Apply

MMI Parent Testimonial: Marion to West Point

THE FOLLOWING TESTIMONIAL WAS SHARED IN OUR MMI PARENTS GROUP ON FACEBOOK, DURING CADET MOVE-IN DAYS FOR FALL 2025. Dear New Parents, If you’re reading this with a lump in your throat and a heart full of worry, you’re not alone. We were in your shoes not too long ago. We dropped off our son at Marion Military Institute, a place we hadn’t expected would be part of our story. Tucked in a small town in Alabama, this is no ordinary college. It’s steeped in deep tradition, purpose, and honor. We live in Illinois, and like many families from out of state, we initially struggled with the idea of sending our child so far from home. Our son had been accepted to several prestigious, well-known four-year universities, the kind with football Saturdays, Greek life, and campus tours full of fanfare. But he knew, even before we did, that wasn’t his path. He wanted something different, something deeper. He wanted challenge. He wanted purpose. He wanted to lead. We remember watching other parents set up dorm rooms and chat about game days and tailgates, while we sat quietly, sick with worry and honestly, a little jealous. But Marion Military Institute has a way of turning uncertainty into transformation. Let us be honest with you: this is not easy. It is hard. Your child will be challenged physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. There will be long nights. They will break down. They will be pushed to their limits, and sometimes beyond. They will spend what feels like endless hours studying chemistry, grinding through PT, and learning how to lead when it would be easier to quit. They will stand straighter. They will get stronger. They will develop grit and discipline that many young people today never experience. And then, they will rise. They will be built back up, slowly, intentionally, powerfully. They will learn to lead, to listen, to follow, to sacrifice. They will understand the value of humility, especially when they are ultimately victorious. They will carry themselves with quiet confidence, earned the hard way. This institution does more than prepare students academically. It instills character, fortitude, and leadership at the highest level. It’s a crucible of growth, guided by some of the most dedicated, inspiring faculty, officers, and military leaders you will ever meet. These mentors pour into the cadets not just knowledge, but hard-earned wisdom. They teach them how to think critically, lead with honor, face adversity, and live with integrity. At MMI, your child won’t be lost in the crowd. They will be seen. They will be challenged. They will be supported. And they will emerge stronger and more focused than you ever thought possible. Our son didn’t just find his place, he found himself. He deepened his faith, discovered lifelong friendships, gained clarity of purpose, and committed to a mission bigger than himself. He walked into Marion as a young man full of potential. He left as a leader, ready to serve and shape the world around him. No matter what MMI path your child is on—Service Academy Program, Early Commissioning Program, Civilian, ROTC, Leadership, Athletics, or otherwise, amazing things will happen. This place has a way of shaping character and lighting a fire inside each cadet in ways that defy simple description. Yes, you will miss your child. You’ll worry. But what returns to you after this journey is someone who makes you beam with pride, more than you can imagine today. So take a deep breath. Trust this place, its people, its history, its values. You’re not just dropping off your child at college. You’re sending them into their destiny. Dropping off a child we love more than life itself at MMI wasn’t the plan, but it was clearly part of his purpose. We would be remiss if we didn’t offer a very special mention and deep gratitude to Dean Jones and Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Thomas Bowen. Their leadership, wisdom, and unwavering belief in these young men and women have changed lives, including our son’s. The impact they make goes far beyond the classroom or parade field. It is lasting and life-defining. Welcome to the MMI family. You are now part of something truly special. 💛 Owen is a proud graduate of the SAP program at MMI [and now West Point class of 2029]. Warmly, Ryan and Carrie Proud MMI Parents from Illinois