New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 29, 2024

Collie to attend U.S. Military Academy

By Community Member | April 15, 2015 12:49 pm

Brandon Collie, a senior at Charles City High School and current commander of the school’s JROTC “Panther” Battalion, has been accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point as a member of the class of 2019.

Collie earned the acceptance to the service academy after receiving a congressional nomination from the office of Congressman Bobby Scott. The acceptance includes a full scholarship with room & board as well as tuition paid for in full.

“It was a dream come true,” said Collie in a press release. “The Military Academy at West Point is a very prestigious school. You must not only excel in academics to be considered, but also meet physical fitness requirements that greatly exceed the average 18-year old.”

Collie became interested in attending the academy after entering the Leadership Education and Training (LEAD) program in Charles City Middle School. He is a four-year member of the JROTC program.

“This is a historical moment for Charles City High School as he is the first student that we know of and definitely in the 20-year history of the JROTC program here to receive an appointment to a service academy,” said Lieutenant Colonel Vernon Peters, Senior Army JROTC instructor. “Of the ten nominations that congressmen Bobby Scott submitted, Brandon was the only one to receive the appointment.”

Collie will report to West Point on June 29 to begin basic training. Upon graduation, he will fulfill a five-year active duty obligation to the U.S. Military. Collie plans to join the Armor branch of the U.S. Army.