Martha Roby: U.S. service academies nomination deadline is quickly approaching
It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the month of October. November will be here before we know it, and with it comes Veterans Day. This is a uniquely special holiday, and as it approaches, I encourage you to take some time to reflect on the endless sacrifices made by those who have worn the uniform. It is a tremendous honor to serve the Second District, which is home to two of our nation’s finest military installations, thousands of active duty and reserve personnel, and a large veteran population. Working on behalf of our servicemembers and veterans has always been a top priority of mine in Congress, and it continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of my job. With Veterans Day on the horizon, I am personally reminded of the great debt of gratitude we owe the men and women of our military. As this important holiday nears, I believe now is an appropriate time to remind high school seniors in the Second District that the deadline to apply for nomination to the United States service academies through my office is less than one month away on November 8th at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. If you or someone you know is interested in pursuing this fantastic opportunity, please remember to submit all necessary materials to my Montgomery office by the deadline. As a member of Congress, one of my distinct privileges each year is to nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five service academies: The United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The fifth service academy, the United States Coast Guard Academy, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. I can nominate up to ten individuals for each vacant slot allotted to the Second District. If you are pursuing entry to one of our nation’s distinguished service academies and endeavor to serve our country, I would like to offer my sincere gratitude and wish you the very best. It is because of our veterans, active duty personnel, and young leaders with hearts for serving this nation that we enjoy our uniquely American freedoms. In the spirit of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, I offer my sincerest thanks to all who have served our country in uniform. It is an honor to represent you in Congress, and I hope you will call on me if I can ever be of assistance to you. If you are a high school senior in the Second District and are interested in learning more about obtaining a nomination to the service academies from my office, please contact my staff in Montgomery by calling (334) 262-7718. Additional application information is also available on my website: www.roby.house.gov/student-resources/service-academy-nominations. Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.
Bradley Byrne: Congratulating our service academy nominees
America’s Armed Forces are made up of young men and women who bravely answered the call of service and have accepted the challenge of defending our great nation. As a Member of Congress, I have the distinct privilege each year of nominating outstanding young individuals from Southwest Alabama to attend our nation’s military service academies. This process of nominating the next generation of servicemen and women is one of the most rewarding parts of being a Congressman. These nominees are proven leaders in their classrooms and communities who have stood out among the rest of their peers. This is apparent simply from their choice to serve our nation. Joining the United States military is a commitment that requires strong character and valor, and I applaud these impressive young men and women for their decision to serve. To attend most of the service academies, students must receive a nomination from a Member of Congress, the Vice President, or the President. The admission process is incredibly rigorous with an acceptance rate of less than 20% for each of the academies. Once students complete their education, they must fulfill a service commitment. Most of these commitments are at least five years active duty, but the service requirement may be longer for certain specialized fields. I hope you will join me in congratulating these twelve outstanding individuals from Southwest Alabama who received a service academy nomination this year: Zyahn Archibald, from St. Paul’s Episcopal School, received a nomination to the United States Naval Academy. Thomas Chandler, from Murphy High School, received nominations to the United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, and United States Merchant Marine Academy. Jack DeTombe, from Foley High School, received nominations to the United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, and United States Air Force Academy. Wil Dobbins, from Baldwin County High School, received a nomination to the United States Naval Academy. Joshua Gardner, from Fairhope High School, received nominations to the United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy, and United States Merchant Marine Academy. Justin Ingram, from Spanish Fort High School, received a nomination to the United States Military Academy. Bailee Jordan, from Baker High School, received nominations to the United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy, and United States Merchant Marine Academy. Trae’ Lee, from Escambia Academy, received a nomination to the United States Naval Academy. Michelle Roca, from Mc-Gill Toolen Catholic High School, received nominations to the United States Naval Academy and United States Air Force Academy. Felix Ronderos, from UMS-Wright Preparatory School, received nominations to the United States Military Academy. Abby Warner, from Fairhope High School, received a nomination to the United States Air Force Academy. John Marshall Williams, from Fairhope High School, received nominations to the United States Naval Academy and United States Merchant Marine Academy. To maintain the greatest fighting force on the face of the Earth, we must have outstanding men and women who are willing to serve in the military. I have no doubt that if selected, these students will be a fantastic addition to our Armed Forces. As these brave men and women head into the start of their military careers, I wish them all the best in the years ahead. If you or someone you know would be interested in attending a military service academy, feel free to reach out to my office at 251-989-2664. Eligible applicants must be at least 17 years old, be a citizen of the United States, have good moral character, demonstrate strong leadership skills, and achieve impressive scholastic achievements. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Gary Palmer announces 2017 Service Academy appointments
Alabama 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer on Thursday announced 14 local students he nominated have received appointments to the nation’s military service academies. Each year, members of Congress nominate students for admission to the U.S. Military Academy, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy. Accepted students will attend one of the service academies for their higher education and serve at least five-years in our military. “Every year I have the honor and privilege of nominating outstanding students from the Sixth District of Alabama for an appointment to our nation’s service academies,” Palmer said. “Receiving an appointment to a service academy is a competitive process with each academy having an acceptance rate of less than 15%.” “I am pleased to announce the 14 students from Alabama’s Sixth District who received my nomination and accepted an offer from a U.S. Service Academy. Please join me in congratulating these outstanding individuals and their families as they embark to learn at the highest levels and serve America in extraordinary ways.” The students and their schools are as follows: John Allen Bass: Chelsea High School received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy; Wiley Burns: Riverside Military Academy received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy; Kaley Ann Fulton: Marion Military Institute (Hewitt-Trussville High School) received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy; Davis Holley: Spain Park High School received an appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; Ryan Kirk: Mountain Brook High School received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy; Daylen McGhee: Shades Valley High School received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy; George Moore: Briarwood Christian School received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy; Duncan Morris: Mountain Brook High School received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy; Elexus Oliver: Thompson High School received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School; Stav Pappas: Mountain Brook High School received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy; Blake Randle: Oak Mountain High School received an appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; Gunnar Schultz: Oak Mountain High School received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy; Jackson Weyhe: Hewitt-Trussville High School received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy; Sarah Whitley: Oak Mountain High School received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. The United States Military Academies offers qualified students a unique opportunity to obtain a first-rate college education, as well as the chance to serve our country as a commissioned officer in the United States Army. All nominees are selected on merit, with consideration given to character, leadership potential, extracurricular activities and academic ability.
Bradley Byrne: Honoring service to our country
On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and officially adopted the Declaration of Independence. Signing this document was no easy task for the 56 signers. By lending their name to it, they were risking their personal safety, as well as that of their families. A number of the signers would also go on to serve in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. These days, we mark the Fourth of July with fireworks, trips to the beach, cookouts, and family vacations. These give us a wonderful opportunity to spend time with friends and loved ones, but I want to encourage you to also remember the sacrifice that led to the creation of our nation and the freedoms we hold dear. This includes the service of those who served in the military, from the Siege of Boston to the Battle of Gettysburg to the shores of Normandy to the mountains of Afghanistan. These individuals put their lives on the line in defense of the United States of America. The sacrifice also includes the efforts of leaders over the course of history, whether they be political leaders or civic leaders, who helped shape the course of American history. Individuals who made difficult decisions or stood up to the status quo. Individuals who put country over self. That record of leaders, service, and sacrifice lives on today in the individuals who chose to serve in the greatest fighting force the world has ever known – the United States military. One of my favorite parts of the job as Congressman is being able to nominate young men and women to attend one of our nation’s military service academies. The admission process to these academies require a nomination from a congressman, senator, the Vice President, or the President. I am thrilled to report that eleven young men and women from Southwest Alabama recently earned official appointments to U.S. service academies after receiving a nomination from my office. The students are: Joshua Andrews, from Davidson High School, received an official appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Jacob Dean Asher, from Bayside Academy, received an official appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Barry Booth, from Spanish Fort High School, received an official appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Keller Farni, from Murphy High School, received an official appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Phoebe Alexis Lee, from Mc-Gill Toolen Catholic High School, received an official appointment to the United States Military Academy. Triston-Norman Marasco, from Spanish Fort High School, received an official appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Jamie Martin, a homeschool student from Foley, received an official appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Sarah Morris, from UMS-Wright Preparatory School, received an official appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Marshall Peyton Spires, from St. Paul’s Episcopal School, received an official appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Joshua Tarr, from Gulf Shores High School, received an official appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Gracie Whiston, from St. Paul’s Episcopal School, received a Presidential appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. These individuals from Southwest Alabama represent our country’s future military leaders, and there are undoubtedly other individuals from our area who will go on to serve as leaders in their own respective fields. So, as we celebrate the founding of our nation, may we take time to reflect on the individuals – past and present– who have sacrificed and served our country. May we never forget the role they played in the American story. Just as important, may we also realize the American Story is still being written each and every day. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Martha Roby: Next generation of military leaders
One of my favorite parts of serving in Congress is the honor and responsibility I have to nominate young men and women for an appointment to our nation’s military academies. Each year, my office conducts a rigorous process by which applicants are reviewed and interviewed by an independent panel of service academy alumni. Our service academies are some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. Appointments are highly sought after and require high academic, character and leadership standards. Those appointed must commit to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Once the panel has made its selections, I have the privilege of calling the students to personally inform them of their nomination to a U.S. military academy. It is an honor to be the first to thank these courageous students for their willingness to serve their country and to wish them the best on this exciting endeavor. Below are students who were nominated through my office and have received appointments to U.S. military academies for 2015. I join their families, teachers and friends in congratulating them on such a momentous accomplishment. Matthew Dunlap, Enterprise: U.S. Air Force Academy. Son of William J. Dunlap, student at the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School. Alvaro Nicholas Flores, Ozark: West Point. Son of Alvaro and Kimberly Flores, student at Carroll High School Hunter Rowan Godwin, Dothan: West Point. Son of Joseph and Patricia Godwin, student at Providence Christian School. Jesse Cornelius Anthony Haggerty, IV, Eufaula: U.S. Air Force Academy. Son of Jesse and Angela Haggerty, student at the Lakeside School. Baxter J. Hodge, Montgomery: West Point. Son of Ray and Deana Hodge, student at Eastwood Christian School. Shawn N. Paris, Jr., Fort Rucker: U.S. Naval Academy. Son of Shawn and Jennifer Paris, student at Carroll High School. Leo Alfred Petters, Montgomery: U.S. Naval Academy. Son of Brian and Vicki Petters, student at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School. Pearce Anthony Phinney, Prattville: U.S. Naval Academy. Son of Col. Todd and Sharon Phinney, student at Prattville Christian Academy. Jesse Ariel Ramire, Daleville: West Point. Son of Berny and Peta Ramirez, student at the Alabama School of Math and Science in Mobile. Again, I want to congratulate these students on this special achievement. If you or a someone you know is interested in knowing more about seeking a nomination to a military academy, please visit my website at https://roby.house.gov/serving-you/military-academy-nominations. Martha Roby represents Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District. She is in her third term.
