Service Academy Nominations
Instructions
The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. For more information, please review the page of Frequently Asked Questions for those seeking a Service Academy Nomination.
Students from Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District who are interested in attending a U.S. Service Academy should be aware that, with the exception of the United States Coast Guard Academy, a nomination from a government official is required as part of the application process. As your Congressman, one of my most honored responsibilities is providing these nominations to deserving candidates.
The nomination application for the Class of 2030 in Pennsylvania’s 8th District officially opens on May 16, 2025.
In addition to seeking a nomination from my office, students from Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District are encouraged to apply for nominations from the following sources:
- U.S. Senator Dave McCormick
- U.S. Senator John Fetterman
- President of the United States Donald J. Trump
- Vice President JD Vance, who nominates five candidates nationwide each year
- Service Academy Commandants
- The Secretary of the Army, Navy, or Air Force, who nominates members of the active-duty military, reserve components, and ROTC participants
Details on how to apply for these nominations can be found on the individual academy websites listed below.
While applying for multiple nominations may increase your chances of receiving one, it is not required and does not guarantee an appointment. If you receive a nomination from another source, please notify my office so we may offer nomination opportunities to other qualified applicants.
Please note: The United States Air Force Academy, West Point, Naval Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy all require a Congressional nomination for admission consideration.
Please note: The United States Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination as part of its application process.
Candidates seeking a service academy nomination should be aware that each academy has its own set of deadlines and application requirements, which are separate from those established by my office. These deadlines must be strictly followed to ensure your application is considered. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please consult the individual academy websites.
Please also note that I can only consider nomination applications from residents of Pennsylvania’s 8th District or the children of district residents.
Keep in mind that a nomination is just one part of the admissions process. You must also apply directly to each service academy individually. As you submit your nomination application through my office, you should simultaneously request admissions information from each academy to which you intend to apply, if you have not already done so.
Finally, if you wish to be considered for a congressional nomination, your nomination application must include the following materials and be submitted digitally to the Forty Fort office:
- Completed and signed PA-08 Service Academy Nomination Application
Please download, print, and sign the application forms listed below, and include them with your full nomination packet. - PA-08 Service Academy Application Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure your application is complete before submission. - Recent photograph
Attach a recent photo of yourself with a plain white background to your application. Passport-sized photos are preferred. - Official high school transcript
Your transcript must include your GPA, class size, and class rank. This is a mandatory requirement. *We recognize that some high schools do not rank students, thus If you are unable to meet this requirement, please indicate on application* - Official SAT or ACT score report
If you've taken either test multiple times, the highest score from each section will be considered. - Three (3) letters of recommendation from a combination of the following individuals are required for a complete application:
- Math teacher
- Science teacher
- English teacher
- Guidance Counselor
- Coach, Employer/Supervisor, or other non-family individual who can speak to your leadership and interpersonal skills
- Employer’s Evaluation (if applying to the United States Military Academy at West Point)
This evaluation is a required component for West Point applicants and must be included in your nomination packet. - Most current resumé
Provide a resumé detailing your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, work experience, and any honors or awards. - Personal essay (maximum 1,500 words, APA format) - Your essay should address the following prompts:
- Why do you want to attend a service academy and serve as a military officer?
- What does “service” mean to you?
- Find a quote on leadership (include a proper citation) and explain how it relates to your leadership style.
- Describe a personal experience that helped shape you as a leader.
Please submit all required materials as one complete packet once your nomination application is fully prepared. We kindly ask that you do not send documents individually. We understand that transcripts and letters of recommendation may need to be submitted directly by the school or recommender. These documents can be sent to us directly; please ensure that the student’s name is clearly indicated in the subject line of the email.
When your application is complete, forward the full packet at your earliest convenience to my Director of Service Academy Nominations, Brian Langan, in my District Office at PA08ServiceAcademy@mail.house.gov.
Important Dates and Contact Information
The application period opens on May 16, 2025, and all nomination application materials must be submitted by October 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM.
Final interviews will be conducted by the Service Academy Advisory Board on December 6, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their interview times via phone or email.
If you have any questions regarding the nomination process, please contact my Director of Service Academy Nominations, Brian Langan, at PA08ServiceAcademy@mail.house.gov or by phone at (570) 763-6120.
Thank you for your interest in serving our nation. I wish you the very best in your pursuit of a service academy appointment.
**All application packets must be submitted digitally and in full. Incomplete or partial submissions will not be accepted. If you are unable to meet this requirement due to extenuating circumstances, please contact our office as soon as possible. We understand that transcripts and letters of recommendation may need to be submitted directly by the school or recommender. These documents can be sent to us directly; please ensure that the student’s name is clearly indicated in the subject line of the email.**
Documents:
Service Academy Nomination Checklist
Service Academy Nomination FAQ Sheet