Service Academies
There are five service academies: The United States Air Force (USAFA), Naval (USNA), Military (USMA), Merchant Marine (USMMA), and Coast Guard (USCGA) Academies. Nominations are required for all but the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, to which appointments are made on the basis of an annual nationwide competition.
For the USAFA, USNA and USMA each eligible young person may apply to both United States Senators from their home state, his or her United States Representative, and the Vice President (if very highly qualified). The other nomination categories, such as Presidential, ROTC, active duty, reserve and National Guard soldiers are service affiliated. Please visit the academies’ web sites for further information and eligibility requirements.
Each Senator and each Representative may have a maximum of five persons at each service academy charged to his or her quota. There are three methods of nominating, and I use the competitive method. For each vacancy, ten nominations may be made on a strictly competitive basis. The competitive method provides that the nominees are equally competitive for final appointment determined by the admissions authorities. The admissions departments take into consideration a nominee’s academic record, extracurricular and athletic activities, physical aptitude, ACT and/or SAT scores, leadership ability and medical qualifications. These same facets of an applicant’s record are also considered during the nomination selection process. No person will be offered admission if he or she does not meet the physical standards of the academy unless awarded a medical waiver.
As competition for nomination and appointment is very keen, it is wise for all interested persons to apply through all sources for which they are eligible. An individual may be nominated by more than one nominating authority and/or to more than one academy.
With regard to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the locality boundary for nomination by a Representative is the state in which the congressional district lies rather than just the congressional district itself. Each Representative and each Senator may nominate ten candidates each year to compete for admission.
Please visit the web sites listed below for each academy to determine entrance requirements. You may apply online to each academy in which you are interested. If you meet the minimum eligibility requirements the academies will send a candidate package to you. You should return all requested materials to the academies as soon as possible. If the academy considers you to be an “official candidate”, you will be scheduled for a medical examination by the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board. You must also complete the Candidate Fitness Test and include a copy of this with your application to my office.
E-mail: http://isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm
