The Family Business Published May 12, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Christian Sullivan Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Following the footsteps of their father could be a goal for kids when they are young, whether they want to be a high school football star, a doctor or an officer in the Air Force. Justin Kovich, son of the 91st Maintenance Group commander, Col. Andrew Kovich, is paving his own path to do just that. Justin was accepted into the Air Force Academy in March. Some fathers might celebrate in a traditional way by throwing a celebration party or just simply going out to eat. Not this colonel. "I probably gave him a high five and told him to get the dishes done," Kovich said. That's not to say there was no excitement in this proud father's heart. The colonel said he was very excited and proud for his son even though he didn't throw the normal celebration. Justin's father isn't the only reason he has chosen to join the Air Force. Both of his grandfathers served more than 20 years in the United States Air Force. The new Academy student said his grandfather on his dad's side was an Air Force lieutenant colonel as well as a pilot, and his grandfather on his mother's side was a full bird colonel as well in the Air Force. Justin began preparing to follow his dad's when he was in middle school where his decisions affected whether or not he could become an officer. He said he started early by joining sports teams and other extracurricular activities in 8th grade, and starting this last year he, filled out applications and meeting with senators, finishing the whole application process before his senior year of high school started. Justin relishes in the fact that he will be the fourth generation of an Air Force officer in the Kovich family. "I think it's kind of neat. I mean even my great grandfather on my dad's side was in the Army Air Corps," Justin said. "It's just neat to be a part of a family that has so much military in it." Justin went through rigorous trials and tasks to get accepted into the Academy. "Everyone has to get a nomination from their congressman, and then I had to do all of my Academy applications and school stuff," Justin said. "Then there's the physical side of it. I ended up taking the candidate fitness assessment a couple of times with my swim coach, and I also was on the swim team at school." Though being an Air Force officer like his father was his number one choice, Justin had other offers if he was rejected from the Academy. "Air Force and Navy were my top two," he said. "If I wasn't able to go through the Academy I would've tried to get into the Reserve Officers' Training Corps." Even with those offers, he knew his choice would be something he has already grown up with and become accustomed to. "It's the lifestyle I've always been comfortable with," Justin said. "I know what to expect after the Academy because I've lived the Air Force lifestyle." Col. Kovich see's many qualities in Justin that he feels would make him a great officer once he graduates from the Academy "He's a good person, a good leader, well respected by his peers and his supervision," Justin's father said. "He has the ability to come in make friends and excel in what he's supposed to be doing." Justin does intend on making a career in the Air Force like his father and his father before him, but for right now he is keeping his goals small. Justin said his main goals right now are to get on the swim team and to make sure he graduates from the Academy. Justin will be inducted into the Air Force Academy June 25, 2015 and his expected graduation date is May 30, 2019.