For Immediate Release: Friday, Aug. 5, 2011

Contact: Maura Saavedra Cordova, 602-252-2653; c 602-206-8987

High school students interested in entering military academies encouraged to begin application process

WASHINGTON— High school students living in the Fourth Congressional District who would like to be nominated to a military academy by U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz., should submit their requests for nominations to his office by Oct. 14.

Pastor is accepting requests for nominations to the U.S. Air Force, Military, Naval and Merchant Marine academies for the class of 2016.

“Students should take a serious look at the pursuit of an education through a federal service or military academy because they provide excellent higher educational and career opportunities,” Pastor said.

Applicants need to meet these basic requirements:

• Must be at least 17 years of age and under the age of 23.

• Must be a U.S. citizen.

• Must be unmarried, not pregnant and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents.

• Should be able to show good character, scholarship and leadership skills, physical aptitude and medical fitness.

To attend one of the service academies, students must be nominated by their U.S. Representative or Senator. Each year, Pastor nominates numerous students who live in the Fourth Congressional District, which he represents. The district’s boundaries are roughly 44th Street to 83rd Avenue, and South Mountain to Bethany Home Road. The district also includes the Town of Guadalupe and south Glendale.

Individuals who reside in the Fourth Congressional District and are interested in a nomination for the class of 2016 (which begins the summer of 2012), should contact Congressman Pastor’s Office as soon as possible to obtain an application packet. To determine which Congressional District you live in, please contact Congressman Pastor’s Office at 602-256-0551 or visit www.house.gov and enter your zip code in the box on the right next to the U.S. map.

Completed applications must be received by Oct. 21, 2011, with no exceptions.

To learn more about application requirements and other important deadlines, please contact Clara Guevara in Congressman Pastor’s Office at 602-256-0551. Interviews of potential candidates will be held in November. Applications will be sent to the academies in early 2012.

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