WASHINGTON, DC – “Deep in the middle of the summer vacation, it is difficult for soon-to-be high school seniors to think of October and the new school year ahead,” said U.S. Representative Glenn `GT’ Thompson, R-Howard. “But October 1st is the deadline to apply for nomination through my Bellefonte District Office for acceptance into one of the four military academies for the year 2010. If you are interested, it is time to circle that date on your calendar and start putting together the required materials.”
Thompson’s Web site has all the information on the application process under the title of “services,” including an on-line application.
The basic requirements for applying for a nomination are: the candidate must be at least 17 years old but not have passed his or her 23rd birthday; must be a U.S. citizen; must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents; must reside within the boundaries of the 5th Congressional District of Pennsylvania; and must be able to meet the medical, physical and academic requirements of the academies.
“The military academies offer an amazing educational experience and the opportunity to serve our country,” said Thompson. “Nominating young men and women to the academies is one of the distinct privileges of my position and I approach the job with pride and diligence.”
The four academies that accept nominations through U.S. government representatives are: the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. The remaining U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut accepts candidates based on its own testing criteria.
If there are questions not answered on the Thompson website, applicants can call 814-353-0215 and ask for the Academy Coordinator, Susan Gurekovich.