Service Academy Nominations

2015 CONGRESSIONAL MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMY SESSION

Thank you for your interest in attending a U.S. service academy. These academies rank among the best educational opportunities provided to young men and women, and an appointment reflects our nation's highly sought investment in their futures.

As a U.S. Representative, I am allowed to nominate a limited number of people to four of the five service academies. Given the competitive nature of a service academy appointment as well as the physical and mental demands these academies require, I will only nominate First District students who meet or exceed our necessary requirements and who express a readiness to attend an academy should they receive an appointment. Students who pass on appointments keep subsequent First District students from pursuing their dreams at a U.S. service academy. I ask that you show commitment to your decision of seeking a congressional nomination.
 
Most of all, I request you keep in mind the main role of a service academy — service. Acceptance at an academy involves at least a nine year obligation:  four years at the academy and a minimum of five years in the U.S. military service.  By attending an academy, you have made an important step in shaping your future, but you also have committed to protecting the freedoms and liberty we enjoy today.

Congressional nomination process:

 To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, an applicant must meet the eligibility requirements established by law and be nominated from an authorized person including a member of the United States Senate or the House of Representatives

Title 10 of the U.S. Code establishes two types of nominations: a) congressional and b) military service connected.

A non-military candidate may seek a nomination from the following: a) a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, from the congressional district where the candidate resides b) both U.S. Senators from his or her state c) in addition, a candidate may apply directly to the Vice-President of the United States, who can nominate applicants from any part of the nation. Students whose parents are service connected may also apply for a Presidential nomination.

It is in your best interest to request a nomination through all sources available to you. It is strongly recommended each candidate apply to both U.S. Senators and their Congressman.

Each academy has different applications, requirements, and deadlines. The academies’ application process is totally separate from the Congressional nomination application. You can find the instructions for applying to the academies at the following links.

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

Each applicant for a nomination must meet the following eligibility requirements as of July 1st of the year of admission to an academy:

·      You must be at least 17 years old, but not have passed your 23rd birthday.

·      You must be a U.S. citizen.

·      You must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents.

·      You must reside within the boundaries of the 1^st Congressional District of Arkansas.

·      You must possess good moral character. It is assumed good moral character exists unless there is evidence to demonstrate otherwise.