Academy Nominations

Please note:

Senator Lieberman encourages all interested students in middle and high school grades and their parents to attend the Connecticut Congressional Delegation's Academy Day, to be held Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. in Chapman Hall at Middlesex Community College in Middletown, Connecticut.  Please click here for directions to Middlesex Community College.

This informational session is designed to answer the questions of students who are interested in the Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Coast Guard Academy.  Representatives from each of the academies and Congressional Offices will be present at the session. Additional representatives from ROTC, CT National Guard, and others will also be available. 

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Eligibility

Nominees to the service academies must be United States citizens and applicants to Senator Lieberman's office must be residents of Connecticut. Candidates must be at least 17 years of age and no more than 23 years of age by July 1 of the year of admission. Candidates must be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support any dependents. These stipulations have been established by the service academies.

Prior to applying for a nomination, each candidate must contact the academies directly to request a Pre-Candidate Questionnaire. Upon the completion and return of this form to the academy, you will be informed of academy requirements, such as medical examinations and physical aptitude tests. It is also recommended that each candidate attempt to visit the academies to meet with admissions representatives, talk to cadets and view the facilities.

Method of Nomination

Senator Lieberman accepts applications for nominations to the following service academies:

• U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York
• U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York
• U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London does not utilize a congressional nominating system.

The law pertaining to congressional nominations stipulates that each Representative and Senator or Vice President is allowed a maximum of five "charges" at the Air Force, Military, & Naval Academies in any given year. When a "charge" either graduates or leaves for any reason, a vacancy is created. Senator Lieberman uses a "competitive" process, nominating a slate of ten (10) candidates for each vacancy at these academies. Using this method, he submits to the academy an unranked list of nominees for each vacancy. The academy then reviews the list and selects the candidate which becomes the member's "charge." The remaining nominees may also be offered appointments, but they will not be the member's "charge." Each year he nominates up to 10 candidates for the Merchant Marine Academy.

Due to the competitiveness of the selection process, it is strongly recommended that each candidate apply to both Senators, their Representative and the Vice President.

If an applicant has a parent who is an active or retired military person, a disabled or deceased veteran, a POW/MIA, or a Medal of Honor winner, the candidate may be able to apply for a Presidential or other form of nomination. For further information, please refer to the academy catalog or speak to an admissions representative or liaison officer.

Application Process

The application process for the class entering 2011 is now open.

An application file is considered complete in Senator Lieberman's office when it contains the following five (5) items:

1) Completed application for nomination: Click here for the application.

2) Official high school transcripts: Must arrive with the application package in a sealed envelope from your guidance counselor. Official college transcripts must be issued by the appropriate office.

3) SAT and/or ACT scores. Applicants may notify the SAT/ACT testing centers at (609) 771-7600 to request that scores be sent directly to Senator Lieberman's office, SAT code #0237, ACT code 7114. Due to the cost of requesting original copies, guidance counselors may submit these scores with the candidate's official transcripts.

4) Two recommendations. These letters may be written by individuals (designated by an applicant), by teachers, principals, coaches, employers, clergy, neighbors, or other non-family members who can accurately comment on an applicant's character, abilities and potential for success in an academy environment and subsequently, in military service. Each recommendation must be limited to one page. Additional letters beyond the designated two references will not be considered.

5) Photograph. A recent photograph of the applicant is required.

Please submit the application materials listed in items 2 through 5 to Senator Lieberman's State Office:

The Honorable Joseph I. Lieberman
United States Senator
One Constitution Plaza
7th Floor
Hartford, Connecticut 06103

Once received, the file will be updated as soon as possible. Applicants may check their status on-line by logging into the Senator's Service Academy Nomination Application website. Soon after your application has been completed, you will be sent an acknowledgment.

Materials submitted to Senator Lieberman's office will not be returned to the applicant. For an application to be considered complete it must be filled out entirely and all additional documents above received in Senator Lieberman's State Office by 5 p.m., Friday, October 22, 2010. Any application file not completed by this time will not be considered. SAT/ACT scores for the November testing dates are the only materials accepted after the deadline. Those candidates who do not receive an appointment in previous years and desire to reapply are required to complete a new application package.

Selection Process

Following the receipt of your application, it will be reviewed by Senator Lieberman's staff. In early November, you will receive notification as to whether or not you have passed the initial screening. If you are included in this select group of qualified individuals, you will be scheduled for an interview with Senator Lieberman's Service Academy Selection Committee on a weekend in November. You will be informed of whether or not you have received a nomination by the end of December.

The selection committee will consist of distinguished members with varied backgrounds from across Connecticut. The committee will conduct "whole person" evaluations to determine each candidate's overall qualifications. Specifically, they will examine each candidate's personal character, scholarship, leadership, physical aptitude, goals, motivation to pursue an academy education and desire to serve as a military officer. You will be interviewed by the service academy committee specified as your "first choice" on the application only.

You may find the application process for a congressional nomination to be very challenging. If you have questions or experience difficulty at any time, please do not hesitate to contact Frank Rowe or Ashley Pedersen in Senator Lieberman's Connecticut Office at (860) 549-8463 or (800) 225-5605.