Question for those in the know. . .

2020 wannabe said:

Just thinking here. Considering some have recently received notification that they would not be getting an appointment this time, if DS is still waiting does that mean there is a better chance of an offer of appointment now? What makes some get the TWE earler than others? Was hoping one of the members on the inside of academy could shed some light in this. I know if he is still in it, there is a chance. And we are patiently awaiting and going on with life, but just wondering. Thanks!

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845something said:

When a candidate is mathematically eliminated from the competition, then a TWE is sent. For a demonstration in simplest terms, let's say a candidate can only have one nomination from a MOC. That MOC nominates 10 individuals, and sends a competitive slate.

#1 will get the offer if they become medically qualified.
#2 gets an offer in this case because their WCS is high enough for NWL, but they have not accepted because USAFA is their priority.
#3 is fully qualified and waiting on one or both of the above to decide
#4 and #5 go to the same school. #5 is a recruited athlete with a LOA, so both 4 and 5 get an offer (too easy for #4 to lodge a complaint of why their DS or DD was better and didn't get an offer)
#6, and #7 get QNS because there is no way with all individuals above them with offers accepted and pending that they will fill that vacancy
#8 is DQ'd already because of academics
#9 is coming from USMAPS and will get an offer towards April
#10 didn't even have an application open because they didn't understand the process and West Point gladly closed the file they failed to complete in the month from the time the nomination came in and file deadline.

West Point will hold off on sending a QNS to #3 until they can make the determination who will bring the most to the class...a lot of that revolves around #1 and #2 obviously, but also the rest of the class in comparison to #3. Likely scenario:

April 15th roles around and #1 is not medically Q'd, then that vacancy would go to #2. Even if #2 declines because USAFA came through, #3 may or may not get an offer depending on how the class fill looks at that point in time. If it is full, #4 fills the vacancy, and #3 gets a QNS. If #3 is close to being a NWL candidate or fits a scholar or leadership class composition goal that is lacking, they may get an offer. With three accepted offers already, this district is on the high end of their proportional share of cadets for that class. Depending on the skill of the RC to see how the class fill and composition is shaping up relative to that #3, the RC may not even wait until the resolution of #1 and #2 to send the QNS. It is even more complex with multiple nominations with different candidates on each/multiple slates.

This is the art side behind filling a class that you do not see. If you are 3Q with a nomination and waiting on an offer, this is what is going on behind the scenes. The longer it takes to get your QNS, the closer on the bubble you are to an offer (for NWL, your MOC, or an additional appointee spot if you fit a class composition goal). At this point with almost 800 accepted, and 200 Prepsters still to be offered, most of the spots are filled or pending for this next class as we can safely assume that there are offers out for a significant portion of the remaining 200 spots. Given the number on this forum waiting on a med waiver or another service academy to make a decision on an offer, that number of available spots could quickly diminish in a matter of weeks/days as other TWEs come in and med waivers are approved. It could go the other way as well with med waivers not approved and offers from other service academies leading to declinations.

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Falcon A said:

Of the approximately 4000 candidates that receive a nomination, the SA typically determines around 2400 are deemed "qualified academically and in physical aptitude". The SA chooses from that 2400 to fill the 1200 slots. 500 or more go to the Principal Nom/#1 off the MOC Slate; 200 or more go to LOA/recruited athletes/Prep School leaving about 350 to 500 slots to be drawn from the 1700 or so remaining out of the 2400 on the NWL. It isn't like the SA then rank orders the 1700 remaining and draws the line at the number of remaining slots. The SA chooses the candidates that best meet the needs of the SA to round out the class. Geographic diversity along with other diversity factors come into play (gender, ethnicity, etc.) in order to have a class that best represents our society and our military make up. It happens every year that candidates with qualified, but lesser records, are chosen over candidates with better records. All 2400 are deemed "qualified" and worthy. It comes down to a subjective judgment in some cases to who gets offered that appointment.

A lot of great candidates don't get an offer of appointment. If the SA's could, they'd take all ~2400 that are determined to be "qualified academically and in physical aptitude", but they can't. Due to the geographic factor, there will be candidates that are Principal Noms or #1 from a MOC's slate whose record is not at good as the candidate that is ranked #10 from a different extremely competitive congressional district. The Principle Nom/#1 from a MOC's slate will get an appointment, and the #10 with the better record from a different Congressional district will not. (This is one explanation why every year there are candidates that get offered a SA appointment but are told they do not qualify for a 4yr ROTC scholarship, and why each year there are candidates that earn a 4yr ROTC scholarship that aren't offered a SA appointment. ROTCs tend to be more strictly merit based without the geographic factor.)

Everyone offered an appt is qualified. If you (or your DD/DS) get an appt, be grateful. In some ways it is a lotto ticket. The admissions office have rules they must satisfy and they work hard to compile a class that complies with the rules and goals they have been given.

The SA process is a difficult process. Be proud that DS or DD is in the ~2400 deemed "qualified academically and in physical aptitude". They have made quite the cut. Not making it into the final 1200 is not a reflection on them. It is the selection process.

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2020 wannabe said:

I hear crickets!

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Badge250 said:

I know you are wanting more answers, but since your question was more directed to an insider, there are not many of them around. There are a couple "insiders" on the forum and maybe they will answer you when they see your post. They may be able to shed some light on this subject but I would guess that no one on here has the data to emphatically answer your question. My 2 cents worth (and this is only my speculation) is that there is probably no better or worse chance now than ever. If you take in to consideration that some may have received the TWE but at the same time appointments are being given out. Not sure if anyone knows if it is happening at the same rate, but both are happening simultaneously, so to me, Yes, there may be fewer applicants left in the game, but there are also fewer appointments left. Not sure if there's any net gain in chances. On an encouraging note, according to my logic, his chances are not any worse! Also, if your looking at chances based solely on the number of applicants in the game, then if TWE's go out and at the same time some individuals do not accept their appointments, then chances could possibly be viewed as going up (if enough reject their appointments and they have to offer those someone else). Bottom line: your DS's stats/essays nor any of his competitor's stats/essays are changing. The only numbers changing right now are the number of TWE's and appointments offered and accepted. If he's done his best and he's still in the game then that's a reason to hope for another wave of appointments. We all should be impressed with these young people who have put their best foot forward, have given it their all and have made it this far.

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TacticalNuke said:

“Prep School” – USAFA Preparatory School
1/C – 1st Classman or Senior
2/C – 2nd Classman or junior
3/C – 3rd Classman or sophomore
4/C – 4th Classman or freshman
A&F – Accounting and Finance
AAP – Academy Admissions Partner (USCGA)
AAR – After Action Review
ACC – Air Combat Command
ACU – Army Combat Uniform
A-day – Acceptance Day (USMA)
AD – Active Duty
AD/DS or AD/DW – Active Duty Dependent Spouse or Active Duty/Dependent Wife
ADO – Assistant Director of Operations
ADSC - Active Duty Service Commitment
ADSO - Active Duty Service Obligation
AFROTC – Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps
Aft – Rear of a Ship
AI – Additional Instruction
AIAD – Academic Individual Advanced Development
AIM – Academy Introduction Mission
ALO – Admissions Liaison Officer (USAFA)
ALO – Air Liaison Officer -- calls in air strikes for the Army via AF
ANG – Army National Guard
AOG – Association Of Graduates
APFT – Army Physical Fitness Test
AROTC – Army Reserve Officer Training Corps
AY – Academic Year
BAC – Base Administration Center
BAH – Basic Allowance for Housing
BCG – "Birth Control Glasses" -- otherwise known as prescription glasses
BCT – Basic Cadet Training (USAFA)
Beast – Beast Barracks or USMA’s Cadet Basic Training
BFE – Big Fat envelope
BGO – Blue Gold Officer
BLUF – Bottom Line Up Front (close relative of KISS)
BMC – Branch Medical Clinic
BOQ/VOQ – Bachelor Officer's Quarters/Visiting Officer's Quarter
Bow – Front of a ship
Bright-work – anything shiny, generally needs to be polished daily
BUDS – Basic Underwater Demolitions School
Bulkhead – Wall
BZ/IBZ/ABZ – Below Zone/In/Above --- promotions
C – anything --- cargo/transport i.e 5, 130
Cadet – A Student who is attending USMA, USMAPS, UASFA, USCGA, AROTC and AFROTC
CBT – Cadet Basic Training
CC – Commander of the squadron
CC – Cadet Candidate at USMAPS (West Point Prep)
CCBT – Cadet Candidate Basic Training
CCEB – Cadet Candidate Evaluation Board
CFA – Candidate Fitness Assessment
CFS – Candidate Fitness Score
CFT – Cadet Field Training
CGAS – Coast Guard Academy Scholars program
CGO – Candidate Guidance Office (Admissions Office)
CIET – Cadet Initial Entry Training (summer training for AROTC cadets usually taken after completing the MS-I year)
CLDT – Cadet Leader Development Training
CNO – Chief of Naval Operations
CO – Commanding Officer
COLA – Cost of Living Allowance
Company grade – O-1 to O-3
COR – Cadet Observation Report
COW – Junior at USMA
CSO – Combat Systems Officer
CTLT – Cadet Troop Leadership Training
CTO – Company Training Officer
CULP – Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency
CVW – Candidate Visitation Weekend
CWO – Chief Warrant Officer
DANT – Commandant
DD – Dear daughter
Deck – Floor
DFAS – Paycharts
DG – Distinguished Graduate
DHS – Department of Homeland Security
DITY – Do it yourself
DLA – Dislocation Allowance - paycheck you get for moving
DNP – Do Not Promote
DO – Deputy Ops
DOD – Department of Defense
DoDMERB – Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board
DOR – Drop on Request, quit
DOT – Department of Transportation
DP – Definitely Promote
Dream Sheet/Form 90 – Your wish list submitted for next assignment
DS – Dear son/Dear spouse
DWO – Deck Watch Officer
E – anything --- electronic - EA 6
EA – Early Action admissions
EGA – Eagle Globe and Anchor
EOIT – Engineering Officer in Training
EP – Emergency Procedure
EQ – Exceptionally Qualified (grading system)
EWO – Electronic Warfare Officer
F – anything --- fighters i.e. F-15, 16, 22, 35, etc
FEB – Flight Evaluation Board
FFR - Field Force Representative
Field Grade – O-4 to O-6
Firstie – Senior
Fish – freshman at Texas A&M
Flag – Generals and above
Flight Deck – Top Floor
FNG – Friggin New Guy/Gal
FR&W – Formal Room & Wing Inspection
FS – Fighter Squadron
FTU – Fighter Training Unit
FW – Fighter Wing
GIB – Guy in Back = WSO/RIO
Head – Bathroom
HQ – Head Quarters
I-Day – USNA Induction Day
IC – intercollegiate [athlete]
IFS – Initial Flight Screening
Indoc – USMMA Induction
IOCT – Indoor obstacle course test
IOTC – Indoor Obstacle Training Course
IP/IWSO – Instructor Pilot/WSO
IT – Incentive Training, inspirational Training, Punishment PT
JIATF – Joint Interagency Task Force
JPME – Joint PME
JROTC – Junior Reserve Officer training Corps
JSOTF – JT Special Operations Task Force
JTF – Jt Task Force
Kings Point – United States Merchant Marine Academy
Knob – Freshman at The Citadel
Ladder well – Stairs
LDAC- AROTC, Leader Development and Assessment Course
LDO – Limited Duty Officer, someone commisioned in the Navy having technical expertise in their field, not eligible for command
LE – Law Enforcement
LES – Leave/Earning Statement -- paycheck
LMO – Last Military Obligation
LOA – Letter of Assurance
LOE - Letter of Encouragement (USMA)
Main Deck – Bottom Floor
MALO – USMA Military Academy Liaison Officer
MARAD – Maritime Administration
MIAD – Military Individual Advanced Development
MID/MIDN – Midshipman
Midshipman – A student training to be a commissioned officer at either the USNA, USMMA, or in NROTC
MMA – Massachusetts Maritime Academy
MMI – Marion Military Institute
MOC – member of Congress
MOS – Military Occupational Specialty
MPC – Military Personnel Center (for the AF where your assignment comes from)
MRP – Medical Rehabilitation Platoon
MSC – Military Sealift Command
MSSQ – Mission Support Squadron
Mustang – An Officer in the Naval service that served generally more that 4 years as an enlisted person
NAPS – Naval Academy Preparatory School
NASS – Naval Academy Summer Seminar
New Cadet – USMA cadet during Beast, on A-day they become a cadet
NG – National Guard
NIFT – Navigator Introductory Flight Training
NMMI – New Mexico Military Institute
NROTC – Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps
NROTC (MO) – Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (Marine Option)
nULL – Freshman in the VWIL program at Mary Baldwin College
NWU – Navy Working Uniform
OCC – USMC Officers Candidates Course
OCS – Officers Candidates School
ODU – Operational Dress Uniform
OER/OPR – Officer Evaluation Review or Performance
OML- Order of Merit List
OQT – Officer Qualifying Test
OTS – USAF Officer Training School
P – Promote
PA – Public Affairs --- news
PACAF – Pacific Air Force
PAI – Personal Appearance Inspection
Passageway – (P-Way) Hallway
PCP – Physical Conditioning Platoon (Also known as the “Pork Chop Platoon” You never want to go here)
PCS – Permanent Change of Station
PDA – Public Display of Affection
PEP – Performance Enhancement Program
PFE – Physical Fitness Evaluation
PI – Personnel Inspection
PIAD – Physical Individual Advanced Development
PKT – Plebe Knowledge Test
PLC – USMC Platoon Leaders Course
PLT – platoon
Plebe – a freshman student at either USMA, USNA, or USMMA
PME – Professional Military Education
PMS – Professor of Military Science
Port – left hand side of a ship when facing the Bow
POV – Privately Owned Vehicle
PPQ – Potentially Pilot Qualified
PPW – Plebe parent Weekend
PRT – physical readiness test
PT – Physical Training
P-Way or Passageway – hallway
QMED – Qualified Member of the Engineering Department
QNS – qualified not selected
QNV – qualified no vacancy
Quarterdeck – any entry point for personnel
RA – Regular Admissions (USCGA)
Rack – Bed
RAT – A Freshman at VMI
Rat mass – The entire freshman class at VMI
Ratline – Freshman induction at VMI
RC - Regional Commander
RD – Regional Admissions Director
R-Day – USMA Reception Day and Reporting in day at USCGA.
RHIP- Rank Has Its Privileges
RIF – Reduction in Forces - comparable to lay-offs
RIO – Radio Intercept Officer = WSO
ROCI – Reserve Officer Candidate Indoctrination
ROTC – Reserve Officer Training Corps
RTO – Regimental Training Officer
RTOA – Regimental Training officer Assistant
RTU – Replacement Training Unit
SA – Service Academy
SAMI – Saturday AM Inspection
SAP – Study Abroad Program
SAR – Search and Rescue
Scuttlebutt – water fountain or gossip
SEAL – SEa Air Land (Navy Special Forces)
SERB – Selective Early Retirement Board
SERE – Survival Evasion Resistance Escape training
Shack – Bulls eye for hitting the target
SLS – Summer Leaders Seminar (West Point)
SMC – Senior Military College
SMP – Simultaneous Membership Program (ANG)
South Com – Southern Command
SQ3R – Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review
SQD – Squad
Starboard – Right hand side of a ship when facing the Bow
SUNT – Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training
SUPE – Superintendent
SUPT – Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training
Swab – USCGA Freshman (4th class Cadet)
TAD – Temporary Assigned Duty
TATTOO – CTO training time with plebes
TBS – USMC “The Basic School”
TDY – Temporary Duty Assignment
TEE – Term End Exam
TemDUINS – Temporary Duty Under INStruction
TLA – Temporary Living Allowance (subsidy for living in a hotel when you PCS)
TLQ – Temporary Living Quarters (hotel/housing on base while you receive TLA)
TM – Team Movement
TMO – Transportation Movement Office (your movers)
TWE – Thin White Envelope
UAV – Predator
UCMJ – Uniform Code of Military justice
UNT – Undergraduate Navigator Training
UPT – Undergraduate Pilot Training
USA – United States Army
USAF – United States Air Force
USAFA – United States Air Force Academy
USAFASS – United States Air Force Academy Summer Seminar
USAFE – USAF Europe
USCG – United States Coast Guard
USCGA – United States Coast Guard Academy
USMA – United States Military Academy
USMAPS – United States Military Academy Preparatory School
USMC – United States Marine Corps
USMMA – United States Merchant Marine Academy
USN – United States Navy
USNA – United States Naval Academy
VMI – Virginia Military institute
VWIL – Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership at Mary Baldwin College
Wardroom – Officers Mess or Cafeteria
WCS – Whole Candidate Score
WIC – Weapons Instructor Course - Nellis for AF
WING KING – Commander of the Wing
WO – Warrant Officer
WSO – Weapon System Officer
XO – Executive Officer
Yearling – A Sophomore (at USMA)
Youngster – A Sophomore (at USNA)
YP – Yard Patrol Craft, a small USNA training ship
Yuk – sophomore (At USMA)
Zero Deck – Basement

Thanks to all who contributed to the original thread.

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katwswim said:

No

Novise here please explain TWE

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katwswim said:

No

Novise here please explain TWE

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Badge250 said:

TWE or "Thin White Envelope" is synonymous for the letters informing applicants they did not receive an appointment. They traditionally came through snail mail from USAFA before emails/portals were used. BFE or "Big Fat Envelope" was synonymous for the acceptance or appointment package that used to come in the mail.

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k$Mom said:

TWE also known as rejection letter.

If you expand it is a copy of the acronym list

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2020 wannabe said:

Thank you all for your replies. Logic and reasoning in answers are solid. DS actually received word from coach today that gives extra reason to be optimistic. I believe that it's so true what someone posted somewhere on the forum - all candidates appointed are qualified, but not all qualified candidates are appointed. Fingers crossed.

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katwswim said:

May I ask if he reached out to the coach? The coaches were contacting us but haven't heard anything in a while? Do they wait to see if you receive an appointment?

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2020 wannabe said:

He made contact with the coaches back in August by email. We visited the academy in September for info session and tour. He met with asst coach. They emailed him afterwards and told him if he got appointed he could walk on and compete for a spot. His sport is a winter sport so when he won states and came in 3rd at a national tournament, he emailed coach to let them know how his season ended up. The reply was more favorable and they were going to look at their "slots". My son emailed the again last week asking for an update. He was told they were going to go push his application forward. I told my son to go after what he wants, leave no stone unturned. Contact the coaches again! Like I told my son when a company hires a new employee, they want to hire the one who REALLY wants to work for them. He listened and learned from the experience.

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katwswim said:

Thank you that is very helpful, unfortunately my daughters season didn't end up as well as she was targeted for. At one point they were very interested, told her she was a good fit. She has been a very healthy child but this past year got a from Bronchitis hit hard in her lungs took her out of the pool three weeks right before championship season, though she swam right at her times, we know they and we were looking for some good drops.
She wants very badly to swim for this coach, I told her she should write him and let him know that.

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2020 wannabe said:

Still no harm in contacting them. Things change for them as well. Maybe they thought they had things lined up and maybe someone changed their mind or didn't make the 3Q cut. You never want to play the woulda, coulda, shoulda game later in life. Nothing worse than that. Tell her to give it her best shot. Good luck to her.

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