Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Service Academies. As your Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, each year I have the privilege of nominating a limited number of people to four of the five service academies. The honor of attending a service academy, free of charge, comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Best wishes to you as you pursue your goal of attending one of the U.S. Service Academies and serving our country.

Congressman Kissell’s Office Deadline for Completed Application Packets: Postmarked by November, 1 2010.

Application Form for Service Academy Nomination

Seeking a Nomination: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a nomination?

A candidate that meets the eligibility requirements established by law may seek a nomination from the following:

• A member of the U.S. House of Representatives who represents the congressional district in which the candidate resides
• Both U.S. Senators from his or her state
• The President of the United States
• The Vice-President of the United States
• The Secretary of the Army, Navy, or Air Force, who nominates members of regular military, reserve components, and participants in the ROTC

I highly encourage you to apply to all possible nominating sources.

What are the basic eligibility requirements?

Members of Congress may nominate applicants who meet the eligibility requirements established by law. These requirements must be met by July 1st of the year of admission to an academy and are as follows:

• Must be at least 17 years old (each Academy has a maximum age requirement)
• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen
• Marital Status: Must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents
• Residence: Must reside within the boundaries of the nominating source (Congressman Kissell: 8th Congressional District of North Carolina).
• Skill / Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy.

Who do I contact to request an application for a nomination?

See link below to print out a Nomination Form online or contact Mallory Morris in my Concord District Office at 704.786.1612 to request a Nomination Form via mail.

When do I apply for a nomination?

My nomination application period opens May 15th of each year for those candidates who are high school juniors and will be seniors the following school year, or who have already graduated.

What is the deadline for completing a nomination packet?

This year the postmark deadline for submitting a nomination packet to my District Office is November 1, 2010.
(Separately, you must also apply to each Service Academy from which you are requesting a nomination.)

What must be included in my nomination file?

A complete nomination packet consists of the following seven items:

• Application Form for Service Academy Nomination (link below).
• An official, sealed high school transcript including verification of your rank.
• Official SAT Reasoning Test results and/or official ACT results. (Please use SAT code 5314 and/or ACT code 7586 to have your official scores sent to Congressman Kissell’s office.)
• Resume of extracurricular activities.
• Three letters of recommendation (one from a teacher/educator; one from an extracurricular activity advisor/instructor; one from an individual other than family). Please submit no more than three letters of recommendation.
• An essay stating why you want to attend a Service Academy (500 words or less).
• A 5x7 (or smaller) photograph of yourself.

What happens after I have completed my nomination file?

Applicants who submit a completed nomination packet by November 1, 2010 will be notified of their status.

What criteria are used in selecting candidates?

Our Academy Selection Committee interviews each applicant. Similar to U.S. Service Academy standards, a nomination is based on a "whole person" evaluation. This evaluation includes: moral character, scholarship (high school record + college record if available, class rank, SAT and/or ACT scores), leadership (organized athletics, student body & class government, extracurricular activities, scouting, church, community involvement, work), physical aptitude, medical fitness, and overall personal goals and motivation.

How many academies are there?

There are five service academies.

Three reside within the Department of Defense:

• U.S. Military Academy, WestPoint, New York
• U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland
• U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado

One resides within the Department of Transportation:

• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York

One resides within the Department of Homeland Security:

• U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut

Are the requirements the same for all of the service academies?

No. Although many of the qualifications are similar, each academy operates under its own admissions guidelines. For each academy's particular admissions qualifications, visit the academy of your choice via the web sites noted. It is not necessary to seek a nomination to the Coast Guard Academy, as the U.S.C.G.A. accepts applications based on a nationwide merit-based program that has no state or district quotas.

Who should I ask to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf?

Some of the people applicants typically seek recommendations from include:

• Teachers
• Counselors
• Employers
• Coaches
• Clergy
• Scout Leaders

I do not require a specific recommendation form. A general letter of recommendation is sufficient.

Will I automatically be selected by the academy after I receive a nomination?

No. You will be placed among a select group of nominees, and the academy of your choice will make the final decision. If selected, you will receive an offer of appointment directly from the academy.

What if I choose more than one academy? Will I be limited to a single nomination?

No. It is possible for you to be nominated to multiple academies depending on how well you have competed among this year's pool of candidates. It is also possible to receive multiple appointments.

When will I know if I have been offered an appointment by an academy?

Academies will begin to notify candidates of their admission status in February. All offers of appointment are generally sent out by May. Final admission decisions are up to each Academy.

Application Form for Service Academy Nomination