Fork Union Military Academy Fork Union Military Academy is a private , military boarding school located in the town of Fork Union , Virginia . The school is more commonly known by its acronym FUMA ( pronounced " foo - mah " as of late ; " few - mah " in earlier times ) . Fork Union is affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia and serves young men from around the United States and the world from grades six to twelve . The school has a post - graduate ( PG ) program , through which high school graduates can improve their athletic abilities and SAT scores in preparation for college . These PG students are often athletes seeking to qualify for Division I scholarships , which , in part , explains FUMA ’ s strong representation in college athletics and the NFL . The school has a regular academic session which runs from August to May and a four - week summer session in July . History . Located on a campus in the rolling hills of central Virginia ’ s Piedmont region , Fork Union Military Academy was initially founded as Fork Union Academy in October 1898 by Dr . William E . Hatcher , a prominent local Baptist minister . The first class had 19 boys and girls . In 1902 , the academy took on a military structure to provide organization , discipline , and physical development for the boys of what was a rapidly growing school . In 1913 , the academy became an all - male institution and changed its name to Fork Union Military Academy . That same year , the Academy began receiving support from the Baptist General Association of Virginia , which continues to this day . The school has long been considered one of the leading military preparatory schools in the Southern United States . FUMA has historically had many benefactors that have helped keep it up and running . This is apparent in the names of its buildings , for example , the Guy E . Beatty Library , the Estes Dining Center , Hatcher Hall , the Wicker Science Center , and Jacobson Hall . Mission . The official mission of Fork Union Military Academy is to educate , develop , and inspire young men in a college preparatory , Christian , military environment . Cadets build character , and learn leadership , independence , confidence , responsibility , and discipline in a setting that encourages mental , physical , and spiritual growth . Military organization is used to structure the daily routine . While the academy currently has no direct relationship with any branch of the military , the school ' s system has been in place for more than 100 years . The school offers a variety of sports , clubs and organizations for cadet participation during free time in the week and on weekends . Athletics and clubs are a popular diversion from the rigors of cadet life at Fork Union . FUMA ' s crest shows a pair of crossed swords , a book and a star . These three symbols represent FUMA ' s leading principles and motto : body , mind , and spirit . In addition to the Academy ’ s regular school session , a four - week , non - military summer session is offered in July including courses in English , History , Language , Mathematics , Science , and Leadership . Education . Fork Union prepares cadets for college , achieving a 100 % acceptance rate . Graduating classes are routinely awarded millions of dollars in scholarships . Both Standard and Advanced High School Diplomas are offered , as well as dual - enrollment classes through Piedmont Virginia Community College . Organization . Fork Union is a non - profit organization that is governed by a Board of Trustees , many of whom are alumni and community leaders . The school is fully accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools , and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools , and the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States . One Subject Plan . Fork Union follows a unique curriculum schedule in the Upper School ( grades 9 - 12 and postgraduate ) known as the One Subject Plan . Cadets at Fork Union take one subject at a time , as opposed to a conventional schedule with six to eight classes per day or a block schedule . The regular academic session is divided into four grading periods of seven weeks each . In each grading period , the cadets take one class . They remain with the teacher of that course all day , every day during that period . Fork Unions ’ s low student - to - faculty ratio ensures that each teacher is usually responsible for about 10 to 17 students at a time . Fork Union states that this scheduling is beneficial for its cadets , as they are able to focus wholeheartedly on one subject at a time and benefit from the personal attention they receive from the teachers as a result of the schedule . Supervised study . Fork Union provides a scheduled supervised study time each Sunday through Thursday evening . All cadets are required to be at their desks in their rooms , studying for approximately two hours each school night . This study time is referred to as Call to Quarters ( CQ ) . Talking , playing music , watching television , and visiting other cadets ' rooms are prohibited during CQ . Faculty members share supervisory duties to make sure that all cadets observe these CQ restrictions and spend their time actively studying . Cadets who need tutoring or help with specific assignments can make use of " Peer Study " sessions that allow cadets to work together in the library , under supervision . Cadets in honors or advanced placement courses are allowed additional evening study time to complete their more demanding assignments . Fork Union maintains that the CQ study period “ helps instill good study habits that are essential to learning and succeeding in the classroom , both [ at Fork Union ] and at college . Students learn what they can accomplish in their lives when they focus . ” Military structure and discipline . Fork Union Military Academy provides a structured military environment for its cadets . Military aspects of Fork Union ’ s system include the wearing of uniforms , a military - style organization of personnel , accountability for personal appearance and the state of one ' s room , ranks , and a chain of command . The Corps and Companies . The Corps of Cadets is divided into two battalions , the Middle School and the Upper School . Middle School cadets are 6th grade through 8th grade . The Middle School battalion consists of two companies , Alpha and Bravo . The battalion is run by a cadre of cadet officers chosen because of their behavior and leadership potential . Both companies are housed in the Middle School Barracks . The Middle School cadets are generally isolated from Upper School cadets with separate chains of command , cadet officers , faculty , and facilities between the two schools . The Upper School consists of cadets from 9th grade through Postgraduate year . The Upper School cadets reside in two barracks . Snead Hall is home to Alpha , Bravo , and Delta Companies . Memorial Hall is home to Charlie and Echo Companies . There is also a drill team platoon , Retan Rifle ( which exists for parades only ) , that performs in parades across Virginia . Members of the Upper School band march in parades on campus and around the state along with the Retan Rifles and Fork Union ’ s Bagpipe Corps . Cadet Officers and Non - Commissioned Officers ( NCO ’ s ) live as a part of each company . Each company is subdivided into two or more platoons , each with its own NCO ’ s and Officers . Platoons are subdivided into Squads led by NCO ’ s . Squad and Platoon leaders are accountable to the higher company leadership and to adult members of the Commandant ’ s Department , or Tactical Officers ( TAC ’ s ) , who are assigned to each company to supervise the cadets . Cadets can hold many leadership positions ranging from squad leader ( Sergeant or Staff Sergeant ) to Battalion Commander . Inspections . A large part of the military system at Fork Union revolves around inspection of the cadet ’ s rooms and personal appearance . Cadet ’ s rooms are inspected daily to ensure they make their beds in the “ hospital corner ” style , wax and buff their floors to a high shine , organize all clothing , shoes , and drawers in the room in a specific manner , keep all surfaces dusted and clean , clean any streaks on windows or mirrors , keep their uniforms clean and pressed , and their shoes well shined . Once a week a cadet ’ s personal appearance is inspected to guarantee a clean shave , clean uniform , and well shined shoes . Punishment . Violations of rules have predictable consequences . The most frequent form of consequences is based on a demerit system that can result in " tours " of marching back and forth for 45 minutes ( 45 minutes equals one " tour " ) . These penalty tours are known as Extra Duty , or E . D . , and are marched during the cadets free time in the week and over the weekend . If a cadet has pending tours over a weekend , they are ineligible to leave the campus for day passes or leaves . Each cadet is given a standard number of credits each month to offset potential demerit penalties , however once a cadet has exceeded these credits , each successive demerit is accompanied by a tour of E . D . Cadets with rank can give demerits to cadets of lower rank for offenses , but there is often an informal administrative process that includes several cadets of responsible rank and a faculty member . Infractions for study hall ( CQ ) violations and failure to complete homework are severe but do not negatively impact grades . For example , a cadet with a full set of credits who fails to turn in two consecutive homework assignments can quickly lose all his afternoon free time to marching tours for about half a week . A study hall infraction can also lead to loss of the ability to go home for a leave weekend . This is an incentive for cadets to complete their homework assignments . A cadet with an accumulation of excessive demerits can forfeit privileges , free time , and sometimes even visits home . Cadets are not permitted to haze or physically abuse one another and violation of these rules can result in expulsion . The Academy has a zero tolerance policy on alcohol and drugs . Possession or use will result in expulsion . Honor System . The Honor Code restricts cadets at Fork Union from lying , cheating , or stealing or the toleration of anyone that does . Any cadet accused of a violation to the Honor Code is sent to the Honor Council , a group of cadets elected by the Corps of Cadets . If the cadet is found guilty , the Council will offer a recommendation of the proper punishment to the Commandant , who ultimately makes the final decision on the appropriate response . Honor Code violations can result in expulsion ; however , the Honor Council often makes a demerit - based recommendation to the Commandant . FUMA Athletics . Varsity . There are only two postgraduate athletic programs at Fork Union . The PG football team is led by head coach John Shuman . The PG basketball program was coached by Fletcher Arritt , the subject of a documentary titled " The Passing Game . " Prep . The Prep teams fielding players from grades 9 - 12 include Football , Basketball , Baseball , Wrestling , Soccer , Cross Country , Track and Field , Orienteering , Shooting Sports , and Swimming and Diving . The school is most noted for its Football and Track programs . The Fork Union Outdoor Track team won 20 straight VISAA state championships in 2008 . Many athletes have gone on from the academy to compete in collegiate athletic programs , and pursue careers on professional teams . Middle School . The Middle School fields its own sports teams including football , basketball , and intramural activities . Clubs and organizations . There are many different clubs and organizations that cadets can participate in while attending Fork Union . Though new clubs are often started annually by new cadets to meet demand , the more permanent list of clubs includes : Notable alumni . National Football League . Over 70 players drafted or signed by teams , at least 30 players making their way into the starting lineup of a regular season game , 12 players who have been selected in the First Round of the NFL Draft since 1954 , 7 players who have been selected to one or more Pro Bowl appearances , and at least 12 players on teams that played in Super Bowl games . The list includes :