Motivated Students from Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania Prepare for Military Academies

Jack Gibson grew up with two uncles who served in the military, but it was his experiences as a volunteer firefighter that most influenced his decision to attend the United States Military Service Academy.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, (but) I knew I wanted to serve in some way,” he said.

As summer approaches, Gibson and many other recently graduated high school students are deciding what to do next in their education.

For a select few in Pennsylvania, the next step is the U.S. military academies. The academy admissions process is extensive and highly competitive. Potential recruits must obtain a congressional nomination and are then selected for the academy of their choice from a pool of other applicants.

If students are accepted, or “appointed,” they will have their tuition fully paid but will be required to complete five years of military service after graduation.

Gibson, who graduated from Danville Area High School, will attend the Merchant Marine Academy. He was one of 21 academy candidates nominated by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. His experience in firefighting helped him stand out in a competitive field of applicants.

Gibson began volunteering around his freshman year of high school. As a firefighter, he recovered a family photo album from a building fire. He also participated in a four-person water rescue that saved a woman’s life. Those moments, he said, solidified his intention to attend the military academy.

“I’ve had a lot of great opportunities and experiences that I feel have really prepared me for this moment… It’s just a great feeling to be able to help the people around me,” he said.

OUTSTANDING GRADUATES

In addition to the nominations of senators like Casey, each congressional district also has its own candidates.

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced earlier this month that nine students from Pennsylvania’s 8th District have been selected to attend the U.S. Military Service Academies. The congressman expressed his admiration for the young men and women who will serve their country.

“These are outstanding young men — men from all over northeastern Pennsylvania … they have demonstrated the incredible ways in which young people are engaging in our communities … I hope they will become exceptional military leaders and lead very productive lives,” he said.

ACADEMY ATHLETE

Jayna McIntyre, a senior at Scranton Preparatory School, was one of Cartwright’s nominees. She attends the Merchant Marine Academy to play basketball and lacrosse.

For McIntyre, combining science and sport is nothing new.

“It’s really going to be a division and discipline thing… basketball isn’t going to be the most important thing when I’m there, and lacrosse isn’t going to be the most important thing, and I’m going to get those by how well I do on my grades… I can’t play basketball or lacrosse if I’m not doing well. I have no choice – I either do what I have to do or I don’t do it at all,” McIntyre said.

Two of McIntyre’s grandfathers served in the military — one in the Navy and the other in the Army.

Watching them act influenced her decision to go to military school. She initially planned to attend Norwich University, a military academy in Vermont. However, after being recruited by the Merchant Marines lacrosse coach, she made up her mind.

McIntyre said playing sports taught her a lot about leadership and helped prepare her for the next four years.

“One of the most important lessons I learned in high school was learning how to be persistent, how to be resilient and how to face situations that don’t always end well or happily,” McIntyre said.

DOUBLE GIVING BACK

Cartwright also named twins, James and Gineva Reese, to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. The couple graduated from Abington Heights High School.

After graduation, the twins spent a year at Georgia Military College on a Naval Academy Foundation scholarship program. Gineva said the experience prepared her for Annapolis.

“I feel a lot more prepared for (the Naval Academy) now. My running was terrible before my senior year, so this was another year of trying to improve my running time and get used to it,” she said.

James and Gineva’s parents both served as naval officers. James has admitted that being in a military family influenced his decision to attend the academy.

“Growing up, the Navy was something I was always connected to… I would say the Navy put as much effort into raising me as it did, and I wouldn’t feel good about myself if I spent my life not giving back to an organization that gave me so much,” he said.

PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER

Jack Gibson, Jayna McIntyre, James and Gineva Reese and dozens of other students across the state are driven by a strong desire to serve others.

“I’ve always wanted to be a part of something bigger,” McIntyre said. “I want to be a part of something that’s good for everyone in the United States and the world — I just want to be a part of something that’s good for people.”

WVIA reached out to U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser about the nomination to his military academy but has not heard back from his office.