Event to help students prepare for military academies

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Wednesday, March 4, 2009 | 6:53 p.m.

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley is teaming up with Nevada Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign to host Academy Information Day at 6 p.m. on Saturday at College of Southern Nevada.

The free event will be held at the college's Nicholas Horn Theater, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., near Pecos Road.

High school sophomores and juniors will have an opportunity to learn about military education programs and the enrollment process for service academies.

There are five service academies in the United States — the U.S. Army's Military Academy at West Point in New York, the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.

Each academy provides undergraduate education and training of commissioned officers for the United States armed forces.

West Point — founded in 1802 — is the oldest academy, followed by Annapolis, which was founded in 1845.

"The United States' service academies provide an opportunity for young adults to pursue a higher education while developing a strong work ethic and character in the process," Ensign said in a statement. "I encourage interested students and their parents to attend this informative event to have their questions answered and to better gauge whether this is the right choice for them."

Jeff O’Brien can be reached at 990-8957 or jeff.obrien@hbcpub.com.