Leadership
General Colin Powell Leadership Medal
January 28, 2026
The General Colin Powell Leadership Medal is Hargrave's highest honor, recognizing comprehensive excellence across all Four Pillars. Recipients complete Leadership 1, serve successfully in command positions for one year, and demonstrate sustained achievement in academics, character, faith, and athletics.
Debunking Military School Myths: Truth About Hargrave
January 23, 2026
Military schools face persistent myths. The truth: Hargrave develops leaders, not reforms troubled teens. We build confidence, not break spirits. Structure enables independence. Most graduates pursue civilian careers. Facts replace misconceptions.
Structure and Freedom: How Military Model Unlocks Potential
January 12, 2026
Hargrave's military structure provides freedom through discipline and independence through boundaries. Daily schedules, formations, and accountability eliminate chaos, build self-discipline, and unlock potential in young men who need structure to thrive.
Cadet Chain of Command: Real Responsibility
October 13, 2025
Hargrave's cadet chain of command isn't symbolic—it's real authority and responsibility. From Battalion Commander to Squad Leaders, cadets exercise genuine leadership, make consequential decisions, mentor subordinates, and face accountability in this practical leadership laboratory.
Alumni Success Stories: Where Are They Now?
September 29, 2025
Over 20,000 Hargrave alumni lead in every field. CEOs, military officers, physicians, attorneys, educators, 29 NBA players, 75+ service academy graduates. Lifelong brotherhood and Hargrave values shape successful lives.
Athletics and Character: How Sports Build Leaders
August 31, 2025
Mandatory athletics at Hargrave builds character through perseverance, teamwork, leadership, and resilience. With 14 varsity sports and world-class facilities, every cadet develops physically while learning life lessons that transfer beyond sports.
Service Academy Preparation: West Point and Naval Academy
August 22, 2025
Hargrave is endorsed by West Point and Naval Academy. With 75+ graduates at service academies, we provide comprehensive preparation: academic rigor, physical fitness, leadership development, nomination assistance, and character formation that academies require.
Eye of the Tiger: 20 Hour Challenge
July 22, 2025
Eye of the Tiger is a 20-hour challenge testing physical limits, mental toughness, and teamwork. Through obstacle courses, endurance tests, sleep deprivation, and team challenges, junior and senior cadets discover capabilities they didn't know existed and forge lifelong bonds.
A Blueprint for Leadership and Growth
June 11, 2025
At Hargrave, the decision to use a military model is not about preparing young men for military service—it’s about preparing them for life. Our structured, values-driven approach provides the scaffolding for academic success, leadership development, and personal growth. Far from being rigid or punitive, the military model at Hargrave unlocks potential, fosters creativity, and equips ... Read more
Unlocking Potential: How Hargrave Finds the Best in Every Young Man
December 26, 2024
At Hargrave, we believe that every young man has untapped potential just waiting to be unlocked. Through a unique approach to education and personal development, Hargrave helps students not only succeed academically but also grow into confident, capable leaders. Our tailored programs foster an environment where young men can explore their strengths, overcome challenges, and ... Read more
24-25 Assignments & Promotions
August 22, 2024
ASSIGNMENTS AND PROMOTIONS TO BEGIN THE 24-25 SCHOOL YEAR EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: The following Cadets are hereby appointed and promoted to the ranks and billets listed here:
1SG Trent Promoted to Deputy Commandant
July 21, 2023
We are delighted to announce the promotion of 1SG Remus Trent to the position of Deputy Commandant at Hargrave Military Academy. With over two years as a dedicated TAC Officer under his belt, and a military career spanning an impressive 38 years, 1SG Trent is the embodiment of exceptional leadership and commitment. His distinguished service ... Read more
Hargrave Juniors Set Their Sights on Leadership
May 8, 2023
On April 28-30, Hargrave hosted the much-anticipated annual Junior Retreat. This year’s crop of juniors were genuinely excited and eager to attend. This event aims to prepare cadets to transition into the Hargrave senior class, focusing on three main aspects of their growth: fellowship, leadership, and spirituality. Throughout the retreat, cadets had the opportunity to ... Read more
What Does it Mean to Be a Military School
June 30, 2022
For many, “military school” evokes images of young boys in lockstep with someone akin to a drill instructor barking orders. Others envision a place where troubled boys go for their second or last chance. But, the truth is that military schools don’t generally look anything like what people imagine. First and foremost, military schools are ... Read more
Eye of the Tiger 2022
April 12, 2022
At 0600 on Saturday, 2 April 2022, thirty-six Cadets reported to the track to begin the Eye of the Tiger (EoT) Challenge. The first event of EoT was the Physical Fitness Test consisting of a timed 1-mile run, a max set of pushups in 2 minutes, and a max set of crunches in 2 minutes. ... Read more
Cadets Begin Their 2021-2022 Academic, Athletic, Spiritual, and Character Journey
August 27, 2021
Thursday morning, August 26, 2021, cadets gathered promptly on Company Street at 7:00 am. With cadets in formation, Hargrave Commandant CWO3 Jason Rader restated his expectations for the upcoming year with these words, “Excellence in the classroom, on the field of competition, and across the campus will not be the exception. Excellence will be the ... Read more
2020 Senior Awards
May 16, 2020
2020 Underclassmen Awards
May 16, 2020
SOAR Academy Leadership and Character Training
February 8, 2020
On Friday, 31 January 2020, a team from Hargave, consisting of Sgt Maj Scott Dooley and Cadets Jack and Eli Benjamin, traveled to the Academy at SOAR (Success Oriented Achievement Realized), located in Waynesville, NC, and provided leadership and character training to 13 SOAR students. The Academy at SOAR is an adventure-based boarding school for ... Read more
2019 Leadership Academy
August 26, 2019
Cadets participated in a week-long training designed to test and evaluate their leadership abilities and determine eligibility for key cadet leadership positions for the upcoming year. The evaluations consisted of several graded events: physical fitness tests, barracks, and personnel inspections, drill and ceremony evaluations, and a comprehensive final exam. Cadets also received graded peer and ... Read more