Florida Lawmakers Welcome Military Academy Candidates as Applications Open

Local students who are passionate about serving their country had the opportunity to take an important step toward their future at the Sarasota Military Academy. The event, hosted by U.S. Representative Greg Steube and Senator Rick Scott, was a U.S. Service Academy Fair that brought together representatives from all five of the nation’s military service academies. This fair provided students and their families with a unique chance to speak directly with academy officials and gain insight into the admissions process and what life is like at these prestigious institutions.

"One of the most rewarding parts of serving Florida’s Suncoast is meeting young men and women who are ready to answer the call to serve our nation," said Rep. Steube. "The Service Academy Fair gives students and their families a chance to connect directly with representatives from our nation’s top military academies and better understand the nomination process. Seeing so many students eager to serve their country speaks volumes about the strength and patriotism of the next generation."

This event coincides with the opening of the 2026–2027 Military Academy Nomination Application for Congressman Steube’s office. Getting into a service academy is a complex and multi-step process. For four out of the five academies, securing a congressional nomination is a mandatory requirement. These include the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. The fifth school, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, does not require a nomination from a member of Congress.

Securing a nomination is just one part of the challenge. The academies themselves have strict baseline requirements that come into effect on July 1 of the admission year. Applicants must be U.S. citizens between the ages of 17 and 23—though the Merchant Marine Academy extends the age limit to 25. Candidates must also be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal dependents. To qualify through Rep. Steube’s office, students must reside within Florida’s 17th Congressional District.

The selection process uses a “whole person” evaluation, which means applicants are judged on their academic records, physical fitness, leadership traits, and overall character. Attending one of these academies is a major commitment; upon graduation, students are required to serve a minimum of five years on active duty in the military.

The application window is currently open, having started on March 16, 2026. Students have until September 25, 2026, to submit their full application packets to Congressman Steube’s office. A complete packet requires:

• SAT or ACT scores
• An official high school transcript
• Three signed and dated letters of recommendation
• A copy of a government-issued ID
• A recent professional-style photo
• A signed, one-page personal essay explaining their motivation to attend

Following the deadline, the timeline moves quickly. Students will be notified of their interview status during the week of October 5, 2026, with mandatory in-person interviews scheduled for October 12 in Sarasota. Nomination selections will be finalized between November and December 31, 2026, ahead of the final January 31, 2027, deadline for submissions to the academies.

Congressional officials emphasized that applying for a nomination is a separate track from applying to the schools themselves. Students must still apply directly to their chosen service academies, as a congressional nomination does not guarantee final admission.