Cadets who achieve academically and in personal efficiency and leadership are allowed additional leaves and local leaves into Wayne and to the King of Prussia mall. But in November 2004, the board of trustees booted Long for an alleged pattern of sexually harassing employees. Afterward, one emailed him a screed claiming he lacked the traits of a US Marine. VFMAC's administration is composed almost entirely of current or retired military and the board of trustees is almost entirely alumni. Introduction. A former provost of the Naval War College, Long focused, with some success, on improving academic programs, and he managed to get the school on steadier financial footing, thanks in part to a post-9/11 enrollment surge. The insurgents believe that the schools finances are dismal and that the board hasnt acted decisively to change that. Current board chair English responds that Valley Forge has paid off all the schools long-term debt. In 1898, a gentle cadet named Oscar Boozwas critically injured in West Points underground fight club. Valley Forge is one of roughly 40 accredited military schools nationally, and its declining attendance tracks Americas move away from a military-style education that includes uniforms and a hierarchy aimed at teaching leadership. Valley Forge Military Academy and College - Wikipedia. By many accounts, its trustees and administratorsmostly former military menhave downplayed the schools problems by concocting positive images and suppressing scandals. Accepted Offer. Can you pitch in a few bucks to help fund Mother Jones' investigative journalism? PMCS Valley Forge will serve grades K-12, with military programming beginning in 6th grade. Successful completion of this two-year program results in a cadet earning a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army upon graduating as a sophomore from VFMC. VFMA is a member of the PIAA and competes in 13 inter-school sports teams, and VFMC is a member of the NJCAA, Region 19, with 11 men's and women's sports. Weeks earlier, the school's top brass had elevated . Two female former cadets recalled to me how, after they were caught trying to sneak off campus, Rivera threatened to look in on their rooms at night when they slept. None of them tried it again, to his knowledge. Another difference is in the rank system, a hybrid of United States and British military ranks, and the insignia the school utilizes. The five academies operated by military branches, including West Point, were the elite. We educate the whole person and develop leaders for a global society. This officer frequently got physical with students, according to his former co-workers, one of whom distinctly recalls him body-slamming a cadet in the mess hall. In cost-cutting moves, the schools associated junior college eliminated all sports programs and ended a day-school program that educated civilians with no interest in military careers. Our dedicated team has already filed one physical and sexual abuse lawsuit against Valley Forge Military Academy and College. In his affidavit, Niessner testified that when he reported his abuse to the TAC office, an officer asked, Will your parents sue? (They did not.) Gerald Hale, USCG (Ret. If I hear you have problems, then fucking leaveI dont need a broken soldier, another former cadet recalls. All Rights Reserved. Taps, a 1981 movie filmed at the Forge, follows a group of cadets who rebel violently against the proposed closing of their fictional academy. The Forge wasnt adequately communicating with students about the Pell program, and multiple cadets said they never received money they were promised. "First Mess" or breakfast is followed by cleaning details and room preparation. But think of the type of kids that would do that, Bossert says. Valley Forge Military Academy and College - Wikipedia. We really need to see if we'll be able to raise more with this real estate on a daily basis than we have been, so we're hoping to see a promising start. Current Global Measurement Campaigns & IOPs. The decision to admit women into the junior college was made in 2005 by Longs successor, Charles Tony McGeorge, the Forges first civilian president. The school was granted military junior college status by the Department of Defense sometime between the 1940s and the 1960s. A guidance counselor from the Valley Forge Military Academy and College was fired Tuesday and police are investigating alleged inappropriate contact with two cadets. Though military in tradition and form, the high school portion of VFMAC, Valley Forge Military Academy, is a college-preparatory boarding institution specializing in student . SPONSORED. Its time to get serious about holding the trustees accountable for the damage they continue to inflict and their deliberate lack of transparency. One student stabbed a classmate with scissors; another bashed his peer with a baseball batneither met serious repercussions. The process took 6 weeks. One of the boys spoke at graduation, and the young lady who had been assaulted had to sit there and listen, Wood said. The British Officers Club of Philadelphia is based out of the VFMAC. The organization of the Corps, similar to the rest of the United States military junior colleges, is unique because the school organized it as a full regiment of three battalions, two infantry, and one mounted. [1] For the first five months of its existence, the school was located in Devon, Pennsylvania, on the south side of Berkley Road, between Dorset and Waterloo roads, which is several miles away from the campus's current location. Regional Campaigns, IOPs, & Collaboration Initiatives. The school that produced Stormin Norman Schwarzkopf, who led Desert Storm; H.R. Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major and Band and Field Music Drum Major wear British Army Foot Guard uniforms. By July of 1985, when I started my sentence at Valley Forge by attending VMFA's new Step program that acclimated students for imprisonment, I felt calloused to names, having endured far worse name-calling than "Troll.". Together with the courses require in the academic fields of study, the core programs provide the foundation for successful transfer to a four-year college and long-term academic success. He reflected, too, on the interesting collection of misfits hed befriended at the Forge, and the memories they shared, bad and good. Valley Forge Military Academy officials report that negotiations with Carson Long Military Academy for a merger ceased because Carson Long executives wanted to speed up the deal. Bossert told me that some of the dozen or so cadets thought to have participated in tooth-pasting assaults were dismissed, only to return the following semester. It was the most bizarre thing in the world. Other administrators were similarly perplexed. The Chapel contains a 1961 M. P. Moller Pipe Organ donated by the Richard King Mellon family. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters. Valley Forge Military Academy was founded in 1928 by Lieutenant General Milton G. Baker, Pennsylvania Guard (Retired). By Record Inc News Service | 3 years ago. We were civilians, notes one Marine veteran who worked as a TAC from 2005 to 2019. Check out our wide selection today! The conclusion of this period occurs when the students complete the traditional requirement of earning their "Capshield", the brass crest that adorns the uniform cap.[16]. The school day generally begins with "First Call" followed by "Reveille," at which time all cadets arise and prepare for formation. Rules werent being enforced.. Schumacher and another former cadet remember Rivera at one point declaring his intent to give cadets an experience the commandant likened to a deployment in one of the shit-istans. This consisted of TACs berating and belittling the cadets and robbing them of sleep. At least five cadets I interviewed identified Rivera, a former helicopter pilot who didnt respond to multiple requests for comment, as one of the most abusive TACs. Nestled 20 miles north of Philadelphia, the private institution teaches middle school, high school, and junior college students. 530 W. Dekalb Pike Rt. The foundations stated intent is to financially support cadets and supply oversight of the school. I never really felt like they were following financial aid procedures, one former staffer recalled. There are many fightsI mean many, many fights I have seen that played out completely, he added, where one student was beaten to a bloody fucking pulp before anyone intervened. (In December, the Valley Forge Sucks Instagram posted a video of two young cadets in camouflage freely pummeling one another in a bathroom.) So we urgently need this specific ask, what you're reading right now, to start bringing in more donations than it ever has. He met frequently with students and staff, snapped selfies with cadets, and cultivated closer relations with alumni and parents. Trying to build a better view of life, something close to the impossible | Learn more about Ugochukwu Eze's work experience, education, connections & more by visiting their profile on LinkedIn And even though there's zero cushion to miss the mark, we won't be all that in your face about our fundraising again until June. Founded in 1928, Valley Forge Military Academy and College offers an all-boys prep school for cadets through high school, and a two-year co-ed junior college program. Location: 1001 Eagle Road, Wayne, PA 19087. In my role, I am only the latest in a long line of stewards of the legacy of Valley Forge Military Academy and College. Citing privacy concerns, retired Marine Col. Stuart Helgeson, the schools president, said in a statement that the Forge has zero tolerance for hazing and illegal and inappropriate activity, thorough policies and procedures in place to address allegations of wrongdoing, and a proven track record of taking action to address concerns quickly and appropriately. The school, he added, will continue to manage matters that arise according to law, policy, and the best interest of the cadets entrusted to our care., School trustees and senior administrators, according to legal documents and numerous sources, have minimized rather than remediated the problems. He became withdrawn and depressed, and would eventually require therapy. Easy Interview. (855) 635-1800. (The similarly sized Church Farm School in Exton has an endowment of $150 million.) And he said it will launch a Valley Forge-branded online school next year. And then there was the 18-year-old cadet who never made it to graduation. In her 2019 resignation letter, she called the present governance structure and apathetic attitude of the trustees not only troubling but reprehensible.. Basic ECP eligibility and entrance requirements include a minimum cumulative high school Grading in education grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (2.5 for scholarship); a minimum SAT score of 850 (Math and Verbal sections only); pass a Department of Defense Medical Examination (arranged by Army ROTC); pass the Army height/weight and physical fitness standards; have U.S. citizenship (original naturalization document issued by INS or state-issued birth certificate); and be between 17 and 27 years of age and of good moral character. Baker retired as superintendent in 1971 and died at his home on July 31, 1976, at 80.[1]. He had a decidedly different job in 2011, when he was the Garrison Sgt. But it was confronting the cap shield bullies a few days later that sent him over the edge. He was also waterboarded, he claims, and had his head slammed into a wall. or Best Offer. Then they fired me., Following Lords dismissal, trustee Maj. Gen. Jessica Wright, a former undersecretaryat the U.S. Department of Defense, quit the board in support of Lord. Schumacher stormed back to his dorm afterward, gathered his belongings, and threw everything in his truck, yelling and banging doors as he vented his rage. Former chairmanBill Floyd held that position for 12 years and has been on the board for 15 years total. A twisted drill sergeant mentality took root. As punishment, they were ordered to paint the commandants house. Starting in Fall 2020, VFMA offers a Varsity eSports Program. But when an administrator raised concerns with the HR office about that counselorwho was later convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old at another schoolI was told that it was none of my business, to just stay out of it.. Last year, the school sold off a prime parcel of real estate at the corner of Upper Gulph and Radnor Roads to a developer for $1.6 million, a price the insurgents say was too low. The service, which General Baker developed, is rooted in the Episcopal or Anglican "Book of Common Prayer" and is Christian in nature. At Taps, all cadets, except those granted "Late Lights" to study and cadets of the college, are required to be in bed. Its more Lord of the Flies than The Catcher in the Rye. Walt Lord, a popular but short-lived school president, agrees: It became Last Chance U, which was a revenue driver but also cancerous to the Corps of Cadets.. Located in Wayne, Pa, VFMAC offers boarding, commuting, and day options. Additional clients, Ryan says, are preparing complaints that stem from the Forges intentional ignorance.. David Epstein 1950-1954. Listen on Apple Podcasts. The school colors are buff and blue, the colors of the uniforms of the Continental Army. Cadet captains wore four chevrons; cadet lieutenants wore three chevrons, sergeants, and corporals three and two, respectively. [23] Graduates who are commissioned serve in the reserve components (Army Reserve or Army National Guard) while completing their bachelor's degrees. "The Guidon"[clarification needed] Valley Forge Military Academy and College, The academy's Head of School is Lauren Wochok and Robert F. Smith is the college's provost. For all the time theyre putting into this they could do something positive, Helgeson said. Cadets listen to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney at a 2012 Valley Forge rally. Valley Forge Military Academys board of trustees numbers 14 currently, and membership is by appointment by other trustees only, as is standard practice for nonprofits. ECP Lieutenants are obligated to serve for a total of eight years upon commissioning: the initial two years are served in the Reserve Components (Army Reserve or Army National Guard), and the additional six years are served in either the Reserve Components or the Active Component, dependent upon the needs of the Army. But most famous of all is the novelist J.D. 23% of employees would recommend working at Valley Forge Military Academy to a friend and 26% have a positive outlook for the business . VFMC offers the Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program (ECP). All Listings filter applied; All Filters; VALLEY FORGE MILITARY ACADEMY Saco Wool Overcoat Coat Double Breasted 1965 RARE. The singing of school songs is a tradition at VFMAC. Valley Forge Military Academy and College. We keep hoping these guys would go away, said current president Stuart Helgeson. Established in 1928, Valley Forge Military Academy and College is an international leadership institution, comprised of a middle school, high school, and college. We do so with obligation and authority and that is a privilege beyond measure. The school has lost money in six of the last 10 years, according to its tax returns. Formal military education emerged in Europe during the 18th century and was embraced by the colonial brass during the Revolutionary War. end of submenu, closing. [25], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}400315N 752301W / 40.0542N 75.3835W / 40.0542; -75.3835, Valley Forge Military Academy and College, Organization of the Corps of Cadets, Regalia and symbols, and History of the corps, Introduction and History of the Corps of Cadets, the rank structure and insignia, The Valley Forge Military Academy Regimental Band, Academic and military preparatory programs, Valley Forge Military College degree programs, Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps and Early Commissioning Program, Valley Forge Military College Service Academy Preparatory Program, Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States, National Association of Independent Schools, National Junior College Athletic Association, Category:Valley Forge Military Academy and College alumni, 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosives Command, Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan, "When the Valley Forge Military Academy was Located in Devon", "1929 Devon Inn fire, 1st home of Valley Forge Military Academy in 1928 by Major Baker, St. Luke's School", "Valley Forge no longer a males-only military college", "Update: Ex-student sues Valley Forge Military Academy, cites 'culture of abuse', "Whistleblower details disturbing incidents at Valley Forge Military Academy & College", "Valley Forge Military Academy leader steps down", "Valley Forge Military Academy and College names first female president, Stacey R. Sauchuk", "President of Valley Forge Military Academy resigns suddenly", "First female president of Valley Forge Military Academy and College", "Search for Private Schools School Detail for Valley Forge Military Academy", "Carson Long Announces Joint Venture with Valley Forge Military Academy & College", "Joint Venture Between Carson Long and Valley Forge Military Academy No Longer a Viable Option", "Leadership at Valley Forge Military Academy and College", http://www.vfmac.edu/pdf/09-10CollegeCatalog.pdf, "Bandmasters, 1st Battalion, Royal Green Jackets", "The Phoenix - Pa. Symphonic Wind Band playing Sunday to help VFMA Marching Band", "Army ROTC: Teaching The Leaders of Tomorrow", "Taps (1981) - Scott as General in 'Taps', "Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald lives in Arizona, but like most transplants, 'home' is somewhere else", "Nashua Guardsman to lead NY-based 42nd Infantry Division", "Division commander settles into new job", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Valley_Forge_Military_Academy_and_College&oldid=1142969288, Non-Denominational (historically Episcopalian/Anglican), Lieutenant General Milton H. Medenbach, Pennsylvania Guard (Retired), 1971, Colonel Harold J. Fraley, United States Army (Retired), 19891990, Rear Admiral Peter A.C. Long, United States Navy (Retired) 20002004, Colonel David R. Gray, United States Army (Retired) 20102012, Colonel James J. Doyle, USMC, (Retired), Interim President, 20122013, Colonel John C. Church Jr., USMCR (Retired) 20162018, Major General Walter T. Lord U.S. Army (Retired) Class of 1984 (College), Colonel Stuart B. Helgeson, USMCR (Retired) 2020Present, the cadet lieutenant colonel wore five pips on his epaulettes, plus the shoulder knots, Cadet second lieutenants, one pip on the epaulettes, Cadet 1st Captain wears two pips and the institutional arms on the epaulettes in between, plus the shoulder knots as mentioned below, Cadet 2nd Captain, one pip, and the institutional arms, Cadet 3rd through 8th Captains, four pips, Cadet Second Lieutenants, one pip on the epaulettes, G Company (Academy and College depending on the year), H Company (Middle School or College depending on the year), VFMAC Regimental Band (Academy and College combined), William R. ("Bill") Tiefel chairman of the board of, Walter T. Lord Major General, United States Army, Harry J. Officials constantly worried about themselves and covering their own asses, says a former longtime TAC. 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