Service Academy Nominations
Attending a United States Service Academy is a tremendous honor that comes with the commitment to serve our nation. Graduates of a service academy generally incur a minimum five-year active-duty service obligation following graduation.
Members of Congress may nominate qualified candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. Service Academies:
- U.S. Military Academy (USMA) – West Point, New York
- U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) – Annapolis, Maryland
- U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) – Colorado Springs, Colorado
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) – Kings Point, New York
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London, Connecticut, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.
Eligibility and Application Process
Applicants seeking a nomination from Congressman Nick LaLota must be current legal residents of New York's First Congressional District. To verify your congressional district, visit Find Your Representative or contact our office at 202-225-3826.
Applications for the 2026 Service Academy nomination cycle must be received by our office no later than September 30, 2026.
Please submit your application by completing the online application form:
Applications are not considered complete until our office has received the completed application and all required supplemental materials.
Interviews
Once our office receives your completed application and all required materials, we will contact you in early November with your assigned interview date and time.
Interviews will be conducted in person on Thursday, November 19, 2026. If additional interview slots are necessary due to application volume, interviews may also be conducted on Wednesday, November 18, 2026. Applicants should plan to be available on both dates.
If extreme circumstances prevent you from attending an interview in person, such as attending school several hundred miles away, please notify our office as far in advance as possible.
Questions?
For additional information about eligibility, application requirements, and the nomination process, please review our Service Academy Nominations FAQ.
For questions about Congressman LaLota's Service Academy nomination process, please contact our Service Academy team at NY01ServiceAcademies@mail.house.gov or 202-225-3826.