Service Academy Nominations

The Vice President is authorized to nominate individuals to the United States Military, Naval, and Air Force Academies but cannot nominate to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and does not nominate to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

The Vice President is the only authorized nominating authority who can nominate U.S. citizens without geographical restrictions. He or she may have a maximum number of five nominees in attendance at each authorized academy at any one time. Normally, he or she has one or two vacancies each year. To be entered into competition for a Vice Presidential nomination, applicants must complete the online nomination application during the application period of March 1 to January 31 preceding the year of entrance to the academies. The Office of the Vice President will not accept paper applications.

Due to a large volume of applicants (usually several thousand per academy), the Vice President has authorized the academies to evaluate all applications and rank them according to qualifications. In screening candidates, the academies evaluate an individual’s high school or college academic record, results of the ACT and SAT tests, recommendations from individuals who are in a position to judge the applicant’s character and academic potential, and physical and medical qualifications. In view of this screening by the academies, any correspondence subsequent to an applicant’s actual application (e.g., letters of recommendation, high school and college transcripts, and ACT/SAT examination results) must be sent directly to the academy when requested. Do not send this information directly to the Office of the Vice President.

Notification of those selected for a nomination is normally made in late winter or early spring of the year in which the class convenes.

For any additional information regarding Vice Presidential nominations, please contact the appropriate academy directly.

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