As a member of Congress, I have the privilege of nominating some of Rhode Island's finest young men and women for consideration to the United States Service Academies.

Members of Congress are allowed to nominate only a limited number of candidates to each of the following:

United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY

The United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT does not accept congressional nominations. To learn more about the Coast Guard Academy please visit www.cga.edu.

Applying for a Nomination Through My Office

The United States Service Academies have a long history of preparing cadets for leadership in our military branches through rigorous academic and physical curricula. The ideal applicant has demonstrated leadership qualities, strong academic performance, proven athletic ability, and is between the ages of 17 and 23 (25 for the Merchant Marine Academy). Rhode Islanders who match these criteria can apply with my office by completing my application for nomination.

My application form is available online by clicking here.

Please return your completed application via mail, e-mail, or fax to my Providence office:

Office of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
Attention: Steve Topp
170 Westminster Street, Suite 1100
Providence, RI 02903

Fax: 401-453-5085

Please note that pre-candidate files must be started at the academies of your choice in order for your application to be considered by my office. Any missing information on this application could prolong the process or adversely affect your chances for nomination. All applications are due to my office by October 31, 2008.

If my office can offer any assistance, or if you have questions regarding this process, please feel free to contact my Service Academy Coordinator, Steve Topp, at 401-453-5294 or by e-mail.

My Selection Process

As mentioned above, I am allowed to nominate a limited number of candidates to the Military, Naval, Air Force, and Merchant Marine Academies.

If an applicant meets the physical and academic criteria set forth by the academy, has filed the necessary pre-candidate files at the academies of their choice, and submits a complete application packet to my office by the deadline, he or she may be called in for an interview. My committee will then make recommendations based on individual merit and qualifications.