Welcome, U.S. Service Academy applicants!
Every year, it is my privilege to nominate exceptional Arizona students to four of the five U.S Service Academies: the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point (USMMA), the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (USMA), the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) and the U.S Air Force Academy (USAFA).
Our U.S. Service Academies provide first-rate education and teach the leadership, discipline, and communication skills necessary to become a successful officer in our nation’s military and help keep America safe. Service Academy cadets and midshipmen receive four-year scholarships and, upon graduation, are commissioned as officers in the U.S. Military or the U.S. Maritime Service.
This year, we will be accepting online applications for nominations from April 1, 2024, through September 1, 2024. My office’s Service Academy Coordination Team is available to answer any questions you may have and can be reached at ServiceAcademies@Sinema.Senate.Gov.
It is an honor to be a voice for Arizona’s students in the Senate and nominate talented young Arizonans so they can begin building a brighter future for themselves and our country. Best wishes to you as you pursue your goal of attending one of the U.S. Service Academies and helping keep our country safe and secure.
Sincerely,
Kyrsten Sinema
United States Senator
Arizona Virtual Service Academy Day
Students, parents, and school faculty are encouraged to attend our Congressional Service Academy Day to learn more about the nomination process.
Saturday, May 18, 2024
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How do I confirm if all of my documents were received?
- If you have any questions regarding your application documents and want to confirm if they were received, please email us at serviceacademies@sinema.senate.gov.
- What do board members think is the most important quality a candidate must demonstrate? What makes a candidate stand out?
- Board members are looking for a candidate that has a balance of scholarship, athleticism and leadership potential. Candidates should possess personal confidence, good presentation skills, and know why they want to attend a Service Academy.
- What is the best way to prepare for an interview?
- Know some basics about the academies, particularly your first choice.
- Know what major you want to study at the Service Academy and why.
- Know what job options are possible after graduation at each of the Service Academies, and what you would like to do post-graduation.
- What will the interview process look like due to the COVID-19 pandemic? When will the interviews happen?
- Our office will be addressing the safest way to host interviews with the advice of our Service Academy Board Members. Applicants selected to interview will be contacted via email in October.
- Applicants not selected for an interview will also receive an email notification.
- What is something the board looks for in a candidate during the interview process that cannot be seen in an application packet?
- Interviews are a critical stage in the selection process. Candidates should keep the following in mind during their interview with the board:
- Sincerity
- Confidence
- Personality
- Attitude
- Post-graduation commitment
- Interviews are a critical stage in the selection process. Candidates should keep the following in mind during their interview with the board:
- What if I have interviews with another Congressional Office?
- Please notify our office immediately if you have scheduled interviews with another Congressional Office. We want to ensure that is no conflict with your schedule.
- What is one piece of advice board members could offer to students applying to the Service Academies?
- The academies are a path to commissioning. Therefore, all serious candidates should be considering and pursuing other commissioning sources (ROTC, OCS, etc.)
- Don’t hesitate to reapply if you don’t get an appointment on the first try.
- Commitment and persistence are desired character traits in our officer corps.
- Apply to the US Merchant Marine Academy – There are options upon graduation to either to go Active Duty in the Armed Forces of your choice, or be an Internationally Licensed Mariner (Mate or Engineer) in combination of be a Reservist in the Armed Forces of your choice.
- Apply to several Service Academies (not just one or two), when considering one’s career path.
For any other questions related to service academy nominations, please contact ServiceAcademies@sinema.senate.gov.