I am Cadet Parker and I would just like to thank the academy for who I am today. I graduated from class 02-2007. My life has taken many challenges since I graduated. My best friend and my father have passed away since I graduated, and these things  have really affected my life.  Without the MCA I don't believe I could have succeeded and gotten through the hard times. The MCA gave me discipline and made me realize who I am. Without the MCA my life would be nowhere. I think about the cadets, staff and the academy itself everyday. I wonder about things like who is sleeping in my rack and what the company did today. I have a different memory of the academy every day.

It's been a while since I graduated, but I miss it so much. I know life has to go on, but I would do anything to be a cadet and be back at the MCA. The Cadre [were] right. At pre-challenge they told me I would hate it when I first got there, but I wouldn't want to leave when the time comes. I still wish I wouldn't have left. I have never been through anything in my life that affected me like the MCA. When I talk about the academy tears come to my eyes. I'm afraid the memories will fade, but in my heart I know they never will.

I now attend community college. I still live on my own. I have hard days all the time. When I have a difficult day I stop and think of motivation, success, and my past. If I can complete the MCA I can do anything. People don't understand what I have been through in life, but I know.

This past week I decided to join the Air Force. I want the routine. I want the discipline. I want to do something with my life. I want to become someone. I want to join the military. I believe this will bring the MCA back in my life. This step will help me complete my mission in life and will make me a better person; it will make me who I need to be. I am not going to go real soon, but I am planning to do this within the next year.
 
I would like to thank the MCA for everything they have done for me and for making me who I am today. I hope you haven't forgotten about me.. For future cadets-  the
MCA is the best thing for you to do. Listen to everything they say and tell you. They are right.

Ms. Jessica Marie Parker
Class 02-2007
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MCA Graduate-
I'm in the 1-15th Field Artillery in the Second Infantry Division.I'm a 13 Delta and am in charge of where all the rounds are shot. It's up to me to get them shot as fast as they need them.We go to the field once every 2 months for about 10-15 days and shoot artillery all day long.My platoon was actually the first ever U.S Unit to shoot 155mm rounds as close to the DMZ as we did.I've received quite a few army achievment medals and have earned a great amount of promotion points to help further my career in the army. I owe it all to the staff at MCA.When I quit school I was told I would never make it in life.I'd be working a dead end job forever.Now I'm enrolled in college to major in forensic science,am making good money,and have plans to be married next September.I made some really good friends in MCA whom I still talk to on a regular basis.I can't thank the staff enough for everything they helped me become.Thanks for teaching me how to manage money; OSHA saftey training,(it actually came in handy); the proper way to write a paragraph and how to read and understand poetry.My girlfriend is still impressed.I want to thank all of the cadre for every pushup they made me do.I hated it at the time, but now I see exactly why they did the things they did.I want to thank all the instructors to the first aid training as well.Unfortinately I had to use it on one of my fellow soldiers, but I remembered all the training I received and was able to react fast.The academy was an amazing place, and if I could I would do it all over again.I just hope that all the future cadets take full advantage of the second chance they are given and make something of themselves.Thanks again for everything.

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My son graduated your class on December 12, 2008.  I want to thank each one of you for a wonderful job that you have done with him.  The respect  and self discipline that he now has is great.  Tyler still gets up each morning and takes a run (with dogs now).  His attitude has changed, (no more huffing and puffing when asked to do something, and his bedroom is CLEAN!! He has been cooking diner, some of the things he had at MCA, and as soon as dinner is done, doing the dishes, without asking him or arguing with him.  Tyler has an interview today with Dick’s Sporting Goods Store.  He even ironed his dress pants and  a dress shirt and tie that he volunteered to wear, I did not even have to suggest dressing up.  My goodness, what a change.  Words can not express the thanks that his father and I feel for you.  You all have done a wonderful job taking care of my son.  

Thanks To All of You
Cadet's Mother

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Letters from MCA Graduates:

"To the cadets... You don't know me and I don't know you, but I thought I would write and tell you how much of a good decision you made by going to this wonderful school and how proud I am to be able to count myself among you and to be able to say, 'Those guys are from WV.' I was in class 1-05, so if you think I don't know what I'm talking about you are sadly mistaken. Just keep in there and stay strong and don't get in trouble."

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Mr. Dobson,

I would like to thank you for turning my life around and changing my outlook on life after I graduated. I joined the army and now I am an E-5 SGT. I live in Hawaii and am doing great because of that school.

I was in a lot of trouble before I came there, and I was going down in the hole I was digging really fast and did not have a ladder that long to get myself out. But thank you again.

Sincerely,
Sgt Cody Lawson

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"I know my thanks is long delayed, but I would like to thank everyone that came together to get me through the program during class 2-05. I know I fought every step of the way, but now that I see the changes I've made and how much better I feel about myself, and even the way my parents look at me differently, I would do it all over in an instant given the opportunity.

Special thanks to Mr. Taber.
Cadet Blackford

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"...I know I should have written a lot sooner but I've been busy. I started going to Charleston Job Corps February 15th and I'm about to graduate with four certifications in network cabling. When I graduate I will be working for Verizon, hopefully. I also just wanted to tell all the staff thanks for everything while I was at the academy and for helping me change my life totally around. For the new cadets... 'I will just tell you not to run off, and don't quit the program because it will show you so many things you can achieve in life.' "

- Graduate Class 2-04

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"... I'd like to thank all of the ChalleNGe staff for turning my life around. If it wasn't for you all I'd probably be in prison or not have peace of mind. Before I went to ChalleNGe I was upside down and inside out. But now I'm on the right track... success. Thank you all!"

- Graduate Class 2-99

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"I am a graduate of class 1-99. The MCA is the one place that I could love and hate at the same time. The MCA instilled in me discipline and self-respect. The PT there got me into great physical shape. The teachers there are incredible and will go out of their way to help you learn. The Squad Leaders are just as great; stern, yet always willing to lend an ear or a helping hand. I greatly recommend this high-speed place. It will set your life back on track!"

- Graduate Class 1-99

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"I graduated from the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy in Class 2-97... December 19th, 1997 to be exact. Personally I loved being there and I spend many nights wishing that I were still there. It's outstanding!!!! I will just say that it's the one thing in my life that I will always be proud of, and no matter what I accomplish in life I can always look back and say the MCA helped me do it. If you're thinking about joining or trying to get someone else to do it my advice is GO FOR IT!!! It's the best thing that ever happened to me!!"

- Graduate Class 2-97

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"...I have a great job at Kroger Grocery store. I work part-time as a cashier, and so far I am averaging about twenty hours a week, but recently have been receiving more hours. I enjoy my employees (because) they treat me with respect. The MCA helped me grow up and become a mature young adult. I also enrolled at West Virginia State and will be majoring in Criminal Justice. I want to be a State Trooper sometime in the future. I take my ACT test in August and I feel very confident that I will score high."

- Graduate Class 2-96

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"Thanks for inquiring about my recent acceptance to Marshall University. I couldn't have done it without the help and support provided by you and the staff of the Academy over the five months that I spent as a Cadet. If you need any assistance with any of the upcoming orientations for new Cadets, feel free to contact me anytime."

-Graduate Class 2-95

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Great Guidance: "... I want you and your staff to know that I am one of many who thank you for making it possible for some young people to turn their lives around and be good citizens in our society because of the great guidance received at the Academy. You should be very proud of your accomplishments."

-Teacher/Mentor

Regretful Dropout: "I know when I left the gates of Dawson last week, it was the biggest mistake of my life. I wish I was back there right now with my boys in 3rd platoon. You all saved me, but I didn't fulfill my dreams. Thank you for the time, and I wish I was there right now. The staff was great! I miss the cadets and staff alot. Just know that I think about the academy all the time and regret leaving."

-December 1999

In Your Debt: "... Because of your dedication to the simple idea that discipline and self-respect are the foundations of personal achievement, my son can again look to his future with confident expectation. Our entire family is in your debt..."

-Attorney At Law

Unquestionably Correct: "...what a wonderful program the MCA must be, these many school drop-outs were being nurtured. As I viewed the class and considered (the cadet) seated at my left, I thought: what a worthwhile use of our taxes. At a time when I find so many government programs and spending contrary to my conservative thinking, here is at least one use of our taxes that is unquestionably correct."

-Octogenarian WW II Vet, 1998