Mail Call: Consider the Naval Academy for college

The U.S. Naval Academy is one of five public-service academies offering education to high school graduates who are U.S. citizens.

Why consider USNA for your youngster’s college education? There are two really good reasons.

First, the education is free, paid for by taxpayers. The family does not have to go into debt to pay for the education. In fact, midshipmen are PAID as they attend school.

Second, after four years of education, on the day of graduation, the students are commissioned into the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps as officers. They all have a job, a profession, a Bachelor of Sciences degree and no college debt to repay.

Sounds too good to be true? Yes, there is a price.

Graduates must serve for five years after graduation. They all graduate into leadership positions as officers, flying airplanes aboard aircraft carriers, operating ships, nuclear-powered submarines or leading platoons of Marines.

Predictably, the competition for entry to USNA is fierce — 16,000 students started applications in the 2025-26 cycle graduating in 2030. The USNA admissions board will only accept about 1,100 young men and women for entry.

The admissions process is difficult compared to most colleges or universities. High school grades have to be high, and there is a physical fitness test to pass, in addition three letters of recommendation and high college test scores.

Additionally, to earn an “appointment,”  each applicant must have a “nomination.” Most nominations come from federally elected representatives. Each member of the House of Representatives and the Senate may appoint up to 10 students.

Applicants must compete for a congressional nomination. Once nominated, the Admissions Board will consider the applicant for an appointment. The offspring of veterans who have a 100 percent disability may receive a nomination from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. There are several other sources of nomination.

Visit usna.edu/admissions for more.

Daniel M. Lambert

Fergus Falls Post 30

ret. Navy commander