The Fourth District Service Academy Information Night will be held Thursday, April 19, 2018, from 5:30 to 7:30 at Naval Weapons Station Earle, 201 Highway 34 in Colts Neck, NJ, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) has announced.

          The event is for any high school or college student (and their parents, counselors or educators) residing in the Fourth Congressional District who is interested in learning about competing for a nomination to one of the United States Service Academies. Each institution affords young men and young women military training and a collegiate educational opportunity that is free of financial obligation, providing the student graduates and fulfills his or her service obligation. The academies are:

•           The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York

•           The U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland

•           The U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado

•           The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York

•           The U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut.*

            Due to security restrictions on the Navy base, reservations for the event are required by calling (732) 780-3035. All attendees over 18 must present a photo ID. All drivers must present their ID, a copy of their auto insurance policy and vehicle registration.

            Members of Congress, U.S. Senators, the Vice President and the President may nominate constituents for acceptance to the academies. Residents of New Jersey’s Fourth Congressional District, between ages 17 and 22 (17-25 for the Merchant Marine Academy), who are U.S. citizens and are single with no dependents, can seek a nomination to one or more of the service academies through Congressman Smith’s office. Interested candidates can start the application process as early as the spring of their junior year in high school. Unlike the other four service academies, the Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination.

            Nominations are available to those who reside in the District regardless of where they attend high school or college.  The Fourth Congressional District encompasses 44 municipalities and includes parts of Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties. Municipalities in the Fourth District include:

• Mercer County—Hamilton and Robbinsville

• Ocean County—Bay Head, Jackson, Lakewood, Lakehurst, Manchester, Point Pleasant Beach, portions of Point Pleasant Borough and Plumsted

• Monmouth County—Allentown, Avon-By-The-Sea, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Brielle, Colts Neck, Eatontown, Englishtown, Fair Haven, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Holmdel, Howell, Lake Como, Little Silver, Manalapan, Manasquan, portions of Middletown, Millstone, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Ocean Township, Red Bank, Roosevelt, Rumson, Sea Girt, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury Township, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Tinton Falls, Upper Freehold and Wall

The seminar is free and open to the public, and advance registration is required. It will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m.; attendees should reserve additional to pass through security checkpoints at the NWS Earle gate.

          IMPORTANT NOTICE: The following items are prohibited at Naval Weapons Station Earle: mace, pepper spray, or other defensive sprays or chemicals; knives, firearms, fireworks or any explosive; illegal drugs or paraphernalia; flammable liquids; club weapons; animals. All electronic devices are subject to examination for functionality. The U.S. Navy reserves the right to prohibit other items not listed above.

For more information contact Mrs. Jo Schloeder or Mrs. Jill Morales at Smith’s Freehold Constituent Service Center: (732) 780-3035.

*The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination. Students may apply directly to the Academy.