2026 Military Service Academy nominations announced

Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) last month announced the names of 33 young Alaskans he nominated to the U.S. Military Service Academies.

“It is a highlight of my job to nominate young Alaskans to our nation’s prestigious military service academies,” said Sen. Sullivan. “These students, from across Alaska and with diverse backgrounds, show the incredible ways our young people are involved in our communities, schools, churches, and homes. They are not only hard workers, but well-rounded, caring individuals who have a desire to serve their country as leaders in the military. My board and I are so pleased to get to know them better and provide them this opportunity to compete to attend an academy.”

Senator Sullivan made his selections with the help of an Academy Review Board, comprised of eleven members from across Alaska, many of whom are service academy graduates. The board reviewed applications, interviewed each of the applicants, and made recommendations to the Senator.

“I also want to thank the dedicated members of the review board for volunteering countless hours of their own time to strengthen this process. We hope to see more applications next year and encourage young Alaskans to research the academies and the programs they offer.”

Members of the Alaska congressional delegation work closely with one another to maximize the opportunities for Alaska men and women to receive nominations to the academies. The nominations allow the applicants to compete for appointments to the academies. Appointments are offered individually by the academies.

Senator Sullivan’s Class of 2030 U.S. Military Service Academy nominees from the Mat-Su Borough are as follows:

U.S. Air Force Academy:

Morgan Ainsworth, Palmer; Rick Benedict III, Wasilla; Isabelle Skye Limauro – Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK; Keena Liberty Bennett – Anchorage; Macey M. Harper – Anchorage' Knud Larsen – Chugiak' Michael Joseph Porter – Eagle River

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy:

Rick Benedict III, Wasilla; Joshua L. Nelson – Anchorage; Aodhan Nakada – Anchorage; Isabelle Skye Limauro – Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

U.S. Military Academy:

Rick Benedict III, Wasilla; Keena Liberty Bennett – Anchorage; Joshua L. Nelson – Anchorage; Macey M. Harper – Anchorage; Elayna Grace Tunney – Anchorage; Aodhan Nakada – Anchorage; Elodie A. Bennett – Anchorage; Isabelle Skye Limauro – Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

U.S. Naval Academy:

Rick Benedict III, Wasilla; Isabelle Skye Limauro – Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination for their application.