Rep. Mike Waltz Academy Day 2024 - Flagler Palm Coast Auditorium

Hi everyone, Congressman and retired Colonel Mike Waltz here. Welcome to 2024 Academy Day at Flagler Palm Coast. I am so thrilled that all of you have come. I'm thrilled at your interest in serving this great nation, whether it's at West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, or the Merchant Marine Academy. Thank you for coming. I have a fantastic staff led by Brigadier General Retired Ernie Audino. Please also feel free to talk to Brandy, a Gold Star daughter whose family literally sacrificed everything and her dad for our freedoms. I can tell you for certain I have zero regrets about my service. I think you'll hear the same from General Audino, from Nick, or from any of the veterans on our staff. I have yet to come across a veteran that says, hey Congressman, hey Colonel, kind of wish I hadn't served. Wished I hadn't had those experiences all over the world. Wished I hadn't made those lifelong friendships with my shipmates or squadron mates or platoon mates or fellow Marines. So I think you're going to get all your questions answered today. Please let us know if you have more. Please be sure, this is the most important part, have your applications in by October 16th. We have an Academy Nominations Board of retired officers and enlisted that will look everything over and make recommendations to me. At the end of the day, this is the best thing I get to do all year long because we are nominating people. We are nominating young people who are willing to step up to fight for our freedoms, to defend us all, and to keep this country safe for the next generation. I couldn't be more proud of you all and I look forward to seeing you all in person with those nominations and then eventually with appointments to be our future leaders.