Rep. Díaz-Balart Hosts 18th Annual Service Academy Day

September 29, 2025 Press Release MIAMI, FL – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Delegation and member of the Defense Subcommittee on House Appropriations, hosted his 18th Annual Service Academy Day on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at U.S. Southern Command. Academy Day offers high school students and their parents the opportunity to learn more about pursuing a military career. Attendees have the opportunity to speak with representatives from the U.S. Service Academies and learn more about the application, nomination, selection, and appointment processes. This year's event welcomed more than 100 students and their families. Díaz-Balart said , "It is always a source of pride for me to host young men and women from Florida's 26th District interested in serving their country. Preparing future Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Guardians to become dedicated, disciplined leaders with a strong understanding of core military values and institutional knowledge ensures a steady supply of capable officers for one of our country's most important missions: protecting our national defense. I am especially grateful to Admiral Alvin Holsey for hosting us, and to the representatives from the United States Service Academies for sharing valuable insights with those eager to serve our great nation. I look forward to nominating outstanding candidates for appointments and to following their continued success." Image Image Additional Information: A service academy is a four-year, tuition-free college that admits a select number of qualified candidates and provides them with a world-class education, rigorous leadership training, and physical training, resulting in a commission as an officer in a specific branch of the U.S. military. The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. For more information, please click here . ### Issues : Education Defense/National Security