Congressman Elton Gallegly
Serving the 24th Congressional District encompasses most of Ventura County and inland Santa Barbara County.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties) will host two Academy Information Nights this month for young adults interested in attending one of America’s military academies.

The informational nights will be on Monday, September 22, 2008, at Thousand Oaks High School cafeteria, 2323 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, and Tuesday, September 23, 2008, in the Buena High School cafeteria, 5670 Telegraph Road, Ventura. Both sessions begin at 7 p.m.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens; have reached their 17th birthday but not their 23rd; and be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation for support of a child or other dependents. High school juniors are welcome to preview what will be expected should they wish to apply next year. Parents and siblings are also welcome.

Representatives from each branch of the U.S. military will be on hand to discuss the application process. Information on the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy will be presented.

Nominees for appointment to the service academies are selected on a competitive basis, using criteria determined by the academies to be indicative of one’s potential for success as a Cadet, Midshipman or Airman. Each member of Congress can recommend a limited number of recruits for each academy. The nominees must reside in the member’s congressional district. Congressman Gallegly will make 10 nominations for each vacancy. The academies will select the most all-around qualified nominees for appointment.

During the nominations process, applicants will be evaluated on academic qualifications, leadership ability and physical aptitude, as well as an interview with members of Congressman Gallegly’s Academy Selection Board.

For more information on Academy Information Night, contact Deputy Director Steve Lavagnino at (805) 686-2525. Interested students may also wish to visit Congressman Gallegly’s academy nominations Web page at http://www.house.gov/gallegly/services/academies.htm, which includes links to the different academies.