Academy Nominations

As a Member of Congress, I take great pride in the opportunity to nominate the finest students from North Dakota to theU.S. Air Force Academy,Merchant Marine Academy,U.S. Naval AcademyandWest Point. Nominations are not needed for the Coast Guard Academy; however, my academy coordinator would be happy to assist you with any information you may need.
As a student interested in attending one of the Service Academies, there are a few things you must do:
A personal essay to Senator Hoeven titled, “Why I want to become an Officer in the U.S. Military”
A current colored 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 photograph of yourself
Below is additional information about the nominations process, as well as the forms needed to begin the process. The application deadline is October 16, 2026 for those students who are in their senior year of high school. Should you have any questions about the application process, please call my Military Academy Coordinator, in my Minot Office at 701-838-1361. I look forward to hearing from you.
Interested in learning more about the nomination process? Start here.
Please print off and fill out this form and return it along with the other materials
Cover letter to be used on all letters of recommendation
Every year many highly qualified candidates are not selected or nominated to a service academy. Their dreams of becoming military officers need not end there. ROTC offers the same officer commission and career opportunity as a service academy. Many full tuition and fees ROTC scholarships are available to attend many private and public colleges and universities across the country.
Students should consider applying for these scholarship opportunities as well as to the academies.

United States Air Force Academy
Admissions OfficeHQ USAFA/RRS2304 Cadet Drive Suite 200USAF Academy, CO 80840-50251-800-443-9666www.academyadmissions.com

United States Merchant Marine AcademyOffice of AdmissionsKings Point, NY 11024-1699www.usmma.edu/admissions /default.shtml

United States Military AcademyAdmissions Office600 Thayer RoadWest Point, NY 10996-9902www.admissions.usma.edu

United States Naval AcademyUSNA Candidate Guidance Office117 Decatur RoadAnnapolis, MD 21402-5018www.usna.edu/Admissions

United States Coast Guard Academy31 Mohegan AvenueNew London, CT 06320-8103Tel: 860-701-6780Fax: 860-701-6700www.cga.edu/display.aspx?id=2904