Washington, DC -
There are five service academies in the United States that offer young men and women a free college education at highly-ranked, nationally-recognized academies, while preparing them for an officer's commission in the armed forces. The Air Force Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy, the Military Academy at West Point, and the Naval Academy all require a nomination from a member of Congress or the Vice President. The Coast Guard Academy is the only one of the armed forces service academies that offers appointments on the basis of an annual nationwide competition.
Acceptance at an Academy involves a five year active duty commitment. If you do not graduate, different consequences will apply, depending upon the conditions and timing of your resignation or removal.
It is best to start the application process during the late spring of your junior year in high school. It is also a good idea to apply through United States Senators Hutchison and Cornyn, the Vice President and, if you are the child of a deceased or disabled veteran, through the relevant branch of service.
Files must be completed and all information submitted by November 30 of each year. The nominations are due during January of each year. Admission to the Service Academies is very competitive. The application process is intricate, but the rewards for those accepted are great.
Guidelines
You must be:
- At least 17 years old and not past your 22nd birthday on July 1 of the year of admission to the academy
- A citizen of the United States
- Unmarried, with no legal obligation to support a child or dependent
- A legal resident of the Twenty-ninth Congressional District
The basis for the nomination is competitive. When you apply, the academy looks at:
- Your school record, including grade point average and class rank
- Extra-curricular activities, including athletics, community service, and school organizations
- SAT scores
- Motivation
You must complete the appropriate application process with each academy of interest to you.
Congratulations to the 29th Congressional District’s service academy nominees for 2007! I had the pleasure of meeting with them last week to discuss their nominations. This year’s nominees are:
· Andrew Beltran from Mirabeau B. Lamar High School, will be nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
· Daniel Stiles from C.E. King High School, will be nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy
· Andrew Williams from North Shore High School, will be nominated to the United States Military Academy at West Point
· Gregory Ayers from Northeast Christian Academy, will be nominated to the United States Military Academy at West Point
· Humberto Trejo from YES College Preparatory School, will be nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Annual 29th District United States Service Academy Day
Last September 29, our office hosted our annual Service Academy Day. In 2008 we plan to hold a Service Academy Day on September 27, and another in conjunction with another congressional office on a date to be determined. This informative session provides all students interested in pursuing a nomination to one of the four service academies with the proper orientation and guidance necessary to begin the nomination process with my office. Members of our staff and Service Academy representatives will be present to discuss the application process and answer any question.
Representatives from each service academy will attend. They are able to provide information on the specific application procedures for each academy.
For more information, please contact Ms. Shirley Gonzalez in our district office at 281-999-5879 or send requests for applications for nominations to 256 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 29, Houston, TX 77060.
You can also consult the web sites of the individual service academies for more detailed information:
· U. S. Air Force Academy – Colorado Springs, Colorado http://www.usafa.af.mil/
· U.S. Merchant Marine Academy – Kings Point, New York http://www.usmma.edu/
· U.S. Military Academy – West Point, New York http://www.usma.edu/
· U.S. Naval Academy – Annapolis, Maryland http://www.usna.edu/
· U.S. Coast Guard Academy – New London, Connecticut http://www.cga.edu/
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