Tester Congratulates Bozeman’s Casey Garrigan on Acceptance to Naval Academy

Senator nominated Carrigan and 19 other Montanans for Army, Navy, Air Force, and Merchant Marine Academies’ classes of 2026

U.S. Senator Jon Tester congratulated Bozeman’s Casey Garrigan today on his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Casey is the Valedictorian of Gallatin High School, President of the National Honor Society, varsity football athlete, founder and President of the Fellowship for Christian Athletes, and DECA member. He is a volunteer Sunday school teacher at Journey Church, student pilot at Ridgeline Aviation, and has participated in Boys State, where he was the minority leader of the House.

“Montanans have a long and proud history of serving in our nation’s armed forces, and it’s one of my greatest honors as Montana’s Senior Senator to help our state’s promising young leaders continue that legacy by attending one of our prestigious military service academies,” said Senator Tester. “Casey has shown great passion to serve our country and proven himself to be an outstanding leader in and out of the classroom-I have no doubt he will make our state proud at the Naval Academy.”

Tester nominated Casey-along with 19 other Montanans-in December based on their academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and commitment to serving and leading in the United States military. A nomination from a member of Congress is a student’s first step in applying to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.