By Jessica Tuggle

jtuggle@hometownnewsol.com

VERO BEACH - For some students, high school is a place to explore, build relationships, and maybe learn a little something along the way, but for Jack Illare IV, high school is his training ground.

Jack, a senior at Vero Beach High School, has spent the past four years of his academic career challenging himself both physically and intellectually.

With rigorous coursework in all areas of study and Air Force ROTC training, Jack has set his course in line to achieve his goal of being admitted in the U.S. Air Force Academy.

His desire to serve in the military began at the age of 7 and has grown ever since.

In late December, Jack and 37 other applicants from District 15, which includes Indian River County and portions of Brevard, Polk and Osceola counties, interviewed with the service academy nominating committee in hopes of receiving a nomination to one of the military academies in the U.S.

"I kind of took it as it came in the interview," said Jack, who is ranked as a Cadet Captain in the Air Force JROTC at Vero Beach High School.

"In the car ride over, I went over questions I thought they would ask me and thought about how I would respond," he said.

High school students applying to the academies must be nominated by a member of Congress or another high-ranking federal official, according to a press release.

The District 15 committee represents Congressman Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, and is made up of area veterans and military leaders.

The 38 applicants were competing for 10 nominations the committee is authorized to submit, but not all nominees are guaranteed a place at an academy. The rest go on a waiting list.

A scholarship to one of the U.S. military academies is valued at a little more than $300,000.

Congressman Posey was supposed to attend the interviews and encourage the applicants, but was unable to fly in from Washington, D.C., due to inclement weather.

"Attending one of our nation's great military institutions is an honor, but is also a great responsibility," Congressman Posey wrote in a statement.

"While their friends may have the luxury of switching majors two or three times, students nominated to attend one of the academies begin preparing from day one for a career of military leadership," he continued.

Leadership is something that comes naturally to Jack, his father, Jack Illare III, said.

"Jack likes it, he absolutely likes it and that can make the difference out there," Mr. Illare said.

"He's going to go out there and help his fellas, (get) his squadron home alive and safe," he said.

While the Air Force Academy is his No. 1 choice, Jack has other plans should he not receive a nomination this year.

Next fall he would attend Norwich University in Vermont, The Citadel in North Carolina or the Virginia Military Institute for one year and then reapply for the academy nomination.

He feels his perseverance and dedication to his goals will get him to his final destination.

"The Air Force is a tight knit group of guys, like a brotherhood," Jack said.

"Once you're there (at the academy), the networking you get there is pretty much priceless. Those guys are going to stick together," he said.

"I would consider it a big honor if I was chosen. There's only a select few they admit there," Jack said.

With pride already evident in his voice, Mr. Illare added, "and his dad would just as proud if he did."