Thursday, September 16, 2010 6:52 pm

Congressman Bart Gordon is accepting applications through Oct. 1 from Cannon County students seeking nominations to the U.S. service academies.

The U.S. Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Military Academy all require a nomination to be considered for admission. Gordon is accepting applications from high school seniors or recent graduates who live within his congressional district, which includes Cannon County.

“Every year, I have the privilege of nominating outstanding young men and women to the service academies,” Gordon said. “The quality of education available at the academies is among the best in the country. The competition for a nomination is tough, but I encourage anyone who is interested to apply.”

Students who are accepted to the service academies receive free tuition, room and board, as well as a monthly stipend. Upon graduation, they are commissioned as second lieutenants or ensigns in their branch of service, where they must complete a five-year service obligation. The value of a service academy education is more than $300,000.

To be eligible for a nomination, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen between the ages of 17 and 23. Interested students should contact Congressman Gordon’s Murfreesboro office at (615) 896-1986 or download an application through his website at www.house.gov/bart and mail it to P.O. Box 1986, Murfreesboro, TN 37133.