Board members review Texas applications for U.S. Service Academies
HOUSTON, Texas – The Service Academy Nominations Board, established by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in 2013, today held its annual meeting to review applications and recommend the most qualified Texas candidates for nomination to our nation’s distinguished service academies.
Responsible for assessing hundreds of service academy applications, the board is comprised of service academy alumni, members of the National Guard and Reserves, active duty and retired military, and former members of the U.S. State Department and U.S. Department of Defense. The board is currently chaired by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian Birdwell, a native Texan and decorated military veteran representing Texas Senate District 22.
“Texas is home to some of the best and brightest students who possess a deep-seated sense of service to our country,” Sen. Cruz said. “Each year during the service academy nomination process, it is profoundly uplifting to see that the call of duty and exceptional patriotism are alive and well in our future leaders. I’m grateful to Chairman Birdwell and all of the board members for their balanced and judicious expertise in reviewing this year’s applicants, and I look forward to continuing the tradition of selecting the most qualified Texans through a fair and objective process.”
“America’s Armed Forces represent the very best of our country, and the State of Texas is rich with tremendous talent to strengthen our military,” Chairman Birdwell said. “It is an incredible feat to be accepted to a United States service academy, and I’m honored to be part of the process for applicants across our state.”
After Sen. Cruz nominates 60 applicants, the service academies will make their selections early next year.
Sen. Cruz’s 2017 Service Academy Nominations Board members include:
Sen. Brian Birdwell, Chairman
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Army
Granbury, Texas
Judge Ernest Aliseda
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve
McAllen, Texas
Wayne E. Anderson
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Air Force
Carrollton, Texas
Barry Beck
Captain, U.S. Marine Corps
Midland, Texas
Nick Breedlove
Commander, U.S. Navy Reserve
Fort Worth, Texas
David Bristol
Major (Ret.), U.S. Air Force
Prosper, Texas
Nathan Cook
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Reserve
Magnolia, Texas
Ken Cox
Major General (Ret.), U.S. Army
Harker Heights, Texas
Steve Dement
Tyler, Texas
Charlie Garza
Chief Petty Officer (Ret.), U.S. Navy
Grand Prairie, Texas
Larry Gill
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Air Force
Abilene, Texas
Frank Kisner
Lieutenant General (Ret.), U.S. Air Force
Austin, Texas
Rex Lemert
Captain, U.S. Army
Amarillo, Texas
The Honorable Dennis L. Lewis
Texas Military Preparedness Commission
Texarkana, Texas
Cody McGregor
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Houston, Texas
Dr. David McIntyre
Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Army
College Station, Texas
Donlie McMullin
Command Sergeant Major (Ret.), U.S. Army
Copperas Cove, Texas
Oliver Mintz
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Killeen, Texas
Gus Rodriguez
El Paso, Texas
Brad Sauer
Commander, Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets
College Station, Texas
The Honorable Keith Self
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Army
McKinney, Texas
Robert “Jerry” Strader, Sr.
Brigadier General (Ret.), U.S. Army
Abilene, Texas
Judge Jaime Tijerina
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve
Mission, Texas
The Honorable Kay Yeager
Wichita Falls, Texas