Academy Nominations
Welcome to my application page for U.S. Service Academy Nominations. As a member of Congress, I have the honor of nominating fine young men and women from Illinois for selection to the four service academies that require nominations. The privilege of nominating candidates to the Service Academies is one which entails a great deal of responsibility. I am always happy to learn of young people who are seriously interested in pursuing a career in the military service, and who desire to build this career upon an education at one of the academies.
Academy Nomination Process
The law pertaining to Senatorial appointments for each of the U.S. Service Academies stipulates that a Member of the United States Senate is allowed a maximum of five persons at each academy in any given year. This quota, therefore determines the number of vacancies for each entering class. I am able to nominate ten (10) candidates for each vacancy at the Air Force Academy, Military Academy and Naval Academy.
Each nominating authority may nominate ten (10) candidates each year to compete for admissions to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. State quotas are used, and in the event a given state’s quota cannot be filled from within the state, the vacancies may be filled from a national listing of alternate candidates. Candidates can only be nominated by Congressional authorities from their state.
Prior to making application with my office, please contact your academy of choice to request a pre-candidate questionnaire. The following academies utilize Congressional nominations:
- U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado (www.usafa.edu)
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York (www.usmma.edu)
- U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York (www.usma.edu)
- U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland (www.usna.edu)
Admittance to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy is no longer gained by application to a Congressman or Senator. Students must make direct application to the Academy.
Eligibility
To begin with, each applicant must be an American citizen of good moral character, at least 17 years old and not past his/her 23rd birthday (25th for Merchant Marines). You must be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no children. You must also be a legal resident in the State of Illinois.
SAT/ACT Scores
The code assigned to me by the Education Testing Service (administrators of the SAT) is #1698 and students can have their scores sent directly to me by noting this on their registration forms for the tests. The code assigned to me by the ACT office is #7126.
Selection Committee
As far as the selection procedure is concerned, I have appointed a Selection Committee. The Committee personally reviews the application files of each applicant in early December. The Committee then submits to me the names of up to ten most qualified candidates for each vacancy and I will then forward the names to the individual academies. It is possible that more than one appointment may be made from my recommended nominees.
If you are interested in more than one academy, I request that you only list your first choice.
Return Completed Application
Completed applications must be returned by close of business on Friday, October 25, 2024. Any student not providing the required information by that date will not be considered for a nomination. As a matter of fairness, there can be no exceptions to the closing date.
All completed applications should be sent via email to: Academy@durbin.senate.gov
Any emails sent to Academy@durbin.senate.gov must contain applicant’s NAME and ACADEMY CHOICE in the subject line.