WARWICK, RI -- In an effort to inform Rhode Island students about opportunities to attend our nation's military service academies, requirements for admission, and the appointment process, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) will host United States Service Academy Day 2009 at the Community College of Rhode Island's Knight Campus, in Warwick on Saturday, April 25th at 0900 hours.

This informational seminar is open to all high school students and their parents throughout Rhode Island interested in learning about the requirements and procedures for seeking a Congressional nomination and obtaining an appointment to one of the United States Service Academies. However, the program is specifically geared for students currently enrolled in their Junior year of high school.

"Academy Day is a great opportunity for high school underclassmen to learn about the process of applying to one of our nation's outstanding service academies. I encourage all interested students and their parents to attend. Service academies offer the opportunity for young people to get a world-class education while serving our country," said Senator Reed, who graduated from West Point in 1971.

"For young men and women who want to serve our country, there are few higher honors than admission to one of America's military academies," Senator Whitehouse said. "I hope this will be a helpful and informative session for students and their families as they consider an education at one of these superb schools."

Representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Marine, Coast Guard academies, along with ROTC spokesmen from Providence College and the University of Rhode Island, will be on hand to answer questions and distribute information about their respective programs. In addition, Senators Reed and Whitehouse will discuss procedures for seeking a Congressional nomination from each of their respective offices.

Students wishing to attend service academies must meet high academic and physical standards. Applicants must be legal Rhode Island residents and United States citizens, at least 17 years of age, with no children or other legal dependents. Students attending the service academies are on active duty starting the day they enter an academy.

WHO: U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

WHAT: United States Service Academy Day 2009 for high school students to learn how to apply to attend U.S. military academies.

WHEN: Saturday, April 25, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon

WHERE: The Community College of Rhode Island's (CCRI) Knight Campus
400 East Avenue - Room 4080
Warwick, RI