William Degenhart Jr. knew he wanted to serve his country – the question left was, in what capacity?
It turns out many roads are open for the Luling teen, who achieved the rare feat of being accepted to three of the country’s service academies – Air Force, Naval and West Point.
Degenhart was recently honored for the feat by Representative Troy Carter and Brigadier General Paul Tibbets, and he says he’s excited for the next step in his life – which will bring him to Air Force Academy.
Each academy receives roughly 10,000 applicants a year – and just about 10 percent of those will be accepted.
He said it’s somewhat starting to sink in.
“I thought, wow, this is kind of a rare feat. Once I was accepted into the Navy, I thought that was crazy, and then I certainly didn’t expect to get into all three. I applied to summer programs in my junior year just to see where I stood and I got into all of them,” Degenhart said.
He visited all three academies and the Air Force felt like home.
“I went to Colorado Springs where the Air Force Academy is and I just felt like, ‘Wow, I love this.’ It was the branch I was leaning to already and that kind of made it official … seeing all those F-16s lined up on the runway and getting to fly the simulator just a little bit was very cool,” Degenhart said.
Degenhart said he gave serious consideration to all three, but it ultimately came down to the Naval Academy and the Air Force.
He wanted to fly.
“I’ve actually already started pilot training this summer,” Degenhart said.
His attention toward the military was sparked early in his life – he recalled reading books about World War II and other historical events that began a lifelong interest.
Still, his early plan was to become a veterinarian. That started to change when he visited Lackland Air Force Base and had the chance to fly a C-5 flight training simulator.
Then, in his sophomore year at Jesuit, the school’s service academy day ramped up his desire to enlist – something he already had begun talking about before he even was a teen. He did not take long to begin taking action.
“He told me when he was a freshman, I’m going to be the commander of (Jesuit’s Marine Corps’ Junior ROTC) unit, and I’m like, ‘Wow, OK!,’” said his mother Karen. “But he did it. William has always been mature beyond his years. He decided when he was about 12 that this was what he wanted to do, and he’s put everything into place since.
“Still, you go into it and you’re not sure you’re going to make one – and he made all three. It’s kind of like the military triple crown. I’m so proud.”
Degenhart is also an Eagle Scout and a National Merit semifinalist.
To apply, one must be nominated by an authorized official – often a member of Congress or a senator. Degenhart was nominated by Carter, Senator Bill Cassidy and Senator John Kennedy.
Degenhart also noted a great deal of help from St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne as well as Tab and Jena Troxler for writing recommendation letters and helping pave the way.
