Kingsport, TN — Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) welcomed more than 100 students, parents, and educators to the Kingsport Center for Higher Education on Saturday for her sixth annual Military Academy Day. The event offered prospective cadets across Tennessee's First District a chance to hear directly from our nation's premier service academies and explore a path to a military education.
“This annual event is about the next generation of Americans who are willing to raise their hand and serve,” said Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger. “Every student who walked through that door is thinking seriously about a life spent serving this country, and it's my job to make sure they don't have to figure out how to get there on their own. East Tennessee produces exactly the kind of grit and character our service academies are looking for, and my office will keep doing everything we can to help these young men and women get there.”
The program opened with remarks from Harshbarger, followed by a presentation on the application process from Col. Scott Gerblick. Representatives from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and East Tennessee State University's Army ROTC program then held academy-specific sessions, giving students the chance to put their questions directly to cadets, officers, and admissions staff.
Presenters included West Point cadet Skyler Floodquist, a junior from Sevier County; Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer Kristen Daniel; Air Force Academy admissions advisor 2nd Lt. Isabelle Flasch; Coast Guard Academy admissions partner Richard Hawkins; and East Tennessee State University JROTC representatives Scott Curtis and Sgt. 1st Class Josh Crabtree.
Throughout the morning, presenters encouraged students to research each academy carefully, tailor every application individually, and build a backup plan through options such as JROTC or a year of college before seeking an appointment.
Students seeking a congressional nomination to a service academy must apply through Harshbarger's office by October 31, 2026, with in-person interviews scheduled for November 19, 2026. An independent panel reviews each application before making its recommendations to the office.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the application process.
CLICK HERE to access the application.
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