The Delaware Military Academy is a publicly funded charter high school in Wilmington, Delaware, USA. It is considered a Military High School because all students, or cadets as they are called, are required to participate in the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) — the first such school in the United States. Founded in 2003 by Charles Baldwin and Jack Wintermantle, the academy has roughly 500 students enrolled. Admission is granted after an interview, and there are currently hundreds on the waiting list.
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Location
The DMA lies within the boundaries of the Red Clay Consolidated School District, but as a charter school it is not part of the school district itself. The school's address is 112 Middleboro Road, Wilmington DE 19804. The site is located in proximity to a housing development, the Christiana River, and several light industrial and commercial operations. Two buildings currently exist. The first, called Talley Hall, contains classrooms, administrative offices, the nurse's office and a small library (though its book selection is almost entirely related to the military). The second, The Naval Science building contains a music room, mess hall (cafeteria), drill deck (gymnasium), NJROTC offices, classrooms, weight room, science labs and supply room.
Organization
As the first Navy Military High School in the United States, the Delaware Military Academy has a unique organizational structure. Teaching staff is divided based on the subject: either military or academic. Each group tries to avoid interfering with the other's events, but conflicts do occur. There is also a student organizational structure, referred to as a chain of command. This chain of command depicts the roles of each student in the school, ranging from "Squad member," (no special responsibility), to "Battalion Commander," the student in charge of the entire school's military section. Various positions are available to the students, in various levels of the organization. There are leaders for each subdivision of the battalion, and for each subdivision of that, etc. Special positions are also available, such as "Public Affairs Officer" and "Web Site Manager." Much of the school's activity is handled by the students themselves, only traveling to the staff for approval and supervision.
NJROTC
The following sections are mainly about the ROTC aspect of the school. NJROTC stands for Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Core Values
Core Values, are mentioned a lot a DMA. Core Values are things considered important to The Navy. Navy Core Values are: Honor, Courage, and Commitment, DMA's Core Values are: Scholarship, Leadership, and Citizenship.
Battalion Staff
Battalion Staff cadets demonstrate a high level of efficiency and aptitude towards ecellence and leadership, while maintaining core values. These are the leaders of our school. Battalion Staff cadets demonstrate a high level of efficiency and aptitude towards ecellence and leadership, while maintaining core values. These are the leaders of our school. Executive Advisor to the Naval Science Instructors- C/CMDR Michael Lemke Battalion Commander- C/LCDR Christina Silliman PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT Command Master Chief of the Battalion: C/MCPO Phil Cane
Battalion Department Heads:
Operations: C/LTJG Bonsall
Training: C/ENS Lauren McCann Female Supply: C/ENS Brittany Paoli Male Supply: C/ENS Paul LaManna Awards: C/ENS Preston White Administrations: C/ENS Ian Cotter Drill Team Commander: C/LTJG Woody Thompson Color Guard Commander: C/ENS Nicole Javorsky Senior Watch Officer: C/CPO Christina Gross Drum Major: C/CPO Ashley Markey
Note: These psoitions may be in need of updates due to promotions or changes of position.
Note: These psoitions may be in need of updates due to promotions or changes of position.
Company
Companies have 4-5 Platoons. 1st Company- Company Commander: C/LTJG Corinne Marquess, Platoons: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo
2nd Company- Company Commander: C/ENS Nick Bonsall, Platoons: Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, 4th Company- Company Commander: C/ENS Courtney Allen, Platoons: Juliette, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November 5th Company- Company Commander: C/ENS Josh Grace, Platoons: Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo
Platoon
The Platoons are run by the cadets within it. Bilit positions within a Platoon are appointed to the cadets who show the most leadership skills, and demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the Navy core values: Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Platoon Positions are: Platoon Leader- Directs the Platoon, advised by the NSI Assistant Platoon Leader- Takes over when the Platoon Leader is not available, takes instruction from the Platoon Leader Operations Officer- Precedes over Training, Awards, and Supply, takes instruction from the Assistant Platoon Leader Training Officer- Keeps records of advancement tests for rank and in some Platoons may administer the practical test, takes intruction from Operations. Awards Officer- Keeps records of awards due or received by a cadet, takes instruction from either Training or Operations. Supply Officer- Keeps records of uniform pieces due or received by a cadet, takes instruction from Awards or Operations. Administrations Officer- Keeps all Platoon records on file, organizes tests, keeps track of uniform inspection scores, takes instruction from Supply or Operations Guidon- Carries the "Guidon" a flag that displays the Platoon's name on it along with the Navy anchor. All of the Platoon "falls in" behind the Guidon. Squad Leader 1- Leads Squad 1, inspects Squad 1 before inspection, must know every Squad member's name and rank, and position. Squad Leader 2- Leads Squad 2 inspects Squad 2 before inspection, must know every Squad member's name and rank, and position. Squad Leader 3- Leads Squad 3 inspects Squad 3 before inspection, must know every Squad member's name and rank, and position. Squad Members- Basic members of a Squad have no real responsibility except to take direction properly from their superior officers. A Squad member also could have a bilit position. For example: The Assistant Platoon Leader, Ops., Training, Awards, Supply, and Admin. are all squad members who have a bilit. They are in order of succession of power. If the Platoon Leader fails to be adequate or is not in attendance, there is always someone in charge whom all of the Platoon must defer to. Billet positions are taken away once a cadet has had EMI (Extra Military Instruction) multiple times (3 or 4) and can not maintain a GPA of 2.0. In the beginning of the year the NSI will ask Platoon members to write an essay if they are interested in a Platoon Position. The NSI will make the decision based on what they know of the cadet and how he/she has demonstrated themselves as being the 1st few weeks of school.
Academics
DMA offers a college prep curriculum with a focus on the core subject areas. Honors level classes are offered in each major discipline, with AP classes being phased in steadily. Few electives other than foreign languages are available as all cadets are required to take four years of Naval Science (NJROTC). The United States Navy awarded the “Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors” rating to DMA in the first year of eligibility and allows the Commandant 3 United States Naval Academy, 3 United States Air Force Academy, and 3 United States Military Academy (West Point) nominations annually. The school has a Superior rating from Delaware in accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act.
Athletics
Delaware Military Academy's Seahawks Football team had a great 3rd year led by veteran coach Sam Paoli. The Seahawks were able to pull out their season finale for a win aganist rival Red Lion Academy. Delaware Military Academy's Rugby team is second in the state. Delaware Military Academy's Lacrosse team is one of their best sports they currently have. Delaware Military Academy also has a very good boys and girls swimming team.
Arts
Although the Delaware Military Academy is a small high school, there are several performing art opportunities. There is an annual school play. The school also has a Advanced Chorus, mixed chorus and marching band. The Chorus recently performed at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey and the Marching Band played in a parade at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Members of the marching band have represented DMA in the Delaware All State Band and were the first cadets to be recognized by a Delaware All State organization.
Community
DMA offers its students the chance to help in several communities activities. Community service projects are among the most encouraged activities in the school, and available community service opportunities are highlighted at the beginning of each Naval Science class each day. The school supports community programs such as Junior Achievement and Local Veteran Affairs, and is often asked to perform or participate in community events.
Finances
The school is very limited in the funding it receives from the state, and is forced to raise funds for almost every activity in which its students participate. The school's "Commandant" (equivalent to a principal) often meets with military groups in the hopes of receiving financial assistance for the school. Still in debt from its construction, the school does not have some of the technology and conveniences that other schools in the region have. For instance, it lacks cooking facilities, having only a handful of microwaves spread throughout the cafeteria. The Commandant has been always very kind about efforts to raise money, never demanding support. But, his efforts have not gone unnoticed, The News Journal and Delaware Online, regularly report on the school's petitioning for more fundings. The money a charter school receives per-student is around $6,000, public schools receive about $8,000, with less money DMA receives better ratings by both grades and state ranks, but also by parents, students, graduates, and teachers.
