U.S. Service Academy Nominations
U.S. Service Academy Nominations
Thank you for your interest in a nomination to one of our nation’s service academies.
The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the active duty military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. For more information, please review the page of Frequently Asked Questions for those seeking Service Academy Nominations.
As a member of Congress, I have the honor and pleasure of nominating the brightest and best young men and women from the 4th District of Florida for appointment to four of the five service academies: U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.
Because of the limited number of nominations available to each Representative, applicants should also strongly consider applying for the service academies through Senator Marco Rubio’s and Senator Bill Nelson’s office. Applicants should also be aware that Vice President Mike Pence can make a limited number of nominations as well.
It is very important that the applicant for nomination, not their parent of guardian, complete the application and contact my district office in Jacksonville if there are any questions regarding the process. Best wishes as you attempt to attend one of our country’s outstanding service academies. And thank you for your desire to serve our great nation.
Sincerely,
John Rutherford
U.S. Service Academy Nomination Process Timeline
Friday, March 23, 2018
- Application process opens.
- Applicants should consider waiting until completion of the Junior school year before submitting their application.
- Applicants Should open accounts at each academy of interest.
***Friday, September 28, 2018***
- Postmark deadline for submission of application and hard copy information. Corresponding attachments postmarked after this date will be considered incomplete and not eligible for consideration.
- Applications sent to office locations other than the Jacksonville district office address will cause delays in processing.
- Applicants are encouraged to submit in July & August to ensure that application materials are fully completed in advance of the deadline.
Friday, October 5, 2018
- Decision emails/letters regarding interviews mailed to all applicants. Not all applicants will be selected for an interview.
Saturday, October 20, 2018
- Personal interviews conducted by the Congressman’s district board. Interviews will be held at the district office in Jacksonville.
- Please keep the interview date open on your calendar. There are no make-up or alternate dates.
U.S. Service Academy Nomination Instructions
If you have any questions regarding a Service Academy Nomination, please contact the Academy Coordinator at jackie.smith@mail.house.gov.
You can download the guidelines for recommendation, sample resume, and application here: US Service Academy Nominations Form, Sample Guidlines and Recommendations Form
1. A nomination through any authority does not guarantee acceptance into a service academy. A Congressional nomination is only part of the process. Individuals interested in attending a service academy must apply directly to the academy/academies of choice as well as secure a Congressional nomination.
2. Applicants should contact the service academy or academies that they are interested in and inform the admissions office of this interest. Officials at the academies will then establish a candidate file for tracking the admissions process. Along with the application to the academies, applicants will also need physical and mental evaluations.
More information about the application process for each service academy and additional application options can be found on the academy websites:
United States Military Academy (https://www.usma.edu/)
United States Naval Academy (https://www.usna.edu/)
United States Air Force Academy (https://www.usafa.af.mil/)
United States Merchant Marine Academy (https://www.usmma.edu/)
United States Coast Guard Academy (https://www.cga.edu/)
3. Applicant initiates the process by notifying Congressman Rutherford’s Jacksonville office of their intent to pursue a nomination to a service academy. Nomination materials may be requested to be sent via email or they can be downloaded from Congressman Rutherford’s website.
4. In addition to completing the application, the applicant must submit two essays. The essays should be 400 words or less, use Arial font size 12, and cover the following topics: a. Why you want to attend a U.S. service academy. b. Describe examples of how you have demonstrated leadership abilities that have prepared you for entering a service academy and then serving in the military.
5. Applicant is to request three letters of recommendation which should be sent directly to the Jacksonville office. A guideline for these letters is provided after this list of instructions. One letter is to be from a school official (principal or guidance counselor); one from an instructor (math or science teacher is suggested); and one from an employer, a community leader or a club sponsor. All recommenders should have personal knowledge of the applicant. Only three letters will be considered with each application. Please stress to your recommenders that the materials must be submitted by the due date.
6. Applicant must submit an original copy of their official high school and/or college scores and transcript(s). In addition, applicants must submit copies of official SAT or ACT score report(s).
7. All materials in an applicant’s file must be postmarked to 4130 Salisbury Road, Suite 2500, Jacksonville, FL 32216 by the required date. PLEASE DO NOT SEND MATERIALS TO THE WASHINGTON OR CAMPAIGN OFFICE.
8. A completed application file will consist of the following:
- Completed application and 4x6 or 5x7 photograph
- Resume (see example below)
- Copy of official high school and/or copy of official college transcript(s)
- Two essays
- Three letters of recommendation
- Copy of official SAT or ACT score report
9. The Military Academy Selection Committee will interview candidates on the above date, at the Jacksonville district office. Applicants will be notified by email/phone of interview time.
10. Selected nominees will be notified by the end of the year when Congressman Rutherford submits his nominations to each academy.
11. Academy Admissions’ Officers review the Congressman nominations and notify applicants of appointments. Each applicant will be required to pass a physical aptitude examination and medical examination before being given an appointment. Appointments are given on a rolling admissions basis. Appointments begin in December and should be completed by early May.
12. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all materials are submitted on time. Those with incomplete files will be disqualified.
13. Applicants who attend one of the academies must serve a minimum of five years of active duty following graduation from an academy. The exception is the United States Merchant Marine Academy. From USMMA, graduates serve in the maritime industry or the armed services.
14. TEST SCORE MINIMUMS FOR ENTERING STUDENTS: The Admissions Officers at the academies encourage students to begin taking tests in the junior year and take both the ACT and the SAT. Many students continue to take the tests until they have the scores that they desire. Each Academy Admissions Office has different standard ranges that it looks for on each of the tests. Remember 20 to 30 percent of each academy class does not enter an academy directly after graduating from high school. Students sometimes attend preparatory schools, colleges or community colleges or enter active duty.
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require congressional nominations. Applicants should apply directly to the academy.
15. Applicants should also consider applying through the Florida Senators and the Vice President.