U.S. Service Academy Nominations

Thank you for your desire to serve our great nation, and best wishes as you apply for our country's outstanding service academies! If you have any questions, contact the office by email at FL05.ServiceAcademy@mail.house.gov or by phone at 904-831-5205. 

Basic Eligibility Requirements:

Each applicant for a nomination must meet the following eligibility requirements as of July 1st of the year of admission to an academy:

• Age: At least 17 years old, and not yet 23
• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen
• Marital Status: Must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents
• Residence: Must reside within the boundaries of the 5th Congressional District of Florida
• Skill / Fitness: Must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy

To ensure you reside within the boundaries of the 5th Congressional District of Florida, please enter your zip code and address HERE.

If you are a resident of FL-05, please read the following directions and fill out the form below.

2025 Academy Nomination Process Calendar:

May 31, 2025: Application process opened

September 30, 2025: Deadline to submit application and required materials

Late October - November 2025: Qualifying candidates will receive an invitation for an interview, and in-person interviews will be conducted at Congressman Rutherford's office in Jacksonville

December 2025 - January 31, 2026: Nomination selections made

January 31, 2026: Congressional nominations submissions deadline to U.S. Service Academies

To be determined: Nomination Ceremony 

Important Information:

1.  Deadline:  All submissions must be postmarked by September 30, 2025 and sent to our Jacksonville district office. PLEASE DO NOT SEND MATERIALS TO OUR WASHINGTON, D.C OFFICE.

            U.S. Congressman John H. Rutherford
            4130 Salisbury Road, Suite 2500
            Jacksonville, FL 32216      

Those with incomplete application files will be disqualified. A completed application file will consist of the following:

• Completed online application
• Photograph of applicant
• Copy of official high school and/or copy of official college transcript(s)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Two essays
• Copy of official SAT or ACT score report
• Resume

2. Transcripts:  Ask your high school/college counselor for a sealed copy of your transcript that includes your senior year class schedule. This must be sent to our office.

3. Test Scores: Please upload a copy of your SAT and/or ACT test scores. If you retake a test, please send us the updated results. We do not have an SAT or ACT score code.

4. Three Letters of Recommendation: In sealed envelopes, signed across the flap by the originator - one letter from a school official (principal or guidance counselor); one from an instructor (math or science teacher suggested); and one from an employer, a community leader, or a club sponsor. Please stress to your recommenders that they must be postmarked by the due date. 

5. Two Essays: Responding to each of the prompts listed below. 300 words or less a piece typed using Arial font size 12, each on a single page with applicant's name and the prompt as the title.

• Why do you want to attend a United States Service Academy?
• Describe examples of how you have demonstrated leadership abilities that have prepared you for entering a service academy and then serving in the military (or maritime industry if applying to USMMA)?               

6. Interview: The Military Academy Selection Board will interview candidates in the fall at the Jacksonville district office. Applicants will be notified by email of their interview date and time for each academy of interest, if application requirements are complete and eligibility and minimum academic standards of the academies are met.

7. Post Interview: Selected nominees will be notified by the end of the year when Congressman Rutherford submits his nominations to each academy. Academy Admissions' Officers review the Congressman's nominations and select candidates to whom they wish to offer appointments.  Each applicant will be required to pass a physical aptitude examination and medical examination before being given an appointment.  Appointments are given on a rolling admissions basis. Appointments begin in December and should be completed by early May.

8. In addition to applying for a nomination, you must apply online to the Service Academies to open a file on your behalf:

                  Military Academy                  www.usma.edu
                  Naval Academy                    www.usna.edu
                  Air Force Academy               www.usafa.edu
                  Merchant Marine Academy  www.usmma.edu

9. You are encouraged to also apply to your two Florida Senators and the Vice President:
                  Senator Ashley Moody:  www.moody.senate.gov
                  Senator Rick Scott:  www.rickscott.senate.gov
                  Vice President JD Vance:  www.whitehouse.gov/administration/jd-vance