BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WV News) — More than 40 students from across North Central West Virginia learned more about military service academies at Bridgeport High School on Sunday.
The event was hosted by U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, and included representation from several military service academies, including those affiliated with the Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, and Merchant Marines. A Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board representative was also among the panel.
“Each year, I have the honor of nominating young West Virginians for admission to our nation’s prestigious service academies,” Capito said via video greetings. “Attending a service academy is a valuable opportunity for many reasons and will help open countless doors throughout their future.”
Representatives answered questions regarding the educational, physical and recreational requirements to attend these prestigious institutions or obtain an ROTC scholarship. Additionally, members of the state congressional delegation’s staff were available to talk about obtaining an academy nomination and their process.
Retired Maj. Chris Kinney graduated from United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, in 1996 and stressed the nomination’s value and serious commitment.
Lt. Cmdr. Nicholas Porta, a Morgantown resident who graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2003, currently serves in a reserve role within the Coast Guard.
Porta also has spoken at Academy Day events in the southern part of the state, and emphasized along with other representatives that students can choose a multitude of undergraduate majors. Porta was a government major while others were English majors.
Cadet Landon Burns graduated from Bridgeport High School in 2021 and is now part of West Virginia University’s Army ROTC, and a wildlife and fisheries major. Some of Burns’ former classmates serve in the Armed Forces and he also recognized a few who attended Sunday.
“We do a lot of things that are very fun and interactive,” Burns said. “I wish to be an officer in the Army and become a pilot. I want to serve my country.”
Burns was “very excited to talk about my program” when requested to attend by John Dowling, West Virginia University’s recruiting operations officer.
Elle Greco, a Weirton native, might already be a biochemistry major at West Virginia University but attended Sunday since she only joined the ROTC program earlier this semester. She was introduced to the possibility while attending The Linsly School in Wheeling and attended a previous Academy Day at Bridgeport High School.
“I always knew I wanted to serve. I thought as a freshman that maybe it wasn’t for me but I always thought about it,” she said. “I want to learn how to fly. I’ve been in planes but only as a passenger.”
Elkins High School junior Thomas Nixon has discussed enlisting with mother Christine since he was in the sixth grade. After attending Sunday, he hopes to be considered to study medicine at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
“I’ve always been into serving, helping,” Nixon, active in his high school’s student government as vice-president and other clubs and teams. “It’s really starting to be something I think I want to do for the rest of my life.”
Congressman David McKinley applauded those who attended via a video message, and called the military academies “the best our country has to offer.”
Sunday’s Academy Day was the final of four events in September hosted by Capito throughout the state.
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, hosted a pair of video calls earlier this month with more than 450 West Virginia students to encourage them to apply to the academies while answering student questions about the application process.
“I’ve always said West Virginia is one of the most patriotic states in the nation and we have a long history of West Virginians selflessly serving our country. I was honored to speak with so many West Virginia students today about the wonderful opportunities at a U.S. Service Academy. These students are the future of West Virginia, and I applaud their interest in serving our country,” Manchin said.
While student applications to Manchin’s office are due by Friday, applications for nomination consideration are due to Capito, and McKinley by November 1.
Each representative is able to nominate five students, but students may already be filling those slots and nominations do not guarantee appointments so representatives cautioned about the nomination’s competitiveness. Congressional nominations are not needed to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut nor ROTC scholarships.