U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis, R-Grand Junction, is encouraging Colorado students with high academic achievement, community involvement, athletic participation, and leadership abilities to consider applying for a nomination to any or all of the U.S. Service Academies.

“Each academy offers its own unique style, program, and experience, but they all share a common purpose, to train the students of today to be the leaders of tomorrow,” McInnis said. “Less than one month remains to apply so I encourage those who have not already done so to immediately contact my office for consideration.”

An application for nomination can be obtained by contacting McInnis’ Academy nominations coordinator, Susan Smith, at 134 W. B St., Pueblo, CO 81003, or by telephone at (719) 543-8200. Requests for the application must be made no later than Tuesday, Oct. 8. Completed applications must be submitted (postmarked) to Ms. Smith by Tuesday, Oct. 15.

According to McInnis, all successful applicants will be scheduled for a mandatory interview before a nomination board in November. Nominations will be determined using the combined application and interview scores, and the results announced to the applicants in late November.

The nomination serves only as a recommendation to the individual academies, who then review the nominations and determine the final appointments to be offered to their academy. The purpose of the nomination procedure is to present each service academy with a group of qualified candidates from each congressional district throughout the country.