Academy Nominations
The application deadline for students desiring an appointment to the Military Service Academy class of 2029 has been set for October 15, 2024. Individuals anticipating to graduate with the high school class of 2025 or earlier are eligible to apply in the Military Service Academy class of 2029 nomination cycle.
To begin your nomination application click here.
Each year, I have the privilege of nominating a few of Hawaii's most talented and skilled young people for selection to one of our four service academies: U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy (West Point), and the U.S. Naval Academy. The Coast Guard Academy does not use Congressional nominations in its appointment process.
The congressional nomination process is very competitive and an honor that my Military Service Academy Selection Panel and I take very seriously. Please understand that if you do not receive a nomination from my office, it does not necessarily mean you do not meet academy standards. Rather, it likely reflects the high caliber of candidates who applied for a very limited number of nominations. My office will do our best to coordinate with other members of the Hawaii congressional delegation to ensure that we maximize opportunities for all Hawaii Military Service Academy candidates.
I commend you for your desire to serve our nation as an officer in the United States Armed Forces and wish you every success in your pursuit of an appointment to a service academy. If, for some reason, the information below does not answer all of your questions please see the frequently asked questions or contact my state office at 808-522-8970.
Selection Process
To be considered for a nomination, candidates should have a strong academic background, participation in school and community activities (particularly in leadership positions), a high standard of physical fitness, and a desire to serve as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Military.
Each Senator is allowed just five individuals enrolled in a particular academy at any given time. Senator Hirono nominates ten individuals per open slot at each academy. Each Academy then appoints the nominees who fulfill their admission requirements.
To begin the application process, you should first apply directly to the service academy you wish to attend (i.e. the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy (West Point), and the U.S. Naval Academy). You should then apply for all of the nominations for which you may be eligible including, but not limited to, your elected representatives in Congress (both U.S. Senators and the one U.S. Representative for your district) and the President and Vice President of the United States.
Minimum Qualifications for a Nomination
- A citizen of the United States. Your citizenship must be finalized prior to entering the Academy. You must submit proof of citizenship if you were foreign-born or naturalized.
- Unmarried with no dependents
- Of good moral character
- At least 17, but less than 23 years of age by July 1 of the year you would enter the Academy. The age requirement is public law and cannot be waived
- Of high leadership, academic, physical, and medical standards
- A resident of Hawaii
How to Apply for a Nomination
In order to be considered for a congressional nomination from Senator Mazie K. Hirono, you must complete steps 1-5 listed below by 5:00 p.m. HST on October 15, 2024. Every step and application requirement apply to all individuals seeking a nomination from Senator Hirono, including first-time applicants, past nominees/applicants, current enrollees in preparatory school, college students, etc. Applications from previous years will not roll-over to this year's application. All application materials should be uploaded to your applicant portal. Please do not mail or deliver a hard copy of your application materials to the office unless otherwise discussed with our staff. If your recommender or school requires the option to submit transcripts or letters of recommendation directly to the Senator’s office, please have them email a PDF version of the document(s) to nominations@hirono.senate.gov. If some items on the checklist do not apply to you (for example multiple transcripts) please simply upload a document with only "N/A" and save the document with "N/A" as the name of the document. When you finish filling out the form, be sure to hit the submit button.
- Complete the application form online by clicking here. When you finish filling out the form, be sure to hit the submit button.
- Complete and attach a short essay of 250-500 words explaining why you want to attend a Military Service Academy. Please also highlight an example of your demonstrated leadership abilities and the characteristics that you possess to enable your success as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Military.
- Attach an official transcript for all high schools and colleges you have attended. All high school transcripts must include final junior year grades. Unsealed and unofficial transcripts are accepted. However, with consent from you and your parent/guardian, our office reserves the right to contact your school directly for verification of your educational records.
- Attach official SAT I and/or ACT scores. If these scores are not on your official academic transcript, you may make arrangements to have them submitted directly to Senator Hirono’s Office by including the following codes to the College Board when taking your tests: SAT code: 4469 ACT Code: 7121
- Attach three letters of recommendation from individuals who know you well. One of these letters must be from a teacher; none can be from a family member. Letters of recommendation must include a phone number and preferably an email contact for the recommender. The recommender can send the letter directly to the nominations manager at nominations@hirono.senate.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use last year's application for this year?
While much of the information is the same, last year's application will not be used for this year. You are required to resubmit all the required checklist items and documents. You may use last year's documents, but you will need to submit or upload them to this year's application. For example, test scores are usually the same unless you have retaken the exams. Recommendation letters can be reused, but keep in mind that you want to present the best application possible. Updated recommendation letters will make that possible.
What happens after I submit my application?
Approximately 60 students will be selected for interviews. The interviews will take place during the third week in November. The selected students will receive a link to schedule their interview near the end of October. Students will be allowed to choose their own interview time from the available times.
What should I expect in my interview?
Senator Hirono’s Military Service Academy Selection Panel will interview one candidate at a time in 15 to 20-minute blocks. Candidates should expect that questions will focus on assessing the applicant’s leadership, character, and preparedness for the academy/military lifestyle. Interviews will be conducted during the third week of November at Senator Hirono’s state office in Honolulu or through an electronic platform. If you are selected for an interview, you will be notified by e-mail with detailed instructions.
How do I reach the nomination manager?
You can reach the nominations manager at Nominations@hirono.senate.gov or by phone at 808-522-8970.
How many nominations will the Senator make?
Each Senator is allowed just five individuals enrolled in a particular academy at any given time. The Senator nominates up to ten individuals per open slot at each Academy. Each Academy then offers an appointment to the nominees who fulfill their admission requirements. Based on this process, Senator Hirono expects to be able to provide 30 to 40 nominations for the class of 2029.
Academy Contacts
United States Air Force
Director of Admissions
Colorado Springs, CO 82840-5651
1 (800) 443-9266
United States Naval Academy
Candidate Guidance Office
117 Decatur Road
Annapolis, MD 21402-5018
(410) 293-4361
United States Military Academy at West Point
Admissions, Building 606
West Point, NY 10996
(845)938-4041
United States Merchant Marine Academy
300 Steamboat Road
Kings Point, NY 11024-1699
United States Coast Guard Academy
31 Mohegan Avenue
New London, CT 06320-4195
(800) 883-USCG (8724)
