Fishburne Military School - Review #4

It is a small school, and after just a few weeks everyone pretty much will know everyone else, or at least their last name. That knowledge includes faculty and staff knowing each cadet, even if they do not have him in class that term. The teachers are also the coaches. The teachers really care and often establish lifelong relationships, maintaining contact long after a cadet graduates. I was thrilled to see Fishburne's Senior Army Instructor, present and participating at The Citadel's graduation and commissioning exercises this spring. A Fishburne alumnus was being commissioned as an Army 2nd Lt. Our alumni bridge generations of cadets. You don't have to be classmates to establish relationships. The experiences were so similar, it carries through year after year.

My best thing - relationships and leadership skills. Because of Fishburne and the leadership roles I had there, I was selected to be a chief of police at age 31. Understand I came up through the ranks in the police department, had earned a degree, etc. Fishburne taught me so much about people and getting along and dealing with stress.Yes, it was stressful. If you go there you will face stress and challenges every day.

If I had it to do over, I would have tried to go earlier. I was there for my junior and senior years.My advice, learn the rules. Make it a game. Bend all the rules, but don't break them. Relish the friends you will make. You will have them for a long time.

It was and is small. I needed the structure and I needed to be a fish in a relatively small pond.

Expect it to be the hardest thing you have ever done. It won't be but expect that. Stay long enough until you "get it." I "got it" and I would not trade anything for it.

Teachers at Fishburne can be just as strong-willed as any boy they encounter. If getting attention requires a squirt gun, throwing an eraser, or embarrassing someone, well that is just part of it. Expectations were clearly communicated and my parents were kept in the loop. During my time, via US Mail. Today, I understand that parents get reports via email.I was nominated to attend a service academy. I went elsewhere, but the faculty was very willing to help with letters, practice, extra work, and extra time.

In two words - "Everybody participates." Each sports season, each cadet is expected to be in a sport. It puts you out of your comfort zone and looking back, that is great.When a team wins, everyone wins, when a team loses, everyone shares the loss.Academics is #1, no doubt but all types of sports - both team and individual are there.

In my day, I was in the marching band. We were not good - but we could carry a tune.

In my day, I was able to participate in a local church's youth group. Today, Key Club and Boy Scouts are sponsored right there on the campus.

At our school, it is called a barracks. Two to a room. All rooms open to the outside. In my day, food in your room was based on the care package that was mailed from home. Standards of cleanliness and inspections are regular. Room assignments are for the most part based on what organization (Company A, B, C or Band) you belong to.

It is a military school and called a "Mess Hall." Food has been catered for as long as I know. They do a great job, with a great variety.

Waynesboro is small town USA. With the exception of local teenage boys, everyone loves Fishburne. Seriously, the school adds economic well-being. I grew up in a small town. If you like that, you will like Waynesboro. The views, breathtaking. The weather, challenging at times.

In my day, there was an all girls school in town. There were arranged dances and social events and some relationships started there. I am to this day in contact with both men who attended Fishburne, and ladies who attended Fairfax Hall.