Get to know new admissions member, Jose Rodriguez!

Mr. Jose Rodriguez joined the FUMA Admissions Team this past week as the new Admissions Operations Coordinator. Rodriguez will be in charge of making sure that everything is needed for when new families arrive for visits, scheduling all new family visits and running the Admissions Database.

Get to know, Mr. Rodriguez!

What made you interested in joining the FUMA Admissions Team?

I was interested in joining the Admissions Team because this is a great opportunity for me to share my expertise about FUMA and to be involved in the growing interest that FUMA has.

You are no stranger to Fork Union. Talk about your journey on how you ended up in FUMA Admissions.

My brother Robert was the Quartermaster Assistant for many years. When he was promoted into maintenance, he told me about the position as Quartermaster Assistant, so I applied and got the job.

When the position in Admissions opened, I thought it would be an opportunity for me to share, not only my knowledge about FUMA, but to encourage young man to better themselves by getting the best education possible.

What are you looking forward to most about your new position?

Being able to help Admissions reach out to young men all over the world so they can benefit and grow from a FUMA education.

What is your favorite thing about Fork Union Military Academy?

My favorite thing about the Academy is the FUMA family I have learned to love.

What is something the cadets and FUMA family might be surprised to learn about you?

That I learned how to speak English in less than two months while attending Camp Friendship.

Welcome to Admissions, Mr. Rodriguez!

Bravo Zulu from Col. Coggins

Every Friday the Fork Union Military Faculty and Staff meet to nominate a few who have exceeded the standards and demonstrated superlative performance. Whilst we have various awards and recognitions - a simple "Well Done!" we hope, is also appreciated. The combination of the Bravo and Zulu nautical signal flags, i.e., Bravo Zulu, also referred to as "BZ," is a naval signal, typically conveyed by flag hoist or voice radio, meaning "Well Done" with regard to actions, operations or performance.

The following are the Bravo Zulu awards for this week:

Cadet Second Lieutenant Jackson Mayo is a senior and a second-year cadet in Alpha Company. He is a boarding student from Charleston, West Virginia and was promoted this week to the rank of Second Lieutenant, serving as the Platoon Commander for 1st Platoon. Since the start of the year, Cadet Mayo has worked his way up from the rank of Private to his current position. He was already managing first platoon’s daily responsibilities, and this promotion is in recognition of his hard work and dedication. Not only is he thriving as a leader in Alpha company, but also excelling in school as an exemplary student. He leads from the front and constantly sets the example for others to emulate. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Mayo!

Cadet Private Michael Marandure is a junior and a fourth-year cadet in Bravo Company. He is a boarding student from Gainesville, Virginia and a member of the Prep football team. Cadet Marandure has consistently set the standard in his company, specifically when it comes to room inspections. This past week, he received the fewest infractions in the entire company. He continues to set the example and lead the way, setting the standard for rooms within his company. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Marandure!

Cadet Private Nico Brown is a seventh grader and a first-year cadet in Charlie Company. He is a boarding student from Stamford, Connecticut and is well known around campus for his passion and big personality. This week, Cadet Brown took the initiative to get a former cadet’s room ready for inspection. When asked why he took on this task, he responded that it would not be fair to have a new cadet move into a dirty room. This action truly displays how much FUMA cadets care about their current and future brothers. This young cadet is obviously learning the importance of his leadership traits, and how to apply them daily. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Brown!

Cadet Second Lieutenant Ousmane Dieng is a junior and a fifth-year cadet in Headquarters and Service Company. He is a boarding student from Germantown, Maryland and showed exceptional leadership and poise while organizing and overseeing the polio awareness event this past weekend. He was instrumental in the set-up and coordination with multiple departments to provide entertainment, meals, and knowledge for other cadets. He balanced multiple events simultaneously and at the close of the evening led the charge in clean-up around the social center and the social center lawn, returning all borrowed equipment in proper working order. His leadership made the polio awareness event possible. Bravo Zulu, Cadet Dieng!

CPT Jarrett Hopewell is a first-year Spanish instructor. His passion for teaching and concern for the well-being of his students has been evident since he arrived in August. This week, he has taken time out of his evenings to work with students in his class, helping ensure that they are not only successful in his Spanish I class, but also equipped with the skills necessary to be successful in Spanish II in the future. Bravo Zulu, CPT Hopewell!

Coming up this weekend for cadets!

Friday:

• Movie Theater Showing: Meg -- 1900

Saturday:

• Backyard Games (Social Center Lawn) -- 1330 to 1630
• Pumpkin Carving with Mrs. Montero-Sharpe -- 1000
• Open Weight Room (Estes Center) -- 1400 to 1630
• Open Chain Lab (Perkins Technology Center) -- 1230-1730
• Movie Theater Showing: Adams Family -- 1400
• Movie Theater Showing: Alien -- 1900

Sunday:

• Halloween Tye Dye with Ms. Higginbotham -- 1300
• Backyard Games (Social Center Lawn) -- 1330-1630
• Movie Theater Showing: Casper -- 1400
• Open Weight Room (Estes Center) -- 1400 to 1630

Thank you!