Cruz Service Academy Nominations Board Holds Annual Meeting

Board members review Texas applications for U.S. service academies Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. 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 nations 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. Im grateful to Chairman Birdwell and all of the board members for their balanced and judicious expertise in reviewing this years applicants and I look forward to continuing the tradition of selecting the most qualified Texans through a fair and objective process." Americas 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 Im honored to be part of the process for applicants across our state." After Sen. Cruz nominates 40 applicants the service academies will make their selections early next year. Sen. Cruzs 2016 Service Academy Nominations Board members include: Sen. Brian Birdwell Chairman Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) U.S. Army Granbury Texas Ernest Aliseda Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Army Reserve McAllen Texas Wayne E. Anderson Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) U.S. Air Force Carrollton 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 Kendall Cox Major General (Ret.) U.S. Army Harker Heights Texas Steve Dement Tyler Texas The Honorable Diana D. Denman San Antonio Texas Charlie Garza Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) U.S. Navy Grand Prairie Texas Larry Gill Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) U.S. Air Force Abilene Texas Walter Huffman Major General (Ret.) U.S. Army Lubbock 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 The Honorable Keith Self Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) U.S. Army McKinney Texas Cecille Sorio Commander Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets College Station Texas Robert Jerry" Strader Sr. Brigadier General (Ret.) U.S. Army Abilene Texas