principal vs primary nominations

mcfamily

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Is a primary nomination the same as principal? If not, can you explain the difference.
 
Is a primary nomination the same as principal? If not, can you explain the difference.

Where are you hearing the word "PRIMARY"? You don't give enough info. MOC's have the choice of providing their list of 10 nominees one of 3 ways.

1. Principal (First person on the list) and the other 9 names simply listed and the academy can rank those 9.
2. All 10 names Ranked, with the first being their "Principal" and the other 9 all ranked according to the MOC's decisions.
3. All 10 names simply on the list, no priority, and the academy ranks them.

The 9 in #1 and the 10 in #3 above is commonly known as "COMPETITIVE". In other words, the academy scores each candidate and ranks them against each other. The difference with the "PRINCIPAL" in #1 and #2, is that the MOC has specifically said, my #1 "PRINCIPAL" nominee is "John Smith/Jane Doe". Once the MOC does that, the academy has ABSOLUTELY NO CHOICE in the matter. They MUST give an appointment to that "PRINCIPAL" nominee. ASSUMING: The MOC has an opening, (Which they probably do or they wouldn't have submitted a slate of nominees), AND the Principal nominee MUST BE 100% Complete with their application AND 100% qualified.

In other words, the PRINCIPAL nominee, if that's how the MOC listed them, could have the lowest scores of all 10 nominees on the MOC's list, and the academy STILL MUST GIVE THEM THE APPOINTMENT if they are qualified.

2 things. Very few MOC's use the Principal method. They normally use #3 above. Give 10 names and let the academy choose. The other thing is; if the MOC does use the Principal method, they know what they're doing. They aren't going to give the Principal to the lowest scored person on their slate. The person who receives a Principal, most always deserves it.

As for PRIMARY; I have no idea what you're talking about, unless you're trying to use the two words interchangeably.
 
Our DS received a principal nomination from our MOC, however in the letter that DS received, it started out "I am pleased to inform you of your selection as the primary nominee for the United States Air Force Academy Class of 2016." It took a few phone calls and a final, "Yes, you are my number one choice.", at a reception to realize that this MOC used the word primary to mean principal.
 
2 things. Very few MOC's use the Principal method.

Last survey I heard about said that 20% of them (that's about 100 MOC) use it, so it's a little more than "very few.

Christcorp said:
They aren't going to give the Principal to the lowest scored person on their slate.

A MOC can strategically use the Principal nomination to get more appointments from his slate, and it may indeed go to a lower-scored person.

Example - If there are 2 applicants with LOA, a MOC can name a 3rd applicant as his Principal and give the other 2 non-principal nominations, thus ensuring all 3 are appointed.
 
Example - If there are 2 applicants with LOA, a MOC can name a 3rd applicant as his Principal and give the other 2 non-principal nominations, thus ensuring all 3 are appointed.

Our MOC has done this in the past.
 
Last survey I heard about said that 20% of them (that's about 100 MOC) use it, so it's a little more than "very few.



A MOC can strategically use the Principal nomination to get more appointments from his slate, and it may indeed go to a lower-scored person.

Example - If there are 2 applicants with LOA, a MOC can name a 3rd applicant as his Principal and give the other 2 non-principal nominations, thus ensuring all 3 are appointed.

MOC's definitely can give it to a "LOWER" scored person. But I said they wouldn't give it to the "LOWEST" scored person on THEIR slate. In other words, if they put 10 people on their slate, and they use the PRINCIPAL method, they aren't going to put the LOWEST scored person as their #1 Principal. But there are a lot of reasons for putting a lower scored person as their #1. E.g. If the #1 scored person on a MOC's slate ALSO has an LOA, then I recommend they put them at #10 if they rank their slate. They are guaranteed the appointment with the LOA and Nomination, so by all means get a 2nd appointment by using a Principal. I agree with you totally. "Good For the MOC for trying to take care of his/her applicants". The academy does enough manipulation; I like it when MOC's are proactive.
 
primary vs. principal

Our congressman also used the word "primary" in referring to the nomination. A call to his office confirmed for us as well that he provides a ranked slate and that the "primary" nominee was ranked #1 on the slate.
 
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