# Plain Language Summary: Restoring Merit in the Military Service Academies Act

This bill changes how the three main military academies—West Point (Army), Annapolis (Navy), and the Air Force Academy—select students. Currently, these academies consider various factors when admitting cadets and midshipmen. This bill would require that admissions be based almost entirely on a single "candidate composite score" that combines test scores and academic performance, with very limited consideration of other factors.

Here's what would actually change: The bill mandates that at least 60 percent of each applicant's composite score must come from academics, with standardized test scores (like the SAT or ACT) making up at least 45 percent of that academic component. This means test scores would become the dominant factor in admissions decisions. The bill also explicitly prohibits considering an applicant's race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or religion when making admission decisions. Currently, academies can weigh these demographic factors along with other qualities like leadership potential, athletic ability, or life experiences. Under this bill, those considerations would be severely limited or eliminated.

The practical effect would be that military academy admissions would look much more like traditional college admissions based on grades and test scores. The bill also creates 300 additional "qualified alternate" slots at each academy to be filled strictly by composite score ranking. Additionally, the bill requires the academies to submit annual reports to Congress detailing any waivers granted to students who didn't meet minimum score requirements, including their test scores and reasons for the exceptions.

Supporters argue this ensures the most academically qualified candidates attend the academies. Critics worry it could reduce diversity among future military officers and eliminate consideration of other important qualities like character, resilience, or potential for leadership that don't show up on standardized tests.