Service Academies

Information for candidates seeking nominations to the United States Service Academies

U.S. Military Academy (Army) - located at West Point, New York
U.S. Naval Academy (Navy) - located at Annapolis, Maryland
U.S. Air Force Academy (Air Force) - located at Colorado Springs, Colorado

To be eligible for an appointment to a service academy, an applicant must have a nomination from an authorized nominating source. Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives may nominate applicants who meet eligibility requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

Must be at least 17 years old but not over 22
Must be a U.S. Citizen
Must be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents
Must have good moral character
Candidates are evaluated by congressional offices and the academies on their abilities of leadership, character, academics, physical aptitude, medical fitness, and motivation.
Congressional nominations are limited to ten candidates for each vacancy that the district currently has at each academy. Usually, each district has only one vacancy per year at each academy.

Information for candidates seeking nominations to United States Service Academies, overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation:

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy - located at Kings Point, New York (Requires a congressional nomination)
U.S. Coast Guard Academy - located at New London, Connecticut (Does not require a congressional nomination)