What does a principle nomination mean?

bjschick

5-Year Member
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Dec 8, 2010
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I know that some Senators and Congressmen/women give out un-ranked nomination slates, but if you receive a principle nomination does that mean that you are accepted as long as you meet the basic requirements of the USAFA? My Congressman gives out principle nom's (1 principle nomination and 9 qualified alternates), and I have been asked by the offices of both of my Senator's to inform them if I receive the principle nomination so they don't "waste" a nomination on me (both simply submit 10 names un-ranked). If it's true that you're all set with a principle nom, then I will do this, but I also don't want to hurt my chances because I have received unofficial assurances that I will receive nominations from both Senator's and my Congressman (Congressman did not indicate if I was principle nominee, but it seems likely). What should I do? Is there anyone who knows and answer with absolute certainty?
 
Nominees may be submitted in three categories:

  • without ranking,
  • with a principal candidate and nine ranked alternates, or
  • with a principal candidate and nine unranked alternates.
When the Member specifies a principal candidate, that individual will be appointed to a DOD academy as long as he or she meets all other admission criteria.

If the principal candidate is disqualified, the service academies will appoint the first fully qualified, ranked alternate, if specified by the Member.

In circumstances where Members do not specify a principal candidate or ranked alternates, one individual from among the Member’s nominees who is found to be fully qualified will be appointed by the academy.

:cool:
 
thanks

Thanks, I wish there was some document I could look at to verify that. I always thought that principle nom was basically your ticket in but wasn't sure. Anyone else have knowledge on this subject?
 
There's no other knowledge that needs to be said. Luigi said it exactly as it is. EVERY MOC is guaranteed at least 1 academy slot per class, assuming they have an opening. (They can't have more than 5 individuals slotted against them at the academy at any one time). Most moc's simply provide their slate of ten, and ALLOW the academy to do the choosing. I say "ALLOW", because it is the primary responsibility of the MOC to determine WHO will get their guaranteed slot. But most MOC's believe that the academy knows best, who is the most qualified, so they "ALLOW" the academy to do the choosing.

However; there are some MOCs who believe that they are capable of interviewing and determining who their most qualified nominee will be. Some of these MOCs will submit their slate of 10 names and list their PRINCIPAL nominee. If they submit a principal, then the academy MUST give that nominee an appointment. "Assuming they are qualified in all areas". It really is that simple.

And yes, there IS a document that says all this. Look at Title 10 of the US code, and you can learn all about it. Or, you can trust us and what we are saying. Best of luck to you. Mike.....
 
There's no other knowledge that needs to be said. Luigi said it exactly as it is. EVERY MOC is guaranteed at least 1 academy slot per class, assuming they have an opening. (They can't have more than 5 individuals slotted against them at the academy at any one time). Most moc's simply provide their slate of ten, and ALLOW the academy to do the choosing. I say "ALLOW", because it is the primary responsibility of the MOC to determine WHO will get their guaranteed slot. But most MOC's believe that the academy knows best, who is the most qualified, so they "ALLOW" the academy to do the choosing.

However; there are some MOCs who believe that they are capable of interviewing and determining who their most qualified nominee will be. Some of these MOCs will submit their slate of 10 names and list their PRINCIPAL nominee. If they submit a principal, then the academy MUST give that nominee an appointment. "Assuming they are qualified in all areas". It really is that simple.

And yes, there IS a document that says all this. Look at Title 10 of the US code, and you can learn all about it. Or, you can trust us and what we are saying. Best of luck to you. Mike.....

Thanks for the input, it seems like you guys know what you're talking about. I was just being cautious because it just doesnt seem like a good idea to give up a nomination of any kind. Thanks again.
 
Just make sure you verify with your congressman that you are indeed the principal nom before contacting your senators
 
Just make sure you verify with your congressman that you are indeed the principal nom before contacting your senators
The OP has not been told by his MOC if he is a principal or not. I really do not think it is his place to run down this information for the Senators. A simple "My Congressman did not relate to me the type of nomination which I received so therefore I have no idea" should suffice.
 
Mongo, believe it or not, I TOTALLY agree with you!
The OP stated it "seems likely" they have the Principal nom, and I was merely trying to impress upon the OP not to go contacting ANY Senators until she knows for sure, don't give up any noms on "it seems likely"
Perhaps my wording of "make sure you verify" was not the best wording--I like your suggestion better, that way no noms are given up, I would personally go into this with the most noms possible!
 
Traditionally when you receive your nom letter from your MOC they will state how they submitted the list.

If your congrats we have nominated you to the AFA does not say and you are Principal, than it is probably not a leap to believe you did not get the principal.

Go back and read your congrat letter it probably is there and you just missed it because as soon as you saw Congrats you jumped for joy and screamed to the world you got the nom. not realizing that it also stated on how the slate was being submitted to the AFA.

Congrats on getting the nom.
 
You need to call up and ask the MoC's office if the letter doesn't state anything specifically. Ours did not and his office said they used a standard form for all the letters that go out and none of the principals are noted as such in the 'canned' letter all get. The principals are verbally told so and that's how it was with us. So each their own. If in doubt, don't be afraid to call. They work for you! :smile:

Traditionally when you receive your nom letter from your MOC they will state how they submitted the list.

If your congrats we have nominated you to the AFA does not say and you are Principal, than it is probably not a leap to believe you did not get the principal.

Go back and read your congrat letter it probably is there and you just missed it because as soon as you saw Congrats you jumped for joy and screamed to the world you got the nom. not realizing that it also stated on how the slate was being submitted to the AFA.

Congrats on getting the nom.
 
falconchic took the leap that the OP stated it was likely he got it, whereas, the OP actually stated that the Sens know this MOC gives a principal and asked if he got it?

The OP stated he doesn't know if he did.

Now put together that some MOCs write in their congratulatory letters that they used the principal method, and you got it. Some used canned letters, but call the nominee personally to tell them they got it. Either way you get the same results that the principal nominee was informed @ at the same time the letter went out.

If the OP has in hand the letter and it states nothing about being the principal, and has not received a phone call from the MOC, chances are they are not the principal.

Now through that crap aside.

There is no law that states that the MOC who has used historically the principal method must always use that method.

For all anyone here knows including the OP, this MOC for this yr of candidates could have decided to allow the SAs to determine the apptmt based on WCS.

I do agree that they should make a quick call to the MOC, and politely state:

I have spoken to Sen XYZ and they said your office gives a principal, but reading your nom letter I do not see anything that alludes to this, can you please tell me if I was the principal so I can inform them?

My only point was and still is don't be surprised if they say yes, we give principal, but you were not selected.

I live by the creed it is best to hope for the best, but expect the worst.

For the OP if you are not the principal and they do give principals, don't give up hope.

Our very close friend's DS got a nom to the AFA, he wanted USNA. The girl who got USNA wanted AFA. Today they are both at their dream SAs as C3Cs because they contacted the MOC and they switched them on their slates. It isn't over until you report in July.
 
Okay let's say it isn't over until you are no longer eligible due to the age requirement!:biggrin:
 
So if I receive a principle nomination, I can assume that at some point in the future I will receive a BFE (not that a million people haven't already asked that question already...)?
 
So if I receive a principle nomination, I can assume that at some point in the future I will receive a BFE (not that a million people haven't already asked that question already...)?

I could be wrong, I'm just a candidate myself, but I don't think so. I think that even with a principle nom you are still at the risk of not being accepted. I don't think anything (except for an LOA) guarantees your acceptance.
 
If you have principal nom and are fully qualified (including medical), you will get the BFE. If you are not fully qualified, then no you won't get the appointment (if ti's a ranked slate, #2 on the slate will get it and if it is an unranked slate the SA will select the highest WCS).
 
I got a letter from DoDMERB saying I was medically qualified, and I think I did pretty well on the physical, and grades/test scores are pretty good (again, I think they are in comparison to the average data released by the Academy), so how do I know if I'm triple Q'd by the Academy?
 
Easy. If your USAFA portal has the following on it even before you got your nom then you were triple qualified.

Application Status

Your Status: Candidate*
Your Application is: Complete

Medical Status

Status: Qualified


I got a letter from DoDMERB saying I was medically qualified, and I think I did pretty well on the physical, and grades/test scores are pretty good (again, I think they are in comparison to the average data released by the Academy), so how do I know if I'm triple Q'd by the Academy?
 
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