West Point candidates being sought

Sen. Al Franken's office is now accepting applications from young Minnesotans interested in attending one of the nation's five military service academies including the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

In order to attend a service academy, candidates must be nominated by a member of Congress. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 1.

"Each year I nominate several very talented young Minnesotans to our five U.S. Service academies," Franken said in a news release. "These are our future leaders who have all gone through a very competitive process to get an appointment. I am happy to help any eligible Minnesotan with the nomination process.

To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, an applicant must meet the eligibility requirements established by law. An applicant's academic record, extracurricular and athletic activities, physical aptitude, leadership ability, and medical qualifications are all considered.

For more information, go online to http://franken.senate.gov/?p=service_academy to view specific requirements and to get an application.

For the academy classes entering in the summer of 2011 and graduating in 2015, the deadline is Nov. 1, 2010 at 5 p.m. To apply for a nomination, send a completed application by e-mail to serviceacademies@franken.senate.gov or by mail to:

Sen. Al Franken, Attn. Nominations Coordinator, 60 Plato Boulevard E., Suite. 220, St. Paul, MN 55107.