Students Stand Out To Receive Service Academy Nominations

Each year, some of Maine's most outstanding students are chosen to attend one of the United States military service academies. And one of my greatest honors as a United States Senator is having the opportunity to nominate these exceptional students, many of whom will be our nation's future military leaders, to the academies. These academies include the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY; the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD; and the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. West Point, located 50 miles north of New York City on the Hudson River, has been training young people to become commissioned leaders in the United States Army for 200 years. West Point cadets participate in a rigorous academic program that parallels equally demanding physical and military training regimes. In addition, cadets participate in a series of guest lectures and other events designed to cultivate their moral and ethical development.

Those students who wish to become members of the United States Air Force can seek an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, located in the high altitudes of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Since 1958, this academy – the youngest of all military service academies – has been training its cadets to serve as officers in the United States Air Force. Upon graduation, half of them will go on to become pilots or navigators; others will begin technological and management careers.

The Naval Academy, located on the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland, trains its midshipmen for careers as officers in the United States Navy. The midshipmen complete what the academy describes as "a four-year immersion program" that educates students in the classroom, as well as on the athletic fields and in their fleet of ships. Finally, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, teaches students how to succeed in the maritime and transportation industries or the Armed Forces. Students graduating from the Merchant Marine Academy receive a Bachelor of Science degree, a merchant marine license, and an appointment as a commissioned officer on reserve or active duty in the United States Armed Forces. Admittance into any of the service academies offers the opportunity for students to receive a first-class education at no cost to their families. Further, once students graduate from the academy, they are able to serve our country as commissioned officers in the United States military. The academies are very competitive and open only to those students who demonstrate high standards in academics, extracurricular activities, and in their personal conduct. Students who have completed their education at one of the academies would tell you that the education and leadership training they received is well worth the effort and hard work. Assisted by my Academy Screening Committee, I recently announced my nominations for the 2005 class, which consists of 36 Maine students from throughout the state. These students are high school seniors who, if appointed, will enter one of the service academies shortly after graduation, during the summer of 2005.

These students went through a rigorous nomination and appointment process in order to be accepted into the military academies. Potential nominees are considered based on the achievements of their entire high school career.

High school students interested in attending a service academy should start thinking about this goal early in order to complete the steps within the required deadlines for this highly competitive, but rewarding process.

In order to be considered for a military academy nomination, students must be recommended by an authorized nominating source. The most common source of nomination is a congressional nomination, which includes nominations from the Vice President, Members of the U.S. Senate, and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

My State offices will begin accepting applications in the spring from high school juniors seeking a congressional nomination. Applications can be submitted to my offices in Portland, Augusta, Lewiston, Biddeford, Bangor, and Caribou until November 1st of the student's senior year. After the application period closes, my Service Academy Selection Committee reviews the applications and meets with individual candidates. The Committee, which is made up of Mainers of varying backgrounds with an understanding of the demands of the military academies, bases its recommendations on students' academic records, extracurricular and community activities, test scores, and letters of recommendation. After carefully evaluating my committee's recommendations, I submit my nominations to the academies.

If you are or know a high school junior who is interested in attending one of the U.S. military academies, I encourage you to contact the Academy Coordinator in my Portland office, or visit my website at http://collins.senate.gov/ which contains more detailed information about the application and nomination process, as well as the necessary forms.

I encourage any student who wants to serve in the military to contact my offices to learn more about attending one of these respected academies. Attending a military service academy is the beginning of an exciting and challenging journey of personal and professional growth and proud service to our country. I commend these outstanding students for pursuing this honorable and prestigious goal.

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