Florida Military School
Florida Military School, Florida Military School and College, Florida Military High School, and FMS all refer to the school located in DeLand, Florida during the years 1956 to 1971. It was located just south of DeLand Airport at Sky Harbor Station, DeLand, Florida. The Florida Military School Association, Inc. (FMSA) was founded on 2003 April 10. The first annual meeting of FMSA was held in DeLand 2003 October 25.
Florida Military School History
1956-1971 by: Thornton J. Ridinger, Historian Class of 1959
Year 1: 1956-1957
On September 4, 1956, Florida Military School opened its doors to 63 cadets. Colonel Carl Ward, with founding partners Arthur Seascholz and W. K. Beman, started the school in a converted World War II Infirmary at the old DeLand Naval Air Station. The Mess Hall was in the old Officers Club, which later became the Canteen (the Joe C. Long Building). During the second semester they moved into the Naval Station's Bachelor Officers Quarters that was later named Howard Hall.
At Christmas break, Seascholz and Beman left the school, and Carl C. Schaefer, Sr., a trucking company executive from Dayton, Ohio, bought into the corporation and was given the title of Vice President (to Colonel Ward's President and Headmaster). He maintained a partnership interest in the school until about 1961.
In the beginning, the school offered flight training for the cadets, but that was not offered in subsequent years, after the death of a cadet pilot, Donald Thompson, who crashed while on his first solo flight.
In sports, FMS fielded basketball, baseball, and track teams that year, but not a football team. The cadet corps was under the command of Cadet William V. Howard. Company B was named Honor Company of the year.
There were five graduating seniors the first year. Their names would be remembered by all subsequent cadets because the major buildings on campus were named in their honor.
Year 2: 1957-1958
The second year of the school (1957–58) saw a fourfold increase in attendance, with more than 260 cadets beginning the year and expanding into two dormitories, known as Howard and Alleyne Halls. The school's administration was housed in the David G. Cannon Building. The year brought the beginning of the football program to the school, under the tutelage of head coach Earl Looman.
The year also marked the introduction of the cavalry unit, which participated in the Sunday Dress Parades of the Cadet Corps.
There were twenty-one graduates that year, with the total number of cadets being about 260. The cadet corps was under the leadership of Cadet Lawrence R. Foster. Company C was named Honor Company of the year.
The year marked the arrival of Major Joseph Siekanic as commandant of cadets, Captain William C. Prentiss as an instructor in civics and English, and Captain William T. Bradford as the first professor of military science and tactics, and assistant football coach. The school gained accreditation from the State of Florida Department of Education and was designated by the US Army as an Honor National Defense Cadet Corps School during its second year of existence. Full accreditation on the regional and national level by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools followed in December, 1961.
A football team was fielded for the first time that year, and remained a part of the school's athletic program until discontinued after the 1961-62 school year.
The first yearbook, “The Knight,” was dedicated to Mrs. Mary Ward.
Year 3: 1958-1959
The third year of the school saw the completion of a new mess hall, which was named the Carl C. Schaefer, Sr. Building. Later, after Mr. Schaefer ended his business relationship with the school, the building was renamed for Kenneth W. Hewitt, one of the first-year graduates.
There were twenty-three graduates that year, with a total of 226 cadets listed in the yearbook. The cadet corps was under the leadership of Cadet Dennis J. Eyre, Company D was named Honor Company of the year.
The year also brought the arrival of head football coach Captain Thomas Sperling, and Captains Dinkins and Pendarvis as faculty members. Captain Prentiss became commandant of cadets with a promotion to major.
In February, the Florida Military School band played the Star Spangled Banner at the first running of the Daytona 500 at the new Daytona Speedway. It was reported that “merely” 41,000 people were in attendance.
The high point of the year for the senior class was a trip to New Orleans for the Mardi Gras, under the somewhat watchful eyes of Captains Whitler and Pendarvis. In addition to the party time of Mardi Gras, it brought the class together in bonds of friendship and camaraderie that had not previously been experienced.
The 1959 Knight was dedicated to the coaches: Bradford, Evans, Pendarvis, Prentiss, and Sperling.
Year 4: 1959-1960
The year brought further growth to the school There were 42 seniors listed in the yearbook, with the total number of cadets being 294. The cadet corps was under the leadership of Cadet Walter L. Preston. Company B was named Honor Company of the year.
1960 saw Major Prentiss become director (later dean) of education, with the rank of lieutenant colonel, Major Robert L. Moore as commandant, and the arrival of Major Carl Steely as the professor of military science and tactics.
The 1960 Senior Trip was to also to the Mardi Gras in New Orleans, with Major Steely in attendance, where the cadets participated in one of the Mardi Gras parades.
The 1960 Knight was dedicated to Lt. Col. William C. Prentiss.
Year 5: 1960-1961
The year saw the opening of the new swimming pool on campus, and the start of a competitive swim team for the school.
The senior class numbered 37, with 289 total cadets listed in the yearbook. The cadet corps was under the leadership of Cadet Geoffrey Gentil. Company A was named Honor Company of the year.
It was noted in the yearbook that the FMS football team beat Admiral Farragut Academy in the annual “Junior Army-Navy Game” by a score of 28-0.
The 1961 Knight was dedicated to Colonel Carl Ward.
Year 6: 1961-1962
In September 1961, Florida Military College began operation, under the command of Cadet Captain Al Reithinger. The college program operated through May, 1965. The Yearbook cited the new college class as the “Class of 1965”, which may have indicated a plan at that time for a four-year college to be established. If so, that goal was not realized. It became, and remained, a two-year college during its existence.
The senior class numbered 51, with 277 cadets listed in the yearbook, plus 34 in the college program. The cadet corps was under the leadership of Cadet Peter A. Still. The Honor Company of the year was Band Company.
The year saw Captain Pendarvis become assistant commandant with a promotion to major.
This was the last year of interscholastic football, with teams being fielded at both the high school and college levels.
The 1962 Knight was dedicated to Marcene Evans, who managed the dining hall throughout the school's existence.
Year 7: 1962-1963
The senior class numbered 52, with 258 cadets listed in the yearbook, plus 36 in the college. The cadet corps was under the leadership of Cadet Joseph Leer. Company B was named Honor Company of the year. There were 5 sixth yearmen: John Barry, David Bokor, Joe Leer, Billy Edmondson, and David Tooker.
A highlight of the year was the visit to the campus of the Vienna Boys Choir. Another was the 1963 Senior Class Trip to Washington, DC.
The yearbook was dedicated to Major Carl V. (Nutter) Steely, a former Marine officer, who had become commandant that year with the departure of Major Moore. Major Pendarvis remained assistant commandant, in charge of the junior high school cadets.
Year 8: 1963-1964
The senior class of 1964 numbered 56, with 291 cadets listed in the yearbook, plus 28 in the college. There were 2 sixth year men: John Venable and Mike Costello. The cadet corps was under the leadership of Cadet Venable. Company C was named Honor Company of the year.
The year saw the return of its first FMS graduate to become a member of the faculty: Jerry Alleyne, Class of 1957.
The 1964 Knight was dedicated to Major James William Pendarvis.
Year 9: 1964-1965
The senior class numbered 63, with 249 cadets listed in the yearbook, plus 29 in the college. There were 4 sixth year men: Wayne Arnold, Don Campbell, Bruce Palmisano, and Donald Rounds. The cadet corps was under the leadership of Cadet Palmisano. Company D was named Honor Company of the year.
The year brought the arrival of Lt. Col. Rex T. Henry as the professor of military science and tactics and Lt. Col. Donald G. Williams as the commandant of the college—a one-year appointment as this was the last year of the college operation.
The Florida Military School Band continued its tradition of performing before dignitaries, when they performed for President Lyndon B. Johnson in Orlando, where he was giving a speech. Some cadets were privileged to meet the President.
The Senior and Junior National Honor Societies were installed on campus on February 11, 1965.
The 1965 Knight was dedicated to Captain Chaplin A. Dinkins.
Year 10: 1965-1966
The senior class numbered 49, with 243 cadets listed in the yearbook. There were 2 sixth year men: James Gaberle and Robert Mouro. The cadet corps was under the leadership of Cadet Chris Bolton. Company B was named Honor Company of the year.
The year brought the introduction of the Interact Club, the school's first service club, sponsored by the DeLand Rotary Club. Members were elected on the basis of service, leadership, and interest in their fellow cadets.
The 1966 Knight was dedicated to the memory of Mr. Howard C. Snyder, who was cited as a true friend of the school and the father of Mrs. Mary Ward and Mrs. Marcene Evans.
Year 11: 1966-1967
The senior class numbered 39, with 251 cadets listed in the yearbook. There was one sixth-year man: Steve Kinsell. The cadet corps was under the leadership of Cadet Kinsell. Company B was named Honor Company of the year.
Major Pendarvis became the new commandant of cadets. Captain Dinkins became the new assistant commandant with a promotion to major. One wag noted, tongue in cheek (it is hoped), that the Class of 1967 got a new Senior Privilege with Major Steely's departure (for a position at Culver Military Academy in Indiana, where he soon became commandant of cadets at that school).
The 1967 Knight was dedicated to Lt. Col. Rex T. Henry.
Year 12: 1967-1968
The senior class numbered 29, with 200 cadets listed in the yearbook. There was one sixth year man: Tim Tyndall. The cadet corps was under the leadership of Cadet David Moroz. Company C was named Honor Company of the year.
The 1968 Knight was dedicated to Sergeant First Class William W. Douglas for his contributions to the development of the school's military program as an honor rated ROTC school.
For this year only, the dress uniform was replaced by the standard green army uniform indicating the Jr. ROTC designation of the school. No one was happy with the change.
The year signaled the arrival of two new service clubs—the Key Club (sponsored by Kiwanis) and the Hi - Y (sponsored by YMCA).
Year 13: 1968-1969
The senior class numbered 26, with 196 cadets listed in the yearbook. There were 2 sixth-year men: George Graham and George Knight. The cadet corps was under the leadership of Cadet Graham. Company C was named Honor Company of the year. That year, the Cadet Corps returned to the distinctive West Point style uniform (thank goodness). Lt. Col. Rex T. Henry became commandant, with the departure of Majors Pendarvis and Dinkins. The 1969 Knight was dedicated to Evelyn Doyle, the School Nurse.
Year 14: 1969-1970
In the 1969-70 year, girls attended FMS for the first time. All were from DeLand and were day students. It was done to provide additional income as enrollment was slipping lower each year. One cadet reported: “It meant we could actually have some real cheerleaders at basketball games. Also that year the team actually WON some games -- about half wins - half losses as I recollect. Maybe it was the female energy.”
The senior class numbered 26, with 192 cadets listed in the yearbook, including 13 coeds and 12 male cadet day students. There were no sixth year men noted. The cadet corps was under the leadership of Cadet Charles Kuharske.
The 1970 Knight was dedicated to Mrs. Frances B. Miller, citing her 14 years of service to the school as teacher and guidance counselor.
Year 15: 1970-1971
The senior class numbered 20, with 153 cadets listed in the yearbook, including 18 coeds, plus 46 students in a non-military elementary school. There was one sixth yearman: James Hyer. The cadet corps was under the leadership of Cadet Lee Rackley.
A highlight of the year was that the Rifle Team won the National U.S. Championship, an indication that the quality of instruction at the school had not diminished.
The 1971 Knight was dedicated to Dr. Loren A. Dunton, school doctor for 15 years.
At the Closing: October, 1971
The school was closed in October 1971, a victim of the anti-military feeling resulting from the war in Vietnam. The decrease in cadet enrollment made it financially impossible to maintain the school. FMS thus became one of the more than two-thirds of the nation's independent military academies to close its doors during those turbulent times.
So for 15 years, Florida Military School operated as an accredited National Honor School with the motto of Honor, Wisdom, and Self-Discipline. The school's literature stated that FMS was dedicated to achieving in its cadets the finest possible mental, spiritual, and physical development. Through three phases of cadet life—academic, military, and athletic. It reported that the environment of Florida Military School was one of fellowship, academic thoroughness, and strict military discipline.
The program was designed to make it possible for every cadet to become solidly prepared for college and for life itself. Most former cadets, whether they loved it or hated it (or maybe a little of both), will likely agree that the experience was a positive one for them.
FMS Grows
[This article appeared in the cadet's newsletter THE LANCE, Vol II No 2, 1958.]
When Florida Military School began its first year on September 6, 1956, about 70 cadets were enrolled. The school was located in the old Naval Hospital building which normally housed about 85 to 90 servicemen.
Near the middle of the year, the cadets were moved to a larger two-story building, now Howard Hall. The School has grown with some rapidity and at the present the enrollment is between 285 and 290 mark. The campus has taken on a new atmosphere, one of strength, respect and admiration.
The present school buildings include the David G. Cannon Administration Building, Howard Hall, Alleyne Hall, and the Joe E. Long Student Union Building.
A new stable has not been named yet. Grounds include the Hewitt Parade Field and the athletic field, also as yet unnamed. One additional building, formerly the Naval Air Base theater and gymnasium, is undergoing renovation which is nearing the stage of being completed. It will be used for lounge, gym, and for numerous other activities.
The adult staff includes Colonel Carl Ward, headmaster, Major Joseph Siekaniec, commandant of cadets, Capt. William Bradford, Captain Adjutant and Professor of Military Science and Tactics. The faculty includes Capt. Carl Evans, Capt. Earl Looman, head football coach, Capt. Larry James, Capt. Robert Thompson, Capt. Carl Halyburton, Capt. E. C. Burdick, Capt. Herbert Rivere, Capt. Capt. Shuler, Capt. E. M. Fannon, Mrs. R. S. Parker, Miss Ruth Earp, Capt. Robert Carter and new addition Capt. Dick Barnes. Mrs. Ruth Hill is the School Secretary.
The cadet staff is headed by Lt. Col. Bob Foster, battalion commander. He is ably assisted by Major Frank Sica of Daytona Beach, Fla.; Capt. Al Reithinger, Wauchula, Fla.; Capt Jack Dunham, Lake Wales, Fla.; Capt Jay Seitz, Syracuse, N. Y.; Capt, John Ambrose, Jacksonville, Fla.; Lt. Fill Warren, Jacksonville, Fla.; Lt. Marvin Doxey, Elizabeth City, N. C.; Lt. Bill Bennett, Miami, Fla.; Lt. Bill Barnes, Gainesville, Fla.; Lt. Carl Schaefer, Dayton, Ohio, Lt. Dennis Eyre, Jacksonville, Fla,; Lt, Lawton Bennett, Miami, Fla.; Lt. Earl Moore, Daytona Beach, Fla.; Lt. H. G. Aitken, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Lt. Rick Berry, Vero Beach, Fla.; and Lt. Bill Christopher, of Nassau, Bahamas.
The cadets have been divided into four military companies A, B, C, and D; the band and the staff.