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Private Silas Overton drops and gives twenty push-ups for speaking out in class. Teachers assign varying voice levels to activities and expect students’ conversations to remain under that level. Overton spoke over the level twice, resulting in a reprimand.
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First Sergeant Dan Jubber reprimands Private First Class Cody Johnson for failing to keep up with jumping jacks while being punished. “We all make mistakes, but there are consequences,” Jubber says. “These kids were never held accountable. We teach them right from wrong.”
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Middle school students bear crawl out to the training field after lunch where they will be “ITed” (receive individual training) for inappropriate behavior. Such behavior can include talking out in class, disrespecting their parents, or failing to complete homework. Even though the Willamette Leadership Academy is not a boarding school, students are held accountable for their actions both in and out of the classroom.
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Private Logan Robbins leans back in his chair as Captain Garth Gerot teaches grammar to the seventh grade Foxtrot Company. The academy offers both traditional math and English classes as well as a selection of military science classes.
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Private Damian Ashley, a seventh- grader in Foxtrot Company, stands in the corner of the room for misbehaving while class proceeds behind him. During a break, his commanding officer, First Sergeant James Brainard, ripped up Ashley’s promotion to Private First Class while lecturing him that actions have consequences.
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Private Logan Robbins looks in a dictionary for the meaning of a word that confused him. Although Robbins asked his teacher for the meaning, he was instructed to find it himself. Effort is one of seven values and beliefs the school seeks to instill in its students.
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First Sergeant Dan Jubber yells at Private First Class Cody Johnson after pulling him out of class for talking and failing to do schoolwork.
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Eighth grader Anthony St.Sauver attempts to hold his feet up off the ground while being punished for acting out in class earlier in the day.
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Tim Spangle, Haley Frogge, and Tiffany Galt relax on the field after lunch. Minutes later, Spangle was called over and reprimanded by his commanding officer for removing his long-sleeve shirt without permission. Spangle quickly resolved the situation and was able to avoid further punishment.
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Children from sixth to twelfth grade, whose ages range from 11 to 19, attend the Willamette Leadership Academy. Many are not at the military school by choice.
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First Sergeant James Brainard jokingly pulls a hat down over Private Mateo Carrillo’s eyes during reading time. Even though teachers are expected to keep their students in line, many find that having a sense of humor can do more to build bonds and correct behavior than other measures.
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Private Kyler Kessler yells out his company name and slogan during the final drills of the day. Every company represents a different grade level at the academy. Companies range from ‘Golf ’ company (sixth grade) to ‘Alpha’ company (an eleventh and twelfth grade mixed class). The company names denote letters in the phonetic military alphabet. After a friendly yelling competition, the students play “Taps” and are released from school.
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Private Scott Ream carries a tire around the exercise field as punishment. Varying levels of discipline are applied to students who misbehave, from physical correction to expulsion.
