Overview:
At age 15-16, America’s finest high school students embark on a journey that begins with a congressional appointment in the hopes of making an eleven-year commitment to the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard via a United States Military Academy. At that age, most young people can hardly plan eleven hours into the future yet these remarkable patriots believe so strongly in the values and ideals upon which this country was founded that they eagerly compete to attend four years of tremendous responsibility and physical challenges in an Ivy League caliber academic environment. Once accepted, based on their grades, community service and athletic achievements, they join other high school valedictorians, team captains and class presidents in a basic training program designed to introduce prospective attendees to military life. If they pass that first test, they begin a four year road that ends with a commission as a Second Lieutenant (Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force) or Ensign (Navy and Coast Guard).

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of their journey currently, is that they make this choice while America is fighting a war in two theatres. At the United States Military Academy (West Point) the most sought after branch upon graduation is the infantry. One Army Cadet recently told me that his biggest fear was not being able to deploy after graduation. They want the chance to make a positive difference in the world, defend the United States against aggression and are willing to sacrifice everything in the process. Before deployment, they attend some of the harshest training programs in the world, including Army Ranger School and BUD/S (the program that precedes becoming a Navy SEAL) which test their physical and cognitive abilities to extreme levels. To these brave officers, no challenge is too great, hunger and fatigue are a constant and quitting is something they cannot comprehend. They ask nothing in return.

The Saint Louis Military Officer Support Foundation was founded to provide training and support for these outstanding individuals during all stages of their career. We precondition them physically to not only pass but excel during the introduction phase of academy life. We give them basic weapons instruction to assure their success in firearms qualification. They learn the fundamentals of exercise to not only train themselves but also their peers and those for whom they are responsible. We design specific programs to prepare them for competitions, tryouts and training schools. Throughout their time in active service, they gain experience with weapons that increases their skills, safety and mission capabilities often to levels unavailable in the early stages of their career. While on combat deployment, we provided support packages to reassure them that their country appreciates their service and sacrifice.

What can you do?
You can help their development and demonstrate your patriotic commitment by supporting the Saint Louis Military Officer Support Foundation. Help these outstanding Saint Louis natives serve their country with distinction and valor.