The Vice President is authorized to nominate individuals to the United States Military, Naval, and Air Force Academies but can not nominate to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and does not nominate to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
The Vice President is the only authorized nominating authority who can nominate U.S. citizens without geographical restrictions. He may have a maximum number of five nominees in attendance at each authorized academy at any one time. Normally, he has one or two vacancies each year.
In order to be entered into competition for a Vice Presidential nomination, applicants must complete the online nomination application during the application period of March 1 to January 31 preceding the year of entrance to the academies. The Office of the Vice President will not accept paper applications.
