Senator Blunt Rochester is honored to nominate exceptional students from Delaware to serve our country by attending the US Service Academies: the US Military Academy at West Point, the US Naval Academy, the US Air Force Academy and the US Merchant Marine Academy.

Those attending the US Service Academies receive an excellent education while preparing for careers in the military.  Upon graduation, academy graduates are commissioned officers in active duty or reserved components in the military or the merchant marines for a minimum of five years.

Because of the limited number of available slots, the nomination process is rigorous and while a key component of the process, a congressional nomination does not guarantee admission to the service academies.

Applications for the Class of 2030 are now being accepted.  The due date for applications is Friday, October 17, 2025, at 5:00PM EST.

Eligibility

Candidates must:

• Be a resident of the State of Delaware;
• Be at least 17 years of age and not yet 23 years old on July 1 of the year the applicant would enter an academy (25 years old for USMMA);
• Be unmarried, not pregnant, and without a legal obligation to support children or other dependents;
• Demonstrate comprehensive academic preparation;
• Demonstrate leadership in athletics and other extracurricular activities;
• Take the SAT, or the ACT;
• Be in good physical and mental health;
• Be able to pass a comprehensive medical examination; and
• Be able to pass a physical aptitude examination.

Application Process

Candidates seeking a nomination for the Class of 2030 must submit an application to the portal below.  Required documents include:

1. A personal essay. The essay should be at least 250 words and explain why you should be considered for a nomination to the service academy.
2. A list of extracurricular activities, to include school activities, work experience, community service, and any awards or honors you would like to be considered as part of your application.
3. An official high school transcript, with official school signature.
4. Three letters of recommendation.
5. SAT or ACT scores. For the SAT, please use code 5119, and for ACT, use Code 5119.

For more information about the US service academies, please visit their websites:

United States Military Academy at West Point www.usma.edu

United States Naval Academy www.usna.edu

United States Airforce Academy www.usafa.edu

United Sates Merchant Marine Academy www.usmma.edu

*The United States Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.  For more information, go to www.cga.edu.

If you have any additional questions, please contact my staff in the Wilmington office by phone at 302-573-6291, or Academy_Nominations@bluntrochester.senate.gov