THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 26, 1994 TAG: 9406240269
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 28 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CHARLENE CASON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940626 LENGTH: Medium
Yet Kaun, Ware and Moore are eager to start college - at military academies.
{REST} They, along with 11 other Virginia Beach students, have passed the academic and athletic challenges necessary to obtain appointments to the Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Air Force Academy and the Coast Guard Academy.
Of the estimated 50,000 people who applied, about 3,300 received military appointments this year, guaranteeing a quality college education, including tuition, books, room and board and stipend. Those with successful college careers also are guaranteed a bachelor of science degree and a military commission when they graduate.
Kaun is willing to ``eat bugs, probably during survival training'' at the Air Force Academy, in exchange for being trained as a pilot. Ware is willing to limit her wardrobe to a Navy uniform for the next few years if it means she can someday serve on a nuclear submarine. Moore will gladly sweat through 300 push-ups each night if the exercise brings him closer to becoming a Navy SEAL.
Activities and mindsets that prepare students for the rigors of military academy probably are helpful in easing the transition.
``The goal in the first year is to remove the individuality students have striven for in high school - everyone becomes the same,'' said Naval Reserve Capt. Doug Sameit, the area's Blue and Gold representative.
``Then, the next three years are spent building leaders,'' he said.
Competition for the approximately 1,000 places in each academy's freshman class (less than 300 in the Coast Guard Academy's first-year class) is stiff.
Four students from Virginia Beach will be attending the U.S. Military Academy. Five are headed to the Naval Academy, four to the Air Force Academy and one to the Coast Guard Academy.
The Virginia Beach area is very competitive in receiving service academy appointments, said Reserve Major Tom Curran, the Air Force representative. Students are given consideration based on their grades, Standardized Achievement Test scores, athletic abilities and extracurricular activities.
``We're looking for well-rounded students who got good grades while they were doing other things,'' Curran said.
In addition to their outstanding high school records, students who apply to military academies must be nominated. They don't simply apply and get accepted. Students may be nominated by their U.S. senators or district representatives or, if they are the children of career service members, they may qualify for one of 100 presidential slots.
This area's appointees will leave at month's end for ``Beast'' basic training at the academies. All have visited the schools and have some idea of what to expect of life there.
The appointees cite various reasons for choosing a military academy and a career in the armed forces, but they agree that quality education and training are factors. Some will preserve family tradition by attending the same college their fathers, brothers or grandfathers attended.
In addition to Ware and Moore, Eric Grant, Andrew McLean, Alvaro Fincher and Matthew Shearin will be ``Plebes'' at the Naval Academy.
West Point Plebes include Robert Hannah, Ed Hemphill and Melvin Byrd Jr.
Kaun will be joined at the Air Force Academy by fellow ``Doolies,'' Gladdys Acebedo, Niklaas Waller and Jennifer Petykowski.
Lawrence Gaillard will be attending the Coast Guard Academy.
Waller and Hannah graduated from high school in previous years, enlisted immediately in the military and then received their appointments this spring.
by CNB