New program allows youth to train to be military cadets
The American Cadet Alliance is looking for teens, both male and female, as well as adult leaders, who like to do more on the weekends than watch television.
The cadets wear regular army uniforms and train alongside regular army troops. Just a few of the activities cadets can do include training in leadership, physical fitness, military science, and character-building activities. Adult cadre may also join the program's leadership ranks, and prior military service, while preferred, is not required. Many of the adults who serve have no military background, but will receive appropriate training.
“I love being able to pass on some of what the military did for me and my life when I enlisted almost 30 years ago,” said Brig. Gen. Ricky Clay, program commander. “Seeing cadets get accepted to service academies, or going on to serve their country on active duty is one of the best feelings a person in uniform can have. Knowing I made a difference in a youth’s life makes it all worth it.”
The cadets’ parents also speak approvingly of the ACA. “We’ve noticed our son has more self-discipline, which is translating into a better attitude, and less problems in school, and at home,” said Joshua Reynolds, father of 15-year-old Cadet Cpl. Ryan Reynolds.
The American Cadet Alliance is a registered nonprofit youth career exploration program for teens ages 13-20. The program exposes cadets to what career opportunities in the military are like, and provides them firsthand knowledge and experience in many military occupational skills. This is the fastest-growing army cadet program in the country.
The American Military Cadet Corps is the parent organization of not only the ACA, but two other entities. The second one is the Military Adventure Camp, a program for current cadets and youth across the nation that want to go thru Basic Cadet Training and other military style training. The third entity is Millersburg Military Institute.
Not only is MMI the Headquarters to the AMCC and ACA, it is also the National Cadet Training Center, and it is an accredited private military grade six through 12 school in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The institute is the only remaining military school in Kentucky, and it is also one of the oldest military grade schools in the southern United States, having first opened its doors in 1893.
For more information, go to www.armyexplorers.us or call 313-389-6836.
