Master Seargent’s Mission
Memorable teachers have blessed our school through the years. The tests and punishments they dealt trickle down to us as legends; their lives mesh together to form the mythology of our school. They have changed the trajectory of every student they taught, for better or worse. One man who has begun his journey into the viscera of history is Master Seargent Fernando Faria.
During his first year as a Marine instructor, Master Sgt. Faria dealt with the aftermath of Covid-19. Things had slowed down, and parts the program had fallen from its glory. With the help of students, Master Sgt. Faria reenergized the drill team, bringing it back to a successful event. Alongside color guard and always first-rate physical fitness teams, our unarmed drill platoon took first place at the Malvern High School drill meet. Master Sgt. Faria has also changed things in the classroom, bringing back stricter and more regulated academics.
Master Sgt. learned about the school’s reputation before he reached the campus, and through the year, he has learned why many people praise it. “It has been great to be here, and the school has made me feel at home,” he said. “I always heard about the brotherhood from the alumni and people I talked to about the school, but being a part of it is eye-opening.”
Fresh out of the Marine Corps, Master Sgt. Faria has given the program new ideas and a positive attitude. “He has brought youthfulness to the program. It used to be just two older gentlemen, and now we have a man fresh out of the Marine Corps,” said cadet Commanding Officer Elijah Dobing. “He watches TikTok all the time, and I don’t think Sgt.Major Jernigan has ever heard of TikTok.” Master Sgt. Faria has also updated the program to recent Marine Corps Standards. Cadet Executive Officer Bennett Murphy said, “Master Sgt. Faria brought in a fresh set of eyes for the unit and brought us up to the modern marine core. Master Sgt. Faria has brought us to current Marine Corps policies.”
Master Sgt. Faria also changed the classroom. The teaching and curriculum are more strict for first- and second-year students. “Training and Education Command gives the program a curriculum that every cadet is supposed to follow,” said Murphy. “[In addition to lessons on] shooting, Marine Corps knowledge, and physical training], MasterSgt. Faria has a new lesson every day.”
Awards go to cadets who give a lot of their time to the program. Master Sgt. Faria said, “We have a ribbon system. If you recruit somebody, you get a ribbon for it. If you are on the drill team, you get a ribbon. It is just to show all of a cadet’s achievements and their level of involvement in the program.”
Dobing has seen and experienced a lot of Master Sgt. Faria’s values and work ethic. “I think he has shown me that being a real man means helping people. When I was applying for my Marine Corps scholarships, the Marines at the recruitment center were very slow and dragged their feet on everything,” said Dobing. “Eventually, I told Master Sgt. Faria. As soon as the recruiting office opened up, he called the Gunnery Sergeant and some of his Marine Corps friends. And the very afternoon, I got a call that scheduled a PFT [Physical Fitness Test]. He has shown me that if you want to gain people’s respect, you must go out of your way to help them.”
Dobing has also enjoyed spending time with the MasterSgt. and his humor. “I enjoy riding in the car with him on the way to color guards. We always discuss his time in the Marine Corps and his inside jokes. It is a great way to connect with people, to have inside jokes with them,” said Dobing. “Talking in the car with him always makes a memorable conversation.”
Master Sgt. Faria is already looking forward to the future. He plans to schedule a joint meeting for drill, color guard, and physical fitness. “It is always good to bring people to our home. Most planning will be placed on our cadets,” said Master Sgt. Faria. “Everybody thinks about the idea, but many people neglect the planning process. It will help train our cadets in proper planning and procedures. It is also a chance to show off our drill skills and impress on the home front.”
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