Service Academy Day

By Major Michael Kozeliski

What will I do after high school? How will I choose a career path and college? If you are currently asking yourself these questions, if you find that you like to be in charge, like a good challenge, have good grades, and participate in athletics and extracurricular activities, then this is for you!

The United States Service Academies: This is NOT just joining the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Merchant Marines; this is competing for the chance to become a part of a very distinguished group of leaders attending the greatest colleges with a very strong alumni network.

The United States Service Academies consist of Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York, founded in 1802; The United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland, founded in 1845; The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, founded in 1954; The United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London, Connecticut, founded in 1876; and The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York, founded in 1943. The US Marines do not have their own academy but US Naval Academy graduates do have the option to go Marine Officer.

When attending a service academy, all college expenses are included and paid for by the Federal government. Upon graduation, all are commissioned officers, in their respective branch, and serve an initial 8-year commitment before deciding if they will continue with a career in the military. Former McKinley County Commissioner and Gallup area businessman, Dave Dallago, attended the US Air Force Academy and says about his experience, “I owe the academy for who I am, and what I have!” He graduated in 1978. Christian Isaacson from Gallup graduated from West Point as a US Army officer in 2007 and says about his time there, “Academy graduates overcome a different set of obstacles to receive their diplomas. I jumped out of airplanes, threw hand grenades, qualified on a variety of weapons, etc. As graduation day is commission day, graduates must be prepared to creatively solve problems, to lead with integrity, and to execute orders and commands. West Point is a part of my identity. I am blessed to have attended USMA and for the opportunities that have come my way because of it.”

In order to get more information on all the academies, 8th grade to 12th grade students in McKinley, San Juan, Apache, and Navajo County are welcome to attend an informational meeting at Farmington High School to learn about the process and the support available to apply to any of the academies.

WHERE: Farmington High School - Scorpion Commons Room 2200 N. Sunset Ave., Farmington, New Mexico WHEN: Saturday May 5, 2018 – 1:00pm to 4:00pm WHO: All 8th to 12th grade students and their families are welcome WHAT: Informational only - Learn about all service academies and the admissions process WHY: To make a difference in the world

To learn more, contact Major Michael Kozeliski, USMCR in Gallup, at (505)-886-2892 or email nwnmbgo@gmail.com.