Nomination dilemma

2013hopeful

5-Year Member
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Sep 10, 2012
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DS received congressional nomination to WP. He is thrilled about the possibilities that await him at WP! However, DS still has interest to possibly attend the USNA too. In year's past, our Congressman has typically nominated fewer than the 10 allowed to either academy. Is it appropriate for DS to call congressional academy representative to solicit a nomination to the Naval Academy?

Obviously DS does not want to look ungrateful or presumptuous in any way. WP was his first choice on congressman's application. However, he does not want to diminish his opportunities either.

Any suggestions/thoughts?
 
How many different NOM's did he apply for? If USNA is really his top choice, why did he put WP on their application? I am sure that will be the first question the MOC's office asked if he now calls and tries to change his mind.
 
I was not implying he had a change of heart about WP and wants to go to the USNA; sorry if that's what it sounded like. I was just wondering the etiquette surrounding nominations so that he might ask our MOC for a nomination to the USNA that MOC is not using for any other candidate; thereby increasing DS's chances of becoming an officer in the US military through a service academy education.

He was selected from the first Army ROTC board to receive a four year scholarship (Plan C). He has a nomination to the USMMA (Plan B). His first choice is West Point, but then again only one nominee typically gets an appointment at each military academy (I know there are chances MOC might have more than one candidate receive an appointment). However, to increase his chances of becoming a military officer as a graduate from a service academy, I thought it might be reasonable to solicit a USNA nomination from our MOC too. DS had a CVW at the USNA and loved it. He went to SLS, received a LOE, and an overnight visit at WP and loved it there as well.

I think he would be a great officer as a graduate from either academy or through the ROTC program. His degree major would be the same at either academy or at the ROTC university.

As I stated, I'm just curious as to the perceived etiquette of asking a MOC for an unused nomination; not trying to be a nomination pig or being presumptuous in any way.

Thanks.
 
HUH?:confused: I've not a clue what you said. Can you sum up what you want in one sentence?

Does your son want to go to USNA?

Again, if so, why didn't he make that known to your MOC when he was requesting a nomination? Sorry, but you've lost me.
 
HUH?:confused: I've not a clue what you said. Can you sum up what you want in one sentence?

Does your son want to go to USNA?

Again, if so, why didn't he make that known to your MOC when he was requesting a nomination? Sorry, but you've lost me.

I believe what is trying to be said here is that the DS wants to keep as many options open as possible in order to increase chances of a SA incase he does not get into WP. He has a wp nom, but say he doesn't get accepted. The question here is, I believe, whether it is bad to ask for multiple noms in the case one SA falls through. I could be completely missing the mark here though.
 
Positivity, you described my question perfectly. Sorry I was not able to make sense with my question. However, Positivity is spot on with his understanding of my question. Thanks Positivity!
 
I'm a little confused, too. Where does USNA fall in the priority of schools? From your post, it seems like it is Plan D, at best. If that is the case, then I am not sure why your DS would seek a nomination to USNA? Also, if I was making my case for your MOC to amend the nominee list, I would make sure to have completed practically the entire application.
 
If I was on the MOC's nominating committee, I would have a very bad feeling for that request. I would feel very manipulated. It immediately says that the candidate has problems with priorities, goals, and transparency. I'd go with what you got and let the chips fall where they may and if there is a next time don't repeat that mistake.
 
USMMA?

Your first post made sense but you second one threw me. How did he end up with a USMMA nomination if USNA is his second choice? Maybe whoever gave him the USMMA one would be willing to switch it to USNA.
 
This isn't too difficult to grasp gents. His DS wants to become an officer. His preference is to attend a service academy. If he doesn't get an appointment to USMA he would like to have the chance to attend USNA. He would prefer that over any form of ROTC although he'll be happy to do ROTC if that's what it take to commission. He simply wants to increase his chances of getting to attend a service academy. Yes, he should have thought of this when he first interviewed with the MOC but, being a nervous kid, he didn't.

I have no idea what the etiquette is on this probably because it's never been established... too few occurrences to have a "procedure". My own thought is it generally can't hurt to ask. If the MOC has open slots for USNA on his slate then perhaps he'll say yes... or more likely maybe and they'll wait until the last minute before the slate is submitted (in case someone else comes along).

On the other hand, if Army is really the preferred service and DS already has a ROTC scholarship in hand, then I would suggest he stick with the hand he holds. It's far more important to pick the service than it is to pick the school environment. School will be far behind him when he's doing those 5 years of active duty. Anyway, that's my $0.02.
 
We can only offer our input based on the information as presented. If he has a NOM for WP and now wants to juggle around the priorities it could appear as if he is trying to 'game' the system by changing his priorities after the fact. Often times you will be informed of an ROTC scholarship BEFORE the WP or USNA process has been completed. ROTC is often a plan B for those applying to service academies.
 
Would a MOC be more likely to consider a request for another nomination if the candidate had an LOA to the other service academy? I'm in a similar situation, I have a LOA to USNA, but my first choice is USMA. I've won the Army ROTC scholarship, but it would be a great honor to attend USNA if USMA doesn't work out. I don't want to sound ungrateful for a USMA nomination though, I wouldn't want to seem like I just want to go to an academy just for the sake of going to an academy, my goal is to become an officer.
 
Would a MOC be more likely to consider a request for another nomination if the candidate had an LOA to the other service academy? I'm in a similar situation, I have a LOA to USNA, but my first choice is USMA. I've won the Army ROTC scholarship, but it would be a great honor to attend USNA if USMA doesn't work out. I don't want to sound ungrateful for a USMA nomination though, I wouldn't want to seem like I just want to go to an academy just for the sake of going to an academy, my goal is to become an officer.

There is nothing wrong with
1. Wanting to be an officer
2. Preferring to commission through a service academy as opposed to ROTC
3. These can all be presented without appearing ungrateful

All that is required is honest, full and complete answers during the MOC nomination process. However, these should all be during process and not wait until after. Some MOCs will only nominate to one academy, so be prepared to make a choice if that's necessary. Some MOCs will nominate to both. Personally, if I had to make a choice between on or the other I would pick the one that offered the LOA, but that's just me. A strong case can be made for picking the preferred service if there is one.
 
The unfortunate thing for me is that I was awarded the LOA following my interviews so I didn't have a chance to bring this topic up. The LOA was sent to each office, but I'm not sure if it would be appropriate for me to contact them now and express interest in USNA.:frown:
 
DS received congressional nomination to WP. He is thrilled about the possibilities that await him at WP! However, DS still has interest to possibly attend the USNA too. In year's past, our Congressman has typically nominated fewer than the 10 allowed to either academy. Is it appropriate for DS to call congressional academy representative to solicit a nomination to the Naval Academy?

Obviously DS does not want to look ungrateful or presumptuous in any way. WP was his first choice on congressman's application. However, he does not want to diminish his opportunities either.

Any suggestions/thoughts?

Judging from the responses here, you have received several opinions. My recommendation would be to call the MoC's office and have an open and honest conversation with them. You are a constituent of the MoC and he/she serves you not the other way around. My impression of MoCs and their staffmembers is they are willing and eager to do what they can for a young person willing to serve our country. Cheers and good luck.
 
2013hopeful,

Is your MOC in question, Hon. John Lewis? If so, please see the below. If not, then I would check your MOC's website and see if this question is addressed.

From Congressman John Lewis' website FAQ:

What if I choose more than one academy? Will I be limited to a single nomination?

No. You can be nominated to multiple academies depending on how well you have competed among this year's pool of candidates. It is also possible to win multiple appointments.

The reason I bring this up, is if your DS marked more than 1 SA in the application for a nomination, he might have already been considered.
 
The unfortunate thing for me is that I was awarded the LOA following my interviews so I didn't have a chance to bring this topic up. The LOA was sent to each office, but I'm not sure if it would be appropriate for me to contact them now and express interest in USNA.:frown:

As I said in an earlier post (I think on this thread) I don't think it can ever hurt to call and ask. But I have to say, you knew you had APPLIED before the interview, right? It should have come up that you were also interested in USNA... and if they didn't ask you should have brought it up.
 
No offense, but I know exactly what I want to do in exactly what branch. I think it should be vital to know what you want to do, or at least have an idea of what it may be.
 
I sincerely appreciate everyone's response(s). As I wrote in an earlier post, WP was and is DS's number one preference. As several folks have noted, I did not pose my question because DS wants to move USNA up to his number one preference.

My original question was meant to solicit people's opinions about the etiquette of asking our MOC for DS to be awarded an unused MOC nomination to USNA; if one is available.

I have seen any number of candidates (or their parents) indicate they submitted an application to more than one academy. Such is the case with my DS.

In most cases the MOC has only one nominee appointed to an academy. Certainly there are exceptions to the one appointee rule, but in most cases it is a one appointee for each MOC.

Thinking it a possibility DS does not receive an appointment to WP, he would like to be considered for the USNA. He has not received a nomination to the USNA and historically, MOC does not use all 10 of his nominations. Thus, my original scenario.

Anyway, thanks again for all the insight. DS does not want to re-prioritize; just optimize his opportunity to attend a SA.
 
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