VALLEY FORGE, Pa. – On June 8, 2024, more than 30 Soldiers assigned to the 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute participated in a staff ride at Valley Forge National Historical Park. The tour, which started and finished at the park’s visitor center, followed the five-mile Purple Joseph Plumb Martin Trail, featuring paved gravel and rolling terrain.
Aaron Heft, a historian from the U.S. Army Center for Military History and former noncommissioned officer in the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, served as the tour guide for the staff ride. “This tour is important because you are learning about the history of how your unit was built and the history behind the operations of the military,” said Heft. “We walk through how the Army forges to win the war. It gives us a standard military structure that we see a ton and can apply to today’s military.”
Throughout the staff ride, Soldiers had the opportunity to view historical sights, engage in discussions, and ask questions. The tour became a team effort, with Soldiers encouraging and motivating each other to ensure everyone was learning and understanding how the American Revolutionary War shaped the military we know today.
Sgt. 1st Class Michael Weikel expressed his thoughts on the Valley Forge Staff Ride, stating, “The History of Valley Forge and learning more about it was amazing. What we contribute as Pennsylvania for the beginning of the Army is just incredible.”
The tour, represented as an MWR event, aimed to educate Soldiers about Valley Forge while providing an opportunity for physical activity. Experiences like these continue to strengthen Soldiers’ mental and physical abilities, which are essential for their duties and obligations.
The 166th Regiment, a U.S. Army schoolhouse located at Fort Indiantown Gap and operated by the Pennsylvania National Guard, is dedicated to providing support and training to active-duty, Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers, as well as several foreign militaries.
Staff rides, such as the one at Valley Forge National Historical Park, offer invaluable opportunities for Soldiers to connect with military history, draw parallels to contemporary challenges, and strengthen their understanding of leadership, resilience, and teamwork. As the 166th Regiment continues its mission of support and training, events like these will undoubtedly play a vital role in the personal and professional development of its Soldiers.
