ALTHOUGH MANY APPLY, ONLY FEW ARE ACCEPTED ANNUALLY

The decision to enter a military academy is not made overnight. Only after an extensive application and review process capped by a congressional nomination do a lucky 1,000 to 1,200 students know they made the cut. As many as 15,000 students submit academy applications each year, said Kacky Garner of Congressman Bill Emerson's office.

Every U.S. senator and representative may nominate candidates to attend the Naval, Army, Air Force or Merchant Marines academies. Each legislator can have up to five students in attendance at the Naval, Army and Air Force academies, and 10 at the Merchant Academy, Garner noted.

In exchange for a top-notch four-year education, graduates must agree to serve five to seven years of active military duty following graduation.

"Not everyone will get through the entire four years," said Garner. "Some drop out."