Arkansas’ First District students seeking a U.S. service academy nomination from U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-1) face a November 1 deadline to submit their applications.

Congressman Crawford may nominate his constituents to four of five service academies, including the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), U.S. Military Academy (USMA), and the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA). Attendance at these four service academies requires a nomination from the U.S. vice president or the applicant’s U.S. representative or senators, and it comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years.

Congressman Crawford said U.S. service academies play a vital role in training the next generation of this country’s leaders. And while the Congressman said he never attended any such academy, he added that his experiences as the son of a U.S. Air Force officer and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician in the U.S. Army made him aware of these academies’ importance.

“It’s a high honor to serve and protect our country,” Congressman Crawford said. “It’s an added privilege to earn a top-quality education from one of these academies.”

Each U.S. representative and senator may have up to five persons at each U.S. service academy at any one time, and they may nominate students based on three different methods. Congressman Crawford said he uses the “competitive method,” which has the nominees compete for a final appointment.

“These academies select candidates from among the best and brightest of our future leaders, factoring in a nominee’s academic record, extracurricular and athletic activities, physical aptitude, test scores, leadership ability, and medical qualifications,” Congressman Crawford said. “With such a high standard in place, I believe Arkansas’ First District should have its best possible representation at these academies.”

First District applicants may be nominated by more than one nominating authority and to more than one U.S. service academy. For each service academy vacancy, 10 nominations may be made on a strictly competitive basis. Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 22, a U.S. citizen, unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents.

Nomination applicants should contact Sherrie Mitchell in Crawford’s Jonesboro office, located at 2400 East Highland Drive — Suite 300. They should also begin the application process with the service academies themselves, with applications found on Crawford’s website, crawford.house.gov, by hovering over the “SERVING YOU” tab and clicking on “Service Academy Nominations” followed by “Application Packet For The Service Academies” at the bottom of the page.

A nomination does not guarantee an appointment to a U.S. service academy, but Crawford said he encourages students to apply for nominations through all available sources. He said he looks forward to the nomination process each year.

“We have some incredibly talented young men and women in the First District,” Crawford said. “This nomination process gives me the chance to know them and anticipate great things from them. I’m eager to see what this year’s group of students brings.”