A United States Service Academy Information Night will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 5:30 to 7:00pm at Naval Weapons Station Earle, 201 Highway 34 in Colts Neck, NJ, announced Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester).

          The event will provide important information for high school and college students—and their parents, counselors or teachers—residing in the Fourth Congressional District who are interested in competing for a congressional nomination to one of the United States Service Academies. A nomination is required for acceptance into four of the five US Service Academies (the Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination).

          Each institution plays an integral role in training young men and women to become tomorrow’s military leaders and affords them a collegiate education opportunity of the highest quality that is free of financial obligation, provided the student graduates and fulfills his or her service obligation. The Service Academies are:

          ·         The US Military Academy at West Point, New York;

          ·         The US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland;

          ·         The US Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado;

          ·         The US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York; and

          ·         The US Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut.*

            Due to security restrictions on the Navy base, advance registration and completion of a base access pass registration is required. All attendees under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and all adults 18 and over must present photo ID. All drivers must also present auto insurance and registration.

             Residents of New Jersey’s Fourth Congressional District between the ages of 17 and 22 (17-25 for the Merchant Marine Academy), who are US citizens and are single with no dependents, can seek a nomination to one or more of the service academies through Smith’s office. Interested candidates can start the application process as early as the spring of their junior year in high school.

            “The qualifications and dedication of the student applicants who have stepped forward over the years is impressive and inspiring,” said Rep. Smith, who has nominated over 1,000 students for the prestigious service academies.

          Nominations are available to those who reside in the Fourth Congressional District regardless of where they attend high school or college. The Fourth Congressional District encompasses 21 municipalities in Ocean County and 19 municipalities in Monmouth County, including:

Ocean County:

Bay Head Borough, Beachwood Borough, Berkeley Township (part), Brick Township, Island Heights Borough, Jackson Township, Lacey Township (most), Lakehurst Borough, Lakewood Township, Lavallette Borough, Mantoloking Borough, Manchester Township, Ocean Gate Borough, Pine Beach Borough, Plumsted Township, Point Pleasant Beach, Point Pleasant Boro, Seaside Heights Borough, Seaside Park Borough, South Toms River Borough, Toms River Township.

Monmouth County:

Avon-By-The-Sea Borough, Belmar Borough, Brielle Borough, Colts Neck Township, Eatontown Borough, Farmingdale Borough, Freehold Township (part), Howell Township, Lake Como Borough, Manasquan Borough, Middletown Township (part), Ocean Township, Sea Girt Borough, Shrewsbury Borough, Shrewsbury Township, Spring Lake Borough, Spring Lake Heights Borough, Tinton Falls Borough, Wall Township.

          For more information, please contact Congressman Smith’s Toms River Office at 732-504-0567.

*The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination. Students may apply directly to the Academy.