Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 7, 1991                   TAG: 9103070542
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-6   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: ROBERTA ENGLISH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

FIVE FROM VALLEY NOMINATED TO ATTEND MILITARY ACADEMIES

Becoming a soldier seemed only natural to him.

"I thought it would be neat," said Willoughby, of Cave Spring High. "My grandfather was a Marine officer in Korea and World War II and my father served in the Air Force in Vietnam."

He is one of five Roanoke area students who received congressional nominations to attend the Naval, Air Force, Coast Guard and Army military academies.

"I have a patriotic duty to serve my country," said David Chandler, of Lord Botetourt, another nominee.

Each of the academies require congressional or presidential nominations and accepts only 11 percent or less of applicants.

Whether they have their hearts set on military careers or just want the best education, these young men are looking for a challenge.

"Getting through the rigorous training is a goal in itself," said David Gaerte, of Roanoke Valley Christian.

The application process is also rigorous. The year-long process includes tedious letter and essay writing, interviews with top military officials and physical tests.

Some applicants had to endure painful surgery to have their wisdom teeth removed.

"That was rough mentally and physically," said Todd Etter of William Byrd, who was already accepted by the Coast Guard and West Point.

Etter said he planned to enlist after high school if America was at war even if he hadn't been accepted into an academy.

"You can always go to college, but you don't always get a chance to help your country," said Etter, who plans a career in special forces.

The Gulf War isn't far from the minds of any the applicants. Most have friends who were involved or who expected to go.

"You can't support war just because it's war," said Thomas Page of Patrick Henry High. "But you have to support the means to an end."

Applicants say war in the gulf has made them take military service more seriously, but it hasn't deterred them.

Chandler said he was impressed by the accuracy of U.S. weapons and would consider a career in weapon design or nuclear engineering.

Death in war has made them think, but all the applicants say they'd proudly go to the Middle East.

"I'm a fatalist, you're going to die sometime," Page said. " It's OK to die for a cause you believe in."