I don't think so.
AJM, I think you are wrong.
I made three statements. One or two appointments. All get nominations. Restricted waiting list.. Not sure which one you have problems understanding.
First off, in re appointments, from US Code Title 10, Subtitle C, Part III, Subchapter 603, Paragraph 6954:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/6954
Authorized total strength the day prior to graduation:
(2)Five nominated at large by the Vice President or, if there is no Vice President, by the President pro tempore of the Senate.
Five over four year is 1.2 per year and, also, since there is attrition, occasionally he can offer two per year and maybe even rarely, offer three.
The question of the remainder getting nominations resulting in a restricted waiting list goes hand in hand. First off from the same US Code Title 10, Subtitle C, Part III, Subchapter 603, Paragraph 6954 we get the composition of the first 150 candidates on the waiting list:
(5)150 selected by the Secretary of the Navy in order of merit (prescribed pursuant to section 6956 of this title) from qualified alternates nominated by persons named in clauses (3) and (4) of subsection (a).
Clauses (3) and (4) in subsection (a):
(3)Ten from each State, five of whom are nominated by each Senator from that State.
(4)Five nominated by each Representative in Congress.
So, you can plainly see that the first 150 candidates are selected by order of merit from alternates of MOCs only. A lot of misconception here.
Next, if the class is still not to authorized strength, and we can do the math and realize it is not, paragraph 6956 applies:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/6956
(b)If it is determined that, upon the admission of a new class to the Academy, the number of midshipmen at the Academy will be below the authorized number, the Secretary may fill the vacancies by nominating additional midshipmen from qualified candidates designated as alternates and from other qualified candidates who competed for nomination and are recommended and found qualified by the Academic Board. At least three-fourths of those nominated under this subsection shall be from qualified alternates under clauses (2) through (8) of section 6954(a) of this title, and the remainder shall be from qualified candidates who competed for appointment under any other provision of law. An appointment of a nominee under this subsection is an additional appointment and is not in place of an appointment otherwise authorized by law.
Clauses (2) through (8) of section 6954(a) of this title;
2)Five nominated at large by the Vice President or, if there is no Vice President, by the President pro tempore of the Senate.
(3)Ten from each State, five of whom are nominated by each Senator from that State.
(4)Five nominated by each Representative in Congress.
(5)Five from the District of Columbia, nominated by the Delegate to the House of Representatives from the District of Columbia.
(6)Three from the Virgin Islands, nominated by the Delegate in Congress from the Virgin Islands.
(7)Six from Puerto Rico, five of whom are nominated by the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico and one who is a native of Puerto Rico nominated by the Governor of Puerto Rico.
(8)Three from Guam, nominated by the Delegate in Congress from Guam.
So, the VP’s alternates are eligible for three fourths of the appointments after the first 150 MOC alternates have been selected.
As for total number of alternates, from above we know that the VP can have alternates and from 6954, we know that only the MOCs are restricted to ten:
Each Senator, Representative, and Delegate in Congress, including the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, is entitled to nominate 10 persons for each vacancy that is available to him under this section.
As an aside, please note that Presidentials and ROTC are not mentioned anywhere and, thusly, fall under the one fourth of the remaining “remainder shall be from qualified candidates who competed for appointment under any other provision of law.” Even more restricted than VP.
Why do you think the SAs insist that everyone apply for the VP. One appointment from 20,000 applicants is kind of a waste of time isn’t it (your manna from heaven). Almost guaranteed appointment if your WPM supports competitiveness in the national pool