Greetings from Fork Union Military Academy!
The start of the 2026-2027 Academic Year at Fork Union Military Academy is just around the corner, and tomorrow we are excited to welcome our final group of new and returning cadets to campus.
As we prepare for the first day of classes next week, we remain committed to keeping you informed and prepared. This email includes essential updates and important information to help ensure a smooth transition to campus.
Please continue to review these updates carefully so you are ready for tomorrow's arrival.
New updates are highlighted in red.
Families are encouraged to review this page before arriving on campus for check-in. It includes important details about check-in dates and times, parking, the check-in itinerary, parent orientation, and what to expect throughout the arrival process.
Please take a few moments to review the information carefully so your family is prepared for a smooth check-in experience.
Click here to view the What to Expect at Check-In page.
Day Students are encouraged to stay on campus this weekend to help make the transition easier as cadets settle into the routine. Please send essential toiletries and undergarments for your cadet to keep in his room throughout the weekend.
Day Students may stay on campus Friday and Saturday night and can depart campus on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM.
For Monday and Tuesday, Day Students should follow a class-day schedule. They should sign in by 8:00 AM and may depart after athletics at 6:00 PM. Cadets will receive this information during check-in on Friday and throughout the weekend.
If a Day Student does not plan to stay on campus this weekend, he should arrive by 6:15 AM on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, he may depart campus at 9:00 PM.
The updated 2026-2027 Cadet Handbook, commonly known as the Blue Book, is available on the Academy website.
The Blue Book is essential reading for all Fork Union parents and cadets, including postgraduate families. It explains the standards, expectations, regulations and daily environment of the Academy. Many of the questions raised during the Zoom meeting, and many questions families may have throughout the year are addressed in this document.
All parents and cadets are expected to read the Blue Book carefully to ensure they understand the Fork Union environment and the expectations governing the Corps of Cadets.
Please note, the Academy reserves the right to modify or update the Blue Book throughout the year as necessary. The version published on the Academy website will always reflect the most current edition.
COL Stephen (Steve) Macek will serve as Acting President in connection with the retirement of CAPT Mark E. Black, the Academy’s 12th President.
COL Macek has served Fork Union since 1994 in a wide range of leadership, academic, athletic, and administrative roles, including classroom teacher, Science Department Chair, coach, Middle School Commandant of Cadets, Director of Admissions, Vice President for Operations, Chief of Staff, and most recently, Assistant Head of School.
With decades of experience and a deep understanding of the Academy’s mission and values, COL Macek will help lead Fork Union during this transition and continue supporting cadets, families, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Click here to read the full press release.
Fork Union Military Academy has released the 2026–2027 Daily Schedule for cadets.
Families are encouraged to review the updated schedule, which details the Monday–Friday class day schedule, including morning formation, class periods, lunch, Commandant’s Time, athletics/clubs/ED, evening accountability, CQ, and TAPS.
The schedule also includes important information for Day Students, including:
Please take a moment to review the full daily schedule so your family is familiar with the structure of the cadet day and the expected arrival and departure times for Day Students.
Click here to view the 2026–2027 Daily Schedule.
Fork Union Military Academy requires all students to arrive on campus with a completed Sway Concussion Test. This is a newly added required checklist item in FUMA’s Parent’s Portal.
The Sway Concussion Test can be completed remotely through the Sway Medical mobile app. Fork Union uses Sway Medical to objectively measure balance and cognition as part of the student check-in process.
To help expedite check-in, we ask families to either complete the test prior to arrival by following the instructions below or arrive with the Sway Medical app already installed on a device the student can use.
Please select the appropriate link below:
Please refer to this list for all the essentials cadets should bring with them on check-in day.
Please click here to find the Cadet Packing List.
Fork Union Military Academy's Infirmary uses SchoolDoc to manage the required annual health forms. Please make sure you have completed your health profile before arriving to campus. You will receive an email inviting you to SchoolDoc. If you have not received this email, please contact the Infirmary at infirmary@fuma.org.
Please note that the nurses will be reviewing all health forms when you arrive on campus to check-in. Any incomplete forms, especially those that require a healthcare provider signature, may delay the check-in process. Parents will be responsible for completing these items before they can leave their cadet on campus. We cannot accept paper forms at check-in.
For all school and health related questions, please contact the Infirmary at 434-842-4310 or infirmary@fuma.org.
Ensuring we have this information now will better help our scheduling team set your son's academic schedule. Please make sure the official transcript is signed, sealed, and has all complete information (grades and credits earned). The official document needs to come directly from the school your son attended last year.
We cannot update our transcript information or finalize scheduling without an official transcript.
The following documents cannot be accepted as official transcripts:
If you have any questions regarding the transcript or need any further assistance, please contact our Admissions Office at 434-842-4205 or admissions@fuma.org.
Fork Union Military Academy would like to request your son to arrive on campus clean shaven and with a proper haircut. The regulation haircut for Fork Union Military Academy is:
Hair will be neat and closely trimmed. Hair will be kept 1 inch or less on top. The sides will be tapered/faded (evenly graduated) all the way around the head. No block lines and no temple tapers are allowed. Hard parts are not authorized. Sideburns will not extend below the top of the orifice of the ear. Sideburns will not be styled to taper, flare or come to a point. The length of an individual hair of the sideburn will not exceed 1/8 inch when fully extended.
If your son is unable to receive a haircut prior to check-in, we can arrange for him to see our barber on campus.
Once your cadet arrives on check-in day, they must be prepared to stay on campus for the remainder of the contracted year. Day Students playing football should be prepared to spend the night on campus from Monday, August 10-Sunday, August 16.
The first day of class is Tuesday, August 18.
Saturday, August 22 is a class day and all cadets, including Day Students, are required to attend.
Please note that once your cadet arrives on campus, cell phones are not allowed, and communication will be limited for the first several weeks.
To view the 2026-2027 Calendar, please click here.
We are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!
Best regards,
Kelly Barnette
Director of Communications
Fork Union Military Academy
Email: barnettek@fuma.org
This email can also be found on the Parents page of forkunion.com under Announcements.
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