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SAN DIEGO MILITARY ACADEMY

Solano Beach, California

1958-1977
Academy Drive 1959

Academy Drive 1959

Band Company marches down Academy Drive on parade. The Large SDMA sign in the background stood on the hillside until the I-5 freeway project in 1964. Legend has it vandals used to move the letters around from time to time.

SDMA Campus 1959

SDMA Campus 1959

This very early photo shows the new SDMA campus from the viewpoint of Academy Drive.

Pass & Review 1959

Pass & Review 1959

This image shows the pass & review during the cadet dress parade and formation. No turf has been laid on the athletic field yet. The mess hall and administration building are in the distance. You can see parents and spectators sitting on the edge of the bluff.

Upper Deck 1961

Upper Deck 1961

The upper deck served as the assembly area for musters and parades. To the right you can see the cottage that served as cadet staff barracks and as a barber shop. The I-5 freeway would later be constructed where the hill is in the background.

SDMA Uniforms 1969

SDMA Uniforms 1969

SDMA uniforms remained virtually unchanged throughout the school's existence. This image shows two company commanders at "Present Arms" for the Hilltopper cover of that year. Uniforms and equipment were supplied by Harris & Frank Clothiers and Wolf-Brown Co.

The SDMA Flagpole

The SDMA Flagpole

The flagpole was erected in 1958 and stood in the center of campus in front of the middle wing of barracks. The stars and stripes could be seen from most anywhere on campus. This image shows the Class of 1971 flag flying, The flagpole still serves till this day at Santa Fe Christian School.

Kennedy Field 1972

Kennedy Field 1972

Originally called Falcon Field, it was renamed Kennedy Field after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. This is the cover image on the 1973 Hilltopper yearbook

Mess Hall 1975

Mess Hall 1975

The Mess Hall served three hot meals a day to thousands of cadets and staffers. Father-Son Banquets, Christmas parties and dances were also hosted there. Burgers and fries once a week was the highlight and the occasional steak dinner was a special treat. Battalion Staff ate first, followed by seniors and then the other companies.

Bicentennial Parade 1976

Bicentennial Parade 1976

A special Bicentennial parade on the SDMA field with the US Navy Training Center Drill Team. The USNTC Drill Team appeared several times as guests on dress parades throughout the years.

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