Senior Summer Series: Part One - Military Programs

Three Shiloh Seniors Attended Military Academy Programs in June

This summer, EMack Brown, Wesley Solomon, and Jack Lotspeich were each accepted into prestigious programs where they spent a week living and training like they were true cadets in a military academy.  

EMack Brown and Wesley Solomon attended the West Point U.S. Military Academy’s Summer Leader Experience (SLE).  EMack says he has always been interested in a military career, and he wants to follow in the footsteps of his dad, who served in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years.  Wesley says that he is the first one in his immediate family to pursue a military career, and he took the initiative to search for the best place to go.  He has been interested in attending a service academy for some time, and he wants to give back and make a difference. 

There are two SLE sessions held in June, during back-to-back weeks, and each session has approximately 500 participants.  Around 5,000 high school juniors apply each year.  Applicants choose a field course of study and spend the week living on the campus in barracks, talking to current West Point students who have finished their sophomore year, attending classes in their field of study, completing rigorous physical training, and learning basic military tactics.  EMack and Wesley were both able to pass their candidate fitness assessments (CFA) while on campus, and they are both completing the requirements for their formal applications.  The time they spent on the campus confirmed their calling to serve in the military and their desire to attend West Point next Fall. 

Jack Lotspeich’s interest in a military career stems from a sense of duty to our country and the opportunity he has to give back to the country he loves.  Jack visited the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and was given a tour last year.  After his initial visit, he decided to apply to be a part of the Academy’s Summer Seminar program. 

This program is described as, “a fast-paced, six-day experience for high achievers who have completed their junior year in high school. It teaches about life at the US Naval Academy, where leadership is developed through rigorous academics, participation in athletics, and professional training.” During the program, Jack passed his CFA (cadet fitness assessment) and attended classes in systems engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and destroyer class navigation and disaster training.   He says his trip confirmed his course in a pursuit of a military career and he is now deciding between attending the U.S. Naval Academy or the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.