Hargrave Military Academy awarded leadership course completion certificates to local cadets. Three courses are offered based on the student's grade level in the new school year. Each of the courses is designed to equip cadets for leadership positions within the Academy for the 2008/2009 school year. Completion of the course provides cadets priority consideration for advancement within Hargrave's Corp of Cadets.

Seniors completed the Officer Candidate School (OCS). During the OCS leadership course, Cadets assume various roles of responsibility and engage in leadership problem solving. The format of the course is very similar to corporate level leadership courses, but geared toward high school seniors. Cadets that successfully complete OCS are eligible to compete for senior command positions. Cadets compete for the positions by demonstrating proven leadership ability during OCS, having a solid past record of performance and, most importantly, engaging in an interview process.

Juniors complete the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers School (SNCOS). Completion of SCNOS equips junior cadets to compete for the highest non-officer rank at the Academy, plus other leadership positions. Under the direction of senior officers, juniors provide direction to various members of the corp.

Sophomores complete the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) School. The NCO school is modeled and on team building and problem solving concepts, allowing participants the opportunity to test, solve and adapt to a range of leadership issues. While sophomores cannot hold an officer's rank at Hargrave, they are a vital link in the chain-of-command for the cadets. They are the corporals and sergeants of the Corp of Cadets.

A total of 130 cadets participated in the leadership courses which ran from Aug. 18-22, 2008. OCS and SNCOS graduates were presented their certificates in a ceremony on Aug. 23. NCO graduates were recognized on Aug. 19.

Local graduates included: