After a long application process, seniors Thaddeus Brown and Christian Oldham could only wait for an acceptance letter. For both Brown and Oldham, this would mean an appointment into the US Naval Academy and US Air Force Academy, respectively. The two students will also receive an education valued at $500,000 and monthly activity duty pay.

In order for Brown and Oldham to receive an appointment, both had to pass a mandatory physical fitness test, qualify with numerous medical tests, be accepted by the school and receive a nomination from a congressman, senator or the vice president. The anticipation grew for each of them after they completed the process.

“I was nervous, but then I also knew that I was on whatever path that God had set ahead of me,” Oldham said. “When I got the call, I was ecstatic. I’ve wanted this since the third grade, it was just a great feeling.”

Congressman Joe Barton annually nominates 10 individuals from his district for each service academy. These principal nominations by Congressman Barton guaranteed Brown and Oldham their appointments to their academy of choice.

“It was annoying; I would check every day and it wasn’t ever there,” Brown said. “When I finally found out, I was relieved.”

Brown has done everything possible to physically and mentally prepare for his departure to Maryland. Brown wants to attend the Naval Academy to become a Marine officer. Both Naval and Marine officers are commissioned out of the academy.

“I think I’ve prepared myself for whatever challenges I may face while I’m there,” Brown said.

Parents can be hesitant to allow their children to risk their lives every day. Oldham’s parents saw that Christian was serious about joining and encouraged him to pursue his ambitions.

“They were totally for it,” Oldham said of his parents. “They told me that they would be proud of me, whether I got in or not.”

Brown’s father was opposed to his decision at first, suggesting that he get a civilian-sector job. Brown decided that the Naval Academy was the best choice for him. Brown’s father supports him regardless of his decision to join and hopes that he handles the responsibilities in the best way he can.

“My mom was all the way for it,” Brown said. “She was really supportive.”

Both Brown and Oldham have envisioned what they would like to do after they finish serving. Oldham plans to serve in the Air Force as a Judge Advocate General if he has the opportunity to go to the law school at a separate university. If not, he would like to serve in pararescue until he becomes eligible for the law school.

“Once I leave the academy, I want to take that law practice and go into politics,” Oldham said.

Brown knew he wanted to serve after the events of Sept. 11, 2001. While serving, Brown would like to fly the F-35 Lightning, the primary fighter plane in the Marine Corps, or be a Force Reconnaissance Officer.

“I want to get my master’s degree after I’m finished, but I haven’t decided what I’d like it to be in yet,” Brown said.

Now that they have been accepted, Oldham and Brown anticipate the journey that will begin their military lives.

“I can’t wait to go to a school where I know that I’ll be challenged every day,” Oldham said.