With his appointment to the United States Coast Guard Academy, West Forsyth’s John Benedict is carrying on a proud family tradition.

Benedict will continue his basketball career at the military academy in New London, Ct., similar to the path of his older sister, Elizabeth, who plays for the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., following her 2007 graduation from North Forsyth.

After earning one of the Coast Guard Academy’s prized appointments, Benedict recently reported to campus for the start of the rigorous seven-week freshman induction period known as Swab Summer.

The tight communications restrictions the academy places on incoming cadets made it impossible to interview John Benedict for this story, but his father, Dennis, offered some perspective on his son’s opportunity.

The Coast Guard Academy offers fewer than 400 annual appointments to more than 4,000 applicants, said Dennis Benedict, who has coached the West Forsyth varsity girls basketball team the last two seasons and recently accepted the same job with the boys team.

“Obviously in the somewhat trying economic times that we’re experiencing right now, we’re very, very fortunate and blessed that both our kids can be attending schools where not only are the academics top notch, but you get a lot of strong leadership training,” Dennis Benedict said.

Following graduation, John Benedict will fulfill a five-year service requirement with the Coast Guard.

Dennis Benedict said the enthusiasm the academy’s basketball staff showed when they met John, as well as the likelihood of being stationed stateside after graduation, made the Coast Guard an attractive option for his son.

Dennis Benedict said the school’s basketball coach, Kevin Jaskiewicz, was impressed with the poise John Benedict showed on the day he reported for Swab Summer.

“He said John was petty relaxed. He has a little bit of an idea of what to expect [in boot camp] from what his sister’s experienced,” the elder Benedict said.

John Benedict averaged 8 points and 5.5 rebounds a game during his senior season at West Forsyth, and was named to the Forsyth County News’ All-County Team.  His father says the academy’s basketball coaches have high hopes for him.

“They expect him to come in and contribute. They evaluate him as a very versatile basketball player and they think he should have a very good career at the Coast Guard Academy,” Dennis Benedict said.

The Coast Guard Academy competes in the NCAA’s Division III.

Dennis Benedict said that, regardless of whether they choose lifelong military careers, having his children enrolled in two service academies is a source of pride.

“It’s humbling, I guess, because ... it’s a chance to serve the country and do something that’s greater than yourself, be a part of something that’s very, very important. We’re very excited that the kids have chosen that path,” he said.