In the News

Congressman Gerry Connolly will partner with Prince William County Schools to host a “Military Service Academy Night” for area students interested in attending one of the Service Academies.  Information will also be provided about scholarships from the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).

The program will take place on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at Freedom High School located at 15201 Neabsco Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191.  The program will begin sharply at7:00 PM and will include presentations from Academy Liaison Officers and ROTC representatives, and a detailed explanation of the Congressional nomination process.  The Service Academies and ROTC programs will also have representatives at informational booths to address attendees’ individual questions. 

“Since our first Academy Night in 2012, thousands of students and parents have attended these events. The demand for this information is high due in part to the large demographic of military families in the area and the competitive nature of the appointment process,” Connolly said. 

Nominations to the Service Academies are made by the President, Vice President or a Member of Congress.  There are five Service Academies: The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), The United States Naval Academy (USNA), The United States Military Academy (USMA), The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), and the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA).  Nominations are required for all but the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, to which appointments are made on the basis of an annual nationwide competition. 

“These young men and women are answering the call to serve, and I hope that this partnership with Prince William County Schools gives them the information and tools they need to be successful applicants to the Service Academies,” Connolly said.

Congressman Connolly has established Service Academy Advisory Panels comprised of current and former military officers, academy graduates, and former academy admissions officers who evaluate the qualifications of student applicants.  These panels make merit-based recommendations to Connolly for nominations to the service academies.