What is a Service Academy

     The United States is home to five of the nearly 100 global service academies. These highly prestigious colleges, with acceptance rates as low as 7-10%, are highly structured, with the goal of training future officers for one's desired branch of military service and profession. Life at the academies requires a student who has strong academic discipline, physical fitness, leadership, and teamwork skills. Compared to a civilian college, students attending an academy have a number of physical and military requirements, in addition to high academic expectations. Students will undergo tests including the semi-annual physical readiness tests (PRT), and discover how to learn through a demanding four-year military program, all while juggling extracurriculars and sports. These academies also have hundreds of traditions which make student life so memorable, such as the annual Herndon monument climb of the United States Naval Academy (USNA), or the liberty bell tradition of the Coast Guard Academy. 

     Outside of the academic and military life of the academies, you are provided with housing in their dorm and community, giving you a reliable home for your next four years, free of charge. Located around 40 miles away in Annapolis, Md., the USNA is the closest academy to Bishop O’Connell. The academy gives public tours of the scenic campus which includes a stunning chapel, athletic centers, and a museum. USNA is home to more than 4,000 midshipmen and has one of the largest dormitories in the country. According to the 2025 U.S. News and World Report, USNA is #1 in Top Public Schools, #3 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (although all students graduate with a bachelor of science) and #5 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs. Of the five academies, USNA is considered the most challenging to get into, and of the DC/Va./Md. area, only about 40 students are accepted each year. Do not let the low acceptance rate stop you from applying, as the application process will be daunting for all but the most determined applicants.

Where to start:

     If interested in attending an academy, the earlier you prepare, the better your chances of success. Although the application process does not officially open till the end of your junior year, knowing details such as admission requirements and what branch you are most interested in, are decisions that – if made early – could positively impact your chances of success. A great start here at Bishop O’Connell would be our school counselor Dr. Daniel Stabile. Dr. Stabile has years of experience in the military, and assists students in the application process by providing an annual virtual briefing about the academies, as well as being there to prepare and guide as you go through the application process, as he has done for hundreds of students. Another great resource would be Mrs. Heidi Lenzini. Mrs. Lenzini is a graduate of the Naval Academy (class of 1995) and is a Blue and Gold officer. She's always willing to help answer any questions, and give tours of Annapolis and USNA’s Campus if interested.

     A student applying for an academy must persevere through the multi-step process, including a nomination from a congressman, President or Vice President, and math and English teacher recommendations. A student applying must be fully committed to serving in the military for at least five years following their graduation. The maximum age is 23 years old, so you have the opportunity to apply (or reapply if rejected) after graduation from DJO. The service academies offer a top-notch education along with a chance to serve the USA around the world. The road may be hard, but determined and qualified students may just find a place for them in one of the five!