I have the honor and privilege to recommend some of South Dakota’s most talented and skilled students to attend the U.S Service Academies: The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. These academies allow young people to serve our country while receiving a full four-year scholarship from some of our finest institutions of higher learning.
Applications for the 2026-2027 freshman class (Class of 2030) have already been submitted. Applications for the 2027-2028 freshman class (Class of 2031) will be due October 10, 2026.
If you have any questions about the academy application process, reach out to GP in our Rapid City office at Academy_Nominations@rounds.senate.gov.
Each spring, my team hosts Service Academy Days across the state to give interested students and their families an opportunity to learn more about the service academies and the application process:
Sioux Falls
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM CT
Sioux Falls Downtown Library, Meeting Room B
200 North Dakota Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Rapid City
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM MT
SD School of Mines & Technology, Classroom Building Room 309
501 East Saint Joseph Street, Rapid City, SD 57701
aberdeen
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM CT
Northern State University, Student Center Centennial Rooms C & D
1200 South Jay Street, Aberdeen, SD 57401