HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran was in Hutchinson Saturday to host his annual Service Academy Day at the Cosmosphere.

His Service Academy Selection Board was expected to review applications and interview candidates who are applying for admission to U.S. Service Academies. These include the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Following the interviews, the board makes its recommendations to Sen. Moran for his decision.

Sen. Moran discussed how he decides who will be selected.

“I want to keep the politics or friendship out of the process,” Moran said. “At the end of the day, I will probably follow their recommendations, I always have. But it gives me an opportunity to help someone serve in the military to protect our country after receiving an exceptional education.”

Sen. Moran also talked about the type of individual he looks at when making his selection. “Certainly, when it comes to whether a person should be my nominee to an academy, it ought to be decided on the merits,” Moran said. “Their background tells us a lot about that, but it’s also knowing who they are as human beings and what their character is.”

Once nominated by Sen. Moran, applicants must then meet the individual admission requirements of each academy.

The academies will make the final decision on who will receive an appointment of admission in early 2020. Those selected will enter the academies in June 2020.