Congressman Neal hosts Academy Day information session for youth seeking military careers

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Congressman Richard Neal hosted the 2025 Academy Day information session inside the Springfield Museums on Sunday.

Currently, the United States Military, Naval, Air Force, and Merchant Marine Academies are in need of nominations. Academy Day helps interested students determine if a military service academy or a similar education path is something they want to pursue.

In order to qualify, students learned that they must be involved in extracurricular activities while having a high SAT score and GPA. Congressman Neal said they're looking to nominate aspiring candidates to serve our country.

"These are individuals who generally aspire to military academies, maybe when they're 14 or 15 years old," Neal said. "The process is arduous, it's a family commitment that has to be made."

During the forum, Congressman Neal recognized four local students who were accepted to service academies this summer. Three of them are joining the military academy, with one going to the Navy academy and another going to the Merchant Marines.