WASHINGTON, DC (MPG) - Representative Kevin Kiley (R-CA) announces independent advisory board to interview applicants for Service Academy Nominations.

“As a Member of Congress, it is my distinct honor and privilege to nominate candidates for appointment to the U.S. service academies, including the U.S. Military Academy (USMA), U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). California’s Third Congressional District is filled with high achieving students, and we have received over 30 applications for Service Academy Nominations to my office. I look forward to working with the advisory board to ensure that qualified applicants receive a nomination,” said Rep. Kiley.

Panelists Include:

Jeff Scruggs: Jeff is a graduate of U.C. Davis with a degree in Geology and participated in Army ROTC. He served 11 years Active Duty with the Army Corps of Engineers and 17 years in the Active Reserve. Mr. Scruggs deployed to Iraq in 2003 for Operation Restore Iraq Oil as part of the 2nd Gulf War. He retired with 28 years of service in 2007 as a Lieutenant Colonel and has lived in Roseville for 37 years. He has been an Admissions Officer for West Point for over 30 years.

C. Emmett Mahle: C. Emmett Mahle is a graduate of McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, in Sacramento, and holds an MBA from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Prior to that, Mr. Mahle graduated from The United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, as a member of the Class of 1967, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry. He served 27 years in the United States Army and United States Army Reserve, and retired at the rank of Full Colonel. During his service time, he graduated from the Army’s Ranger, Airborne, Pathfinder, Green Beret, and Panama Jungle Schools, and holds degrees from their Command and General Staff College, and The Army War College. He commanded an Airborne Infantry Company of 120 soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in combat in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam in 1970. For his active and reserve service, he received two Bronze Star Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Air Medal, five Meritorious Service Medals and numerous South Vietnamese Unit Citations.

Dave Lewis: During a 20-year career, Dave Lewis served his country in war and peace. Enlisting in the US Army in 1965 at 19, he served two tours in Southwest Asia between 1967 and 1969 first leading combat infantryman in Vietnam as an Armor 1st Lieutenant and later as an Ordnance Captain in Thailand as a company commander and staff officer. Until retirement in 1985, his assignments included logistics command, staff, and training duties at the Division, Corps, Army Training levels in the US and Germany.

Brian Grubbs: Brian is a Sacramento native, attended Elk Grove High School and graduated from the United States Naval Academy, in 1992. He served aboard the submarine, USS Finback out of Norfolk, VA completing deployments to the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. In 2000 he became a Naval Reservist and mobilized to Kuwait in 2008. He completed his naval career in 2022 retiring as a Captain. As a civilian he has worked in energy markets and as a municipal advisor with major projects being the 2001 CA Energy Crises, the 2019 Wildfire bond program and the proposed Sites Reservoir in Maxwell, CA.

Justin Long: Justin Long, a Sacramento native, is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer in 1997. Captain Long participated in six combat deployments to the Middle East and Southeast Asia in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and the Global War on Terror. Long’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit, campaign, and service awards. He resides in Folsom, California, with his wife Catherine, son Cameron, and daughter Hanna.

Robert M. Marchi: Robert served 31 years in the U.S. Army (Active and Reserve) as an Infantry and Special Forces Officer. His assignments included two Company Commands (Infantry and Special Forces), two Battalion Commands (Infantry and EOD) and Command of a Group/Brigade, as well as numerous staff assignments from Company to Division. COL Marchi also served in Afghanistan with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force and retired in 2012. He lives in Grass Valley, CA with his family.

Mike Holmes: Mike is a native of Auburn, California and graduated from San Francisco State University. He joined the Navy and attended Officer candidate School and was commissioned an Ensign upon graduation. He retired with the rank of Captain having served for 24.5 years. He served in Vietnam, Taiwan, Beijing. South Korea and Hong Kong. His awards include a Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal.

Bonnie Potter: Bonnie retired from the Navy in 2003 as a Rear Admiral after spending 30 years in Navy Medicine. She is a physician with a specialty in Internal Medicine. She lives in Auburn with her husband, August Anema.

BACKGROUND:

Members of Congress can decide to nominate qualified candidates to a Service Academy. While a merit panel is not required, Rep. Kiley created one to interview and recommend candidates to the Congressman for appointment, ensuring that only the most qualified applicants will receive academy nominations. Applicants will hear from Rep. Kiley’s office soon about interviews, which will likely take place on December 16 and 17.