BY MICHELLE MILLER
STAFF WRITER
Being offered an appointment to
the United States Merchant Marine
Academy in Kings Point means the
world to one Cooperstown High
School student.
Christopher Michaels, of Mount
Vision, said he could not think
of any downfalls of becoming
a merchant marine. He said the
opportunity will provide him with
an education valued at more than
$2,000 for free and will allow him
to make money instead of owing
money when he is finished with
the four-year program.
``With my scholarships and
working during my four years, I
could be leaving college not in
debt, but $10,000 in the green,’’
said Michaels via e-mail.
``I thought to myself, I can receive
a degree in engineering, play
football, have a job ready for me
when I graduate, not have to serve
active duty if I don’t want to, leave
school with money in my pocket
instead of owing some bank
thousands of dollars, get a chance
to be a second lieutenant in the
navy and have the type of school
that fits my personality perfectly,’’
added Michaels.
U.S. Rep. Michael A. Arcuri said
he is honored to congratulate
Michaels and his family on the
outstanding achievement.
``To make this decision to commit
to the future of our country
at such a young age and to be
selected to attend such a proud
institution in the Merchant Marine
Academy should fill the entire
community with pride. I am confident
that Christopher will serve
our country well and represent
his community with honor and
distinction,’’ said Arcuri in a media
release.
Appointees to service academies
are chosen from nominations
received from Members of Congress
throughout the country. In
late December, Arcuri nominated
23 students in the 24th Congressional
District for one of the five
U.S. Military Service Academies.
Arcuri’s Veterans Advisory Committee
recommended students for
nomination.
Students nominated by Arcuri
compete against students around
the country for appointments to
the academies.
Appointments are determined
by the academies, selecting from a
nationwide pool of nominees, and
appointments are announced over
time depending on how quickly
the academies review applications
and make decisions.
In 2009, 12 students nominated
by Arcuri received appointments
to U.S. Military Service Academies.
Michaels said he believes he will
go into active duty with the navy
after he finishes his four years in
the academy. He said he does not
have to serve in the military if he
does not choose to.
Instead, Michaels said he could
serve five years in the merchant
marine field while keeping up with
his licenses or become a civilian
and serve seven years in the naval
reserves while keeping up his
licenses.
According to Michaels, by
participating in the academy he
is guaranteed a job directly after
graduation with a minimal pay of
$70,000 for nine months of work.
In order to prepare for his
physical test, Michaels said he was
getting up at 5:30 each morning
to train with his fellow wrestling
teammate George Landon.
Michaels said he and Landon
would run and do cardio exercises
every morning until he could pass
the test blindfolded.
According to Michaels, Landon
was already in good shape so he
acted more like a coach throughout
the process.
Michaels said he plans to resume
training every day from the
day wrestling season ends until
the day he arrives at the academy.
Michaels said he will be spending
time during his sophomore
and junior years working on ships.
He said he will be able to travel
from port to port all around the
world.
