Polson teen to attend Air Force Academy
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The essential and enduring mission of the United States Air Force Academy is to educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation.
POLSON — While most students are happy to receive one highly coveted appointment to a military academy, Polson High School senior Riley Grogan got to choose between attending the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Grogan chose the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and will report to campus by the beginning of July.
Attending the academy is the culmination of a lot of dreams.
“I think I first started considering the academies in sixth grade,” Grogan said. “It’s something I’ve been pursuing for quite a while.”
The application process is “very strenuous,” Grogan noted. A combination of multiple things must be submitted, including three essays, and a nomination from one of Montana’s senators or congressman. A student must be nominated before he or she can be appointed to an academy slot. This is one of the biggest issues.
As part of the nomination process, Grogan went to Bozeman in November of 2010 to interview with a board of six retired military people.
“It was really nerve wracking,” he said.
Grogan started the process in his junior year. The USAFA wants candidates to demonstrate leadership qualities as well as superior academics. He also had to pass a physical test and interview with the USAFA admission liaison officer, based out of Missoula. The liaison officer, usually a retired officer, has a big say in whether or a student is selected, Grogan explained.
The USAFA requires teacher recommendations so Grogan asked PHS teachers Pat Danley, Polly Dupuis, and Lori Dickson to provide information to the USAFA.
“I’m fortunate,” Grogan said. “The teachers here are great about it.”
Danley noted Grogan received an A each semester of advanced placement U.S. history as a junior and earned a 4/5 on the College Board AP exam last spring.
Danley also coached Grogan in football where he was a starter for two years as a center.
“He made up for his lack of size at center with great technique and quickness,” Danley added.
Besides football, Grogan was active in the PHS board of governors (student government,), Key Club, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and played baseball as well.
Grogan noted that he might consider playing baseball at USAFA but that the academy stresses academics and military obligations come first, then athletics.
Grogan’s most excited about the academic opportunities at the USAFA and will concentrate on school work in the fall.
“My goal is to go to med school,” he explained, “and from there to the Air Force or Army Medical Corps.”
