MMA Cadet Leave Guidelines

Throughout these guidelines, “parent” refers to the cadet’s own parent or legal guardian.

Proper Uniform for Leave Departure and Return is Cadet Dress Uniform with tie and service cap.  Cadets who must go through airport security will depart and return in the “purple over khaki” uniform.

Parent’s Permission for Another Adult to Take the Cadet Off Campus:  Cadets may not depart on leaves or furloughs with someone other than their own parents unless their parents’ permission form is on file in the Commandant’s Office.  The parent’s form must name the adults who have permission to take the cadet off campus.

Closed Weekends

Cadets are required to remain on campus during closed weekends and for events at which the Corps of Cadets’ participation is mandatory, such as Saturday parades, inspections, or performances.

• Once mandatory events have concluded, cadets are authorized to leave with their own parents or other adults who have been pre-approved by the cadets’ parents.
• Only upon the Commandant’s approval (considered on a case-by-case basis) will departure be permitted before conclusion of the mandatory event.
• Absence on a closed weekend without the Commandant’s approval warrants demerits/tours.  It will also be taken into consideration during selection for cadet rank or leadership positions.

Normal Weekends

Leave Request Forms:  A cadet planning to take leave (an overnight stay off campus) must submit a Leave Request form to the Company CDO by TAPS on Wednesday.   

Early indication of cadets’ leave requests is necessary for the Academy to plan weekend meals and activities.  Consolidated corps-wide Leave Lists are published on Thursdays.  Timely requests also allow cadets opportunities to correct issues that might disallow their departure on leave—i.e., tours, missing parental permission forms, etc.

• Cadets with punishment tours are not eligible for weekend leave.
• Cadets still in “New Cadet” status are not eligible for weekend leave.

Procedures for Departure on Leave:

• Room Inspection: Before departing on leave, the cadet must have his/her barracks room inspected by the CDO on duty to verify good order and cleanliness.
• Personal Appearance Inspection:  Cadets must present a proper military appearance, in both uniform and hygiene, as they sign out.  Young men must be clean shaven.
• Signing Out:  Cadets must be accompanied by the adult with whom they are departing campus.  Sign out books are located in the Commandant's Office for all cadets or at Warehime for girl cadets.

Holiday Furloughs

Cadets must depart campus no later than 1900 hours (7 p.m.) on the scheduled start of holiday furlough.   Campus is not open for their return before the scheduled return date. 

TRANSPORTATION GUIDELINES

Shuttle Bus Service  is provided only for scheduled mandatory school-wide furloughs, not weekend leaves.  On all other occasions, parents must provide transportation.  MMA can, at parent request, help arrange for taxi service. 

If a cadet needs transportation to an airport or to train or bus stations, parents should provide a travel itinerary at least one week prior to the cadet’s travel date.  Itinerary information and requests should be sent to SGT Roy Combs at rcombs@militaryschool.com.  Information is required well in advance to confirm availability of seats and drivers.

Shuttle Drop-Off Locations:

Dulles International Airport
Vienna-Metro station
Union Station (Washington DC)

Base charge for MMA Shuttle Bus Service is $40 each way.  Additional charges are required for drop-off or pick-up outside of listed locations.

Taxi Service

Blue Ridge Cab Company charges for transportation to and from Woodstock are as follows.  (The total charge is divided equally among the cadets in the taxi.)

• Vienna Metro Station and Dulles International Airport: $125 for one cadet, $10 for each additional cadet.
• Reagan National Airport, Union Station, the Greyhound bus station and New Century Travel Bus – NYC Charter Bus: $150 for one cadet and $10 for each additional cadet.
• Baltimore–Washington International Airport (BWI):  $200 for one cadet, $10 for each additional cadet.
• An additional $0.58 per minute is charged when the taxi service has to wait for delayed arrivals.

If you have questions about charges, please contact the MMA Business Office at (540) 459-2167 ext 220.

Airline and Train Travel Arrangements

Cadets whose airline or train reservations are not consistent with MMA shuttle bus schedules will require taxi service or parents’ own arrangements for travel from MMA to airports/stations.   

Cadets must be able to navigate unescorted to and through airline/train/bus station ticketing, security, departure gates/platforms and baggage claim.  Parents should make special travel arrangements and accommodations if they believe their cadets cannot negotiate public transportation areas independently. 

• Cadets should not travel without their own cell phones (preferred) or phone cards.  Cadets are given cell phone numbers for their shuttle bus drivers and for SGT Combs (540-335-4384) in case of emergency.

Shuttle Bus Schedule for Mandatory Furloughs, SY 09-10

Seating on each scheduled bus is limited and is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. 

All departure/arrival times are dependent upon traffic/weather conditions in the Washington D.C. Metro Area.

Requesting shuttle bus service: 

• Email all travel request information and travel itineraries to SGT Roy Combs at rcombs@militaryschool.com.
• Provide all itinerary information, to include airline, flight number and departure/arrival times.
• Please inform SGT Combs of itinerary changes as soon as possible.  (Alternate plan accommodations cannot be guaranteed.)
• Cadets may have only one carry-on bag or a small suit case on the shuttle bus because of limited space. Whatever the cadet carries on the shuttle bus will have to be small enough to be held in the cadet’s lap.
• Reserved shuttle seat confirmation based on availability will be emailed back to parents within 24 hours.
• Once shuttle seats are filled, transportation requests are referred to Blue Ridge Cab Company.

Shuttle Bus Route:

1^st stop: Vienna Metro Station

2^nd stop: Dulles International Airport

Final stop: Union Station

Please allow 30-45 minutes between stops, depending upon traffic and weather conditions.

Drop Off for December 18 and March 5

• 40 passenger bus should arrive at Vienna Metro Station between 1:30 and 2 p.m.
• 15 passenger bus should arrive at Vienna Metro Station between 3 and 3:30 p.m.  

Pick Up on January 3 and March 14: 

•  40 passenger bus should arrive at Vienna Metro Station between 0800 and 0830 hrs. 
  After leaving Union Station the shuttle will retrace its route, going to Dulles then back to the Vienna Metro.
• 15 passenger bus should arrive at Vienna Metro Station between 2 and 2:30 p.m. 
  After leaving Union Station the shuttle will retrace its route, going to Dullas then back to the Vienna Metro. 

 If the need arises, a third shuttle may be sent out at 1600 hrs with the same routes as listed above.