Military Academy Nominations

One of my greatest honors of serving in Congress is the opportunity to nominate outstanding young men and women of the Second District of Kansas to the United States Service Academies. The honor of attending a U.S. Service Academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the U.S. military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.

Members of Congress may nominate candidates to four of the five U.S. service academies:

• U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, New York
• U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, Maryland
• U.S. Air Force Academy (USAF A), Colorado Springs, Colorado
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, New York

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London, Connecticut, does not require a congressional nomination.

Each member of Congress may nominate individuals for vacancies in their district's allocated academy slots.

Please note the nomination process through my office is separate from the individual application processes of each academy. Be sure to visit each academy's website for specific deadlines and requirements.

Nomination Eligibility Requirements: As of July 1 of the year of admission, applicants must be:

• At least 17 years of age, but not yet 23 years of age
• A citizen of the United States
• Unmarried and have no legal obligation to support a child or dependent
• A legal resident of Kansas' 2nd Congressional District

Nomination Application Process:

• For those to be admitted for the 2026-2027 academic year, each applicant must have all nomination application materials submitted and received by 5:00 p.m. central time on October 15, 2025, or mailed with a postmark on or before October 15, 2025.
• The required materials will be compiled into a Nomination Application File for each applicant.
• The completed Nomination Application File must contain (see FAQs):
• Nomination application (submit on-line)
  • An essay describing your character and leadership abilities and why you desire to attend a U.S. Service Academy (maximum 500 words, submit on-line)
  • One recent photo (4x6 portrait preferred, submit on-line)
  • Resume (maximum 2 pages, submit on-line)
  • Official high school transcripts (and college if applicable) with seal and appropriate signature(s) (submit by mail)
  • SAT and/or ACT score verification (scores included on your official high school transcript will be accepted, submit by mail)
  • 3 letters of reference (can be included with application or sent directly from the author, not required to be sealed, submit by mail)

• Mail or email nomination materials to:

  Congressman Derek Schmidt 

  Attn: Allen Askew

  3550 SW 5111 St. Topeka, KS 66606

  Allen.askew@mail.house.gov

Nomination Interviews

• Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements and submit a complete Nomination Application File by October 15, 2025, will be invited to interview with Congressman Schmidt's Service Academy Nomination Board. This well-qualified, non-partisan, and independent board will ensure a fair and impartial process to evaluate applicants and recommend candidates for nomination. The interviews will be conducted on Saturday, November 1, 2025.

Nomination Announcement

• Congressman Schmidt's nominations will be announced no later than December 31, 2025.

For more information, please review the Frequently Asked Questions for those seeking a Military Academy Nomination. Please contact my office at 785-205-5253 or info.schmidt@mail.house.gov with any questions.