And so Kuamo'o-Peck stretched his fantasy halfway across the Pacific Ocean, all the way from O'ahu to Colorado Springs, home of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and became a member of the class of 2008. Like many other teenagers seeking appointments to U.S. military academies, he was undeterred by the war in Iraq and the dangers he's likely to face in the cockpit of a jet.

"When September 11 happened and the war was starting, I guess it didn't push me one way or the other," Kuamo'o-Peck said. "It didn't affect my decision."

But a drop in applications thus far for the class of 2009 indicates the war might be affecting others. One deadline has passed and the final one is only a little more than a month away.

Although the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., received more applications last year than in each of the previous 12, applications are down so far this year by about 20 percent.

The Air Force Academy was down 23 percent as of early December compared with a strong year in 2003 when applications climbed 15 percent.

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., where applications at this point are breaking even with December of last year, saw a decline of 33 percent in applications for the class of 2007 compared with the class of 2008.

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point has seen a drop, too, down about 11 percent so far this year after being down 6 percent last year.

It's difficult to find specific reasons for the declines. Some blame the war, which started in March 2003, while others say numbers simply are adjusting after all the academies experienced greater interest right after the Sept. 11 attacks.

"If you ask me, 'Are there candidates not coming to West Point because of the war?' I'd have to say yes," said Maj. Dale Smith, who helps run West Point's admissions office. "In this world, there is a real price attached to coming here."

Smith added that some candidates apply to build a career in the Army, and they know that combat experience aids advancement.

Deborah Goode, spokeswoman for the Naval Academy, said it is rarely clear why numbers are up or down in a given year.

"Various factors such as personal motivation and aspirations, the economy, the appeal of military service and other issues potentially influence those applying to the academy," she said.

Enrollment levels at U.S. military academies are congressionally mandated and have not increased in years.

The Army, Navy and Air Force academies' total enrollments are set at about 4,200 students. The Coast Guard Academy total enrollment is set at about 990 students. More than 40,000 students applied last year for appointments to U.S. military academies.

One avenue to apply is through federal lawmakers.

Congressmen and senators get dozens of applications each year, but each only has a few nominations. Each member of Congress may have five nominated students attending the academies at one time.

The deadline for getting applications to lawmakers was Dec. 1. The regular application deadline for the Naval and Air Force academies is Jan. 31. West Point applicants must get all materials in by Feb. 25, while Coast Guard Academy require all materials by March 1. Graduates are commissioned in their chosen service as a second lieutenant or ensign.

"This is a serious responsibility," said Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawai'i, who nominated Kuamo'o-Peck.