Form

Form
2025 SERVICE ACADEMY NOMINATIONAPPLICATION FOR

CONGRESSMAN DARREN SOTO (FL-09)
Before you begin your application verify your address here to ensure you are applying for a congressional nomination in your district.

Individuals applying for a nomination to the U.S. Merchant Marine
Academy (USMMA) may apply from any congressional district.

Once you submit your application, you cannot make any additional changes on this form.If you have changes or questions, email us at FL09Service.Academy@mail.house.gov.

You must apply to the academies you wish to attend separately from this application.

The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.
Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies:

U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY;

The U.S.Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD;

The U.S. AirForce Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO;

and The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), KingsPoint, NY.

The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Each Member may nominate up to ten individuals for each vacant academy slot alloted to our district.
Please attach all requirements before submitting your application. In addition to your application, you will need to submit the following items:

1) A copy of your official high school transcripts

2) A personal letter to Congressman Soto in 500 words or less, describing why you wish to attend a U.S. Service Academy and make the military your career.

Please provide two specific experiences that will prepare you to be successful and graduate from a service academy.

3) Three letters of recommendation from the following: A teacher in a STEM field, a school counselor or school administrator, and a community leader.

4) Provide proof of your SAT scores from either college board or your official transcript. Due to the academy's transition away from the ACT, that is the only item that you are not required to submit.
Please reach out to our office with any questions you may have regarding your application at 407-452-1171 or email us at FL09Service.Academy@mail.house.gov.

Applications are now open, and the deadline to apply is October 12, 2025. Our interview date is October 24th, 2026.

We will keep all interviews to this date. More information will be provided as the date approaches interviews.
To request a Military Academy Nomination from our office, please complete the form below.

I have read and understand the instructions.*
BASIC INFORMATION
Full Name*

First NameMiddle InitialLast Name
Birthday

MonthDayYear
YesNo
Social Security #*
Phone*
Email Address*
MaleFemaleOther
Home Address
Street Address Line 1*
Street Address line 2
City
State/Province
Postal/Zip Code
Name(s) of Parents or legal Guardians*

First NameLast Name
Phone Number*
Email*
Relationship*
Name(s) of Parents or legal Guardians*

First NameLast Name
Phone Number*
Email*
Relationship*

REFERENCES INFORMATION
Do you have three references sending over letters of recommendation? If so, please enter each reference's information. (One must be from a teacher in a STEM field, one from a school counselor or school administrator, and the last one from a member of the community.) You may not use a family member as a reference.*
REFERENCE 1
Name of reference*
Occupation*
How long have you known the applicant?*
What is your relationship to the applicant?*
REFERENCE 2
Name of reference*
Occupation*
How long have you known the applicant?*
What is your relationship to the applicant?*
REFERENCE 3
Name of reference*
Occupation*
How long have you known the applicant?*
What is your relationship to the applicant?*

Essay
Write a personal letter to Congressman Soto in 500 words or less, describing why you wish to attend a U.S. Service Academy and make the military your career. Please give two specific experiences that will prepare you to be successful and graduate from a service academy.
Application checklist
Photo UploadedApplication Form CompletedOfficial transcript submittedSAT scores submitted3 reference forms completed3 Letters of recommendations submittedEssay submitted
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Rows	Preference 1	Preference 2	Preference 3	Preference 4	Not applying to this academy
U.S. Military Academy
U.S. Air Force Academy
U.S. Naval Academy
U.S. Merchant Marine

Form

2025 SERVICE ACADEMY NOMINATIONAPPLICATION FOR

BASIC INFORMATION

Home Address

Academy Selection

School Address

SAT SCORES

REFERENCES INFORMATION

REFERENCE 1

REFERENCE 2

REFERENCE 3

Essay

Application checklist