Thank you for your interest in a nomination to one of our nation’s service academies!
One of the privileges of serving in the United States House of Representatives is the opportunity to nominate outstanding young men and women from Texas 31st Congressional District to be considered for appointment by our nation’s service academies. As the Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Appropriations and co-chairman of the House Army Caucus it is my honor to assist you with your goal to serve our country in a military career. These nominations and appointments are very competitive and each year, the best and the brightest compete for this prestigious honor. Good luck to you!
Academy Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements established by law:
- US Citizen
- Legal Resident of the Texas 31st Congressional District. Military dependents are required by law to apply for a nomination in their legal domicile. The 31st district includes all of Bosque, Burnet, Coryell, and Hamilton counties and parts of Bell and Williamson counties. To find your representative, click here.
- At Least 17 years of age, but not yet 23 years of age by July 1 of the year of admission
- Unmarried with no legal obligation to support a child or other dependents
- Meet the physical, medical and academic requirements of the Academy
The Congressional nomination process is separate from the process required by each US Service Academy for admission. Candidates must open an admissions file with EACH admissions office of interest. It is to your advantage to apply to more than one academy and to request a nomination through all sources available to you: Presidential, Vice Presidential, Senatorial, Congressional, and JROTC.
United States Air Force Academy: www.usafa.edu
United States Military Academy: www.usma.edu
United States Naval Academy: www.usna.edu
United States Merchant Marine Academy: www.usmma.edu*
*Graduates of the Merchant Marine Academy are eligible to commission into any branch of the military.
Other Official Sources for an Academy nomination:
Vice President Kamala Harris: www.whitehouse.gov/vicepresident
Texas Senator John Cornyn: www.cornyn.senate.gov
Texas Senator Ted Cruz: www.cruz.senate.gov
Applications for the Class of 2029 are now open.
Submit by deadline! Completed TX-31 application packets are due by Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 5:00pm. Applications can be mailed, hand delivered or emailed. Mail or deliver to: Congressman John R. Carter, Attention to ACADEMY, 4411 S Ih-35, STE 115, Georgetown, TX 78626. Email submissions may be sent to: Phil Hokenson at Phillip.Hokenson@mail.house.gov and Vilma Rodriguez at Vilma.Rodriguez@mail.house.gov. Late or incomplete applications will NOT be considered for nomination. The deadline date is not a postmark date for mailed applications. No exceptions.
Complete application packets MUST include:
- One clear, recent, digital photo. Head and shoulders shot preferred.
- Resume (three-page maximum). Be sure to include: any study abroad or independent study experience; internships; extracurricular or athletics participation and/or leadership; community service experience; work experience; awards, honors, or scholarships; foreign language skills and proficiency; mission trips, adventure, or other travel; leadership roles in your school, community, or elsewhere; attendance at any academy summer leadership program.
- Personal essay (one page only). Please answer this question. Why do you desire a nomination to the Service Academy?
- Three personal recommendations signed and dated by recommender. At least one recommendation must be from a current teacher/professor. Ask recommenders early.
- Official copy of high school transcript to include courses currently in progress, and final junior grades. If your school only provides sealed transcripts, those may be mailed/emailed to our office. Ask early so documents arrive in our office by packet deadline.
- Official copy of college transcript or institution where classes were taken (i.e., homeschool, online or virtual institution, community college or university)
- Official letter from your Prep School professor/advisor confirming your academic record (if applicable)
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Official copy of SAT and/or ACT scores. If you test late, include a copy of the receipt from your testing agency in your packet to confirm the tests were taken. Late scores must arrive in the Bell County office before TX 31 Interview Day to be held Saturday, October 26, 2024. If your SAT/ACT scores are included on your transcript, do not submit additional copies.
Academy Interview Day:
Congressman Carter’s Academy Advisory Board will thoroughly review each candidate’s packet, conduct personal interviews on October 26, 2024 with eligible candidates, and make recommendations to the Congressman. In mid-December, Congressman Carter will make his decisions and personally notify each candidate who has been awarded a nomination.
