Военная академия и колледж Valley Forge: Традиции и подготовка лидеров

Private boarding school in the United States

Valley Forge Military Academy and College (VFMAC) is a private boarding school (grades 7–12) and military junior college in Wayne, Pennsylvania. It follows in the traditional military school format with army traditions. 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 leadership. VFMAC's administration is composed almost entirely of current or retired military and the board of trustees is almost entirely alumni. Some graduates pursue careers in the armed services and VFMAC has graduated one Rhodes Scholarship recipient. Valley Forge Military College is the only private military junior college in the United States. All students are members of the Corps of Cadets. The academy and college were once fully residential, but the academy offers a day student program. The Valley Forge Corps of Cadets, entirely student run, is the only American military organization maintaining British rank, drill, customs, and ceremonies. All cadets must pass a board and earn a "capshield" to be a member of the Corps of Cadets. It is the only corps of cadets in the United States to retain a traditional mounted battalion (squadron), consisting of one cavalry troop and one artillery battery. The college styles cadet uniforms after the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. The VFMAC Regimental Sergeant Major, Drum Major and Field Music Drum Major wear the British Army Foot Guard uniform, including the red coat and bearskin. Cadet Senior Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) carry a British Army pace stick, modeled on that carried by British warrant officers. The school has established a tradition with the British monarchy; it follows an American military academy model and practices the Army tradition. VFMAC has a British Army Garrison Sergeant Major, with William 'Billy' Mott, OBE MVO, Welsh Guards (who organized the military parades for the Royal Wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II, Ceremonial Funeral of Baroness Thatcher and 13 Trooping the Colour ceremonies) as the first Garrison Sergeant Major appointed as VFMAC staff.

Valley Forge Military Academy was founded in 1928 by Lieutenant General Milton G. Baker, Pennsylvania Guard (Retired). 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. After a fire during the night of January 17–18, 1929 destroyed the original single building campus, the former Devon Park Hotel, the academy was moved to its present site in Wayne, Pennsylvania, the former Saint Luke's School. The highest decoration in the institution, the Order of Anthony Wayne, was made in tribute to the heroism of the first Corps of Cadets on the night that the first campus burned down. Initially, General Baker devised an American Revolutionary War motif for the school. The school colors are buff and blue, the colors of the uniforms of the Continental Army. The buildings in the Wayne campus were named for Revolutionary War leaders. At the same time, the academy modeled uniforms, crest, Alma Mater, and rank structure on those of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. During the 1935–1936 school year, Baker expanded the academy to include a two year college program, with the first college cadets joining the corps that year. Subsequently, the school was known as Valley Forge Military Academy and Junior College. It is known as "Valley Forge Military Academy and College". In the late 1940s to 1950s, Baker, an Anglophile, began changing the concept and modeled many of the school's drills, customs, and ceremonies after a British motif. The Full Dress Uniforms are modeled from the British Army, while others are ostensibly West Point and British hybrids. The corps expanded to include artillery (formerly machine guns) in the late 1930s. The school was granted military junior college status by the Department of Defense sometime between the 1940s and the 1960s. Baker retired as superintendent in 1971 and died at his home on July 31, 1976, at 80.

The school had, as of 2011, 487 students. For the 2017–18 school year, the academy had 213 students in grades 7–12. For the 2020 2021 Academic year, enrollment for the academy stands at 153 cadets and for the College at 91 cadets. In June 2018, the school announced that a proposed joint venture with the closed Carson Long Military Academy would result in allowing Carson cadets to transfer to Valley Forge. However, discussions for the proposed joint venture ended when the two schools were unable to find mutually agreeable terms.

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. Another difference is in the rank system, a hybrid of United States and British military ranks, and the insignia the school utilizes.

VFMAC is a popular school for various royal families. It graduated King Simeon II of Bulgaria. The school serves as Honor Guard to the British Royal Family on State Visits to Philadelphia. Selected cadets also participate in the annual The Versailles Foundation Inc. / Claude Monet Giverny Dinner.

The British style drill was practiced at VFMAC until early 2014 but returned in 2017. Many Tactical Officers and staff have been serving, including Command Sergeants Major, Bandmasters, and Commandants and retired members of the British Armed Forces from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Marines. Events such as the Military Tattoo, Regimental Dining In, and Vespers reflect British traditions. Even the Regimental Band reflects this practice in recent years, having been now patterned in the style of the Royal Marines Band Service and British Army line infantry bands. Field Music directly reflects the British military volunteer Corps of Drums. Valley Forge Military College Cadets wear a Royal Military Academy Sandhurst style uniform. Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major and Band and Field Music Drum Major wear British Army Foot Guard uniforms. Cadet senior NCOs carry British Army pace sticks. The British Officers Club of Philadelphia is based out of the VFMAC. The Household Division has a long standing tradition of sending senior NCOs, Sergeants Majors, Warrant Officers, and Officers as short term and temporary secondment and appointments. Select VF cadets are granted privilege by the leadership and staff of the Duke of York's Royal Military School in the United Kingdom for exchange studies on their campus.

LTG Baker, the founder, designed the coat of arms in 1928. "It consists of a emblem borne on a shield and surmounted by a crest. The shield is of red and white vertical stripes with a blue field containing thirteen stars, one for each of the original states. the crest comprises an eagle with wings displayed and a scroll bearing the motto 'Courage, Honor, Conquer.' The emblem consists of a representation of General George Washington kneeling in prayer in the snow at Valley Forge, over crossed cavalry sabres and surrounded with a circular margin bearing the words 'Valley Forge Military Academy.'" — "The Guidon" Valley Forge Military Academy and College

The academy's Head of School is Lauren Wochok and Robert F. Smith is the college's provost. VFMAC's Commandant of Cadets is Garrison Sergeant Major William Mott. Like most American boarding schools, academics at the academy and college are demanding and highly competitive, and there is a mandatory two hour nightly "study hall" period from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm in the students' barracks. The school day generally begins with "First Call" followed by "Reveille," at which time all cadets arise and prepare for formation. Buglers play calls. "First Mess" or breakfast is followed by cleaning details and room preparation. "School Call" is followed by academic classes until lunch, or "Second Mess." After Second Mess, cadets attend academic classes until mid afternoon. After classes, cadets participate in athletics and extracurricular activities. Cadets may also receive extra instruction during this time. At one time, there were daily formal "Guard Mount" and "Retreat" formations. Owing to the increased tempo of cadet life and requirements of athletics and co curricular activities needed to have cadets competitively vie for college admission, highly formal Retreat formations are no longer routinely held. After "Third Mess" or the evening meal, cadets return to their barracks for study hall. Study Hall, supervised by faculty officers in rotation, is mandatory for most cadets from Sunday through Thursday. After "Recall" from Study Hall comes the Break, at which time cadets use the telephone, shine shoes, and prepare for the next day. The Break is ended by "Call to Quarters" "Tattoo" and "Taps." At Taps, all cadets, except those granted "Late Lights" to study and cadets of the college, are required to be in bed. On selected weekends, Cadets are permitted to leave at home. 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. New Cadets at Valley Forge Military Academy and College endure a 4 12 week adjustment period, known as "plebe training," upon entering the institution. During this period, students are trained in the customs and traditions of the school, a modified version of British military drills, and ceremonies. They are given an opportunity to acclimate to the overall campus environment. 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. Valley Forge Military Academy and College offers a variety of extracurricular activities to the College Corps, and the Academy Corps. College extracurriculars include an intramural program, cross country and rifle club level sports, the Creative Camo Art/Writing Club, a martial arts club, a cross country club, and a Press Corps. College cadets also participate in an annual intramural program of athletics events, academics, and creative challenges leading to the award of the Provost's Cup. Academy extracurriculars include a drill team, a rifle team, a regimental band, a Boy Scout troop, a Civil Air Patrol unit, and numerous events like International Day, STEM challenges, and service projects

All cadets attend religious services at The Alumni Memorial Chapel of St. Cornelius the Centurion on Sunday morning as a part of the Character Education program. The service, which General Baker developed, is rooted in the Episcopal or Anglican "Book of Common Prayer" and is Christian in nature. It is, however, non sectarian in practice, as the address, which focuses on character and leadership, is given by the distinguished military, civil, and academic leaders. Brigadier General Alfred A. Sanelli, Class of 1939, B. A., M. A., Pennsylvania Guard (Retired) [Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army (Retired)] (1921–2005), was the long serving Chaplain and Director of Character Education, after serving as Dean of the academy, Dean of the college, Professor of Military Science, and in other staff positions over many years. He was succeeded as Chaplain by Colonel John E. Steele Jr., Valley Forge Military Academy and College. Effective June 22, 2010, Capt. Gerald Hale, USCG (Ret. ), was named the Chaplain and Director of Character Development. The Chapel contains a 1961 M. P. Moller Pipe Organ donated by the Richard King Mellon family. The organ was dedicated in May 1965, by the Alumni, to Constance Prosser Mellon, wife of Lieutenant General R. K. Mellon.

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. Starting in fall 2020, VFMA offers a Varsity eSports Program. Grades 8 12 compete in the High School eSports League. Grades 7 & 8 compete in the Middle School eSports League. In the Spring Major 2021 season, two players (one middle school, and one high school) qualified for the national playoffs in Super Smash Bros Ultimate and finished the tournament in the top 16 players nationally for their respective league tournaments. The school discontinued the College Athletic Program at the end of the 2019–2020 school year.

The singing of school songs is a tradition at VFMAC. The main songs, among others, are "VFMAC Alma Mater", "the Line of Gray", "Spirit of the Forge", and the "Army Song". Typically, only the first and last verses of the Alma Mater are sung.

The Valley Forge Military Academy and College Regimental Band is world famous and has traveled to Europe many times in recent years to perform. Additionally, some students in the school's band perform regularly on and off campus on the school's Coronation Heraldic Fanfare Trumpets. The Herald Fanfare Trumpets were brought to Valley Forge in 1953 by Colonel D. Keith Feltham, Valley Forge Military Academy and College, L. R. A. M., A. R. C. M. who served as Bandmaster and Director of Music from September 1949 to June 1976. (Bandmaster Dudley Keith Feltham served as Bandmaster of the 1st Battalion, the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry from 1938 to 1949. Colonel Feltham also introduced the British "Slow March" in approximately 1961.) The unique complement of trumpets is regularly used to perform at the academy's weekly chapel services and is frequently booked for domestic and abroad off campus events. Today the collection consists of the full complement of voices, which consists of six B flat soprano trumpets, six B flat tenor trumpets, two G bass trumpets, and two E flat soprano trumpets. The original eight heraldic fanfare trumpets have been used on numerous ceremonial occasions associated with royalty: at Westminster Abbey to herald the coronation of King George VI in 1937, at St Paul's Cathedral to herald the Royal Silver Wedding Ceremony, at the wedding of then Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1947, and at Westminster Abbey for the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953. In January 1970, the Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Eugene Ormandy, and the Valley Forge Military Academy Band under the leadership of Colonel D. Keith Feltham, performed the "1812 Overture" (full title: Festival Overture "The Year 1812", op. 49); by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky live at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. The concert was attended by United States President Richard Nixon. After the rousing performance, Ormandy heralded the cadets as the "Philadelphia Orchestra of Military Bands" and was inspired to produce an updated recording of the overture. In the fall of 1970, the VFMA recorded their tracks of the production in Columbia Studios in New York City. In addition to the VFMA Band, the recording featured the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, directed by Richard P. Condie. The current Bandmaster is Warrant Officer (II) Phil Evans, Royal Marines Band Service (Retired).

Established in 1956, VFMAC Field Music is a separate unit of the Corps of Cadets and has its own officers and shares the same barracks and tactical officer. This unit is a reflection of the British volunteer Corps of Drums tradition. It continues the long heritage of US military field music through the years of the nation's existence and its armed forces. It also has a Drum and Bugle Corps legacy (through the use of brass instruments), and starting from AY 2011 2012, it also has a fife player on its rosters. Aside from its regular participation in school events, parades, on and off campus formations, and other events, it has a storied history of appearances in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and has been assigned the honor of being the City of Philadelphia's honor guard for distinguished visitors to the city.

The Academic Program at VFMC leads to an Associate of Arts, an Associate of Science, or an Associate in Business Administration degree. The strong core curriculum, developed based on careful analysis of the general education requirements of competitive colleges and universities, is the heart of the degree programs. 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. There are currently ten associate degree programs at the college and two certificate programs.

VFMC offers the Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program (ECP). 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. Graduates who are commissioned serve in the reserve components (Army Reserve or Army National Guard) while completing their bachelor's degrees. Those who desire active service may compete for a position and serve in the active component of the Army after earning their bachelor's degree. Those selected enter active duty as a first lieutenant, with earned longevity. Those who desire to remain in the Reserve Components after completing their bachelor's degree still have two years of leadership experience and, in addition to a full time career in the private sector, will have continued leadership opportunities in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard. 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.

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. Cadets may also take the first two years of Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps while attending VFMC. VFMA does not offer the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program.

The Valley Forge Military College Service Academy Preparation Program (SAP) has as its mission the preparation of qualified college and academy cadets, who have achieved excellence both academically and tactically, for nomination to one of the five United States service academies. These young men and women work together and support each other to gain admission to the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Coast Guard Academy and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Each academy's particular need guides VFMC's SAP Program. It works closely with each of the federal academies. The program's hallmark is a personalized curriculum to ensure each cadet is fully prepared for the rigorous academic, physical fitness, moral ethical issues, and leadership challenges.

Much of the movie Taps (1981), starring George C. Scott and Timothy Hutton, was filmed on the academy's campus. Many of its young stars, including Hutton, Sean Penn, and Tom Cruise, participated in 45 days of orientation with the students of the academy to learn to drill properly as cadets. While most of the actors enjoyed and excelled at their orientation, Cruise opted to leave the training for the comforts of a nearby hotel until filming began, reportedly to isolate himself and "get into the mindset" of his psychopathic character, Cadet Captain David Shawn.

William R. ("Bill") Tiefel – chairman of the board of CarMax, Inc.; retired chairman of The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, vice chairman of Marriott International, and director of Bulgari hotels and resorts. Moritz Hunzinger, CEO Cashcloud SA (Luxemburg), Executive Board Member Gemballa SE (Leonberg), CEO Emeritus (1979–2004) of infas Holding AG – previously Hunzinger Information AG, Media Entrepreneur, Professor of Public Relations and Communication, graduated 1977 from VFMA.

J. D. Salinger – author: The Catcher in the Rye