Amata announces nominees to the Service Academies for 2025
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata has announced the nominations of 12 excellent students from American Samoa for consideration by the prestigious military service academies this year, following the applications of 18 students to Congresswoman Aumua Amata. Several students applied to two academies, so there are 15 nominations in all.
This year, the U.S. Air Force Academy has the most nominees with ten applicants, and the U.S. Military Academy (Army) has five nominees. Currently, American Samoa has no available vacancies at the U.S. Naval Academy, so there were no nominations there due to that limit. No students had applications on file at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy this time.
“To those announced today, congratulations on the effort and commitment to be a nominee. Each one is an excellent student with good grades and commendable test scores. The academies also consider community involvement, volunteer work, activities and interests, and good reputations,” said Congresswoman Amata. “A completed application on file with the academy is an absolute requirement for a nomination. Even strongly qualified students who express interest with my office but do not complete the application cannot be nominated.”
The nominations each year are based on the quality of the students' combined academic records; essays; letters of recommendation from their teachers, church leaders, and local community leaders; and verification that they have already applied separately to the academy or academies of their choice.
The service academies are fully funded federal colleges whose mission is to train future officers and leaders that will serve in each respective armed service. The admissions process is extremely competitive, as the academies seek candidates with high potential to become leaders as commissioned officers in the United States Armed Forces. The outcome depends on the upcoming decisions of the academies. Any students who are offered an appointment for the class would then be able to enter that academy in the summer.
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination as part of its competitive application process, however, if known, Congresswoman Amata is always pleased to include any accepted applicants from American Samoa in announcements each year, as well as highlight any presidential academy nominees if they were to occur from American Samoa.
“Each class is a joy to see, and I know each student has a wonderful future,” concluded Amata. “Thank you to the families of these students, as I know they make you proud, and to all our dedicated teachers and mentors.”