Interesting facts about Academy Admission

I was given a nomination to USAFA from a congressman that my family had no connection what-so-ever. My family actually largly opposed his politics. I think that this article is trying to be politically correct and make a cry that everything is unfair.
 
What a hack job. "Journalism" at it's best.

"Well, that was certainly in the back of our minds, although that wasn't the driving force," said Edwin "Dice" Wyllie, a real-estate agent in Lynn Haven, Fla., whose son was nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy by Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla. "Absolutely, this certainly can't hurt, but it wasn't the driving force behind the contribution at all."

Wyllie donated $250 to Southerland less than a year before the nomination. It was his first donation to a federal campaign, although he said he has given to local Republicans in the past. He said no one connected with the congressman asked for the donation. Wyllie said he contributed because Southerland shares his values."

50:1 odds this conversation was taken out of context. Was that suppose to be a smoking gun??! Let's see..... A parent gave $250 lousy donation to a campaign and somehow the system is rigged.:rolleyes: Add a couple of zeros and you might have me wondering. Sure and the Hell not a measly 250 bucks.
 
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Hm. NOt sure I'm buying all that. We are polar opposites in political ideals from our congressman (I once wrote him a letter in crayon because I felt his stand was "childish"). My sons never even sent the paper work in to our former, now deceased, senator, because despite giving lip service to our political leanings, my sons felt he was a phony (and turned out to be one - who knew? :) ). The second senator, who is only dimly aware of his own existence, was a waste of paperwork and stamps, so they boycotted him as well. Got the nom from the MOC and never looked back (and he never for a moment even sent a note or letter, or anything).

An associate of mine recently was discussing my sons with that same MOC and his wife. She said how well they were doing in the AF, etc. and this MOC's wife said, "Why would anyone even let their children go into the war machine?" (Her words) So, maybe for our district, they only give noms to those whom they'd just as soon lived and voted elsewhere.
 
Typical liberal journalism. We have no contribution ties to the MOCs and DD received an appointment; even received two nominations - one from each major political party.
 
We stay away from politics so no connection here.

Even if there was a connection for some, I highly doubt MOC's would nominate someone who is not competitive. It reflects poorly upon them.
 
USA today isn't a publication I would look to for reliable/objective info about SA's. It appears from the posted url this article is a couple of years old, not anything recent. The fact that some who get NOM's might also have parents who made a donation to that MOC proves nothing. I assume the publication already had their mind made up and cherry-picked some data to support that. Being politically connected has nothing to do with getting a NOM for the vast majority of those applying.
 
Even if there was a connection for some, I highly doubt MOC's would nominate someone who is not competitive. It reflects poorly upon them.

It happens -- it is rare. Principal Nom still has to meet minimum requirements as determined by the SA. Remember, about 4000 candidates receive nominations and the SAs determine about 2400 of them are "qualified academically and in physical aptitude."

Article even argues with itself on some points. Wonder if Bruce had a hand in writing it ;)
 
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Typical liberal journalism. We have no contribution ties to the MOCs and DD received an appointment; even received two nominations - one from each major political party.
Timeout! WWTD (What Would Trump Do)?? He would given donations to BOTH parties.:p Come clean Capri120. You gave $5 donation to both parties and you "bought their influence"!:bleh2:

In all seriousness, I'm very sure relationships have played an occasional role in who gets into the Academies. It could be children of faculty, the sons or daughters of high ranking military officials, and YES politicians family friends. Welcome to reality. But I would say this is the extreme minority of cases. Putting it another way, it is not worthy of a news article.
 
Actually, they all get enough of my tax dollars, so I always mark the "donation" box on my return as "NO".
But, agree with your comments.
 
Too funny. My DS had three congressional interviews. We gave to one of the three's campaigns. My DS got nominations from two of the three. The only one he did not receive one from happened to be the one we gave money to during his campaign. It also happened to be the only one not in our close geographical area of the state. I know a journalist could read that several different ways to spin it the way they wanted to in an article.
 
DS1 nominated back in 2003 by MOC of opposite party. No relationship or donations (in fact, my DW and I highly disliked the MOC).
DS2 nominated twelve years later by different MOC, also of opposite party. No relationship or donations. (This MOC is more tolerable).

There could be outliers among all the congressional reps, and Senators, but overall my impression is that the use of SA committees has taken much of the politics out of the equation.
 
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