Military Service Academy Nominations

The United States service academies provide an outstanding opportunity for motivated young people to receive a fine education while gaining the skills necessary to serve their country as professional officers.

Senator Murray will consider nominations to the:

  • US Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO)

  • US Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD)

  • US Military Academy (West Point, NY)

  • US Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY)

How To Apply

Applicants should begin applying in the spring of their junior year of high school. The nomination application period opens May 17th, 2021. Please do not submit application materials prior to this date. Applicants must complete the following three steps:

Step 1 - Contact Academy(s), Time Frame: Junior year of High School, Spring

Contact the academy(s) in which you are interested, so they can create an applicant file for you.

U.S. Air Force Academy Shield
U.S. Naval Academy Shield
U.S. Military Academy Shield
U.S. Merchant Marines Academy Shield


 

Step 2 - Contact Your Elected Representatives

Apply to be nominated by Senator Murray's office, Senator Cantwell's office and your Congressional District Representative.

Complete Senator Murray's nomination application and follow the instructions in Step 3. 

Apply to U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.)

Apply to your Congressional District Representative. Identify your Congressional District Representative.

Step 3 - Submit Senator Murray's Application: Due November 12th, 2021

Applicants must submit all documentation via our online application. Senator Murray's Nomination Application includes links to upload the following:

Additionally, for those who have a copy of their college transcripts, there will be an additional items option in the checklist, please upload them to that location.

  • A certified copy of your high school transcript.

  • A certified copy of your college transcript (if available). 

  • Three letters of recommendation, at least one from a teacher, high school counselor, or principal. 

  • SAT or ACT scores. Senator Murray's identification number at the Educational Testing Service is 4322. Senator Murray's identification code is 7194 for the ACT. You may list this code number on your request for score reports to be sent directly to Senator Murray's office. If you have already completed the SAT or did not indicate Senator Murray's office as a test score report recipient, you may send a copy of the report they receive. 

  • A list of any awards and accomplishments, both extracurricular and academic, that you have received.If there are inconsistencies in your record or extenuating circumstances which merit special attention, you are encouraged to address them here.

  • A 500 word essay that answers the question, “What are the essential qualities a person must possess to be a military officer?”

Application Criteria

When reviewing academy candidates' qualifications, Senator Murray considers each candidate's application strictly on merit; there are no partisan or political considerations. The individual qualities that Senator Murray looks for in an application are:

  • scholastic aptitude

  • leadership potential

  • character

  • demonstrated athletic ability.

The admissions process is extremely competitive. Each year, Senator Murray receives 200 requests for academy nominations. Each year, Senator Murray nominates 10 applicants for each vacancy at each academy.

If you have questions or need additional information, please call (206) 553-5545.