Three nominated for U.S. military academies

Senator Mike Crapo named three Mountain Home residents among 63 Idaho residents nominated to attend one of four U.S. military academies next year.

In an announcement Monday, the Senator nominated Dylan Cawthorne and Vance Kondon to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado while naming Branden Thome to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland.

Kondon received a second nomination by the senator to attend the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in New York.

The number of Idaho students Crapo nominated for entrance into U.S. service academies this year nearly doubled last year's figures, when he named 33 students.

Each year, senators and representatives make nominations to four of the service academies. Congressional nominations are not required for students attending the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. "It is exciting to see the dramatic increase in Idahoans that realize the excellent education and spirit of service demonstrated by our fine service academies," Crapo said. "Our military academies help build leaders who receive an outstanding education and benefit all Americans by protecting our nation. I salute these courageous men and women, and their families, for choosing to serve and defend our freedom."

Each student application now goes to the respective U.S. service academies, which make the final selections. To qualify, each student submitted an application and references while meeting other scholastic requirements. However, nominations don't guarantee acceptance into the military academies.