The arsenal was declared surplus property in 1901 and in 1904 the land was formally turned over to the Columbia Military Academy.

Gilchrist Jr., a CMA and West Point graduate, was hired to head Columbia Military Academy in June 1962 enrollment was at its highest level with more than five hundred cadets.

Col. E. Blythe Hatcher, a long-time instructor at CMA and Dean of Students at Berry College, was hired as President in 1970.

In an effort to increase enrollment female day students were added in 1969 but for them participation in the military programs was optional.

This introduction of civilian students to CMA furthered the decline of military elements at the school and in 1978 enrollment in the JROTC and ROTC programs dropped below the minimum level.