DES MOINES, IOWA – U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) today announced that his office is accepting applications for nominations to the United States’ military academies for the class entering in the summer of 2013.  Senator Harkin will nominate up to ten Iowans for every opening at each academy, with final selection for admission made by the individual academy.  

“Each year, I look forward to recommending outstanding young Iowans to the service academies.  It is a genuine honor,” Harkin said.

Our nation’s military academies offer Iowans outstanding educational opportunities for young people interested in military service.  Students can specialize in a variety of fields at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.

Senator Harkin also enjoyed a successful military career, having joined the Navy and served as a jet pilot after graduating from Iowa State University in 1962.

High school guidance counselors across the state have information about the application procedures prospective candidates must follow.  Senator Harkin uses a competitive method to screen applicants, including the evaluation of ACT or SAT scores, high school grade point average, leadership abilities, and physical aptitude.  Harkin has also appointed an academy selection committee that conducts personal interviews with academy finalists.

Interested individuals should complete Senator Harkin’s Service Academy Nomination application which can be found on his website, harkin.senate.gov.   Any additional questions should be directed to his Academy Nomination Coordinator, Tom Larkin, at 319-365-4504.