A nomination is the essential first step toward an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Here’s what Alabama families need to know and who to contact.
Securing an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy requires a nomination. This is a competitive process, and candidates should seek a nomination in each of the categories for which they are eligible. The majority of applicants obtain nominations through congressional or Vice Presidential channels.
Each Member of Congress can have up to five cadets attending each service academy at any given time. For each vacancy that occurs, the Member may nominate up to 15 candidates to compete for appointment. The nomination process typically begins in the spring of a candidate's junior year of high school, and deadlines are generally in the fall of the senior year.
We encourage prospective cadet families to reach out to all three of their nominating sources — both U.S. Senators and their U.S. Representative — to maximize their chances.
The Academy must receive notice of your nomination by January 31. If a nomination is not received by this deadline, the candidate will be disqualified. Nominations do not carry over from year to year. Since the process of securing a nomination is lengthy, it is recommended you request them during the spring semester of your junior year.
When seeking a nomination, first determine the categories for which you are eligible:
The most common path. You may seek nominations from both of your state's U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representative. Each nominating authority has its own application process and deadlines — contact their offices directly for materials.
The Vice President may nominate candidates from the nation at large and is allowed to have a maximum of five cadets attending the Academy at one time. All pre-candidates are eligible. The Academy will make recommendations to the Vice President based upon your admissions file. You may also complete the online application at whitehouse.gov. The deadline is January 31.
The Academy reserves a select number of appointments for children of career military personnel (active duty, reserve, or retired with at least eight years of service), children of deceased or disabled veterans, children of Medal of Honor recipients, and honor graduates of military preparatory schools. If you fall into one of these categories, check with USAFA Admissions for specific eligibility requirements.
Below are contact details for Alabama's congressional delegation. Each office handles nomination requests independently and sets its own application timeline and requirements. We recommend contacting all three offices early in your candidate's junior year.
U.S. Senator (R)
DC Phone: (202) 224-4124
Mobile: (251) 308-7233
Huntsville: (256) 692-7500
Visit Official Website →U.S. Senator (R)
DC Phone: (202) 224-5744
Montgomery: (334) 777-1150
Visit Official Website →