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There are five service academies that offer young men and women an outstanding education that prepares them for a commission in the armed services. The academies are:

• U.S. Naval Academy
• U.S. Military Academy
• U.S. Air Force Academy
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy

The U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), U.S. Military Academy (USMA), U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) require a nomination from an authorized source before consideration for appointment. Authorized sources include your U.S. Senators, U.S. Representative, and the Vice President of the United States. Active military members, children of deceased or disabled veterans and children of career military may qualify for additional sources of nomination and should contact the service academies directly.

PLEASE NOTE: Only the service academies can make an offer of appointment (acceptance). A nomination does not ensure admission to a service academy but is required to be considered for admission to the USNA, USMA, USAFA, and USMMA. All applicants seeking a nomination must have also applied to the service academy for which they are seeking a nomination from our office.

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) offers appointments based on a national competition. There are no nominations to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Interested candidates should contact the academy directly.

The service academies require that applicants --

• Be at least 17 years old but not have passed your 23rd birthday as of July 1st of the year of acceptance.
• Be a U.S. citizen on the day of admission.
• Be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no obligation to support children or other dependents.
• Be in good health and physical condition (the academies require a physical before acceptance).

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin requires that applicants --

• Submit a completed nomination application by October 24, 2008 at 5 p.m. to:
  
  

  U. S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin Tower 1, Suite 1710 100 S. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21201 410-962-4436 Completed nomination applications must be physically at this address, not postmarked.

• The completed nomination application must be submitted in one complete packet. A complete packet must include:
  
  

  1.	Basic Fact Sheet, Questionnaire, and Essay Click here to view, complete and print.
  2.	Offical SAT and/or ACT scores. Reporting codes for our office: SAT #5468, ACT #7140 SAT/ACT scores are important in evaluating academic preparedness. Generally, combined scores of less than 1100 points (SAT math/verbal) and 24 points (ACT composite) are not considered highly competitive.
  3.	Official high school and college transcripts including a list of high school senior year courses or prep school/college courses for the fall 2008 semester. Official transcripts should be in sealed envelopes that are signed across the flap by a school official.
  4.	Three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should be in sealed envelopes that are signed across the flap by the recommender. One letter of recommendation must be from your high school/current guidance counselor or principal and the other two should be from individuals who know you well and can speak to your character and the qualities that will make you a good service academy candidate, e.g. coach, teacher, pastor. Recommendation letters from family members are highly discouraged.

• Be available for an interview on Saturday, November 22, 2008.
  
  
• Complete an application at the service academy for which you are seeking a nomination by October 24, 2008.

Applicants who have been offered an academic experience at the US Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS), the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School (MAPS), or the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School (AFAPS) will not be considered for a nomination by our office.

Applicants who have successfully completed an academic year at NAPS, MAPS, or AFAPS will not be considered for a nomination by our office and should seek a nomination through the academy.

Questions? Anne Irby, anne_irby@cardin.senate.gov or 410-962-4436.