The deadline for students in the Fourth Congressional District to apply for a congressional nomination to attend a United States service academy—as a member of the class of 2026—is Friday, October 8th, announced Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today.

            “Throughout my tenure in Congress, I've had the honor and privilege of nominating more than 1,000 outstanding students for acceptance into one of our service academies,” said Rep. Smith, who has authored more than a dozen laws for those who have served in uniform. “These elite academies play a crucial role in educating and training young men and women who aspire to become our Nation’s next generation of uniformed leaders.”

            The service academies include the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. All military academies—with the exception of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy—require a congressional nomination from applicants in order to be considered for admission.

            To be eligible for nomination by Congressman Smith, applicants must be U.S. citizens living in the Fourth Congressional District and submit a completed application packet  before 4pm on October 8th.  Though many students apply in their senior year of high school, applicants may apply up to the age of 22—or 25 for the Merchant Marine Academy.

            To download the Congressman’s 2021 Service Academy Nomination Guide and Application, please click here or visit www.ChrisSmith.House.Gov and click on Service Academy Nominations under the Constituent Services tab.

            While a congressional nomination doesn’t guarantee admission to an academy, it is necessary in order to be offered an appointment from four of the five military service academies.

            For more information on competing for a nomination to one of the U.S. service academies, please call Congressman Smith’s Freehold District Office at 732-780-3035.

PHOTO: Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) with some of his 2019 nominees to the U.S. military service academies (the most recent group photo prior to COVID restrictions in 2020).

###