Military & Service Academy Day open to students on Aug. 22

HUNTSVILLE – Students who are interested in attending a U.S. military service academy can learn about the enrollment process at an upcoming event in Huntsville.

The annual Military & Service Academy Day will be held on Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon at Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus, 345 Voyager Way NW, in Cummings Research Park in Huntsville. The event will feature representatives from military service academies, collegiate ROTC, National Guard and military preparatory schools. U.S. Congressman Dale Strong encourage students interested in military service after high school to attend the event with their families.

The event is designed for students who want to attend a U.S. military service academy and learn more about the congressional nomination process, which is a requirement for admission. Strong can nominate up to 15 individuals for each vacant academy slot allotted to the district. The only exception is U.S. Merchant Marine Academy that allows only 10 nominations.

Each branch of the U.S. military has a service academy:

• United States Military Academy — West Point, N.Y. Prepares cadets for leadership in U.S. Army.

• United States Naval Academy Annapolis, Md. Trains officers for Navy and Marine Corps.

• United States Air Force Academy — Colorado Springs, Colo. Prepares cadets for service in U.S. Air Force.

• United States Coast Guard Academy — New London, Conn. Trains future leaders for U.S. Coast Guard.

• United States Merchant Marine Academy — Kings Point, N.Y.

At the Military & Service Academy Day, officials will provide information about educational opportunities, military service and the necessary steps to pursue a nomination.

Students must satisfy eligibility requirements for a nomination:

• Age — 17 years old minimum but 22 years maximum. Age limit is 25 years old for Merchant Marine Academy.

• Citizenship – A student must hold U.S. citizenship by the time that the candidate enters an academy.

• Marital status – Candidates must be single, not pregnant and hold no legal obligation to support children or other dependents.

• Health — Must meet medical, physical and academic requirements of the academy to which the student applies.

For Strong to consider a nomination, the student must have an open application with one or more of the academies. An appointment to an academy requires a nine-year commitment: four years of training at the academy, followed by five years of active-duty military service.

After assembling all required documents, the student should return the complete application package to Congressman Strong’s office at 302 Lee Street, Room 147, Morgan County Courthouse, Decatur, Alabama 35601. The deadline to submit a complete application to Strong is Oct. 15.