August 2022, Andrew Driscoll
Andrew Driscoll, a nurse on the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), was the recipient of our August 2021 DAISY Award. A fellow nurse on the unit nominated Andrew for the award. In the nomination letter, the nurse described Andrew as constantly exemplifying hardworking, compassionate care, and wrote in detail about a time Andrew went far above and beyond to lift the spirits of a child who was on the unit for an extended period, including on his birthday. When family could not be present because the patient was in an isolation room, Andrew stepped in. “He hung additional birthday decorations, helped the boy interact socially, got him out of bed and to his chair, set him up with video games … and it was during all this that I saw a smile so big on this child’s face that I had not seen in all his days in the PICU.” Thank you, Andrew, for all you did for this child, and for your dedication to each and every one of your patients.
July 2022, Sarah MacLean
The July 2022 DAISY Award was presented to Sarah MacLean, a nurse on the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Sarah was nominated by the mother of a patient, not only for her extraordinary care, but for a seemingly simple act that was incredibly meaningful to the family. Sarah made a craft and wrote a special note for her patient’s older sister, from her new baby sister. “This small gesture that Sarah did made [big sister’s] entire life. She has the picture and note hanging in her bedroom and talks about it every single day.” The nomination letter goes on to say, “She is the most caring and compassionate person I've ever met…. We will forever be grateful for Sarah and the love and care she has shown to not only our daughter in the NICU, but us as well.” Thank you, Sarah, for your amazing, compassionate care and the enduring acts of kindness that help so many of your patients and their families.
June 2022, Eric Renteria
Eric Renteria, our June 2022 DAISY Award winner, is a night shift nurse on Weinberg 4CD, a surgical oncology unit. Eric was nominated by a by a patient and his wife, who were so grateful to be in his care during their nights on the unit. Outlining the details of his exemplary actions, the patient described Eric’s consideration to avoid interruptions when possible, how he educated the patient about new medications in a way he could understand and the relief Eric provided when the patient was suffering from severe pain. “Eric was outstanding… my wife and I knew we were in very capable hands and we both felt so relieved.”
May 2022, Janet Barnes
For our May 2021 DAISY Award, we were honored to celebrate Janet Barnes, a nurse on Meyer 4, a psychiatric in-patient unit. Janet was nominated by one of her long-stay patients, who credits the success of her treatment to Janet’s ability to connect with her so genuinely. In the nomination letter, the patient praises Janet’s empathy, humor and intelligence as well as the sincerity of her words and actions. “I felt most comfortable reaching out to Janet whenever I wanted to feel heard and often left with not only sound advice, but a smile on my face as well.” Thank you, Janet, for all that you did for this patient and all that you do for every patient under your care.
April 2022, Latanya Johnson-Strong
Spring 2022, Donatta Opiew
Early one morning in April, a small group gathered in-person, and others joined by Zoom, for a surprise celebration for our Spring 2022 DAISY Award winner, Donatta Opiew, who was just finishing her overnight shift on the Nelson 6 unit. Donatta was nominated by one of her colleagues for consistently going above and beyond for her patients, connecting with them on a personal level and doing the seemingly "little things" to bring her patients an additional sense of comfort and dignity while under her care. "The amount of strength that Donatta has is unmatched... Her patients, their safety and their comfort are her priority at all times. It's not about getting the job done quickly or fast. She takes her time to ensure she gets the job done right... I aspire to be at least half the nurse she is one day in my near future!"
Winter 2022-21, Hailey Wildasin
Our winter 2022-21 DAISY Award ceremony brought us back to the Neurosciences Critical Care Unit, this time to present the DAISY Award to Hailey Wildasin. Hailey was nominated by the family of one of her patients who was under Hailey’s care for two weeks after he suffered a serious accident. The patient’s family lives in another state and, with visitor restrictions in place due to COVID-19, were only able to visit him twice before having to say goodbye. It gave them incredible solace knowing that Hailey was with him during every shift that she worked. Hailey played his favorite music, spoke with him as though he was conscious and got to know him as a person during Zoom calls with the family. “This was more important to us than I can ever describe. Since we were not able to be in the hospital with him, and sitting in a hotel room, the days that Hailey was working gave us additional peace…In this time of COVID and being away from home, Hailey helped us to feel like someone who cared was taking care of our loved one.” The parents of Hailey’s patient were able to attend the ceremony via Zoom, making it all that much more special. Thank you Hailey for your incredible compassion and care.
2020 Team Award, The Nelson 5 Team
The Johns Hopkins Hospital’s first ever DAISY Team Award was presented to the incredible staff of Nelson 5. Nelson 5 was one of the first units at The Johns Hopkins Hospital to care for COVID-19 patients at the beginning of the pandemic, back in March 2020, and continues to do so well in to 2022. Every staff member on this unit has displayed extraordinary strength, dedication and fortitude in their efforts to care for their patients and each other. During a time of great uncertainty, they came together as a team to overcome obstacles, adapt and grow. Here are just a few of the words that were shared during the DAISY Award ceremony to describe this amazing team: “stamina;” “clinical expertise;” “teamwork;” “role models;” “putting the patient first, always.” Congratulations and thank you to every member of the Nelson 5 team!
Autumn 2022, Tam Warczynski
Nurse Practitioner Tam Warczynski was nominated for a DAISY Award by a patient for her years of support, encouragement and knowledgeable care planning throughout his very complicated medical and surgical diagnoses. Feeling hopeless at times, his story acknowledges how Tam's persistence, and determination to see him through, was all the strength he needed to get back to living life to the fullest. “Tam persevered with me – through three major surgeries, with two major complications, nerves that made it impossible to sleep – and she held my hand when my family was not close. Tam is one-of-a-kind. Thank you for all you do, have done, and will do for your patients. You helped me find my life again.”
Summer 2022, Rachel Anderson
The nomination for our Summer 2022 DAISY Award winner came from a patient who received an unexpected, life-changing diagnosis. As he lay in his hospital bed after major surgery, feeling defeated and alone, without family around him due to COVID-19 visitor restrictions, he met nurse Rachel Anderson. After talking with the patient and sensing his distress, Rachel shared that she too had been through the same procedure and was able to reassure him that it would in fact get better. “I had waited until she left the room before I broke down and cried. These were healing tears and tears of joy. She had given me hope and inspiration when I felt so alone, broken and in despair. She understood my despair - SHE GOT ME. I will never forget how she made me feel. I will share this story with anyone who will listen, until the day I die.”
Spring 2022, Stephanie Zero
COVID-19 has led to countless changes around The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and nurses and other staff members have had to quickly adapt in response to the pandemic. Stephanie Zero, a nurse on the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and our Spring 2020 DAISY Award winner, did more than just adapt to these changes, she embraced them. Stephanie was nominated by a colleague for her dedication and exemplary leadership as they transitioned this pediatric unit to also care for critically ill adults. She went above and beyond to educate her fellow PICU staff members to care for adult patients and helped to prepare the unit with the necessary resources to serve this population. “I am so thankful that Stephanie stepped up for our unit and I think every single patient that we receive in this new unit will be safer and better cared for directly because of Stephanie Zero.”
March 2022, Allison Green
Our March 2022 DAISY Award highlighted the compassion and dedication of one of our outstanding nurses, Allison Green, from the Medical Progressive Care Unit, Nelson 5. Nominated by one of her peers who was moved by her commitment to the patient and their family, Allison chose to stay hours into the next shift to make sure both the patient and family were supported through the patient’s end of life process. Connecting with family and the patient, Allison ensured this devastating situation could be met with kindness and support through the care she provided. “Allison stayed with the patient and family to see it through and provided this patient and family with a dignified death for their loved one”.
February 2022, Stefanie Ness
The DAISY Award ceremony for our February winner, Stephanie Ness, was quite a departure from our typical celebration. Instead of presenting the award in a room jam packed with Stefanie’s colleagues and Johns Hopkins leaders there to celebrate this incredible recognition, the awards ceremony was done over video conference. However, the reason wasn’t entirely to do with the COVID-19 crisis – instead it was another reason to celebrate – Stefanie was home on maternity leave!
Stefanie was nominated for the DAISY Award by the mother of a patient who was feeling completely overwhelmed by a scary, unexpected diagnosis for her daughter as well as the vast amount of information, treatment options and medications that she and her family were presented with. “Stefanie touched our lives at the moment we needed it most and helped us more than she knows.”
January 2022, Cindy Ryan
Nurse Cindy Ryan’s care for one patient was so extraordinary, it not only inspired the patient’s husband to nominate her for a DAISY Award, it also inspired him want to “become a team member in such a loving hospital.” The heartwarming nomination letter illustrates Cindy’s natural ability to connect with a patient in a way only she could, from the perspective of the patient's spouse. Cindy’s compassionate care helped the patient open up, build trust and, most importantly, heal. “Mrs. Cindy is not just helping her get well and recover, but also helped her to recognize life is worth living and to love doing so.”
December 2022, Kellie Le
On any given night, pediatric emergency department nurse Kellie Le may care for a number of patients and families in distress. However, on one night in particular, her impact on one new mother made such an impression that it earned her this month’s DAISY Award. The mother and her infant daughter were transferred to The Johns Hopkins Hospital from another facility and it was Kellie’s compassionate, calming nature and open communication that made this mother finally feel at ease, noting that Kellie not only took expert care of her baby, but didn’t forget that families often need caring too. “Her heart is so pure and you absolutely, without a doubt, know her passion is for nursing and children. She checked in on us, and me, frequently. She not only explained everything she was doing but offered that I come and watch so that I felt comfortable with everything that was going on.”
November 2022, Yesenia Eisenhardt
After a long, and mentally and physically challenging shift, Yesenia stayed well beyond her scheduled hours to console and reassure a patient during a devastating time. Yesenia was nominated by another nurse on her unit who witnessed this act of grace and compassion and was inspired by what she saw in this seemingly simple, yet profound gesture. “I don’t know whether she thought twice about it in the moment, but Yesenia found enough in herself left to be a new stranger’s emotional anchor for a few more hours—and she gave it. Walking by her that evening and realizing what she was doing, and the emotional and mental fortitude it must have taken to do, it made me want to try harder.”
October 2022, Lisa Riendeau
Our October 2022 DAISY Award recognized an outstanding nurse from the Epilepsy Monitor Unit, Zayed 12 East, Lisa Riendeau. Lisa was nominated by the wife of a patient who described her as being “a truly caring and dedicated nurse” and going above and beyond to be “an advocate for my husband.” Not only were all of Lisa’s colleagues and several members of the hospital’s leadership team there to surprise her with the award, the patient and his wife were able to attend as well, which made the celebration that much more meaningful.
September 2022, Kate Whitney
Being in the hospital can be a scary, stressful experience for any patient, but even more so for a high-risk patient who doesn’t speak English and is here alone. That was the situation for one of Kate Whitney’s patients in the labor and delivery unit. The patient, who only spoke Spanish, was lucky enough to have Kate, a fluent Spanish speaker, as her nurse. Not only was Kate able to communicate with the patient, over the length of her stay at The Johns Hopkins Hospital they formed a special bond. “Kate went above and beyond to support this patient, including staying late, washing her hair and was even considering interrupting her vacation to come in for the patient’s procedure.”
August 2022, Sue Chun
The August DAISY Award brought us to Meyer 4, the Adult Inpatient Psychiatry unit, to celebrate this month’s winner, Sue Chun. Sue was nominated by a patient who was beyond grateful for her patience, empathy, and compassion during a very difficult time. In her candid and touching nomination letter, the patient wrote, “Sue, I am thanking you for being there for me. I thank you for helping me challenge my thoughts, look out for my well-being, and push me to be honest even when I feel like I cannot. I thank you on behalf of all the patients who you have helped and for the future patients who have the chance to have you as their nurse.”
July 2022, Erika Faass
She only began working at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in April, but in just three short months Erika Faass, a nurse in the child and adolescent psychiatry unit at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, has made a lasting impact on her patients. In the letter nominating Erika for a DAISY Award, a former patients writes about how Erika listened to her, supported her, and was calming and comforting presence during a very difficult time. “That was such a meaningful experience to me because she made me realize that it was okay to feel what I was feeling… the compassion and patience that Ms. Erika has shown me, repeatedly, has made all the difference in my recovery. She has given me hope.”
June 2022, Willard Will
It’s not every day that you read a DAISY Award nomination letter describing the incredible care and compassion a nurse provided for a patient outside of the hospital or clinic setting. However, in the case of June 2022 DAISY winner Willard Will, a nurse on the general medicine unit Meyer 9, that was just the case. Willard was nominated by a patient for providing both excellent care while they were in the hospital, and for going far above and beyond – quite a long distance in fact – to see that the patient had everything he needed back at home.
May 2022, Amy Stewart
Amy Stewart, a nurse in the Cardiovascular Surgical Intensive Care Unit, was nominated for a DAISY Award by not one but three nursing colleagues for her extraordinary efforts to help patient’s wish come true – to see her daughter get married. Amy coordinated with medical and facilities staff at The Johns Hopkins Hospital as well as the patient and her family to host a wedding on hospital grounds. From getting the courtyard where the ceremony and reception were to be held power washed to helping the mother-of-the-bride get dresses and do her hair and makeup for the ceremony, Amy ensured that no detail was overlooked. “Amy's greatest gift was allowing the patient, for a brief time, to simply be the mother of the bride for her daughter's wedding.”
April 2022, Trent Cunningham
It may have been unusual to see so many Johns Hopkins Hospital executive leaders gathered in a tiny breakroom in the Weinberg building on a Saturday afternoon, but they were there for a very good reason – to surprise Trent Cunningham with a DAISY Award. Also in attendance was the family of the patient Trent had cared for. The patient’s daughter, speaking on behalf of the entire family, had submitted the nomination, recognizing Trent for the kind, compassionate care he provided to their father. “What was ultimately so remarkable and special about Nurse Cunningham, was the very tender humanity and the selfless dignity in his care for Dad.”
March 2022, Nan Ding
Nan Ding got a big surprise when he walked into the team room on his unit, Zayed 11 West, the urology/thoracic unit, on March 28. The small room was packed with Nan’s colleagues, mentors, members of the Johns Hopkins Hospital leadership team, and the patient and his family who had nominated Nan for a DAISY Award. In his winning DAISY Award nomination letter, the patient wrote that Nan “went above and beyond in his duty of care and compassion. He patiently explained and helped our family (three generations of us) understand how and why the care was needed and how to administer feeding tube medication at home.”
February 2022, Grace Babia
On March 1, 2022, Grace Babia, a nurse in the Johns Hopkins Hospital pediatric operating room, was presented with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Grace was nominated by her nurse manager for truly going above and beyond to support a patient and his family who came to Johns Hopkins from the Philippines for a rare, life-changing surgery. Grace took the family under her wing during their two-month-long stay at Johns Hopkins and later in recovery at the Children’s House, providing them not just with companionship and expert nursing care, but also with many of the comforts of home, including food from their culture and clothes to keep them warm during the winter months here in Baltimore.
Updated December 18, 2022 (RL33213)
Jump to Main Text of Report
• Congressional Approaches
• Appointment Criteria
• Department of Defense Academies
• Noncongressional DOD Service Academy Nominations and Appointments
• United States Merchant Marine Academy
• United States Coast Guard Academy
• Applicant Qualifications
Tables
• Table 2. Distribution of Seats Available for Congressional Nomination to the United States Merchant Marine Academy, by State
• Table 3. Websites for Preliminary Application to United States Service Academies
Appendixes
The nomination of constituents to one of the service academies can provide Members of Congress with the opportunity to perform community outreach and other representational duties. In some states and congressional districts, nominations are highly competitive. Others are less competitive, and some offices do not receive expressions of interest from enough applicants to fill the number of nominations allocated. Consequently, some congressional offices might need to dedicate considerable staff resources to the selection process to identify qualified candidates, while others can incorporate service academy nominations alongside other constituent service work such as casework.
This report describes statutory requirements for allocating congressional nominations to service academies. It also identifies the qualifications that must be met by potential nominees, as established by statute and each academy. Finally, sample documents that could be used by congressional offices at various stages of the nomination selection process are included. These documents provide basic information and can be customized to fit the specific needs of individual office policies.
Although it is an essential component of the appointment process, a congressional nomination does not guarantee an individual's admission or appointment to a service academy. In addition to securing a nomination, a candidate must also submit an application packet and fulfill other service academy requirements, some of which are described in the "Applicant Qualifications" section of this report. Even when a candidate meets all these requirements and is deemed to be qualified for admission, he or she may not receive an official appointment, due to the limited number of spaces available at each service academy.
The nomination of constituents to one of the service academies can provide Members of Congress with the opportunity to perform community outreach and other representational activities. In some states and congressional districts, nominations are highly competitive. Others are less competitive, and some offices do not receive expressions of interest from enough applicants to fill the number of nominations allocated. Consequently, some congressional offices may need to dedicate considerable staff resources to the selection process to identify qualified candidates, while others can incorporate service academy nominations alongside other constituent service activities such as casework.
In addition to establishing criteria for nomination decisions, each congressional Member office may determine how to administer the decision-making process. Some offices handle nominations internally, assigning the task of managing applicant files and developing nomination recommendations to a staff member. Other offices assign staff to oversee nomination-related activities but delegate the screening and development of nomination recommendations to a volunteer panel, which could be charged with screening or interviewing applicants. A nominations review panel could include educators, service academy alumni, representatives of veterans' groups, and other community leaders from a Member's state or district. The decision to employ one approach or another could be based on the number of nomination applications received, the volume of other activity in a congressional office, the availability of qualified volunteers to sit on a nominations board, and other specific considerations related to individual states and congressional districts. The use of volunteers in congressional offices is governed by regulations issued by the Select Committee on Ethics in the Senate and by the Committees on House Administration and Ethics in the House.
The service academies also offer guidance and support for congressional Member offices regarding the nomination and appointment process. Coordination with the service academies may help Members of Congress assist constituents throughout the appointment process. The service academies, for example, may be able to help identify prospective nominees or academy alumni, and clarify institutional policies. The service academies also encourage congressional Member offices to host Academy Days in their districts, which are informational sessions for prospective nominees, similar to college admissions fairs. When possible, each service academy will send currently enrolled cadets or midshipmen (often from a Member's state/district) and/or admissions officers to these events. The service academies can also publicize Academy Days or other congressional events on their websites.
Statutory requirements regarding allocations of congressional nominations to service academies are described in the next section. A subsequent section describes qualifications of potential nominees to service academies established by statute, federal regulations, and each academy. Figure 1 provides a generalized timeline of the application process for applicants, service academies, and congressional offices, which may be a helpful reference for offices that are creating or revising their nomination procedures. Appendixes to the report include sample documents that may be used by congressional offices at various stages of the nomination selection process. These documents, which are based on information and examples found on service academy and congressional websites, provide basic information and can be customized to fit the specific needs of individual office policies. The documents include
Source: CRS compilation based on information from the service academies' websites and congressional guides. Graphic created by Amber Hope Wilhelm, Visual Information Specialist.
Notes: This figure illustrates the typical events and activities congressional offices, applicants, and the service academies might undertake in the 18 months prior to the intake of a new academy class. Bars represent generalized information, representing when these events most frequently occur. Circles represent specific dates in the process. Many applicants undertake this process during high school, during the grade levels corresponding with "Junior Year" and "Senior Year," however, some applicants may not be current high school students. For more guidance, contact the service academies' admissions offices.
Three service academies, USMA, USNA, and USAFA, are overseen by the three military branches of the DOD. Allocations for nomination by Members of Congress of prospective appointees to these academies are established by statute and are substantially similar for each academy. The number of positions, or charges, subject to congressional nomination at each DOD academy includes
When a congressionally-nominated academy position is vacant, a Member of Congress may nominate 10 persons for possible appointment. As DOD service academy cadets or midshipmen who received a congressional nomination graduate, or as their appointments are otherwise terminated, a nominating Member office can make new nominations to fill any vacated positions. Typically, one appointment per DOD academy per Senator and Representative is available annually. In some years, however, a congressional office might have the opportunity to make nominations to fill multiple vacancies at an academy. Appointments made by a predecessor are considered part of the quota of a newly elected Member. Appointments made for candidates whose Representative changes as a result of legislative redistricting are considered as part of the new Member's allocation. The service academies can provide congressional offices with information about the number of appointments available for Members to nominate.
Nominees may be submitted in three categories: without ranking, with a principal candidate and nine ranked alternates, or with a principal candidate and nine unranked alternates. When the Member specifies a principal candidate, that individual will be appointed to a DOD academy as long as he or she meets all other admission criteria. If the principal candidate is disqualified, the service academies will appoint the first fully qualified, ranked alternate, if specified by the Member. In circumstances where Members do not specify a principal candidate or ranked alternates, one individual from among the Member's nominees who is found to be fully qualified will be appointed by the academies to serve as a cadet or midshipman.
Table 1
Number and Type
Presidenta
One hundred children of members of the Armed Forces who have eight years of continuous active service or are credited with eight years of reserve duty service, retirement status, or who are deceased with one of those statuses.
Vice Presidentb
Five, at large.
Service Secretaryc
Eighty-five enlisted members of the regular service of the branch led by the Secretary.
Eighty-five enlisted members of the reserve components of the branch led by the Secretary.
Twenty honor graduates of schools designated as honor schools by any military branch, and from members of the Secretary's service Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).
One hundred-fifty qualified alternates who received congressional nominations but were not appointed in order of merit.
Service Academy Superintendent
Fifty, at large.
Sixty-five children of deceased, 100% disabled, or missing/captured Armed Forces veterans or missing/captured federal civilian personnel.
Governor, Puerto Rico
One, who must be a native of Puerto Rico.
Source: 10 U.S.C. 9442, USAFA; 10 U.S.C. 8454, USNA; and 10 U.S.C. 7442, USMA.
Notes:
b. If there is no Vice President, then the President Pro Tempore of the Senate makes those nominations.
Table 2. The regulation states that nominating officials may select individuals for nomination by any method they wish, including a screening examination.
Procedures for appointments to USCGA are established by regulations issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security. Additional qualifications may be set by the superintendent of USCGA, who is responsible for appointments to the academy. No congressional nomination is required for admission to this service academy.
To qualify for an appointment to any service academy, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
Beyond what is written in federal law and regulation, each academy can further specify academic, physical, and leadership requirements for admission. These requirements vary by academy and are revised regularly. In preparation for making appointments, a congressional office might review each academy's most recent class profile for specific information on test scores, class rankings, and activities of recently admitted students. Some of this information is available on the academies' websites.
Table 3. Acceptance of a service academy appointment requires at least a nine-year service obligation, including four years at an academy and five years of active duty service.
U.S. Military Academy
U.S. Naval Academy
U.S. Air Force Academy
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
U.S. Coast Guard Academya
Source: CRS compilation.
Dear High School Senior:
One of my favorite duties as a Member of Congress is nominating [state's/town's/district's] best and brightest young men and women to our nation's service academies. If you are a highly motivated, well-rounded, successful student, I invite you to consider the unique opportunity to develop physically, ethically, and intellectually while building a foundation for an exciting, challenging, and rewarding career as a military officer in the service of our nation. [State/Town/District]-area students traditionally are very successful at the academies, and I'm pleased to do my part to ensure that the community continues to provide some of the next generation's outstanding military leaders.
A congressional nomination is required for students wishing to enter the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY. Successful applicants will have a broad academic background, the ability to pass a physical aptitude test, and strong leadership potential. An applicant must also be a U.S. citizen, a high school graduate between the ages of 17 and 23, unmarried, have no dependents, and be of high moral character. Acceptance of a service academy appointment requires at least a nine-year service obligation, including four years at an academy and five years of active duty service.
If you are interested in being considered for a service academy nomination, you must apply to me at my office by [date] to be considered for the class entering the service academies in July, [year]. Please contact my [Washington/district/state] office, at
Thank you for your interest in the service academies.
Sincerely,
[Member]
United States [Representative/Senator]
[Representative/Senator]
Service Academy Nomination Procedure and Basic Fact Sheet for [year] Admission
An appointment to the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, or U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is a distinct and rare honor. Acceptance of an academy appointment requires at least a nine-year service obligation, including four years at an academy and five years of active duty service.
Eligibility. To be eligible for appointment, you must be an American citizen, at least 17 years old and not yet 23 years old on July 1 of the year you enter an academy (25 years old for United States Merchant Marine Academy). Further, you must not be married or pregnant, and you must not have any legal obligation to support children or other dependents. To apply for a nomination through my office, you must also be a legal resident of [state/district]. If you are not certain that your legal domicile is in the [state/district]
Nomination. The nomination process is very competitive. I urge you to apply for a nomination from me as well as [Representative and Senator/Senators] from our state who can nominate qualified applicants to the four service academies. If you are interested in attending the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy, you may also qualify for nomination through other sources, including
Further information regarding application procedures for these nominations is available through each academy's website, listed below. Applying for more than one nomination could increase your chances of securing a nomination. More than one nomination, however, is not required to gain an appointment. If someone else nominates you, please notify me so that I may allow other candidates the opportunity for nomination.
Evaluation Criteria. The academies consider evidence of character, scholarship, leadership, physical aptitude, medical fitness, personal goals, and motivation in performing each nominee's "whole-person" evaluation. These are also the criteria I use to determine nominations. Specific criteria in the "whole person" evaluation include character, scholarship, leadership, physical aptitude, medical fitness, and motivation.
Character. Absolutely critical in the course of evaluating a candidate is a positive determination of the candidate's character. Absence of good moral character is cause for disqualification. Candidates are considered to have good moral character unless evidence exists to suggest otherwise.
Scholarship.
Leadership. Participation and achievement in organized athletics, student body and class government, clubs and class extracurricular activities, scouting, boys or girls state, and church or other community-related activities demonstrate evidence of leadership potential. Candidates who have found it necessary to work to provide family support are considered to have demonstrated desirable leadership potential.
Physical Aptitude. Measuring strength, endurance, agility, and coordination, the academies' fitness tests are designed to determine each candidate's readiness to undertake the rigorous athletic and physical education program at one of the academies. Each academy has its own test requirements. Results of the examination are evaluated, assigned a numerical score, and included in the whole-person evaluation by West Point. The Air Force, Naval, and Merchant Marine academies evaluate the results on a pass-or-fail basis.
Medical Fitness. A candidate who meets minimum scholastic standards will be scheduled to take a service academy qualifying medical examination at a military or civilian contract facility near the candidate's home. Although medical qualification standards vary among the academies, only one exam is required. Different tests may be necessary, however, depending upon the academy. Scheduling and evaluation of the exam are arranged by the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB). Candidates who have questions about their medical exam results should direct them to:
DODMERB
8034 Edgerton Drive
Suite 132
USAF Academy, Colorado 80840-2200
[phone number scrubbed]
Medical scheduling and evaluation are time-consuming processes, especially if consultation, re-testing, or corrective action is required. The process may take from six weeks to four months.
Motivation. Motivation is an intangible quality and difficult to evaluate; however, since it is most frequently the factor that determines an appointee's success or failure at a service academy, I make every effort to gauge a candidate's motivation. An attempt to measure motivation may be made through observation of the candidate's interest level in attending an academy and serving as an officer in the armed forces. Motivation may also be measured through an evaluation of correspondence, personal contacts, and care with which application materials are prepared.
Applicant Evaluation by Service Academies
Each academy uses a questionnaire to make an initial assessment of an applicant's potential for appointment. The results of this evaluation are provided by each academy to Members of Congress to assist them in screening their applicants. Soon after the applicant returns the questionnaire, the admissions office will provide the applicant with an evaluation of the applicant's demonstrated ability to meet admissions standards. An applicant who meets the standards is declared a candidate; those who do not meet the standards at that point may later submit additional test scores or information to the academy for re-evaluation. The applicant must provide the following information: academic standardized test scores (SAT, ACT), rank in class and grade point average, Social Security number, and participation in high school extracurricular activities. Be sure to complete a pre-candidate questionnaire for each academy in which you are interested.
Service academy websites are:
Military Academy
Naval Academy
Air Force Academy
Merchant Marine Academy
Contact Information
Address correspondence regarding your application for a nomination to
[Member]
[Address]
[Telephone]
Deadline
[Date] is the deadline for applications.
Dear ______:
Each year, [Representative/Senator] receives many inquiries from [District/State]
• [Appropriate Representative/Senator(s)];
• President Donald J. Trump, who nominates children of career military personnel; deceased or disabled veterans; military or civilian personnel in missing status; and Medal of Honor recipients;
• Vice President Michael R. Pence, who nominates five individuals from across the United Sates per year; and
• The Secretary of the Army, Navy, or Air Force, who nominates members of regular military, reserve components, and participants in the ROTC.
Please note that the United States Merchant Marine Academy only accepts congressional nominations.
Candidates for a service academy nomination should recognize that each academy has specific deadlines which must be met if an application is to be successful. Academy websites provide information about deadlines and other application requirements. Also please note that [Congressman/Senator] generally considers applications only from [District/State] residents and children of [District/State] residents.
Here are the steps to follow in seeking a nomination from [Representative/Senator] to the service academies:
Contact [Representative/Senator] in writing at [his/her] [Washington/district/state] office, expressing your interest in receiving a nomination to one or more of the academies. Your letter should include your
• name;
• permanent mailing address;
• telephone number;
• temporary mailing address, if applicable;
• high school; and
• year of graduation
United States Naval Academy
USNA Candidate Guidance Office
Annapolis, MD 21402-5018
United States Air Force Academy
Admissions Office
USAF Academy, CO 80840-5025
United States Military Academy
Admissions Office
600 Thayer Road
West Point, NY 10996-9902
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Office of Admissions
Kings Point, NY 11024-1699
To be considered for nomination, you will need to submit the following to [Representative's/Senator's] [Washington/district/state] office in order to complete your nomination file:
The deadline for submission of all required documentation is [date]
Please contact [Member staff] in the [Washington/district/state] office at if you have any questions or if [he/she] can be of assistance in any way during this process.
Applying for Admission to the United States Coast Guard Academy
As noted above, the Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) is the only United States service academy that does not require a nomination for appointment. For information about the USCGA, you may write to:
United States Coast Guard Academy
Admissions Office
New London, CT 06320
[Representative/Senator]
APPLICATION FOR NOMINATION FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE UNITED STATES SERVICE ACADEMIES
Please complete and return this form. Type or print neatly. Fill out all information completely. Any missing information may adversely affect your chances for nomination.
Full Name (Last, First, Middle)
Date of Birth
Place of Birth
Permanent Mailing Address (Number, Street, City, State, and Zip)
Phone Number
Temporary Address (If different from above)
Social Security Number
Mother's/Father's/Legal Guardian's Name (Address if different from above)
School Principal or Academic Dean Date of Graduation
Names and Addresses of all High Schools and/or Colleges Attended
Month and year of graduation
Are you a United States citizen? (Please circle) Yes No
Are you a [State/District] Resident? Yes No
If not, please state connection:
Which of the academies are you interested in attending? Please number according to your preference. You will be considered only for those academies for which you have indicated an interest, and in the order in which you have ranked them below.
AIR FORCE____ MERCHANT MARINE____ NAVAL ____ MILITARY ___
If so, which one(s)?
ACADEMIC HISTORY AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Latest cumulative grade point average: _____ on a scale of _____
Rank in class: _____ in a class of _____(# of students) as of _______(date)
SAT Scores
Date(s) Taken
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
Math
SAT Essay
ACT Scores
Date(s) Taken
English
Mathematics
Reading
Science
Composite
[congressional office code assigned by each group]. If you have not yet taken these examinations, please list [congressional office code assigned by each group] as one of the recipients of your scores at that time.
Please answer all questions completely (use another sheet of paper if necessary):
AWARDS AND HONORS (be specific):
SCHOOL RELATED EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (Please indicate years of participation. 1=Ninth Grade, 2=Sophomore, 3=Junior, 4=Senior):
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES (please indicate duration and hours per week):
WORK EXPERIENCE (please indicate duration and hours per week):
MILITARY EXPERIENCE (e.g. JROTC or Civil Air Patrol):
In a one-page essay on a separate sheet, describe why you wish to attend a service academy.
If you feel that there are special conditions or circumstances that we should take into consideration, please elaborate briefly (e.g. an extremely difficult course load, a traumatic event that affected your performance).
Dear ______:
[Service Academy], and I am pleased to inform you that I have nominated you for an appointment to join the Class of [Presumed College Graduation Year]. Your achievements are impressive, and I am proud to know of a young [man/woman] with such remarkable leadership abilities, scholastic aptitude, and extracurricular talents in our [district/state]
I sincerely hope that you will soon receive an official appointment letter from [Service Academy], but I must remind you that my nomination does not guarantee your acceptance into the academy. Competition for these appointments can be stiff, and each year, many well-deserving, fully-qualified candidates are unfortunately not accepted. This decision is ultimately made by the admissions officers at [Service Academy]. Please make sure you have fully completed their admissions requirements and be in touch with [Service Academy] to check on the overall status of your potential appointment.
Again, I would like to congratulate you on your nomination to [Service Academy]. You have worked hard to get to this point, and it is well-deserved. I look forward to hearing about your many future accomplishments in the years to come. If my office can be of any further assistance, please be in contact with us.
Footnotes
Historical records indicate that the congressional nomination served to help democratize and diversify the ranks of military officers. Congressional nominations ensured that academy appointees represented all geographic areas of the United States, came from a diverse set of family backgrounds, and would not be subject to executive branch political patronage. See U.S. Congress, House Committee on Military Affairs, Military Academy, report to accompany Bill H.R. No. 367, 28th Cong., 1st sess., May 15, 1844, Rep. No. 476, pp. 14-16; U.S. Congress, House Committee on Military Affairs, West Point Academy, report to accompany Bill H.R. No. 444, 29th Cong., 1 sess., May 11, 1846, Rep. No. 660, p. 2.
Based on admissions data for the class of 2022 from USMA, USNA, USAFA, and USMMMA, available on the academies' websites, about 50% of qualified applicants were granted academy appointments.
Websites for the admissions office in each academy are listed in Table 3 of this report, and the service academies also employ congressional liaisons and regional admissions officers who can assist congressional Member offices.
Appointment, number, and territorial distribution information are codified at 10 U.S.C. 9442, USAFA; 10 U.S.C. 8454, USNA; and 10 U.S.C. 7442, USMA.
Nominations are attached to a particular vacancy, so if a congressional office has multiple appointments available to an academy in a given year, a set of nominations is submitted for each vacancy.
10 U.S.C. 9447, USAFA; 10 U.S.C. 7447, USMA; 10 U.S.C. 8455, USNA.
No publicly available data regarding the number of offices that choose ranked or unranked options were identified.
32 C.F.R. 901.27, USAFA; 32 C.F.R. 575.3(a), USMA. There is no similar C.F.R. language for USNA, however, admissions officials at USNA indicate that this practice is also typically followed.
These are one-year programs, hosted at other military schools. Students who complete the preparatory program can matriculate into the service academies but need to reapply to the academy during the appropriate admissions cycle.
If the vice presidency is vacant, then the President pro tempore of the Senate makes those nominations.
This also applies to children of federal civilian employees in missing status.
10 U.S.C. 9441a, USAFA; 10 U.S.C. 7441a, USMA; 10 U.S.C. 8453, USNA.
46 U.S.C. 51302.
46 U.S.C. 51302(b); 46 C.F.R. 310.53.
46 C.F.R. 310.53. There are no presidential, vice presidential, or service-connected nominations to USMMA. The superintendent of USMMA, however, may appoint up to 40 students.
14 U.S.C. §§1921, 503.
33 C.F.R. §40.1.
This is a sample document and is not intended to be definitive. It is based on information and examples found on service academy and congressional websites. Any information may be deleted or modified as appropriate to individual Member office policies and procedures.
This is a sample document and is not intended to be definitive. It is based on information and examples found on service academy and congressional websites. Any information may be deleted or modified as appropriate to individual Member office policies and procedures.
An applicant to the USMMA can reside outside of a House Member's district, as long as the applicant lives within the state that the Member represents.
This is a sample document and is not intended to be definitive. It is based on information and examples found on service academy and congressional websites. Any information may be deleted or modified as appropriate to individual Member office policies and procedures.
This is a sample document and is not intended to be definitive. It is based on information and examples found on service academy and congressional websites. Any information may be deleted or modified as appropriate to individual Member office policies and procedures.
This is a sample document and is not intended to be definitive. Any information may be deleted or modified as appropriate to individual Member office policies and procedures, or to the recipient of this letter. The first paragraph, in particular, can be customized to include the particular activities or achievements of the nominee.