Valley Forge Military Academy - Review #2

Valley Forge Military Academy is the premiere educator of character education in America today. Valley Forge's honor code and military environment teach and foster doing the right things in life when choices have to be made. The underpinnings of the plebe system at Valley Forge are crucial to a young man's development of moral character. Valley Forge recently had one of its recent alumni, who went on to Johns Hopkins, receive a Rhodes Scholarship. The Movie "TAPS" with Sean Penn, Tom Cruise, Timothy Hutton and George C. Scott was filmed there in the early 80's.

Valley Forge gave me the opportunity to receive opportunities down the road. Had I not gone to Valley Forge I probably would not have finished my Eagle Scout requirements, received my God and Life award in the Boy Scouts and gotten sidetracked onto other things. Valley Forge gave me the abilities to be able to compete for and receive my Army ROTC Scholarship which paid for college. Needless to say my, parents were thrilled to not have to worry about college tuition. I also believe now that the structured environment at Valley Forge is a place with good male role models for an impressionable young man to learn from.

I waited a couple of years to try boarding school which I should not have done. I was your typical b minus to c student and had I gone to Valley Forge sooner to realize my potential I would have had a greater level of self confidence earlier in my life.

I enjoyed the location of the school and the military underpinnings that the school has in its philosophy and structure.

I was a member of Bravo Company (B-Company) which was the best company at VFMA. Old man's walk is another special thing about Valley Forge.

Mandatory study hall with professors walking through the barracks in the evening to assist with homework assignments was extremely helpful to me. The class sizes were small and extra help was always available. The military aspect of life at school taught leadership and delegation skills which are critical to business leaders and managers later in life. Valley Forge is one of the few boarding schools which offers a conservative philosophy in academics and history.

The Athletic Department was top notch and VFMA has many former varsity football players which played college football and have gone on to the NFL. Some of these athletes were in the academy and some were at VFMA for a Post Graduate year to work on academics to solidify scholarships and NCAA requirements.

I don't remember much about the drama program. The Regimental Chorus, The Field Music Deparment and The Regimental Band are all acclaimed and have travelled overseas and to the White House to perform. There is a speech competition known as the Dunaway Award which is a very prestigious honor at Valley Forge.

Lots of activities from equestrian lessons to obtaining a pilots license are available if you could get your parents to spring for the upgrades added to your tuition. I participated in the Basic extracurricular activities ie: intramurals , varsity golf team, Junior ROTC and the Boy Scouts. There is also lacrosse, swimming, soccer, and football.

Dorm life was fine- I was so busy when I was at school that I don't remember that much.

Two words- Mess Hall. Valley Forge was very much like it would be at West Point or Annapolis. The food was very good as it was catered by ARAMARK dining services when I was there. You eat when they tell you to eat.

VFMA is in the town of Wayne, Pa. Wayne is on the main line outside of Philadelphia and is a very affluent suburb. The town is quaint and maintains a good relationship with the school and its cadets. On the weekends cadets can travel to the local mall (The King of Prussia Mall) via SEPTA.

The camaraderie and the bonds made at VFMA were solid friendships. There were several mixers with local girls schools. The seniors have a Ring Dance which is a pretty big deal.