The Service Academy Parity Act amends federal law to establish a formal nomination and appointment process for cadets at the Coast Guard Academy, similar to procedures used at other military service academies. Beginning in the 2029 academic year, the bill creates specific position allocations for cadets from different sources: 230 positions for residents of each state nominated by members of Congress proportional to their representation, three positions for children of deceased or disabled service members, one position nominated at large by the Vice President, individual positions for residents of U.S. territories and Puerto Rico, and twenty positions for enlisted Coast Guard members nominated by the Commandant. The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security will establish a competitive merit-based selection system to choose among nominated candidates, ranking applicants based on competitive exams, academic background, and other indicators of success. Members of Congress who nominate candidates must be notified at least 48 hours before official appointment announcements, and can request transparency information about their nominees. This legislation brings the Coast Guard Academy into alignment with nomination procedures already in place at West Point, Annapolis, and the Air Force Academy.
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