One of the privileges of serving in the United States House of Representatives is the opportunity to nominate outstanding your men and women from Texas 31^st 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 31^st 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 2028 are now open.

Submit by deadline! The completed TX-31 application packets MUST be received physically on or before Thursday, October 5, 2023, 5:00pm, CST in the Belton, TX district office. Send or deliver to: Congressman John R. Carter, Attention to ACADEMY, 2180 North Main Street, Suite I-10, Belton, TX 76513. Late or incomplete applications will NOT be considered for nomination. The deadline date is not a postmark date. No exceptions. For more information contact Cheryl Hassmann, Service Academy Liaison and Congressional Programs Coordinator: Cheryl.Hassmann@mail.house.gov.

Complete application packets MUST include:

• TX 31 official nomination application form (see application form below)

• Two clear, recent, color wallet-size photos. Head and shoulders shot preferred. Please write your name on the back of each photo. Do not staple or tape the photos to your application. Photocopies of photos not accepted.

• Resume (three-page maximum). Do not print double sided and do not staple.  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.  Include all letters in your packet and submit all documents at one time.

• 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)

• 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 in November 2023. 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 in November 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.

2023 Service Academy Application Form
2023 Service Academy Handout