Apply For My Nomination For Admission To The United States Service Academies

If you are interested in becoming a leader, serving your country, and receiving a high-quality education, consider applying to one of our nation's military service academies. The academies offer academic and intellectual growth, personal development, and leadership training for men and women in many career fields. Besides a cost-free education, all students at the academies receive modest pay and allowances. Graduates are commissioned as officers in one of our armed services.

Acceptance to the Military, Naval, Air Force or Merchant Marine Academy requires a nomination from a Member of Congress or a Senator. I am honored to be able to nominate young men and women from my Congressional District who meet the eligibility requirements of these prestigious schools.

Once a candidate has been nominated, the Academies carefully consider evidence of character, scholarship, leadership, physical aptitude, medical fitness, goals and motivation in deciding whether he or she will be admitted.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants for a nomination must meet the following requirements:

• Age: Be at least 17, but not yet 23.
• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Marital Status: Be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents.

How do I Apply for a Nomination?

Step 1

You must apply to the service academy before requesting a nomination from me. Start an admissions file at each academy in which you are interested. You may contact the Service Academies at the following addresses:

Air Force Academy

Admissions Office, HQ USAFA/RRS
2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 200
USAF Academy, CO 80840-5025
1-800-443-9266
www.usafa.edu

U.S. Military Academy (West Point)

Director of Admissions
U.S. Military Academy
600 Thayer Road
West Point, NY 10996-9902
1-914-938-4041
www.usma.edu

Naval Academy

U.S. Naval Academy
Candidate Guidance Office
117 Decatur Road
Annapolis, MD 21402-5018
1-410-293-4361
www.usna.edu

Merchant Marine Academy

Admissions Office
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY 11024-9997
1-800-732-6267
www.usmma.edu

U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Admissions
31 Mohegan Ave.
New London, CT 06320-8103
(800) 883-8724
www.uscga.edu

Step 2

• Your name, current address and phone number
• Date and place of birth
• Name of the Academy you would like to attend
• Official SAT and ACT scores
• Official high school transcript
• List of your sports, extra-curricular activities and any employment
  (Candidates who have found it necessary to work to provide family support are considered by the academies to have demonstrated desirable leadership potential.)
• Three letters of recommendation from your principal, guidance counselor, teachers, or coaches.
• A signed, one-page typed statement (doubled-spaced) expressing why you want to attend the Academy.

What are the deadlines?

Students are strongly advised to apply to the academies as soon as possible. Applying early can increase the chance of acceptance. Your materials must arrive in my office no later than December 31st. Send them to the following address:

Congressman Howard L. Berman
14546 Hamlin Street, #202
Van Nuys, CA 91411
ATTN: Fred A. Flores

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Fred at 818-994-7200.

When will I know if I've received a nomination?

All candidates will be informed of their nomination status by January 31st.

I stay in touch with the young men and women from our area attending the academies because I enjoy seeing how they mature and grow. It's inspiring to watch them gain confidence from one year to the next as they prepare to become the leaders of America's Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Merchant Marines.

Pictured with Rep. Berman are (from left to right) Cadet Tyler Stuart Johnson (Sylmar), U.S. Military Academy; Midshipman Lord Kahil Cole (North Hills), U.S. Naval Academy; Derek Joshua Martin (Sylmar), student at the Naval Academy Prep School; and Midshipman George P. Ogarro (Panorama City), U.S. Naval Academy.