Last Day

It’s always a challenge to leave something familiar, and it is especially difficult to leave Valley Forge. These past four years have gone by too quickly, and my last day has arrived much too soon.

I want to thank everyone with whom I have had the privilege to work, and all who have made my time at Valley Forge so amazing. I will miss all of my colleagues in the Commandant’s department, but also the teachers, administrators, students, and staff who make Valley Forge such a unique and outstanding school.

As I leave to begin my new position at Stockton College, I will take many wonderful memories with me. And, no matter where I go, Valley Forge will always have a special place in my heart.

M. Night Shyamalan visits Valley Forge Military

I had the opportunity to meet famous filmmaker and producer, M. Night Shyamalan (pictured here with Valley Forge President COL David Gray, USA Ret.) during our Crucible training at Valley Forge Military on Sunday, 25 September. Even more surprising, I was interviewed by a local paper and appeared in a news video about the event. Congratulations to all our cadets who participated in the Crucible and who were formally welcomed into the Corps of Cadets!

http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/articles/2011/10/01/main_line_suburban_life/news/doc4e823124778c2667339081.txt?viewmode=fullstory

Military Tattoo

We just finished our annual observance of Military Tattoo at Valley Forge Military Academy & College. It was an outstanding event and everyone involved did an amazing job!

Heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to all the staff, faculty, and students who worked so hard and practiced so long for this event. Your dedication and hard work were evident to all.

Well done!

Another Jason Babin

Since moving to Valley Forge, I had to find a new service location for my Jeep Wrangler. Took it in to a dealership nearby, and they suddenly rolled out the "red carpet" when they saw my name. I didn't realize what was happening at first, then I remembered ... a certain NFL player (Philadelphia Eagles) and I have the same name. Sorry guys, it's just me :)

2011

What a year 2011 has been! Philadelphia almost never experiences earthquakes or hurricanes, but we've had both in the past few months. And, as if that weren't enough, we had a Halloween snowstorm. Not since 1979 has the Mid-Atlantic region had snow in October!

It's another exciting year at Valley Forge Military as well. My former boss, CPO Paul Green, moved to a new position in Georgia, and I assumed his position as lead officer at Martin Hall. I can't thank Chief Green enough for all that he taught me, or Valley Forge for entrusting me with such a great position. The cadets and staff of Martin Hall promise to make you proud!

Congratulations, Graduates!

It's the time of year when students don caps and gowns to mark the end of an educational journey. Along with the pomp and circumstance come myriad emotions: joy at completing a major goal, sadness at leaving friends and schools behind and, certainly, anxiety about the future.

To all who graduate this year, congratulations and well done! I want especially to shout out to my fellow graduate students at West Chester University, and to all of the cadets at Valley Forge Military Academy & College where I serve as a staff officer. The journeys are long, the obstacles many, but together, we have persevered. May we use all that we have learned to serve others well!

The Long Road

I keep promising myself that I'll update my blog more often, but things have been rather hectic since my undergrad days at West Chester!

In 2008, I spent the summer as in intern with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service as the final requirement for my bachelor's degree. Then, realizing how much I loved West Chester University, I decided to stay there for my graduate program. The only difference is that I would be working two jobs while carrying a full load of graduate courses. Finally though, after two challenging years, I'm about to receive my master's degree!

It's been a long road since starting college at LSU in 2001. Though detoured by deployments to active duty and other responsibilities, I wouldn't change anything about my educational journey. It's often said that life is what happens while we're making plans. But if we keep working toward our goals, we will get there eventually. It's not how long it takes; it's getting there that matters!

Graduation

Time never moved this fast when I was on active duty! This past year, my final year as an undergraduate at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, has been a blur. After waiting and working for so long, I can hardly believe that graduation is next month!

After six years in the Army National Guard, two more years in the IRR, and two major tours of active duty, I'm finally about to receive a college degree. The path has been long and fraught with detours, but I wouldn't change a thing.

It's strange, but one of the reasons the military appealed to me at 17 was the prospect of funds for college. Of course, there were many other good reasons to join, but that certainly made the decision easier. Yet, as a member of the Louisiana Army National Guard, financial assistance was only available for schools in my home state. I moved to Pennsylvania in 2003, and even though I traveled back and forth to LA to drill with my unit, I was not eligible for any financial assistance beyond the MGIB.

So, I'll be paying back my student loans for many, many years, but my time at West Chester was definitely worth it. I will always treasure the friends that I made there, and I'll carry them in my heart wherever I go.

I'll be starting an internship this summer with a federal agency and, hopefully, I will be able to join that agency to begin my career. But, whatever God plans is ok with me. I really miss my family, my Mom and sister back in Louisiana, and I hope that I'll be able to move closer to them soon.

Through it all, I think of you, my friends, and thank God for such wonderful companions of the journey of life!

Love,

Jason