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1 [1] (June 29, 2026)

handle is hein.crs/goveuqq0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Defense Primer: Military Service Academies Over ew The U.S. military service academies are tuition-free, four- year degree-granting institutions operated by the military departments. The academies are one of three primary commissioning sources for officers, along with the Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps and Officer Candidate School. The military service academies include the * U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY, under the Department of the Army; * U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD, under the Department of the Navy (Navy and Marine Corps); and * U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO, under the Department of the Air Force (Air Force and Space Force). There are two other federal service academies, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, in New London, Connecticut, under the Department of Homeland Security; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York, under the Department of Transportation. While graduates of these service academies may also receive an officer commission upon graduation, they differ from the military service academies in many respects (e.g., statutory authorities, application, and acceptance processes). Each of the military service academies has their own statutory authorities under Title 10 of the U.S. Code. Academy Oversight and Leadersh p The Department of Defense's Personnel and Readiness office and the respective military department Secretaries provide policy, oversight, and management for the service academies. (Department of Defense is using a secondary Department of War designation, under Executive Order 14347, dated September 5, 2025.) Statute provides for a Board of Visitors (BoV) for each academy which serves as an independent advisory body on matters related to morale, discipline, social climate, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, and academic methods. Membership on the BoV is determined by law and includes those designated by the chairman and ranking members of the Armed Services Committees, House and Senate leadership, and six individuals designated by the President. The academies are led by a superintendent-a military officer who is a general or admiral detailed (assigned) to the position by the President. By law, the superintendent serves for a minimum of three years in the position and shall be retired from service at the end of the appointment, although waivers are authorized in some cases. Academy faculty and staff include a mix of military and federal civilian personnel as well as contractors. Updated June 29, 2026 Ad iss ons Admission to the service academies is competitive. To be appointed to a service academy, an applicant must meet certain eligibility requirements and be nominated by Members of Congress or other authorized individuals (See CRS Report RL33213, Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies: Resourcesfor Outreach and Management). Admissions offices generally assess candidates for admission in three areas: academics, physical aptitude, and leadership potential. A candidate must also meet medical standards for service. To matriculate, a nominated applicant must be a U.S. citizen, between 17 and 23 years old, unmarried, without a legal obligation to support any dependents, and not pregnant. Foreign National Students Limited numbers of foreign national students are admitted each year. Under 10 U.S.C. §347(a), a maximum of 60 foreign students may be enrolled at each academy. Candidates must exhibit proficiency in English and high marks on standardized academic tests. The Department of State and DOD determine eligible countries, and invite these nations to nominate promising candidates. Foreign students return to their host nations following graduation and may incur a service obligation with their countries' militaries. Preparatory Schools Each military department operates a preparatory school that offers a 10-month curriculum of instruction, in English, mathematics, science, and other academic areas, tailored to a student's needs and entrance requirements for each academy. Individuals do not apply directly to the prep school; they are selected from the pool of applicants to the service academies. Initially conceived as a program to help selected enlisted servicemembers prepare academically to meet the entrance standards, Congress and DOD have also considered the prep schools as avenues to increase access to the academies for disadvantaged demographic groups. Student Life While enrolled at the academies, students have the rank of midshipman (Navy) or cadet (Air Force and Army) and are on active duty per 10 U.S.C. §101(d). They live in military barracks, wear uniforms, and participate daily in military training and professional development. In addition, academy students participate in approximately six weeks of basic training in the summer prior to their first academic year and specialized training in subsequent summers between academic years. The academies also have elements similar to civilian colleges and universities (e.g., varsity sports programs, social and professional clubs and associations, and alumni-focused programs and fundraising).