U.S. Military Academy Hopefuls Can Apply For Nomination From NJ Rep. Sherill

NORTH JERSEY — Most New Jersey students who want to enroll in a U.S. military service academy will need a Congressional nomination to do so, and Rep. Mikie Sherrill's office is now accepting applications.

Sherrill (D-NJ-11) is a Naval Academy graduate herself, and finished her studies there in 1994 before a decade-long career as one of the Navy's Sea King helicopter pilots and a Russian policy officer. She represents towns in Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties.

"I am so proud of the men and women from my district who are considering careers of military service," she said in a statement.

The nomination application is open to high school seniors applying to the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy — as well as current college students who are seeking a transfer into one of the Academies.

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination, but students seeking an appointment to one of the other institutions must receive a nomination for their application to be considered.

Only a limited number of applications are available each year, and only a fraction of nominated students ultimately receive an appointment to a military academy, the congresswoman's office noted in an announcement Monday.

"I know our nation’s service academies provide not only world-class academics, but leadership training that is second to none," Sherrill said. "There is no better place than one of the U.S. military academies for New Jersey students interested in a career as a military officer."

The applications are considered based on students' academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities, as well as community involvement. Every candidate is also interviewed by Sherrill’s Academy Nomination Board which consists of Academy alumni, military veterans, and civic leaders from the community.

For more information and to complete an application, click here. The deadline to submit is Oct. 24.

The 11th District includes the following municipalities:

• Essex – Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair (part), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange, West Caldwell.
• Morris – Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Chatham, Chatham Township, Denville, Dover, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Madison, Mendham Twp (part), Montville, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown Town, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Pequannock, Randolph, Riverdale, Rockaway, Rockaway Township, Victory Gardens.
• Passaic – Little Falls, Totowa, Wayne (part), Woodland Park.