Tester announces military academy nominations

(BIG SANDY, Mont.) – Senator Jon Tester today sent letters to 27 high school students across Montana letting them know he nominated them to apply for the nation's military academies.

Tester chose his nominees based on their academic achievement, leadership, community service and participation in extracurricular activities.

A nomination, usually from a member of Congress, is the first step in applying to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

"These are smart, hardworking leaders who will serve Montana and the United States honorably in the future," Tester said.  "No matter where they go in the future, Montanans should be proud of these young folks for their dedication and commitment to public service."

Montanans interested in applying for a military academy nomination in the future are encouraged to do so online at Tester's website, http://tester.senate.gov/Services/nominations.cfm.

To qualify, students must be:
•    Between 17 and 23 years of age (25 for the Merchant Marine Academy).
•    A U.S. citizen and a permanent resident of Montana.
•    Unmarried, not pregnant, and free of legal obligation to support children or other dependents.

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U.S. Senator Jon Tester
2009 Military Academy Nominations

U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
•    Duncan Aylor, Lakeside
•    Jason Dark, Missoula
•    Jared Fabricious, Gallatin Gateway
•    Derrick Fabricious, Gallatin Gateway
•    Benjamin Hargrove, Billings
•    Cory Martini, Boulder
•    Patrick McGunagle, Columbia Falls
•    Garret Ohm, Havre
•    Gage Owens, McAllister
•    Michael Sanders, Big Timber

U.S. Military Academy (West Point, N.Y.)
•    Andrew Austin, Billings
•    Duncan Aylor, Lakeside
•    Jacob Danczyk, Whitefish
•    John Felker, Bozeman
•    Logan Gregg, Kalispell
•    Justin Mueller, Missoula
•    Spenser O'Brien, Anaconda
•    Joseph Powell, Bozeman                              

U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, Md.)
•    Andrew Austin, Billings
•    Christopher Blansett, Billings 
•    Samantha Clement, Great Falls
•    Maria Cress, Darby
•    Jacob Danczyk, Whitefish
•    Bryndan Gardner, Whitehall
•    Jocelynn Knudsen, Missoula
•    Boston Ranney, Missoula
•    Chance Rauscher, Glasgow
•    Ray Tracy, Anaconda

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, N.Y.)
•    Trent Knox, Conrad
•    Nichalo Rivera, Hamilton