WASHINGTON, DC - US Representative Ron Paul announced this week his nominees to the four United States service academies; the Military Academy at Westpoint, NY, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD, the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.

"These young men and women represent a selection of some of the best and the brightest not only in the 14th District of Texas, but in the entire United States," said Paul. "I firmly believe that each and every one of these young men and women, if given the opportunity by the academies, will well represent the people of the 14th District."

A nomination by a Member of Congress can be seen as a "first step" toward a young person being accepted to one of the military academies. However, the nomination to an academy does not guarantee an appointment, or admission. After being nominated, a young person's credentials are then examined by the academies. If that nominee is not selected, or the nominee chooses to turn down appointment, the academy will then examine the alternate nominees put forward by the Member of Congress. In most cases a congressman is able to put forward a "principal" nominee to an academy, and alternates to that nominee. At times, though, a congressman is able to only put forward "competitive" nominees who are then examined by the academy as a group, from which the appointee is chosen.

The number of nominees, and the type of nominations, a Member of Congress can make to a given academy changes from year to year, based on the class size, and the number of students already attending from a given congressional district.

This year, Representative Paul had two "principal" nomination vacancies for the Naval Academy, one to the Military Academy at West Point, and one nomination to the Merchant Marine Academy. He was also able to send to the Air Force Academy a slate of "competitive" nominees.

"As we examined the applications of the candidates, I and my staff and advisors were struck by high quality of each of these individuals," said Paul. "They are young men and women of whom we can all be proud. Whether they attend the military academies or not, and whether they make a career in the military or private sector, I am confident that each of these young people will be leaders in their communities, state and nation."