Marion Military Institute Marion Military Institute , often abbreviated with the initialism MMI , is the official state military college of Alabama . Founded in Marion in 1842 , it continues at its original location . History . Marion Military Institute traces its origins back to 1842 with the creation of Howard College . In 1842 , Howard English & Classical School , later known as Howard College , was established in Marion , Alabama , by the Alabama Baptist Convention , with Dr . S . S . Sherman as President . During the American Civil War South Barracks ( later known as Old South Barracks and now Lovelace Hall ) , built in 1854 , & the Chapel , built in 1857 , served the Confederacy as Breckenridge Military Hospital from 1863 to 1865 . Along with the President ' s House ( built 1912 ) , these buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . In 1887 , the decision was made to move Howard College ( now Samford University ) to Birmingham . The then President of Howard College , Colonel J . T . Murfee , LL . D . , and a handful of faculty and students decided to remain in Marion , Alabama and immediately reorganized and founded Marion Military Institute , a military preparatory high school and college . The United States Army ROTC program was first offered at MMI in 1916 , when the institute was designated as an " Honor Military School with Distinction " by the United States Department of Defense . The U . S . Army Early Commissioning Program was established at MMI in 1968 . In 1971 MMI became coeducational . In March 2006 , the Alabama state legislature passed a resolution placing MMI under the auspices of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education . MMI became " The State Military College of Alabama " . As part of the transition to a public institution , Marion phased out its high school program . In May 2009 , the last high school class graduated from Marion Military Institute ' s Preparatory School Program , a program that traced its origins back to 1887 . About MMI . Since 1887 , Marion Military Institute ( MMI ) has achieved a national reputation for preparing young men and women for successful civilian and military careers . This is accomplished by providing the best possible educational program for its students in a conservative , disciplined environment thereby developing their intellectual , physical , moral , social and leadership capabilities . Students from all over the world attend MMI to establish a strong foundation for future study , and to take advantage of its military training programs . MMI is one of only six Military junior college s in the United States which offer unique military training programs . These programs include the Army ' s two - year Early Commissioning Program ( ECP ) , an Army Reserve Officers Training Corps program through which qualified students can earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant after only two years of college . The Service Academy Preparation Program ( SAP ) is a freshman year of solid academic and physical preparation for students who wish to attend one of the Service Academies ( West Point , Air Force Academy , Naval Academy , Merchant Marine Academy , or Coast Guard Academy ) . MMI also offers the first two years of Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps . MMI has long been a school with many unique distinctions . It was home to one of the few Union and Confederate cemeteries in existence , which is now located behind St . Wilfrid ' s Episcopal Church . In more recent times the school has helped groom over 206 admirals and generals and has also had the honor of having one of its presidents being the only living 3 star Medal of Honor recipient , Gen . Robert F . Foley . College accreditation . Marion Military Institute ( MMI ) is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degree s . MMI has association memberships in the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States and the Alabama College Conference . The accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Commission on International and Trans - Regional Accreditation entitles all the services and privileges of regional , national and international professional recognition Campus organizations . Scabbard and Blade . " " Honoring America ' s Scholars " . " Scabbard and Blade is a national joint service that was started in 1904 and has over 230 companies nationwide . Society members enjoy a life long association with other recognized leaders in the Corps of Cadets and active and reserve officers in all branches of military service . The traditions and principles revealed during the society ' s ritual through the Five Stars sustain and inspire Scabbard and Blade members throughout their lifetime . The primary purpose of Scabbard and Blade is to raise the standard of military education in American colleges and universities ; to unite in closer relationships their military departments ; to encourage and foster the essential qualities of good and efficient officers ; and to promote friendship and good fellowship among the cadet officers . The society also disseminates knowledge of military education to the students and people of the country . In general , members acquaint the public with our national defense needs . Swamp Fox . Originated at Marion Military Institute in 1963 . Named for Francis Marion , who was called The Swamp Fox , due to his daring exploits during the American Revolution . He and his small and poorly equipped force harassed the British loyalist s along the Peedee and Santee Rivers . The Swamp Foxes are to be the most physically fit , most disciplined , and the most technically and tactically proficient small unit at all times . The Swamp Foxes of MMI are required to maintain a 2 . 5 GPA and a 270 on an Army Physical Fitness Test ( APFT ) ; the two week regimen to join the ranks of the Swamp Foxes borrows skills tests from various infantry schools including Ranger , Expert Infantry Badge ( EIB ) , Air Assault , and Airborne . White Knights . The White Knights were established in 1950 . Founded by the Cadet Commander Gene Hyche to promote precision drill , discipline , and to establish a union of brotherhood and trust among its members . The team consists of cadets from across the nation . Try - outs are held at the beginning of each semester and consist of twenty - one days of intense training in military drill techniques . Membership in the White Knights is based on military drill proficiency . Each year the Knights receive invitations to perform throughout the United States . In past years they have performed at such events as the Sugar Bowl , Orange Bowl , Indianapolis 500 , and the Air Force Academy Invitational Drill Meet . They also perform in parades such as Mardi Gras in both New Orleans and Mobile , the inauguration of U . S . presidents and state governors , and various Veterans Day and Christmas parade s . Normandy Society . The Normandy Society ( military history club ) was formed in 1994 and named to honor those who participated in the 1944 Normandy Invasion . The Normandy Society is open to all cadets , but full membership and election to officers require satisfactory grades and citizenship . Meetings are held in the Baer Memorial Library on Wednesday nights to study military history campaigns and events . Classic war movies , weapons displays , and field trips are used to educate and interest MMI cadets . LTC Bauer ( MMI ’ 56 ) , is Chair of the History department and sponsor of the Normandy Society . The cadets in this organization have raised money for worthy projects at MMI through sales of souvenir items and clothing as well as through individual donations . Previously , Normandy Society donated money to replace the wheels of the Reveille Cannon on the Quadrangle . This year they decided to help replace the video and sound system in the chapel , a greatly needed improvement .