WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced the Iowa students she is nominating to U.S. Service Academies.

“Thank you to our young Iowans who have answered the call to serve our country! As a combat veteran and mom to a West Point graduate and current active-duty servicemember, I know the commitment each of our nominees has for our state and country,” Ernst said. “It is my honor to nominate and support this future generation of leaders as they take this next step toward serving our nation.”

Below are the Iowa students (from around the area) nominated by Senator Ernst to attend U.S. Service Academies for the Class of 2027:

United States Air Force Academy

• Matthew Turack – Griswold

United States Military Academy at West Point

• Manuel Garcia-Paz – Denison
• Pierce Johnson – Oakland

Every year, Ernst nominates Iowa students to U.S. Service Academies, including the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination for students to apply. To learn more about the service academy nomination process, click here.