June 19, 2020 at 5:04 p.m.
Wild blue yonder
Jay’s Minnich headed to Air Force Academy
Wild blue yonder
While most summer plans have been upended, Matthew Minnich is days away from the start of the next nine years of his life.
Minnich leaves Tuesday for Colorado Springs, Colorado, to attend the Air Force Academy. The Portland native was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jim Banks and found out he was admitted in February.
Matthew, son of Isa and Jason Minnich, Portland, said he has plenty of excitement and nerves over the coming months.
“It’ll definitely be a lot different than anything I’m used to,” he said. “Whatever happens, I’ll be okay. I’m nervous about it but I’m also ready to go.”
Once he arrives in Colorado, he’ll be quarantined for 14 days with his roommates and squadmates before departing for basic training, which lasts until the fall semester starts in August.
Minnich didn’t know he wanted to go to the academy until a few months ago. He thought he was going to be an accountant when he grew up, but as he got closer to graduating from the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities in Muncie, he realized that wasn’t what he wanted to do.
“I didn’t want to sit behind a desk and crunch numbers all day,” he said. “I wanted to use the talents God gave me to help others.”
When exploring what he really wanted to do, he was reminded of his love of planes when the idea of applying for the academy soared into his mind.
The application for the academy, which has an acceptance rate of 11%, was “quite lengthy” according to Minnich and involved an interview with a four-member board commissioned by Banks.
A congressional sponsorship is a requirement for any military academy application.
He won’t actually have a major until his sophomore year. Currently he considering majoring in aerospace engineering, but that could change.
His current goal is to get into the newly established Space Force. Once he learned about the newest military branch he was enthused about entering the academy, he said..
After graduation, academy cadets are required to serve in the military for five years.
Minnich said he is the first member of his immediate family to enroll in the military.
Minnich leaves Tuesday for Colorado Springs, Colorado, to attend the Air Force Academy. The Portland native was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jim Banks and found out he was admitted in February.
Matthew, son of Isa and Jason Minnich, Portland, said he has plenty of excitement and nerves over the coming months.
“It’ll definitely be a lot different than anything I’m used to,” he said. “Whatever happens, I’ll be okay. I’m nervous about it but I’m also ready to go.”
Once he arrives in Colorado, he’ll be quarantined for 14 days with his roommates and squadmates before departing for basic training, which lasts until the fall semester starts in August.
Minnich didn’t know he wanted to go to the academy until a few months ago. He thought he was going to be an accountant when he grew up, but as he got closer to graduating from the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities in Muncie, he realized that wasn’t what he wanted to do.
“I didn’t want to sit behind a desk and crunch numbers all day,” he said. “I wanted to use the talents God gave me to help others.”
When exploring what he really wanted to do, he was reminded of his love of planes when the idea of applying for the academy soared into his mind.
The application for the academy, which has an acceptance rate of 11%, was “quite lengthy” according to Minnich and involved an interview with a four-member board commissioned by Banks.
A congressional sponsorship is a requirement for any military academy application.
He won’t actually have a major until his sophomore year. Currently he considering majoring in aerospace engineering, but that could change.
His current goal is to get into the newly established Space Force. Once he learned about the newest military branch he was enthused about entering the academy, he said..
After graduation, academy cadets are required to serve in the military for five years.
Minnich said he is the first member of his immediate family to enroll in the military.
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