Colonel's Cadence Blog
Cadet of the Month: CPL Carver
Woodstock, VA (Massanutten Military Academy) - For CPL Carver, the calling to enlist in the military is in his blood.
"Everyone in my family has served like my grandpa, my brother and both my parents," he said.
His first step toward joining the Air Force was enrolling at Massanutten Military Academy.
"My parents wanted me to try something new and they thought having military experience would be good," Cadet Carver said.
He's making the most of his experience, working as the S3 Corporal during his first year at MMA. That means he steps in to make announcements or play bells when S3 Major Bluestein isn't available.
"I'll also let him know when they do Present Arms or Parade Rest because he can't see that," Cadet Carver said. "I'm kind of his eyes. My position has taught me a lot and I really enjoy it."
His dedication echoes through his 8th grade classes as well.
"I love Mr. Vallejo's yearbook class," he said. "We learn how to frame and take pictures, plus talk to people and ask them questions. I also learn a lot about media from him because he's a great teacher."
Cadet Carver also rises to the challenge on the competition fields, joining JROTC Raiders for the spring season.
"It builds teamwork and pushes you past your limits," he said. "It gives you connections. It gets in your mind and tells you 'You can do this, just keep going'."
His dedication across these three pillars of Massanutten earned Cadet Carver the recognition of Cadet of the Month for March 2025.
"He takes his role as a leader seriously and expects the same of others," Head of School Mrs. Kim Elshafie-Layman said. "He excels in and outside of the classroom. His attitude is positive and inspires others."
For Cadet Carver, that's one of the best parts of being a student at Massanutten.
"The people," he said. "When you come to places like boarding school, you get to know people more than public school because you like them them. I also love the sports here and cadet life."
Massanutten Military Academy is a premiere military day and boarding school just hours from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Our co-ed programs encourage teens to become their best selves in and out of the classroom, and can provide the transformative experience your child deserves. Call our Admissions Office at (540) 459-2167 Option 1 or Inquire Today to learn more.
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"Everyone in my family has served like my grandpa, my brother and both my parents," he said.
His first step toward joining the Air Force was enrolling at Massanutten Military Academy.
"My parents wanted me to try something new and they thought having military experience would be good," Cadet Carver said.
He's making the most of his experience, working as the S3 Corporal during his first year at MMA. That means he steps in to make announcements or play bells when S3 Major Bluestein isn't available.
"I'll also let him know when they do Present Arms or Parade Rest because he can't see that," Cadet Carver said. "I'm kind of his eyes. My position has taught me a lot and I really enjoy it."
His dedication echoes through his 8th grade classes as well.
"I love Mr. Vallejo's yearbook class," he said. "We learn how to frame and take pictures, plus talk to people and ask them questions. I also learn a lot about media from him because he's a great teacher."
Cadet Carver also rises to the challenge on the competition fields, joining JROTC Raiders for the spring season.
"It builds teamwork and pushes you past your limits," he said. "It gives you connections. It gets in your mind and tells you 'You can do this, just keep going'."
His dedication across these three pillars of Massanutten earned Cadet Carver the recognition of Cadet of the Month for March 2025.
"He takes his role as a leader seriously and expects the same of others," Head of School Mrs. Kim Elshafie-Layman said. "He excels in and outside of the classroom. His attitude is positive and inspires others."
For Cadet Carver, that's one of the best parts of being a student at Massanutten.
"The people," he said. "When you come to places like boarding school, you get to know people more than public school because you like them them. I also love the sports here and cadet life."
Massanutten Military Academy is a premiere military day and boarding school just hours from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Our co-ed programs encourage teens to become their best selves in and out of the classroom, and can provide the transformative experience your child deserves. Call our Admissions Office at (540) 459-2167 Option 1 or Inquire Today to learn more.
You know your child can do more but is not getting the attention needed in their current environment to reach their full potential. We know that choosing the right school for your child can be difficult because each child is so unique. We believe students should experience school as it should be, a place where children are educated in an environment that leads them to thrive and encourages their maximum potential.
Massanutten Military Academy is a co-educational, non-profit military boarding and day school in Virginia for students in 8th-12th grades with postgraduate studies. We welcome all faiths and live by our motto: Non Nobis Solum (Not For Ourselves Alone).
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