U.S. Sen. Kirk joins Naval Academy board

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk will serve on the Naval Academy's version of the board of trustees, allowing the Illinois Republican to oversee the academy's financial, personnel and curriculum matters.

Vice President Joe Biden's office appointed the freshman senator to the 15-person board last week. Kirk has been a veteran intelligence officer for the Naval Reserves for 22 years.

Kirk will be involved in education and fiscal issues. He also will have a say in selecting the Academy's superintendent, which is a Navy admiral with similar responsibilities to a college president.

U.S. Sen. John McCain will also join the board. The Arizona Republican is a Vietnam War veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.