'It's just what I've always wanted to do': Granger family will soon have 3 daughters in service academies

Granger parents Don and Susanne David already have two daughters in United States service academies and will send a third to basic training this summer. 

The parents of six, with no military experience of their own, said they're proud of the paths their three oldest have chosen. 

"To me, it's amazing to see all these college-aged (people) and they are just wanting to devote their (lives) to our country," Susanne David said. "That always blows me away."

Savannah David, 21, is the eldest of the six David children and set a course toward the military that, so far, two sisters have followed. She's expecting to graduate next year from Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Sophia David, 20, is class of 2023 at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York.

Chloe David, 18, will be class of 2025 at Air Force Academy. She's currently attending Northwestern Preparatory School online and will report for basic training in June.

For Chloe David, her decision to join the military was driven by a desire to give back.

"This country has given me an abundant amount of opportunities and (to) just to give back — it's just what I've always wanted to do," she said.

Along with Air Force Academy and West Point, there are three other military service academies: U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.; U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut; and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.

Prospective students must receive congressional nominations to attend any of the academies except the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, to which appointments are made on the basis of an annual nationwide competition.

It can be a long and rigorous effort to apply for and secure a congressional nomination, Susanne David said. Academy applicants are also judged on character, scholarship, leadership, physical aptitude, medical fitness and motivation.

"In this generation (the time) that you get into college is within five minutes," Susanne David said. "This one takes years — it's definitely a different journey, that's for sure." 

Savannah David was nominated by then-U.S. Rep. David Young as well as U.S. Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley. Young also nominated Sophia David. And Chloe David was nominated by Ernst, Grassley and U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne.

There's a sense of relief when you are accepted, Sophia David said. 

"It's such a long process that you're sitting there waiting, it's nice to finally know," Sophie said.

Savannah David said she initially was interested in going into public affairs, but will instead join the Space Force. 

Space Force, which operates as part of the Air Force, was launched in December 2019 under President Donald Trump as the first new military service since establishment of the Air Force as an independent entity in 1947, according to the Associated Press.

Sophia David, who has her private pilot license, is looking at a career in aviation. And Chloe David is considering nursing.

Savannah David said you have to be open to plans changing when you're in the military, since you don't always get to choose your own path.

"(There are) curveballs all the time," she said. "So you just have to take it with a grain of salt and just go with the flow because a lot of people get everything they want, but most people don't." 

As far as the three youngest David children — Don Jr. 16; Andrew, 11; and Felicity, 10 — Susanne David likes the idea of keeping the tradition going, but she and her husband won't pressure them into the military.

"I hope they all do but we'll let them decide their journey, too," she said.