U.S. Service Academy Nominations

Every year, Senator Merkley has the great privilege of nominating some of the finest young Oregonians for possible admission to the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the United States Military Academy, and the United States Naval Academy. Please note the U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination. The service academies provide students with a distinguished and rigorous education that produces some of the best commissioned officers to serve in the United States Armed Forces.  Cadets and midshipmen attend the service academies with a full scholarship.  The scholarship includes tuition, room and board, medical and dental insurance, and a monthly stipend.  Upon acceptance of an appointment to a service academy, a student commits to five years of active duty service after graduation.

Each Senator and Representative may have a maximum of five cadets or midshipmen at each service academy at one time. During the summer, the service academies report the number of vacancies available for the coming admissions cycle to each member of Congress. Senator Merkley’s office is notified throughout the year when additional vacancies become available because of graduations, transfers, resignations, academic failures, or other reasons. The office may nominate up to ten candidates for each vacancy.

To begin the nomination process, you should first apply directly to the service academies you would like to attend. Applicants should apply to service academies of their choice in the spring of their junior year in high school and request a nomination from the appropriate nomination source shortly thereafter. You should apply for all nominations you are eligible for, including your United States Senators, your United States Representative in Congress, and the Vice President of the United States, who can nominate applicants at large.