Congressman Chris Smith’s
Academy Information Page  

The Class of 2026 Service Academy Nomination Application and Service Academy Nominations Guide
is currently being updated, and will be available by July 4, 2021. If you have specific questions,
call 732-780-3035 or 609-585-7878 and ask to speak with the Service Academy Coordinator.

     Throughout my tenure in Congress, I've had the honor and privilege of nominating over 1,000 outstanding men and women for acceptance into our nation's elite service academies. Our service academies consist of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.  Each institution plays an integral role in training young men and women to become tomorrow's uniformed leaders.

     Many students begin learning more about the process as early as their freshman year in high school, and they start the application process as early as the spring of their junior year. Generally, applications are submitted in September/October of a student’s senior year in high school; however, college students may also apply. To learn more about the process, I suggest applicants attend one of my Service Academy Information Nights, which are typically held in the springtime.  Unfortunately, the 2020 Information Night was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

     Residents of New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District who: are between ages 17 and 22 (25 for the Merchant Marine Academy); are U.S. citizens; and are single with no dependents can seek a nomination to one of four of the service academies through my office.  Note: the Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination, rather appointments are made on the basis of an annual nationwide competition.

     In order to be considered for a nomination, applicants must download an Academy Nomination application and Nomination guide (linked at the top of this page) and return the completed paper application along with the requested supporting documentation by the deadline. 

     Interviews will be conducted in December, and final nominations will be made by January 31^st

     If you require more information about competing for a nomination to one of the U.S. Service Academies, please call 732-780-3035.

Congressman Smith with some of his 2019 nominees to the U.S. military service academies.