Final Graduation Held at National Guard Patriot Academy

By Sgt. 1st Class Brad Staggs, Atterbury-Muscatatuck Public Affairs

505. That's how many Soldiers have received their Indiana High School Diploma at the Patriot Academy in the past three years. On Nov. 20, the 505th and last student Soldier walked across the stage at the Patriot Academy gymnasium to receive his diploma from Academy Commandant Lt. Col. Kenny Freeman. "It's a strange feeling to not only be in the last class, but also the last student," said Pfc. Jonathen Uchman, the 505th student. Uchman grew up in Gary, Ind., and dropped out of high school in order to be closer to his then, fiancé 400 miles away. "I guess it wasn't too bad, though, because it gave me a chance to come here."

Student-Soldiers of National Guard Patriot Academy Class 11-12, the final class to graduate prior to the closing of the Academy, stand for applause after receiving their Indiana High School diplomas during their graduation ceremony at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Ind. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brad Staggs, Atterbury-Muscatatuck Public Affairs)

On May 22, 2009, the Patriot Academy, located at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Ind., accepted its first student. The Academy was to be a three-year National Guard Bureau pilot program to help high school dropouts who wanted to join the National Guard to earn their high school diploma. In 2012, the decision was made not to extend the life of the program and Class 11-12 became the Academy's final graduating class.

Student-Soldiers of National Guard Patriot Academy Class 11-12, the final class to graduate prior to the closing of the Academy; throw their berets in the air in celebration following their graduation ceremony at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Ind. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brad Staggs, Atterbury-Muscatatuck Public Affairs)

The 21 student Soldiers representing 15 states took full advantage of being given a second chance to earn their high school diploma, pushing themselves to learn and give back to the local community. "The community service we did has been the most memorable part of being here for me," said Pfc. Shawn LeRoy of Lafayette, La. "I've never experienced a tornado before, but after the Holton tornado, I go to help people and especially kids. That changed my life."

Pfc. Jonathen Uchman of Gary, Ind., is handed his Indiana High School diploma by the National Guard Patriot Academy Commandant Lt. Col. Kenny Freeman during the final Patriot Academy graduation ceremony at which Uchman was that final, and 504th, graduate of the Academy at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Ind. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brad Staggs, Atterbury-Muscatatuck Public Affairs)

For some, it was the physical challenge they had never experienced that made the Patriot Academy experience worthwhile. Pvt. James Cross will be attending Advanced Individual Training to become an 88M Motor Transport Operator for the Michigan National Guard and remembers a particular event which pushed him to his limit. "The Norwegian Ruck March [30 kilometer or 18.6 mile road march] has made the biggest impact on me while at the Patriot Academy," said Cross. "Because of the preparation we had to do and the teamwork involved. We were doing road marches three to four months before to prepare for it."

Indiana Assistant Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Clif Tooley speaks to the final National Guard Patriot Academy graduating class on at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Ind. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brad Staggs, Atterbury-Muscatatuck Public Affairs)

Cross said that he did pretty well for the first 10 miles and started feeling the strain of road marching while carrying a 25-pound pack through mile 15, but the last three miles were almost more than he could do. "If it wasn't for my battle buddies that were with me, I probably wouldn't have made it," Cross says. Indiana Assistant Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Clif Tooley was the guest speaker during the graduation ceremony. "It has been a real blessing for our country, our Army, and for the young men and women who have gone through here," said Tooley. "It's given an opportunity for these great Americans to do two things: don the uniform and serve this great country that we belong to and to achieve what is, undoubtedly, one of the major goals of the 21st century which is to secure a valid educational degree.

Student-Soldiers of National Guard Patriot Academy Class 11-12, the final class to graduate prior to the closing of the Academy, listen to guest speaker Indiana Assistant Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Clif Tooley during their graduation ceremony at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Ind. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brad Staggs, Atterbury-Muscatatuck Public Affairs)

I'm proud of you all." The real pride could be seen in the faces of the parents who were able to attend the graduation ceremony. Pvt. Uchman's father, John, traveled from Elwood, Ind., to watch his son receive his diploma. "He did this all himself," Uchman said. "Jon found the school, went to the recruiter, made the decision to come here. It was a decision that took a great deal of thought, but it was all him. I'm very proud of him." Mr. Uchman had no idea that his son would be the final graduate until he heard his name announced. "This is a wonderful facility that has done a lot of good for our kids," Uchman added. "I'm honored that my son went here."