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 are military affiliated.
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.
United States Military Academy
Admissions Office
Building 606
West Point, NY 10996-1797
(845) 938-4041
United States Naval Academy
USNA Admissions Office
117 Decatur Road
Annapolis , MD 21402-5019
(410) 293-4361
United States Air Force Academy
HQ USAFA/RRS
2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 200
USAF Academy, CO 80840
(719) 333-2520
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Admissions Office
Kings Point , NY 11024-1699
(516) 773-5391
United States Coast Guard Academy
Admissions Office
New London , CT 06320-4195
(203) 444-8444