It’s a sharp learning curve going from civilian life to being a member of the military.
Two recent county high school graduates reported last week to separate military academies.
Connor Portlock, a 2018 Windsor graduate, and James Moloney, who recently graduated from Herculaneum, both reported June 28 to begin their military careers.
Portlock was accepted into the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Moloney is in Annapolis, Md., to begin studies at the Naval Academy.
Portlock and Moloney were both accomplished multi-sport athletes in high school.
Portlock played center midfield and was the captain of the Owls’ soccer team. He also kicked for the football team in the fall and played golf in the spring.
Moloney was a starter on the Blackcats’ football and basketball teams and finished seventh in the state in Class 3 in the pole vault last month.
Not surprisingly, both Portlock and Moloney come from families with a rich history in military service. Portlock’s father served in the Coast Guard and his grandfather was in the Navy. All five of Moloney’s siblings serve or have served in a branch of the armed forces.
Members of Congress are authorized to nominate candidates for appointment to any of the U.S. service academies. Portlock and Moloney both received nominations from U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth).
An email from his office outlined the process he used for nominations. A board made up of former members of the military and academy graduates reviewed applications (typically anywhere from 15 to 30) and made the selections (this year there were four spots). The other two students his office nominated were from the Jefferson City area.
Moloney said researched the four academies and considered the Air Force Academy because his three older sisters, Elise, Lauren and Mary were in the Air Force, but decided on the Naval Academy because his brother, Dave, is in the Navy and his other brother, Ben, is a Marine.
He said his brothers and sisters have helped prepare him for the experience.
“I realized the Naval Academy appealed to me because it spoke to me,” he said. “I come from a big military family, so I knew I wanted to go into the military. I just didn’t know what I wanted. I got all the advice I could to my family and I can’t think my family enough.”
Moloney conceded he didn’t think he’d be accepted at the Naval Academy, and he’s not sure what military occupational specialty he’ll go into.
“Now I’ve got to make more decisions,” he said. “The academy is great for making leaders and I want to be the best one.”
Dave Cook, Moloney’s football and track coach, said he saw Moloney emerge as a leader over the last two years.
“He was very reliable and dependable. He was a coachable kid,” Cook said. “He was always a good teammate and what was best for the other guys on the team. He was a pleasure to be around. You liked working with him.”
Although Moloney had to stay in shape year round to compete in three different sports, Cook said midshipman training “is a different animal.” Each midshipman is physically evaluated before training begins. The maximum standards are being able to throw a basketball 102 feet, do 18 pull-ups, 95 crunches, 75 push-ups and run a mile in 5:20.
“I’m really excited for him,” Cook said. “He told me some things I didn’t know about the military academy. He won’t give up and quit.”
Moloney played part of football season with cracked ribs and withstood a knee ailment during track season. Cook rested Moloney until the last month of track season and he ended up all-state.
“So that tells you the kind of kid he is,” Cook said. “At one point we had talked about giving up on track, but we talked about needing him the last four meets and he rehabbed and took care of his body and he came home with a state medal. He wants to hear your input and that’s what will make him a tremendous leader.”
Portlock faces the same type of strict, fast-moving regimen as a cadet at the Air Force Academy. Like many who join the Air Force, Portlock wants to fly F-15 or F-16 fighter jets. Of course, not everyone has the right stuff to fly fighter jets.
According to a recent report, Air Force officials have been concerned about a “dire pilot shortage” with a 27 percent shortfall of pilots needed.
Portlock has flown in commercial and private planes, but he’s never been at the controls.
“I’ve been pushing myself both physically and mentally in my classes and everyday life,” Portlock said. “I know the challenge I’m getting ready to take.”
Luetkemeyer interviewed Portlock in December and Portlock was notified of his nomination in late-January. When he arrives in Colorado, his day will start with physical training before the sun rises, then he’ll take classes all day before military training in the evening. He said the wakeup call will be 4:30 a.m.
“You have to be able to do things in a blink of an eye in the cockpit. I’m excited about that part,” Portlock said. “I’ve had obedience, self-discipline and determination in my life every day at home.”
Chris Krueger saw those traits in Portlock every day as the head soccer coach at Windsor.
“It’s definitely his work ethic,” Krueger said. “He puts his mind to something and gets it done. He expects everyone else to match that. He holds himself and his teammates accountable. That’s a huge concept.”
When soccer practice ended, Portlock would hurry over to football practice.
“You don’t find that very often,” Krueger said.
Besides flying, Portlock said he wants to study political science and philosophy and someday he might go into politics or become a prosecuting attorney.
“I’m committed and ready to go,” he said.
As long as Moloney and Portlock meet the strict requirements of their respective academies, the Air Force and Navy will pay for their educations. In exchange, both will have to serve a tour of active duty.
Besides his tuition, Moloney will receive $1,087.80 per month for living expenses, $100 cash and a guaranteed job after graduation. The Navy requires a five-year active-duty enlistment.
The Air Force Academy website states that cadets receive an education worth $416,000. Active duty requirements for Portlock will be determined by what he intends to specialize in.
“It’s been a dream of (Moloney’s) for a long time and he’s dedicated and committed to it and he’ll do well,” Cook said.