” said Sarver. “What we want to do is grow our enrollment from 47 from this past year to try to graduate 300 men and women from the 54 states and territories.”

The graduates’ families, command sergeants major and recruiters attended the graduation ceremony to show their support. The class valedictorian felt like his newly earned high school diploma was a new beginning for him.

“It’s a great opportunity to be here,” said Pvt. Mario Guillen of the Texas Army National Guard. “I hope to make the best of it. Before I came into the Patriot Academy I worked for a low salary. [The course] has changed my life. I can pass the obstacles that I have in front of me. Now I have a better
view of my future because of the education I got here.”

Guillen will be moving onto Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., to earn his military occupational specialty as a truck driver.

Fellow student Pvt. First Class Scott Mix of Fort Wayne, Ind., said he came to the program to better himself by getting his high school diploma to expand his opportunities and horizons.

“It’s been an adventure,” said Mix. “A lot of military training and a lot of schooling and [physical training] but it was definitely worth it.” Mix did not have enough credits to graduate high school with his class and wanted to earn more than a general equivalency diploma. He went to an Army National Guard Recruiter and joined the Patriot Academy at 18 years of age.

“I definitely grew up a lot,” said Mix. “My maturity level has increased an awful lot. I was getting into a lot of trouble and I wasn’t staying focused. Since I came here everything is more straight edged and disciplined. Everything is always business. My whole mentality has changed. I’m definitely a lot more focused now.”

His mother, who came to show her support at her son’s graduation, said she couldn’t agree more.

“He is a lot more disciplined,” said Mix’s mother, Christa Wilfong. “I’ve noticed he has a lot more respect for others. He seems to really be looking toward the future instead of just living for the day. He is setting a lot more goals.”

As the first graduating class packs their bags, to include a newly achieved high school diploma, the instructors, commanders and creators of the Patriot Academy stay committed to taking lost or misguided potential and molding it into positive contributions to society.

“They get a chance for a do-over,” said Sarver. “Society has given up on some of these young people for whatever reason and they were led to believe that they would never achieve their high school diploma. When they first came in, back in June and July, they were lacking the focus. They were lacking the confidence. When they leave here they believe they can accomplish anything in their lives. When they leave here they will be a more mature adult to assume their role in society as they get back home.”

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett, Ph.D., recently visited with former high school dropouts and officials at the National Guard Patriot Academy to learn more about the program and locate dropouts looking for a second chance. Bennett arrived by helicopter with Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Adjutant General of the Indiana Army National Guard and was given a tour of the students’ dorms, classrooms, library and a briefing by the school’s commandant about how the National Guard is helping states to reduce their dropout rates.

Currently, one in every 10 Indiana high school students will drop out of school. At the Patriot Academy, there are 18 students from the state of Indiana who are scheduled to graduate with their high school diploma in March 2010. Bennett told Umbarger that with access to over 450 high schools in the state, he will help distribute information about the Patriot Academy in order to help find dropouts who meet the admission guidelines and enlistment criteria.

“It has been a goal of mine to create multiple pathways for learning that enable all students to attain post-secondary success,” Bennett said. At a recent High School Dropout Summit spearheaded by Bennett in Indianapolis, he told the audience of educators about a new $20,000 incentive for improving graduation rates. The Graduation Rate Performance Program rewards teachers and principals whose leadership results in an increased graduation rate.

Patriot Academy Commandant Col. Perry W. Sarver, Jr. escorted and briefed Bennett and Umbarger about the Patriot Academy’s innovative program on campus.

“The National Guard has partnered with state educational programs around the country through our Partners In Education Program to encourage students to stay in school where they are best served,” said Sarver. “But when they drop out and can’t go back, that’s where the Patriot Academy can help make a difference.”

After the briefing, five Patriot Academy students marched in and were introduced to Bennett and Umbarger. Bennett chatted with the students and listened to them as they discussed why they dropped out and how the program has put them on a fast track for success.

“You had to want to take a second chance,” Bennett told the students. “You should be proud to be a part of the Patriot Academy.”

Bennett said he recognized students learn differently and the Patriot Academy “offers an outside-the-box program that effectively brings students back into the classroom.”

On their way through the school library and back to the helicopter, Bennett said he was impressed with the program and especially the students for desiring to better themselves.

“The Patriot Academy is a second chance for some Indiana students, and I am proud of the National Guard,” Bennett said. “It is clear to me the students at the Patriot Academy are dedicated, active participants in the learning process. Each can be proud of what they have accomplished, and I am confident their experiences at the academy will prepare them for the challenges of our 21st-century economy.”

The National Guard also operates a 17-month GED program for 16-18 year old civilian high school dropouts called Youth ChalleNGe. There are 34 Youth ChalleNGe programs in 29 states including Indiana, and the territory of Puerto Rico. Maj. Gen Umbarger said his state is more prepared than ever to meet the challenge of keeping students in school and increasing graduation rates.

“We are so proud that the Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy, and now the Patriot Academy, has been established in Indiana to address the needs of our at-risk youth,” Umbarger said. “The young men and women in our communities that want a second chance to prove themselves and to establish strong life goals, have been given that opportunity. The Indiana National Guard stands behind them, ready to lend a helping hand.”

The National Guard Patriot Academy is an accredited high school by the Indiana Department of Education and provides a high school degree completion program for dropouts from around the nation who qualify to enlist in the Army National Guard.

The school is located at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center and features a main academic building with 21 classrooms, full gymnasium, library, conference rooms and three dormitories for up to 500 students. The current class of 47 students is scheduled to graduate in March 2010.

Recruiters nationwide are now accepting up to 250 male and female applicants for the 2010-2011 academic school year. Interested applicants should log onto www.nationalguard.com to locate their local recruiting office for more information.

“This was not your ordinary high school field trip,” said Patriot Academy Commandant Col. Perry W. Sarver, Jr.

The students, who were once high school dropouts, joined the military under the National Guard’s new program to give deserving applicants a second chance to receive their high school diploma, become more proficient Soldiers and give back to the community.

“This was not your ordinary high school field trip,” said Patriot Academy Commandant Col. Perry W. Sarver, Jr. “Our student-Soldiers have opportunities within the academic year to visit museums, attend collegiate and professional sports events but this weekend was a little reminder that they are also being trained to be the best Soldiers in the Army National Guard.”

Students loaded up their gear and arrived at Camp Atterbury Oct. 16. From the garrison, students marched in full battle gear to the training range. After arriving, Student Platoon Sergeant Pfc. Ryan Grieger from Delta, Colo., occupied the range and ordered his squad leaders to establish perimeter security while a reconnaissance team prepared to gather intelligence on the enemy.

The advance party began movement and arrived at an objective rally point where Pvt. Brandon Deal and fellow squad members crawled through mud and dense vegetation to determine the number of enemy personnel, their activity, as well as the number and types of weapons. Beyond the tree line, Patriot Academy Cadre posed as opposition forces securing a building armed with AK-47 assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades. Without detection, Deal carefully scribbled down a few notes and returned to the rally point with critical information for his leadership.

Pfc. Timothy Valley of Jacksonville, Fla., said the training proved their strengths and more importantly where they needed improvement.

“I had to low crawl through the forest floor covered in briars,” said Deal. “I thought that was pretty fun. This is way more engaging than a regular high school field trip. I get to do a lot more. I get to have a sense of pride that I’m actually training and learning the skills that I need to defend my country.”

Students executed missions throughout the entire field training exercise and were placed in leadership positions to test and sharpen their abilities. Company Commander Cpt. Steven Conway of Somerset, Ky., said the training is designed to make Soldiers dependent on their own ability and interdependent on their team.

“As Soldiers progress through The Patriot Academy, they are given more responsibility to lead themselves with limited cadre supervision,” said Conway. “The FTX is a good measuring event to see how much the Soldiers have grasped the military training we have provided up to this point at the Academy.”

Pfc. Timothy Valley of Jacksonville, Fla., said the training proved their strengths and more importantly where they needed improvement.

“After the ruck march up here and the recon, we went through the improvised explosive device lane,” said Valley. “Everything went successfully. Then we conducted raids.” Valley’s demeanor changed from excited to distressed. “We had really good recon and our movement was good, but we had some problems getting into the building.”

Students’ and the opposition forces’ M4-style weapons were loaded with air canisters, ammo hoppers and paintballs, making the training more realistic. From above the shoot house building on a wooden walkway, cadre observed and advised as the students entered the kill zone.

Pvt. Wesley Beck from Fort Wayne said that learning to work as a team is a lesson that must be consistently taught. “Teamwork was the most important thing I took away from this FTX,” said Beck. “Everything can be planned perfectly but if it’s not executed as a team, everything crumbles.”

“If you get hit, go down!” yelled Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Latham of Valdosta, Ga. A burst came from the corner of the room. A student splattered with red paint hit the ground.

“Talk…communicate with each other!” instructed Staff Sgt. Wesley Colinger of Harlan, Ky. “What are you going to do…what’s next?”

Pvt. Stephen Pruitt from Boiling Springs, S.C., took action and kicked down an obstruction in the doorway.

“Keep security on the door behind you!” yelled a student. As he entered the next room, shots rang out. Opposing forces hit two more students. “I’m down!”

Every student had been hit with paintballs by the OPFOR. “Everybody take a knee and take your mask off,” said Colinger after the exercise. He praised the students for what they did correctly, and discussed areas which needed improvement to survive in close-quarters combat. According to statistics, there is a 70% casualty’s rate in military operations in urbanized terrain.

“[Explosive action] is really important,” he said. “You stack up there [at the door] and you go! Come in there like you’re the baddest man on the planet.”

The area at the doorway is referred by the military as the “fatal funnel.” As personnel stack up, it is the point where team members are most vulnerable to be hit by enemy fire. From there, it takes surprise, speed and explosive action to minimize casualties and successfully clear a building. Hesitation was not the only thing that hit the students as they breached the door.

“Paintballs are a good way to learn because there is no questioning if and where you got shot,” said Colinger. “I don’t want y’all to hang your heads low. At the same time I want you to understand how quickly and how easily making bad decisions or no decisions or being timid can get you and your buddies killed.”

Pvt. Wesley Beck from Fort Wayne said that learning to work as a team is a lesson that must be consistently taught. “Teamwork was the most important thing I took away from this FTX,” said Beck. “Everything can be planned perfectly but if it’s not executed as a team, everything crumbles.”

Students executed their own security plans, identified avenues of approach and placed riflemen on the perimeter and set up inactive claymore mines. During traffic control operations the Patriot Academy students interacted with “host nationals,” searched vehicles and processed detainees. Three different scenarios were presented to the students and were required to apply escalation of force procedures.

As dusk fell, Grieger gave instructions to personnel at the gate.

“Do not blow those claymores until you call it in!” said Grieger. “If you see a vehicle approaching, you call it in.”

“We’ve been doing a lot of training this weekend that we’ve been rehearsing over the past three months,” said Grieger.

Night patrols were about to begin and students were preparing for contact with the OPFOR. “We’re pulling security,” said Pvt. Jonathan Kern of Martinsville, Ind. “We’ve got teams out front, out back, up on the roof and guarding the doors. We’re expecting to get hit tonight.”

Kern and his patrol spread out in a wedge formation and began to patrol the area. OPFOR hid in the tree line and opened fire. The patrol returned fire.

“Get on line!” yelled Kern. “Right side, bound backwards…we got you covered!” The students bounded back and got behind cover while returning fire.

“We’ve been doing a lot of training this weekend that we’ve been rehearsing over the past three months,” said Grieger. “We’ve been setting up traffic control points, conducting raids, recon missions and the cadre is putting us out here to see how well we can execute. The training seems very realistic.”

While military training remains a focus, the primary objective of Patriot Academy students is to earn their high school diploma. The National Guard Patriot Academy is an accredited high school by the Indiana Department of Education and provides a high school degree completion program for dropouts from around the nation who qualify to enlist in the Army National Guard.

The school is located at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center and features a main academic building with 21 classrooms, full gymnasium, library, conference rooms and three dormitories for up to 500 students. The current class of 47 students is scheduled to graduate in March 2010.

Recruiters nationwide are now accepting up to 250 male and female applicants for the 2010-2011 academic school year. Interested applicants should log onto www.nationalguard.com to locate their local recruiting office for more information.

The National Guard Patriot Academy was the idea of retired Lt. Gen. Clyde A. Vaughn, former director of the Army National Guard, to provide qualified high school age youths the opportunity to earn their high school diplomas as active-duty Soldiers.

Patriot Academy Commandant Col. Perry Wilson Sarver Jr. said the students are not considered social delinquents or at-risk students. Some students may have quit high school because of family illnesses, hardships and others because priorities were in the wrong place.

“This program is about second chances,” said Sarver. “It’s a do-over. You don’t get many of those in life,” he said. “These students are not only getting the opportunity to get a high school diploma, they are getting additional military training and opportunities to give back to the community as well. We are preparing Soldiers to be well-rounded professionally, mentally and physically.”

The National Guard is helping to reduce the growing number of high school dropouts by encouraging students to stay in school and pursue career opportunities through its Partnership In Education program. Patriot Academy Command Sgt. Maj. Judy Macy said the best place for students is indeed in a traditional high school.

“We want the students to stay in their communities enrolled and active in their local high schools,” said Macy. “They are best served when surrounded by their peers, teachers, family and other support networks.”

Macy said while society discriminates against those without a high school diploma the program enables students to realize that they can do anything they set their minds to accomplishing.

“This is a start for the Soldiers,” said Macy. “They’re righting a wrong from quitting high school, they can continue on with college courses, improve on military training and learn valuable life skills. All this along with service to the community builds a sense of confidence that they’ve never had before.”

Applicants to the Patriot Academy must meet several qualifications to include a score of at least 50 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test, must be out of school for at least 6 months, have no dependents and be between the ages of 17 and 20. They must also be in good health and physical condition. No applicant will be considered requiring moral waivers such as felonies drug use etc.

The Academy is a nine-month resident program at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, near Butlerville, Ind., where students are issued laptops for access to online classes that are tailored for each student to complete their degree requirements. Students receive dual high school and college credit for senior level courses and are encouraged to enroll in additional college-level courses upon completion of their high school degree requirements.

Construction of the Patriot Academy began in the fall of 2008 and the first students arrived in June. There are currently 47 students enrolled from 16 states and the program will expand to 250 students in fiscal year 2010 and up to 500 students by 2011. The National Guard Bureau is planning to extend the program to include a bachelor’s degree completion program and add additional campuses nationwide.

The National Guard Patriot Academy at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Ind., is designed for qualified applicants from around the nation to enlist, complete basic training and earn their high school diploma while receiving additional military training and giving back to the community.

Indiana Department of Education Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett said the accreditation marks a first for Indiana. “This is the first time that the Indiana Department of Education has accredited a traditional 9-12th grade high school for uniformed service members, operated by the military,” said Bennett.

Dr. Bennett said he welcomes the options that the school brings to Indiana’s youth. “The National Guard Patriot Academy will provide an important education option to Indiana students,” Dr. Bennett said. “It will not only keep at-risk students in school, but also offer second chances to some who have dropped out. This is an important initiative for our state and nation and we’re fortunate to have the Patriot Academy in Indiana.”

According to the Indiana Department of Education, the accreditation process ensures that a school meets the minimum standards in student performance, legal standards and school improvement planning.

Patriot Academy Principal Col. Teran Armstrong, Ph.D. said the accreditation gives students a sense of pride that their diploma is not just another piece of paper. “This ensures a basic level of quality and provides graduates with the assurance that other institutions recognize and honor this quality,” said Armstrong. “Earning a diploma from an accredited high school is a feat worthy of great pride and satisfaction for the students. They have set the bar high, and in achieving this goal, they have bragging rights, just like their contemporaries back home.”

National Guard Patriot Academy Commandant Col. Perry W. Sarver, Jr. said while the approval by the Indiana Department of Education is no surprise, it marks a momentous and significant milestone for the National Guard’s new pilot program. “We’re not only the first but we’re the only accredited high school program by the military for the military,” Sarver said. “We are ensuring that student Soldiers of the National Guard Patriot Academy are trained for the challenges of the military, and are competitive as applicants to colleges around the country.”

The National Guard Patriot Academy enables students to receive college credits for some 12th grade level courses. Students who complete the program early are encouraged to enroll in college courses and prepare for College Level Examination Program tests where students can earn additional college credits.

For additional information or to schedule interviews with the Patriot Academy staff or students, contact First Lieutenant Kyle Key at kyle.key@ng.army.mil or (317) 247-3300, ext. 41825.