Service Academy Nominations

Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Service Academies.

As your representative in Congress, each year I have the privilege of nominating a limited number of students from Indiana’s 2nd District to four of the five U.S. service academies: the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Applying for a Nomination

My office is currently accepting applications from the high school graduating class of 2025. The deadline to submit an application is Thursday, October 31, 2024.

To request a military academy nomination from my office, please contact the service academy or academies of your choice and request that they start your candidate file. Then follow the instructions below to submit an application. In order to be eligible for a nomination, you must be a U.S. citizen between the ages of 17 and 23, a resident of Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District, and unmarried with no dependents. You must also be in excellent academic standing and of high moral character. Acceptance of a service academy appointment requires a commitment of four years at an academy, followed by at least five years of military service.

For more information about the nomination process, you can visit the Military Service Academy Nominations FAQ page. If you have additional questions or need assistance with the application, please call my office at (574) 204-2645.

Application Checklist

To request a nomination to a military service academy, please follow these instructions carefully. Applications are due by Thursday, October 31, 2024.

  1. Contact the service academy to which you would like to be nominated. Inform them you wish to apply and ask them to start your candidate file.
  2. Fill out the application form. Check that all required fields (marked with an asterisk*) are completed and the information is correct.
  3. Read and sign the Application Agreement at the end of the application. Keep a copy for your records.
  4. Include the following items with your application:
    • Current photo
    • High school transcript
    • Official copies of ACT and/or SAT results, if available
    • Resume of extracurricular activities
    • An essay stating why you want to attend a service academy (300 words or less)
    • Minimum of three letters of recommendation
  1. Submit the completed and signed application and additional materials to: Griffin.Nate@mail.house.gov

or

Office of Congressman Rudy Yakym
Attn: Academy Nominations
2410 Grape Road, Suite 2A
Mishawaka, IN 46545

You will be contacted in November to schedule an interview.

FAQ PAGE:

What is a nomination?

Members of Congress may nominate applicants who meet the eligibility requirements established by law. A candidate 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; or
  • The Vice President of the United States.

What are the basic eligibility requirements?

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

  • Age: Must be at least 17 years old, but not have passed the 23rd birthday.
  • 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 2nd Congressional District of Indiana.
  • Skill / Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the academy.

Where can I get the application?

You can fill out an application here, print and sign it, and mail or email it to my office. You may also contact my office at (574) 204-2645 to request a nomination packet.

What is the deadline for completing a nomination file?

The deadline for submitting a nomination packet to my office is October 31, 2024. Please contact my office at (574) 204-2645 for more information.

What must be included in my nomination file?

A complete nomination file consists of the following items:

  • Current photo
  • High school transcript
  • Official copies of American College Testing Program (ACT) results and/or College Board Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) results
  • Resume of extracurricular activities
  • An essay stating why you want to attend a service academy (300 words or less)
  • Minimum of three letters of recommendation

What happens after I have completed my nomination file?

Applicants who submit a completed nomination file will be scheduled for an interview in early November.

What criteria are used in selecting candidates?

Nominations are based on a “whole person” evaluation. Factors such as academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, leadership skills, physical aptitude, character, and motivation are taken into consideration and compared with other applicants.

How many academies are there?

There are five service academies.

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. Visit the academy of your choice via the links above to learn about each academy’s particular admissions qualifications. It is not necessary to seek a nomination to the Coast Guard Academy, as the U.S.C.G.A. accepts candidates based on their own testing criteria.

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 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 admission (an appointment) directly from the academy.

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

No. You can be nominated to multiple academies depending on how well you have competed among this year’s pool of candidates.

It is also possible to win 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.