U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) has announced that applications are being accepted for United States Military Academies.

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to the U.S. Military Academy, West Point; the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis; the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York.

The appointments require an obligation to serve in the military for at least nine years, including four years at an academy and five years with a branch of military service. Applications will only be accepted for students graduating in 2018 or earlier.

Applications are available at lieu.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations. They should be mailed to Ashley Fumiko Dominguez, 5055 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 310, Los Angeles, CA 90036 no later than 5 p.m. on Oct. 20. Application materials (except official transcripts and SAT/ACT scores) and letters of recommendation may also be emailed to serviceAcademyNOM.Lieu@mail.house.gov. After the information has been submitted, potential appointees will be contacted for an interview to be held on Saturday, Nov. 4. A Skype interview may be arranged for students that are currently out of state or otherwise physically unable to attend an in-person interview.  For information, call Dominguez at (323)651-1040 — or email ServiceAcademyNOM.Lieu@mail.house.gov.