Congressman Neal to Host 2013 U.S. Military Service Academy Day

Washington, DC

CONGRESSMAN RICHARD E. NEAL
DEMOCRAT FROM MASSACHUSETTS
COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS
2208 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
20515
www.house.gov/neal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 26, 2013
CONTACT: William Tranghese (2020 225-5601

CONGRESSMAN NEAL TO HOST 2013 U.S. MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMY DAY
Will announce western and central Massachusetts academy appointments

(WASHINGTON) Congressman Richard E. Neal will host his annual U.S. Military Service Academy Day for local high school students who are interested in pursuing a nomination to one of our country’s outstanding service academies. He will also announce service academy appointments for five students from western and central Massachusetts. U.S. Service Academies represent a cross sectional group of the best young men and women the nation has to offer.  There are five federal Service Academies: The United States Military Academy at West Point, NY (USMA), the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD (USNA), the United States Air Force Academy at Air Force Academy, CO (USAFA), the United States Coast Guard Academy at New London, CT (USCGA), and the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point NY (USMMA).

Each year Members of Congress have the privilege of nominating a limited number of young people from their congressional districts to four of the five service academies. Nominations are required for all but the the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, to which appointments are made on the basis of an annual nationwide competition. The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. It takes a well-rounded individual who demonstrates leadership, achieves high academic marks, and athletic excellence to be one of the few who can meet the service academies high admission standards and the fierce competition for appointment. Characteristics of chosen applicants are: dedication to the nation, desire to serve others, sense of duty, ability to accept discipline, morality and the appreciation of challenging mission.

The application process is different from most standard colleges, and to provide an introduction to the service academies and the nomination and appointment process, I host an annual Academy Day. This popular event helps students and parents determine if a service academy education is something they would like to pursue. It also helps them navigate a very complex process. A complete agenda for Academy Day 2013 is available here.