Thank you for your interest in a nomination to one of our nation’s service academies. As a member of the United States Senate, it is my honor to nominate a limited number of highly qualified candidates each year. There are five service academies, three of which reside within the United States Department of Defense: The United States Military Academy (West Point), the United States Naval Academy, and the United States Air Force Academy. Two reside within the United States Department of Transportation: The United States Coast Guard Academy (which does not require a nomination to attend) and the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
An appointment to one of America’s service academies is a distinct and prestigious honor. Please note that an appointment to an academy requires a nine-year commitment: four years of study and training at the academy followed by five years of military service.
A Congressional nomination does not guarantee admission to a service academy. After receiving nominations from all authorized sources, the admissions departments of each academy review all nominees using their own criteria, including a rigorous review of physical and medical fitness for military service. Offers of appointment are awarded on a competitive basis after a review of all nominees.
Given the highly-competitive nature of the process to receive an appointment to one of the academies, some students may also wish to consider applying for a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program available at many colleges and universities. The ROTC program provides officer training and military career opportunities similar to the service academies, and many programs offer scholarships for tuition and fees. The United States Army, Navy and Air Force all have ROTC programs. For more information on each program, please visit their websites.
- U.S. Army ROTC Program: https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/find-your-path/army-officers/rotc.html
- U.S. Navy ROTC Program: https://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/nrotc/
- U.S. Air Force ROTC Program: https://www.afrotc.com/
Service Academy Eligibility Requirements
To attend one of our nation’s service academies, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements by July 1 of the year of admission unless otherwise stated. To apply for a nomination through my office, you must also be a legal resident of Alabama.
- Must be a United States Citizen.
- Must be a legal resident of Alabama.
- Must be at least 17 years of age but cannot have passed their 23rd birthday. The United States Merchant Marine Academy allows individuals between the ages of 17 and 25 to apply.
- Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of their respective academy.
- Must have an open application with at least one of the U.S. service academies by October 1, 2023.
- Cannot be pregnant or have a legal obligation to support children or other dependents.
Ultimately, the academies assess each nominee using a “whole person” evaluation which considers character, scholarship, leadership, physical aptitude, medical fitness, personal goals, and motivation.
How to Obtain a Nomination to a Service Academy from Senator Britt
Individuals seeking a nomination through my office for admission in 2024 must complete the online nomination application between June 1 and October 16, 2023. You must also have an open application with one of the academies.
In addition to applying to receive a service academy nomination from my office, there are other nominating sources for Alabamians to consider, including:
- United States Senator Tommy Tuberville.
- Your district’s United States Representative.
- The Vice President of the United States, who nominates members of the regular military, reserve components, and participants in ROTC programs.
- The President of the United States, who nominates children of career military personnel, deceased or disabled veterans, military or civilian personnel in missing status, and Medal of Honor recipients.
- The Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, who nominate members of the regular military, reserve components, and participants in ROTC programs.
Applying through more than one nominating source increases your chances of securing a nomination. Therefore, I encourage you to apply through all sources available to you. If another authority nominates you, please notify my office so that I may allow other candidates the opportunity to receive an academy nomination.
It is possible for highly-qualified candidates to be nominated by more than one source or to be offered appointment to more than one academy. Obtaining more than one nomination is optional and does not improve the likelihood of obtaining an academy appointment. Academies will begin to notify candidates of their admission status in January of the applicant’s year of admission. Appointments are typically issued by June.
To be considered for a nomination from my office, you must have an open application with one of the academies. Please visit the websites of each service academy to determine the entrance requirements and the deadlines for applications, and to open an online portal with that academy.
- U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York (http://www.usma.edu)
- U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland (http://www.usna.edu)
- U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado (http://www.usafa.edu)
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York (http://www.usmma.edu)
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut (http://www.uscga.edu)
The application process is entirely online. Please go to this site and create your online portal to apply.
Senator Britt’s Service Academy Nominations Coordinator, Susannah Cleveland, is available to answer questions about the nominations process. You may reach her at 334-755-6515 or academy@britt.senate.gov for more information.
Upcoming Service Academy Events
August 7, Monday, 6 PM – Northport City Hall
Auditorium
3500 McFarland Blvd
Northport, AL 35476
August 15, Tuesday, 6 PM – North Huntsville Public Library
3011 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35810
August 17, Thursday, 6 PM – USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
The Ward Room on the USS Alabama
2703 Battleship Parkway Memorial Parkway
Mobile, AL 36602
August 22, Tuesday, 6 PM – Homewood Public Library
Round Auditorium
1721 Oxmoor Road
Homewood, Al 35209
August 24, Thursday, 6 PM – Hawkins-Adams Hall at Troy University
417 University Ave. Troy, AL 36082
August 27, Sunday, 3 PM – Montgomery Academy
Jim Wilson, Jr. Theater, 3240 Vaughn Road,
Montgomery, AL 36106
August 29, Tuesday, 6 PM – Southern Union Community College
The Southern Room
301 Condy Road, Opelika, AL 36801
August 24, Thursday, 6 PM – Hawkins-Adams Hall at Troy University
417 University Ave. Troy, AL 36082