Getting Into Military Academies | Video

Kristin Clouston | 11/20/2012

College costs are always going up, and graduates usually aren`t guaranteed that they`ll have a job waiting for them. But there is a way to ensure you have a career, but it will take a lot of planning and hard work. The military academies don`t just give you a free education, you`ll also get a job, because after graduation you get commissioned as an officer and are required to serve for five years.

Hunter Gibson is in Bismarck, visiting his parents for Thanksgiving, but for this Naval Academy senior it`s a working vacation. He`s stopping by high schools talking to students about his experience at the academy.

"Glee Club has probably been my most favorite thing because we travel the world. We`re going to the Baltics this year and the government is paying for it, so it`s a great deal. I`ve been able to do track and play music at the same time," he said.

In order to get into West Point, the Naval, Air Force and Coast Guard academies, you need to be nominated by a member of Congress, pass a physical and meet the the school`s academic requirements.

"It`s pretty selective, we usually have admission classes for West Point run between 1,200 and 1,300 per year," said West Point representative William Prokopyk.

Prokopyk, talks to students all the time about the advantages of attending the school, and was hoping his son Dan would want to go there.

"This summer I went to West Point and the Naval Academy for their summer services. I had a great time at both;in the end though I`d be a better fit for the Navy," Dan said.

"He received a nomination from Senator Conrad recently and unfortunately it was the Navel Academy," William said.

That could lead to a little tension during the annual Army/Navy football game. Dan will find out in a couple months if he gets in, so for now, he says he plans to focus on his studies.

The superintendent of the Naval Academy Vice Admiral Michael Miller is a Minot Native and the one before him, Admiral Jeff Fowler graduated from BHS. You can get more information about applying at any of the academy websites or by talking to a local representative.

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