We are always impressed with the Idahoans who apply to attend United States military academies, and we are honored to nominate deserving young women and men to the academies.  If you are interested in receiving an excellent education and an opportunity to develop strong character and leadership abilities, while serving our country, we encourage you to attend an annual Service Academy Day to learn about the application process, academy life and the benefits of attending a service academy. 

This month, we are hosting two Academy Days in north Idaho to provide students, parents and counselors with information about each academy and how to obtain a congressional nomination.  The Coeur d’Alene Academy Day will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at North Idaho College, Student Union Driftwood Bay Room, 1000 West Garden Avenue.  The Lewiston Academy Day will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2015, at Lewiston High School, 1114 9th Avenue.  Registration for both events starts at 6:00 PM and the programs run from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.  Those interested in attending either session are asked to please RSVP to Karen Roetter via email at karen_roetter@crapo.senate.gov, or by phone at 208-664-5490. 

The purpose of these events is to connect students and parents with academy liaisons, cadets, midshipmen, recruiters and congressional staff to help answer any questions about the congressional nomination process for the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.  While a congressional nomination is not needed to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, representatives have been invited to share information about this school as well.

Acceptance into these academies provides students with a tuition-free, four-year undergraduate education.  Graduates have jobs after graduation, as they are commissioned as officers and spend a minimum of five years on duty.  Additionally, their education and training make them competitive for graduate programs and future jobs.

High school seniors interested in attending an academy should submit completed application packets by November 30, 2015.  In addition to the short application, an essay, three letters of recommendation, ACT/SAT scores, a transcript and class rank at the end of the applicant’s junior year of high school, and a completed principal/guidance counselor form are required.  Applicants are also encouraged to apply to all offices involved in academy nominations, including both of your U.S. Senators, your U.S. Representative and the Vice President.  The application and complete packet must be in by November 30^th of the applicant’s senior year of high school.  High school graduates who are seventeen years old, but not yet twenty-three, can apply by July 1 of the year they would enter an academy.  

Those who are interested but unable to attend an Academy Day can access information regarding the application process on each of our websites, or by contacting one of the following:

Karen Roetter, (Senator Mike Crapo), (208) 664-5490

Frances Hasenoehrl , (Senator Jim Risch), (208) 743-0792

Judy Morbeck, (Congressman Raúl Labrador), (208) 667-0127

Linda Culver, (Congressman Mike Simpson), (208) 734-7219

A nomination is not an acceptance into an academy.  It is the first step in the process.  Applicants will be notified in mid-December if they receive a nomination, but the individual academies make the decisions about actual acceptances.  Those completing a nomination application must also open a file with the academies.  Idaho has many promising young leaders, and we wish all those who are interested in this path the best in the process. 

You may access each delegation member’s website through the following links:  http://www.crapo.senate.gov/; http://www.risch.senate.gov/; /; and http://www.labrador.house.gov/.