Senators John Thune (R-South Dakota) and Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) and Representative Kristi Noem announced today that South Dakota young people interested in being nominated to one of the four U.S. Service Academies for the Class of 2019 should apply by November 1, 2014.
South Dakota residents between the ages of 17 and 23 may apply to any of the four service academies if they meet eligibility requirements in leadership, physical aptitude, scholarship and character. The four service academies are the Military Academy at West Point, New York; the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.
“The men and women who attend our nation’s military academies are some of the very best our country has to offer,” said Thune. “Their leadership and commitment protect our nation and keep our freedoms secure. It is an honor to nominate South Dakota students each year to our nation’s service academies.”
“The students who apply for service academies are some of the best young people South Dakota has to offer our country. Nominating these students to the service academies is one of my favorite duties as a U.S. Senator,” said Johnson. “Those students who are accepted will get a first class education and go on to serve our country in the finest tradition of the academies.”
“Year after year, I’m amazed by the integrity, grit, and determination of the South Dakota students who apply to our nation’s service academies,” said Rep. Noem. “I’m honored to be able to nominate some of these incredible young people to serve and I look forward to seeing all they will accomplish.”
Thune, Johnson, and Noem will each compile separate lists and make nominations to the academies of the most qualified candidates by January 31, 2015. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications to all three Congressional offices in order to better their chances of receiving a nomination. The academies will make the final decision on acceptance and announce appointments next spring.
Interested applicants should contact: Senator Thune's office at (605) 334-9596; Senator Johnson's office at (605) 332-8896; Representative Noem’s office at (605) 275-2868.