The sun is scorching. Lungs heaving. The competitors are approaching the final turn. Sacchith Miryalkar is in the lead until he turns off the course, into new territory, at least to him. He has turned from captain of the cross country team to a future officer in the Navy. 

Miryalkar has been accepted into all three service academies: West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy. He has also received an Army ROTC and a Navy ROTC scholarship that covers full tuition at any university. After college, he will be deployed into the armed forces. 

The process to be accepted into a service academy is rigorous: you must apply through the standard application process, be clear of any medical disqualifications, and receive a nomination from a U.S. senator or representative. Occasionally, a service academy will accept you contingently depending on whether you receive a nomination; Miryalkar was able to receive this offer from the Naval Academy.

In late December, Miryalkar was able to receive a nomination from U.S. Senator John Fetterman, where he was one of 10 students selected, and also U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, which automatically granted him a spot in the Naval Academy and then the Air Force Academy and West Point (Army). 

But Miryalkar wanted to join the armed forces for one reason: honor. 

“I feel that I have an obligation to serve my country because of the opportunities afforded to me as a citizen;

A benefit of being a student at a service academy is that the United States government takes care of all tuition costs, meaning Miryalkar will be $0 in debt out of college and have guaranteed paid employment in the armed forces.

Initially, Miryalkar had hoped to run in college; he took it upon himself to run cross country, winter track, and spring track. He even had interviews with college track coaches and for 3 years of high school, his entire life revolved around running until an email from West Point made him reconsider it all. 

“It wasn’t until the end of March of my junior year; that I got an email from West Point’s summer program and that put [the idea] into my head. I applied to the summer programs at Navy and West Point, and that helped me devise this path I will go down on.” Miryalkar said. 

Miryalkar hopes to join one of the academies, where he will major in mechanical engineering and go on to serve for 5 years in the armed forces. 

“Look at what it can offer you. Many are turned away by the sight of service, but your country has done so much for you. The opportunity to go to college here for free, which so many immigrants die for, is something amazing that this country offers. Instead of looking at it as a service obligation, look at it as an honor and an amazing opportunity that offers lifetime benefits.” Miryalkar concluded.