Hawaii, Idaho Students Nominated for US Military Academies

HONOLULU, Hawaii — Thirty-nine Hawaiʻi students and 55 Idaho students have earned nominations to U.S. military service academies for the Class of 2029, announced U.S. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono and U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, respectively, on Friday. The nominees will advance for consideration by each academy’s director of admissions.

“Each year, Hawaiʻi students from all walks of life apply to our military service academies with aspirations of serving our country,” Hirono said. “These young people work hard to earn nominations, and I am proud to announce this year’s impressive group of nominees. I know they will represent our state with pride and distinction.”

Hirono’s nominations include students for the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy uses a separate application process.

In Idaho, Risch highlighted the achievements of 55 students, including Malachi Walsh of Moscow, who was nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. “Each year, I am impressed by the young men and women who apply to our nation’s military academies and step up to serve our country,” Risch said. “These 55 Idahoans have demonstrated leadership, academic promise, and commitment to defending our freedoms. I commend them and look forward to their future success.”

Members of Congress submit nominations to the four service academies for their respective states. Each academy’s director of admissions then selects from the submitted lists of nominees, who are evaluated based on scholastic achievement, leadership experience, school involvement, athletic and extracurricular activities, community contributions, and volunteer or employment experiences. Nomination does not guarantee appointment.

The Class of 2029 nominees from Hawaiʻi and Idaho will now await final decisions from the academies, which are expected to be announced later this year.