Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio) has announced his first round of nominations to the United States Service Academies for the academic year beginning in summer 2026. The announcement includes students from across Ohio who have been nominated as candidates to four of the nation’s five military service academies.
“The nominees I presented to the academies today represent the best of America and carry the strong Ohio values of hard work, discipline, resilience and integrity. They are the exact people we need to be leaders in our Armed Forces and I’m confident their fellow Ohioans will be proud as they carry their passion for service throughout their lives and careers,” Husted said.
“Choosing to serve your nation in the Armed Forces is among the highest callings. I’m proud of these students for their commitment to academics, athletics and service to their community, and I’m honored to nominate them for admission to our service academies,” he added.
The United States operates five military service academies: the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy. Applicants must secure a nomination from an authorized source such as a Member of Congress—except for the Coast Guard Academy—to be considered for admission.
Husted’s office evaluated applicants based on academic achievement, athletic participation, extracurricular involvement, and community service before conducting in-person interviews with those qualified for academy admission.
Members of Congress can nominate up to 55 students each year: up to 15 each for the Air Force, Military, and Naval academies; up to 10 for the Merchant Marine Academy; while no Congressional Nomination is required for entry into the Coast Guard Academy.
The list of nominees includes students from cities such as Columbus, Cincinnati, Hudson, Centerville, Dublin, Holland, Pepper Pike, Gambier, Batavia (for West Point); Cincinnati, Galena, Westlake, Beachwood, Canal Winchester (for Annapolis); Sandusky, Marion, Bellbrook (for Colorado Springs); Pandora and Beavercreek (for Kings Point), among others.
Students who receive a Congressional Nomination must still complete all academy admissions requirements—including maintaining strong academic records and passing a Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board assessment—before enrolling.
