| Congratulations in your interest in one of the 5 | | | | start this application process. Why do you need to |
| (possibly increasing to 6) Federal Service | | | | know your congressional district? This is a |
| Academies! The current Service Academies | | | | common point of confusion in the Service |
| include: | | | | Academy Application process. The goal of gaining |
| - USNA- United States Naval Academy (Navy | | | | admission to a Service Academy is achieved by |
| Marine Corps), in Annapolis, Maryland | | | | receiving an APPOINTMENT. This is your ticket for |
| - USMA- United States Military Academy (Army) | | | | admission you get for completing the application |
| in West Point, NY | | | | and ranking high enough against your peers. This |
| - USAFA- United States Air Force Academy (Air | | | | APPOINTMENT is often confused with a |
| Force) in Colorado Springs, CO | | | | NOMINATION. The NOMINATION is a separate |
| - USCGA- United States Coast Guard Academy | | | | requirement you must seek, usually from your |
| (Coast Guard) in Groton, CT | | | | Member Of Congress (MOC). |
| - USMMA- United States Merchant Marine | | | | Your 3 MOC's (two Senators and your local State |
| Academy (Merchant Marine) in Kings Point, NY | | | | Representative) have a separate process that |
| There is currently a proposal to add the so called | | | | you must navigate. Although the processes may |
| United States Public Service Academy (USPSA), | | | | seem similar to the respective Academy |
| an Academy focused on providing free education | | | | application, be aware that each MOC usually has |
| to students interested in a career in Public Service. | | | | unique requirements and a separate interview that |
| The idea is loosely based on the above mentioned | | | | must be followed exactly! Many candidates fail at |
| Military Service Academies, but without any | | | | this early stage due to lack of attention to detail. |
| requirement for service after graduation. The | | | | Without some sort of MOC support it is very |
| USPSA does not yet have a location, but funding | | | | unlikely you will get an appointment. The |
| may be found soon. | | | | requirements for your MOC can be found on his |
| The logical first application step is to look up the | | | | her official website. There are two different |
| respective Service Academy and find out about | | | | exams to check your physical aptitude for future |
| its history, majors, sports, and anything else you | | | | service. The Department of Defense Medical |
| would expect to research about a College or | | | | Review Board (DoDMERB) represents a medical |
| University. There are 2 follow on steps that are | | | | exam, often conducted at the closest military |
| quite different from other colleges and very | | | | base. |
| important to conduct early in the process. You | | | | This exam is completely at government expense. |
| need to research both the minimum requirements | | | | The Candidate Fitness Aptitude (CFA) or Physical |
| for admissions and the careers offered after | | | | Fitness Exam (PFE) will check your strength, |
| Graduation. The minimum requirements include | | | | flexibility, agility, height, weight and bodyfat |
| limits on age, health including vision, fitness, | | | | percentage. There are possibilities in gaining |
| height-weight-bodyfat, citizenship, criminal and | | | | waivers for vision less than 20/20, and other |
| financial history to name just a few. | | | | medical limits. This is usually conducted by your |
| Unlike any other school, the Federal Service | | | | High School gym teacher or coach. There are no |
| Academies hire 100% of their Graduates. The | | | | waivers for out of limits bodyfat or outside of |
| Service Academies are all about SERVICE, and | | | | the height/weight restrictions. Like other colleges, |
| you will have a service obligation of 5 to 8 years | | | | your application will include transcripts, SAT/ACT |
| upon completion. It would be unfortunate to make | | | | Scores, teacher recommendations, and personal |
| all this effort only to find later that you are | | | | essays. Unlike most colleges, there are also |
| restricted to a list of jobs that have no interest. | | | | interviews, background checks and a personal |
| If you have found a Service Academy or | | | | statement about your relationship with drugs and |
| Academies that do fit your service desires and | | | | alcohol. The Service Academies are usually ranked |
| college goals you should start the application | | | | top 10 in the nation (this year, USMA at West |
| process. All the Service Academies use their own | | | | Point was ranked number 1!) and are as selective |
| Application. The Universal College Application is of | | | | as Harvard as far as applications to rejections |
| no use in this case. Each Application can be found | | | | ratios are concerned. These are GREAT |
| on the respective Service Academy Web page. | | | | SCHOOLS with NO TUITION. |
| Starting an application file will require... | | | | The application process is difficult but not |
| - Social Security Number | | | | impossible! A great majority of students do NOT |
| - Class Rank | | | | complete the application due to its complexity. |
| - GPA | | | | Many of these students are fully qualified! I hope |
| - Congressional District | | | | this information on the additional steps required will |
| - Sports | | | | make you even more prepared to begin your |
| - Extra Curricular Activities and work experience | | | | journey toward an appointment to a Federal |
| You may have noticed an odd requirement to | | | | Service Academy. More info below! |