Opportunity knocks Published May 17, 2014 By Senior Airman Miles Wilson 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESRVE BASE, Ga. -- The 94th Airlift Wing and the Georgia Congressional Delegation hosted the largest Armed Forces Academy Day in the U.S. May 17 here, where more than 1,100 attendees learned about admission into a military service academy. "This event highlights our U.S. Service Academies' longstanding tradition of excellence in educating and training our nation's leaders," said Clark. "It shows the pride we have in the many young people across the state interested in serving their country and who consistently strive to be the best, now and in the future." Col. Brett Clark, 94th AW commander, let the applicants know how thankful he was for their interest in attending a service academy and the potential service they will perform for their country. Keynote speakers from the Georgia delegation included Senator Johnny Isakson and Representatives Tom Price, Rob Woodall, Hank Johnson, and Phil Gingrey, who also expressed their gratitude toward the young men and women who are applying to attend some of the most rigorous college curriculums. Isakson also explained how the process for being granted a Congressional nomination would unfold for potential applicants. "Everyone in Congress has an academy board that reviews applications to the academies," said Isakson. "We rate and rank them... You will be competing when you apply to academies with applicants sitting here and others who will apply later on. Our selection committee makes the final recommendations on who we will nominate, and then the academies will make the decision on who they will ultimately extend offers to." U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey of Georgia awarded Maj. Kelly Bronson, 80th Aerial Port Squadron commander and Maj. Robert Mayes, 94th Security Forces operations officer, House of Representatives letters of recognition for being awarded best in the Air Force. "We have the best in the Air Force right here at Dobbins," said Gingrey. "Second to none, that is something that this base encompasses, and it is something that all of you should think about as part of your lives." During Academy Day, high school students are given the opportunity to speak with representatives from each of the service academies, including West Point Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The potential applicants were given information about each of the academies and in order to gain a broader perspective on what each academy has to offer. "The program here for applicants is amazing," said Bruce Moshier, Academy Day attendee. "It definitely provides all of the knowledge that we need to be able to apply ourselves and figure things out." Students from several of the military academies came to offer the experiences they have gained from attending the schools, and what each academy has to offer to the potential applicants. "There are unique opportunities for training for academy cadets," said Joseph Grant, current Air Force Academy cadet. "There are opportunities that you will never see anywhere else. Nowhere else can you jump out of an airplane by yourself the first time. You will never have the opportunities and experiences that the academies offer anywhere else." Academy Day helped those who seek to attend the academies gain an understanding of what they are to expect during their application processes, but most of all, it showed these young men and women that the road they were about to embark on was one of service, excellence, duty, and honor to the United States.
