Congressman Mo Brooks, R-Alabama, announced that representatives of the five U.S. service academies will join him on Sept. 27 for an informational session for high school students interested in attending.
“I need your help getting the word out! Sunday, September 27th, I’ll be joining representatives from the five U.S. service academies in hosting the 2020 Academy Day for all high school students interested in a service academy appointment,” Brooks said. “Representatives from West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy will be available to answer questions and share information about their institutions.”
The event is open to all high school students in Brooks’ district who are interested in possibly seeking an appointment to one of the service academies.
“Thank you for your interest in the nation’s military service academies,” Brooks wrote to high school students who might be interested. “As the Tennessee Valley’s congressman, each year I have the privilege of nominating a limited number of candidates to four of the five service academies. Your decision to compete for an appointment to one of these institutions speaks to your high moral character and your selfless desire to serve your country. The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.”
The event will be on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Graham Pavilion in the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. To RSVP, contact Brooks’ Service Academy Liaison Sandy Garvey in his Huntsville district office at 256-551-0190 or [email protected].
The president of the United States officially makes all appointments to the United States service academies. However, each member of Congress is allotted a limited number of nominations, which they may submit for consideration of an appointment (by the academy) to fill the vacancies at each academy.
Because of the limited number of nominations, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply to all three of their congressional sponsors (Brooks, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby and U.S. Sen. Doug Jones).
“Because making academy nominations is one of the most important responsibilities I have as your representative in the U.S. Congress, I have assembled a Service Academy Nomination Advisory Board tasked with reviewing all completed nomination packets and interviewing each candidate,” Brooks said. “The board will review each application carefully and take many factors into consideration as they provide recommendations to me on the nominations. This well-qualified, non-partisan board will ensure a fair and impartial process and is comprised of service academy graduates, retired military and community leaders from Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District.”
To apply candidates need to submit a nomination application packet that documents their academic, civic and athletic abilities, as well as their commitment to military service. The completed nomination application packet must be received in Brooks’ Huntsville district office no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.
Candidates must be at least 17 years old, but not yet 23 years of age to the Military, Naval or Air Force academies and not yet 25 years of age for the Merchant Marine Academy. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and reside within the boundaries of the 5th Congressional District of Alabama.
Candidates must be unmarried, not pregnant and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents. Candidates must meet the medical, physical and academic requirements of the Academy, in addition to possessing good moral character.
