I have to disagree with Sydney about the SAs informing the MOCs of the candidates with an LOA. Lets do the math. Assume maybe 250 LOAs are sent out. For them to contact every MOC via phone or email that is 750 interactions, because every candidate is eligible to 3 MoCs. The RDs have a lot of files to work with. Boards are meeting now. If even it takes only 3 minutes to contact each of the MoC staff, that means it would take as full work week to do just those contacts and nothing else required for their job, such as preparing the BFE for the ones appointed weekly, answering phone calls from MoC staffers, emails from ALOs and candidates. Plus updating candidates records as CFAs, DoDMERB and nominations come in. Remember they have thousands of applicants.
~ It is common that the RD will contact the MOC to inform them of the candidate being charged to them so the MOC can make the congrats phone call.
I have seen many show up at interviews without the committee knowing that the candidate has an LOA.
~ Now maybe the SA did inform the staff and the staff when preparing packets for the committee did not include them, maybe not.
~ Additionally some states are much more competitive. I know you believe NJ is competitive, but not when you compare it to states like VA, NY, CO, CA, TX, FL where the MOCs are known to share the wealth and talk. Candidates from those states are happy with just one nomination even if they don't have an LOA.
My advice is this his career, get in charge of it now. Have him contact his MoCs and say I just received my LOA do you need me to send you a copy of it for my packet? When he goes for the interview, stapled with his resume he should place a copy of it so they know minute one you have an LOA.
I have seen candidates on this site with an LOA not receive a nom., but that usually occurred for two reasons.
1. They got the LOA after the nominations were released.
2. The committee was not informed of the LOA and they did not inform the committee that they had one in hand.
As long as he tells them I am sure he will get a nomination. Congrats and good luck.