This week,U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, had the honor of notifying young Oklahomans of their appointments to one of the five prestigious U.S. Service Academies.
In a video shared across his social media, Senator Mullin—recently appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors—called Byrch, a high school senior from Choctaw, to surprise him with the news of his acceptance to the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Each year, Senator Mullin’s office accepts applications for congressional nominations for appointment to four of the five U.S. Service Academies: the U.S. Military Academy, U.S Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. If you or a qualified student you know are interested in potentially attending a U.S. Service Academy, interested Oklahomans can learn more and apply by October 9th, 2026.
The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.
“The decision to apply to a service academy is an incredibly personal and courageous one, and I am humbled to be a part of the process,” said Sen. Mullin. “No matter the branch, rank, or role, each of our men and women in uniform play an important part in maintaining our national security and defending our way of life. I always encourage Oklahoma’s qualified high school seniors to consider if this path is right for you. The responsibility of nominating exceptional students and notifying them of their appointments is easily one of the best parts of my job.”
A 1080p Dropbox file of the video is available HERE for broadcast use.
