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– THE FORGE –

Valley Forge Military Academy & College News  Fall, 2022

A Letter from the President

Dear Forge Family,

Welcome to the Fall ’22 edition of The Forge. Like any school, the fall is a very busy time here at VFMAC. And this edition reflects only a portion of the activities required to educate future leaders for a global society.

That is what we do here and that mission is never far from our minds. When you review these stories, you will learn the traditions of the Forge Stakes and the Crucible continue to stand the test of time and our Cadets continue to reach the high standards demanded of them. You will learn about how both VFMA and VFMC have enrolled three Cadets from Ukraine whose education has been disrupted by the war there. The VFMC’s Citizen Leader program is featured and there is a new section called Museum Moment where some of the treasures VFMAC has in the museum are introduced. And there is TAPS – where we honor those alumni who have passed.

Your continued support of VFMAC helps us day after month after year stay focused on providing a top-flight fine education for our Cadets. We really appreciate it and are proud to share some highlights of it here with you now.

Sincerely,

Col. Stuart B. Helgeson, USMCR Retired,

President, Valley Forge Military Academy & College

Fall, 2022 | Academy

Ms. Lauren Wochok opened the fall academic year as dean of Valley Forge Military Academy. She replaced Paul Lea, IV who was named president of Valley Forge Academy in Doha, Qatar. Prior to her appointment as dean, …

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Fall, 2022 | Academy

The 95th Corps of Cadets arrived like all other classes of plebes – with uncertainty about what awaited them and full heads of hair. The hair didn’t last long as their heads were shaved within moments of their parents’ departure. As for the uncertainty? It was clear almost immediately that the challenges of the plebe system at VFMAC are difficult and surmountable. …

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Fall, 2022 | Academy

US Army Sergeant Kathleen Dougherty has been named Bandmaster at Valley Forge Military Academy and College. She replaced Bandmaster Vincent DeMarro who retired after several long and successful years in that role. 

Sergeant Kathleen Dougherty manages the music curriculum for both the …

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Fall, 2022Academy

For many in the world, the war in Ukraine is a terrible news story – one watched with disbelief and horror. For Cadets Vladyslav Biblyi, Mykhailo Bohatykov, and Maksym Osadchyi, it is a tragedy unfolding in their homeland where their families remain. …

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Fall, 2022Academy

The fall 22 academic year brought new and tighter regulations for mobile phones among the Corps of Cadets. The policy is simple: nobody has one.

“The literature is clear that mobile phones are a distraction to student…

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Fall, 2022 | College & ROTC

With College comes a sought level of independent living for students. It is no different at VFMC. Twenty apartments have been refurbished and are welcoming VFMC Cadets to their hallways.

Originally built to house…

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Fall, 2022 | College & ROTC

They stood on the Main Area wondering if they had made the worst decision of their life.  Their parents had just dropped them off three hours prior to Valley Forge Military College hoping that this school would help set them on the path to success they desired even though they did not desire a military career.  …

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Fall, 2022 | College & ROTC

Fall Field Exercises took VFMC Army ECP Cadets to Fort Indiantown Gap for a weekend of great Army training. Cadets were flown in a Chinook Helicopter which landed on the parade grounds at VFMAC and flew the Cadets directly to their training area. …

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Fall, 2022 | College & ROTC

The HR McMaster Center for Security Studies Speaker Series at VFMC opened in the fall. Kicking off the series was Marc Ferraro, Executive Deputy Secretary for the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. …

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Looking for previous issues of THE FORGE? View past publications here.