Skip to content
2025 Inauguration Ticket Requests

Academy nominations

As a U.S. Senator and a graduate of the United States Military Academy, I am honored to recommend outstanding students from Rhode Island to our nation's service academies.

America's service academies have a rich and proud tradition that dates back over two hundred years. Students wishing to serve must meet high academic and physical standards. I applaud you for your interest in helping to protect and serve our nation.

In order to help you understand the nomination process, please review the application process below. You may begin your online application by clicking the Academy Application button below.  

Academy Application

APPLICATION PROCESS

  1. Create an account in my online application portal.
  2. Read the application instructions, which provide information on the selection process and eligibility requirements for a nomination.
  3. Answer the application questionnaire. The application questionnaire should be completed first.
  4. Upload all required materials to the application checklist, or submit them to:

U.S. Senator Jack Reed
ATTN: Service Academy Nomination Coordinator
1000 Chapel View Boulevard, Suite 290
Cranston, RI 02920

Applications for the 2024 cycle will open on Wednesday May 1, 2024 and close on Tuesday October 15, 2024.

In addition to your application, you must also complete a Pre-Candidate Questionnaire (PCQ) via the academies of your choice. You should complete the PCQ before continuing with this application.

Your application is kept in Senator Reed’s office and will not be forwarded to the academies. You must submit a separate application directly to the academy or academies in addition to any documentation each may require.

If you have any questions or concerns about the nomination process, please contact my Service Academy Nomination Coordinator at (401) 943-3100 or at Academy_Coordinator@reed.senate.gov.

Service Academy Day will be held on Saturday April 27 2024/9:00AM at the Cranston Public Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Road, Cranston, Rhode Island 02920. Please see the attached flyer

SELECTION PROCESS

An interview will be scheduled for all applicants whose files are found to be competitive and complete. The interview is conducted by my U.S. Service Academy Selection Committee in my Cranston office.

Once the application deadline passes, and your application is found to be competitive and complete you will be invited to an interview with members of my U.S. Service Academy Selection Committee.

A complete application includes:

  •  Application Questionnaire
  • A Personal Essay
    • 300 word maximum
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Official ACT or SAT scores
  • High school transcript
  • Including your Junior Year and Class Rank
  • Department of Defense Medical Review Board (DoDMERB)*
  • PT Test or Candidate Fitness Assessment*

* Should be completed and submitted prior to your interview*

The interview is conducted by my U.S. Service Academy Selection Committee.

The Committee contains members with military, educational and leadership expertise.  The Committee assists with nominee interviews and provides recommendations to me. 

Criteria for selecting nominees are based upon the standards and goals of the academies, stressing:

  • Leadership potential;
  • High academic performance;
  • Demonstrated athletic ability;
  • Motivation;
  • Performance on the SAT or ACT.

ELIGIBILITY AND METHODS OF APPOINTMENT

Regulations of the academies require nominees to be permanent residents of and domiciled in the state of the nominating Senator.  Applicants must be at least 17 years old, but not passed their 23rd birthday, and must be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents.  (The marriage and age requirements vary for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.)

A U.S. Senator is allowed a select number appointments per academy.

NOTE: The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination.

For appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, or the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, the top applicant is deemed the "principal nominee;" the other nominees are submitted as "competing alternates."  If for some reason the principal nominee does not qualify, the alternates then compete for the vacancy.

If one of your parents is an active duty or retired military person, you may also be eligible for a Presidential Nomination. 

If you are the son or daughter of a deceased or disabled veteran, or of a Medal of Honor winner, you may also apply directly to the Superintendent of the Academy for a nomination to that academy.

In addition, the Vice President has the same nominating authority as a Member of Congress, but can nominate from the United States at-large.  An application can be made directly to the Office of the Vice President.

Do not forget to apply to all the congressional offices that apply to you. Each applicant should submit an application to my office, Senator Whitehouse’s office, and either Congressman Seth Magaziner or Congressman Gabe Amo's office (depending on which district you reside in). 

Academies