THOMASVILLE – Pete “Maverick” Mitchell may be the invented main character of the “Top Gun” franchise, but countless real-world aspiring pilots share his passion for aviation. One such individual is Thomas County Central High School senior Jackson “Jack” Emmett, 18, who will join the nation’s incoming military elite ranks when he attends the United States Naval Academy this fall.
He signed an informal intent letter – he’s already officially accepted the offer – in a special ceremony at TCCHS April 12.
“I am extremely proud to be able to say I have been accepted into the United States Naval Academy,” Emmett said. “It is the first step in starting my career in the military. When I read my acceptance notification on the USNA applicant portal, I almost couldn’t believe it. It had been months since submitting my application, and I knew that this would change the trajectory of my life.”
The future career Emmett’s locked on his radar scope is Marine Corps aviator.
“I had pretty much grown up in the co-pilot seat of an airplane with my grandpa, and it has always been a dream of mine to be a pilot,” he said. “Flying gives me a sense of freedom that you don’t find in many other places in life, especially flying solo.
“Seeing everything from a bird’s eye view gives me a new perspective on life and makes me realize the scale of the world around me. Couple that with my interest in the military – especially the Marine Corps – and I don’t think I could’ve found a more perfect job than a Marine aviator.”
Pursuing a career in the military through USNA (although he also gained acceptance to West Point) is one of Emmett’s dreams.
“The catalyst for me wanting to serve was growing up watching the Global War on Terror unfold,” Emmett said. “I feel like I owe it to the last generation to serve and pay their sacrifice forward to defend America from its enemies.”
And the primary reason he wanted to attend USNA over other ROTC colleges or military academies is it’s the most challenging academic institution.
“USNA would provide [a] world-class education and also allow me to pursue my dream of becoming a Marine aviator,” he said. “It would set me up for a career in the United States Marine Corps as a commissioned officer.”
Earning a spot at the country’s highest-ranking public college has been a goal Emmett’s worked toward achieving since beginning high school.
“Unlike many other colleges and universities, military academy application processes are much more in-depth and require significant amounts of effort to put in a competitive application,” he said. “Not only do you need to submit résumés and entrance exam scores, but you also need to interview with members of Congress and representatives from each service academy.
“The part I found most challenging was building a balanced résumé with [a] good GPA, college entrance scores, and athletic and leadership achievements. At the end of the day, I think that is what made my application stand out: the balance between academics, athletics and leadership experience that the academies require.”
For example, Emmett took Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement classes for rigorous academics, participated in athletic teams like wrestling, and served in organizations such as student government and JROTC. He’s also obtained his student pilot’s license and currently works toward a private pilot’s license to garner a greater understanding of general aviation before entering military training.
Aiding Emmett along the path to USNA were friends, family, teachers, and advisors, including Lt. Col. Kevin Ingram, TCCHS JROTC senior Army instructor. He dubs Emmett a stellar cadet, who’s worked hard to achieve his dream and been instrumental in the school’s growing JROTC program in its first three years.
“I learned of his commitment to earning an appointment to one of the service academies when I first arrived and had him as a sophomore,” Ingram said. “He was extremely committed to doing the things academically and physically necessary to compete. His dedication was obvious, but his commitment to doing what was necessary was absolutely unrivaled.”
Thomas County Schools Service Learning Coordinator Stann McLeod, who served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force and 15 years as an Air Force JROTC senior instructor, observed Emmett’s stellar leadership abilities and commitment to tasks through his work with the TCCHS Chick-fil-A Leader Academy.
“Jack quickly demonstrated his leadership potential by treating his peers the way he would want to be treated and always putting others first,” McLeod said. “He quickly became a team leader in each of our service projects and, by setting the example, ensured that every project was a huge success.”
TCCHS Senior Guidance Counselor Tammy Shealey, whose daughter graduated from USNA, calls assisting Emmett with his application process a humbling experience.
“Jack is one of the most self-driven young men I have had the privilege to work with,” Shealey said. “He exuded diligence in meeting deadlines, having his application proofread, and making sure his portal was updated.
“When he came to tell me he was accepted, he told me there was a problem with his portal. I was nervous to look. When I read the acceptance offer, I immediately jumped up with excitement. It took me a short time to realize it was all caught on camera!”
TCCHS MERIT Director and Advanced Placement Coordinator Erin White also knows about USNA admissions and Emmett’s dedication to academics and goals.
“As a mom of a USNA graduate, I know what a grueling process it is and how difficult it is to secure an appointment, especially straight out of high school,” White said. “It’s quite an accomplishment! I’m looking forward to seeing where Jack goes with his Navy experience, and I am grateful to him and others that choose to serve our country.”
Emmett intends to study aerospace engineering, and upon graduation, he hopes to enter pilot training with the Marine Corps to earn his Marine aviator wings. So, while he won’t follow the exact path of the fictional “Maverick,” their ultimate goal remains similar.
“I would like to be selected for a fighter slot, but if not, I would be happy to serve all the same,” he said. “The ultimate goal is to put my skills to use in the best possible way to serve my country and hopefully make a successful career out of it as well.”
Those who’ve witnessed Emmett’s evolution during high school see only good things ahead for the young man. Ingram feels honored to have been part of Emmett’s journey to USNA acceptance and proud of the youth’s accomplishments.
“His career goals and personal aspirations align perfectly with the Naval Academy, making this the right place for him,” Ingram said. “I would expect nothing less than Jack accomplishing the goals he set and serving the nation as a pilot of the latest, technologically advanced fighter aircraft.”
Shealey can easily picture Emmett thriving at the academy.
“He has the patriotic drive and desire to be a Marine aviator,” she said. “Jack has the leadership skills, the academic ability, and the physical fitness determination it takes to be a midshipman and an officer in our United States Navy. There is no doubt in my mind that our country is in good hands with young men like Jackson Emmett.”
Furthermore, students like Emmett give McLeod faith in the next generation(s).
“Young Americans like Jack Emmett are the reason I still love working with today’s youth,” McLeod said. “This young man, in my opinion, is the epitome of the servant leader. Name any quality trait that we want in our future leaders, and Jack Emmett fills the bill.”
Emmett encourages other youth who may feel a calling to serve or lack life direction to consider a military career.
“Not only will you be serving something bigger than yourself and defending the freedoms you are born with, but you will receive training that will teach you how to lead and overall be more successful in life,” he said.
“In my opinion, every generation owes it to those who came and fought before us in order to secure our rights and privileges as U.S. citizens. I am sure I will not be the last kid from Thomas County to make it to one of the military academies, and I am hopeful for those who decide to follow the same path I did.”