Dr. Jared D. Smith, Major, U.S. Army (Ret.) named 39th Commandant of Cadets

WAYNE, PA — Valley Forge Military College (VFMC) is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Jared D. Smith, Major, U.S. Army (Ret.), as the College’s 39th Commandant of Cadets.

Smith brings more than two decades of military service and experience in education, cadet development, military instruction, organizational leadership, and student mentorship. His career has centered on developing young people into disciplined, capable leaders prepared to serve their communities and the nation.

“Dr. Smith brings exactly the combination of military leadership, educational experience, and commitment to developing young people we sought in our next Commandant,” said Col. Stuart B. Helgeson, USMC (Ret.), President of VFMC.

“He understands the transformational impact a military college experience can have because he has lived it himself. I am excited about the energy, standards, and leadership he will bring to our Corps of Cadets.”

A retired U.S. Army Major, Smith served 20 years in the Georgia Army National Guard; his experience is well aligned with VFMC’s mission. Smith has served as an Assistant Professor of Military Science for ROTC at Georgia Military College, Senior Military Science Instructor and Teach, Advise, Counsel (TAC) Officer, Aide-de-Camp to Georgia’s 42nd Adjutant General, United States Senate Youth Program Military Mentor, Senior Army Instructor for JROTC, first Director of Georgia’s third Youth Challenge Academy, and 17th Head of School at F.H. Wardlaw Academy.

Smith also understands the military college experience firsthand. He earned an Associate of Science in General Studies from Georgia Military College, where he served as Regimental Commander of the 128th Corps of Cadets, and later served on the GMC Alumni Association Board of Directors. He also holds a Bachelor of Science from Mercer University, a Master of Education from the University of Georgia, and a Doctor of Education from Baylor University.

As Commandant, Smith will oversee the Corps of Cadets and advance the College’s military model, working with cadet leaders, faculty, staff, and senior leadership to strengthen a culture of accountability, standards, service, personal responsibility, and leadership.

His appointment represents another step forward as VFMC strengthens its military college experience and continues its longstanding tradition of preparing cadets to lead with purpose, integrity, and confidence.