Photo By Staff Sgt. Samantha Hircock | Cadet Ashish Abraham, a West Point student, standing with his recruiter, Sgt. Shane...... read more read more
The United States Military Academy at West Point had an acceptance rate of 12% as of 2020. In addition to meeting the competitive academic requirements, admission at West Point involves requirements that go above and beyond the typical university. Prospective Cadets must pass physical health and fitness tests, and receive either a nomination by a member of Congress or apply under a service-connected nomination—such as those already serving being recommended by military leadership.
Anyone who earns entrance into West Point can be expected to impress, and a few of Iowa’s best are well on their way to accomplishing great things.
Sen. Joni Ernst, a former battalion commander in the Iowa National Guard, and one of three Iowa members of Congress to assist with the nominations, offered congratulations to Cadets Luke Jefferson, Anthony Schmitz, and Ashish Abraham.
“This outstanding achievement is no doubt a credit to your hard work, determination, and commitment to serving the people and communities of our state,” said Ernst.
Many Cadets who attend West Point are from military families. When Jefferson was accepted to the United States Military Academy Preparatory School, his brother was already attending West Point and his sister, father, and grandfather had all served. Some of Schmitz’s uncles and grandfathers served before him or are currently serving as well. These connections influenced the Cadets’ path toward the academy.
“Joining the military was really an obvious decision to me,” said Jefferson. “My entire family has served in the military and I always knew that I wanted to serve, so—when I was told that I could—I jumped on the idea and enlisted a week after my 17th birthday.”
Some, like Abraham, are the first in their family to serve in the U.S. military. He grew up in Iowa, but his parents came to the U.S. from India in their twenties. Abraham credits them for instilling the ambition and work ethic that inspired him to apply, and which will help him to succeed at the academy.
“I wanted to do something new and adventurous, yet fulfilling in my life,” said Abraham. “And seeing how hard my parents had to work to get my family to where we are today motivates me to work hard.”
Jefferson, Schmitz and Abraham are certainly Iowans with bright futures. All are motivated to become leaders in their communities and within their fields of interest, such as engineering and international affairs.
“There are a lot of talented and truly great people at West Point, which pushes me to always be my best,” said Schmitz. “I also want to simply serve my country and be able to give back to my community and nation on a daily basis.”
With less than 1% of Americans actively serving in the military, choosing to pursue service through West Point and being among the 12% of those accepted is itself admirable. These young Iowans have worked toward academic, personal and physical excellence to achieve a place among the prestigious ranks of those who have gone before them at West Point. To learn in the same halls and follow in the footsteps of some of Iowa’s and the Nation’s greatest heroes will undoubtedly shape these Cadets into the leaders they hope to be.
| Date Taken: | 09.29.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2021 13:34 |
| Story ID: | 406290 |
| Location: | JOHNSTON, IOWA, US |
| Hometown: | BETTENDORF, IOWA, US |
| Hometown: | LE CLAIRE, IOWA, US |
| Hometown: | PELLA, IOWA, US |
| Web Views: | 542 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Iowa National Guard Soldiers accepted into West Point, by SSG Samantha Hircock, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
