What Does the Cadet Do Here?

Pre-ChalleNGe Phase Pre-ChalleNGe, the first two weeks of the program, will be spent on the grounds of Ft. Custer Training Center in Battle Creek. These two weeks will, quite possibly, be the hardest during the 22-week program.  During this time, you will be constantly supervised and the military aspect of the program will be intense.  You will be taken out of your comfort zone.  You will spend a lot of your time doing physical training, as well as marching and participating in military structured classes.  You will have very little, if any, personal time.  You will not have access to a phone or the privilege of listening to a radio.  You will read only the material assigned by the MYCA.  You may send and receive mail from day one. The first day will be very intense!  There will be a lot of yelling on our part and running on yours.  You will spend the day in-processing, which includes drug testing, paperwork, and your first real haircut (females may wear their hair above the shoulders or pulled up according to military standards).  You will spend long hours standing in line, waiting your turn.  While you are standing, you will hold your bag in your right hand and it will never touch the ground.  When you sit, you will sit the way we tell you to.  If you are asked a question, you will respond "sir, yes sir" or ma'am, yes ma'am, sir, no sir or ma'am, no ma'am" as the situation requires.  In no instance will you shake your head, roll your eyes, frown or talk back to staff.  Such instances will result in additional physical training or dismissal.  At the end of the Pre-ChalleNGe phase, you will be evaluated on your attitude, performance, and motivation.  If it is determined that you do not meet the standards set fourth by the MYCA, you will be dismissed from the program.  The MYCA Staff is here to help you succeed.  By coming to the MYCA, you made a choice to change your life, to change the way you were conducting yourself and handling situations.  We will take you back to the basics on how to do these things.  Remember that you volunteered for this.  You wanted to change.  You must let us do our job! If we have to continually argue to get you to do what you have to, we will simply dismiss your from the program.  We are here to help, not argue or fight.  You must allow us to help provide you with the tools to be successful.  If you choose to test us, you will fail.  If you make the choice to work with us, we promise you will succeed! Residential Phase

This program won`t be easy, and it isn`t for everyone. Cadets are supervised at all times, and remain at the facility unless they are participating in an approved off-site activity. Cadets will march in formation to and from activities, and join in daily physical fitness and study programs.  Your day will begin at 5:00 a.m. That is in the early morning meaning you will most likely be up before the sun. You will get dressed in your physical training clothes and be in formation. At this time you will perform a variety of physical training exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, flutter kicks, jumping jacks and of course running. All physical training will begin with a warm up and end with a cool down. You will be tired and most likely sore at first. We recommend that you begin some sort of physical training before you come to MYCA. You will have approximately 20 minutes to shower, get dressed and clean your area before you are to report for breakfast. You will have 15 minutes to eat. From 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. you will have GED classes and modular training. Modular training consists of: laundry, computer class, community service, building maintenance or career counseling depending on the day. Your evening will consist of study hall, life coping classes, intramural sports, extracurricular activities and free time depending on what phase of the program you are in. Cadets may participate in the following student activities: Yearbook Staff Drill Team Weightlifting Team Student Council Color Guard Life Guard Classes (optional participation and requires a fee) Drivers Training (must have completed phase one and requires a fee) You`ll put in long days and have little free time. Every day you'll be challenged mentally and physically. Is a second chance to realize your dreams worth the challenge? Only you can decide