Principal Nominee

I know this has been discussed before and I have read all of the posts I can find on this topic but I am still a little confused, I am hoping someone can answer this questions:

If a senator or congressman chooses one applicant to be his principal nominee than does that person automatically gain admission to the academy as long as he is minimally qualified and the MOC has not used up all of his 5 slots at that academy?

Bill1899 said:

I know this has been discussed before and I have read all of the posts I can find on this topic but I am still a little confused, I am hoping someone can answer this questions:

If a senator or congressman chooses one applicant to be his principal nominee than does that person automatically gain admission to the academy as long as he is minimally qualified and the MOC has not used up all of his 5 slots at that academy?

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Yes.

A MOC has 5 slots at each academy. Assuming that the MOC has all his slots filled, one will free up each time a cadet he principally nominated leaves the academy. Usually, all the slots are filled, and a new slot opens up every year. The MOC will then principally nominate a new person to this open slot with nine ranked alternates. The candidate with the principle nomination must be granted admission by law, assuming that candidate is deemed qualified physically, medically, and academically. If the candidate does not meet one of the requirements, the principal nomination is then passed down to the next ranked alternate, until someone to fill the slot is found.

Yes, it's sort of like a congressman's LOA. As long as you complete your application and are found 3Q'd, then they must offer you an appointment.