The state Senate recently approved Senate Bill 1194, legislation that would create the Pennsylvania Military Academy Assistance Program.
The program would recruit, train, educate and retain cadets from Valley Forge Military Academy and College (also known as the Pennsylvania Military Academy). The goal is to provide a pathway for cadets to commission early into the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as U.S. officers in the Army.
Cadets would receive educational grants for military academy attendance to attain an associate degree and military commission. They could attend a participating state university or receive partial funding to complete an undergraduate degree at any college or university statewide.
The program is based on other educational assistance programs that allow students to obtain an education while pursuing a path toward military service.
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs would cover the program’s cost.
“There are many positive outcomes of this bill,” state Sen. Bob Mensch (R- Montgomery County), who sponsored the bill, said. “It will increase opportunities to attend Valley Forge Military Academy and College and boost the number of qualified commissioned officers in the Pennsylvania National Guard, in addition to ensuring that more graduates remain and serve in Pennsylvania.”
The bill now moves to the House for consideration.