contact ur moc or do so only when applying

N

navy2016

5-Year Member
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Dec 30, 2009
Messages
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Should u contact ur MOC on regular basis with ur political opinions/ideas to get him/her familiar to ur name?

or just send an email months b4 applying to simply indicate u are interested in SA's?

What is really considered flirting favors?

I have 2 friends that are interested in SA's as well- both in diff grades. They both think its a great idea to contact MOC before applying.
I personally didn't think that was likely.

However, speaking with the mid that grad from my high school, he believed it is ok to get in contact with MOC.
However, he did work as a congressional page- has made contact with that MOC b4- during the summers and his mother is an attorney (probably may have actually known the MOC). Therefore, i thought his case was a bit unusual.
 
For me, a lot would depend on "WHERE" I lived. If you lived in a district/state where the MOC might have 100+ applications to an academy, it might not hurt for them to know your name. However, I wouldn't do it under the disguise of expressing your political opinion. let's be real here. Most 17 year old individuals have very little political opinions. Even less political knowledge. And those who might actually have an educated political opinion, aren't old enough to vote; so you aren't on your MOC's top list of constituents.

Plus, you have to realize that most, if not all, MOC have a staff member who is in charge of the academy nomination program. They screen applications, verify content, answer questions, etc... Unless you're a regular acquaintance of the "family", the MOC isn't going to remember you come nomination time.

Now, if you come from a very small populated state, where your MOC's are normally assessable, then this could be more productive. Me personally, I think if you're truly serious about politics, government, military academies, the constitution, etc... and want to make an impression on the MOC's, then try and be involved and active in activities that will make you noticed in such arenas. E.g. Boy's/Girl's State; Young Republicans/Democrats; Sons/Daughters of the American Legion (Or similar if a parent is military related), etc... In other words, be noticed and remembered for your actions, not for trying to be a kiss***.

No matter how hard you try, there will always be someone that the MOC knows personally. They might not be applying to the academy, but that doesn't mean that you can't use "Networking" to help you. You know the stories that go: "I know this guy, who's brother's girlfriend's mother's uncle's best-friend's father was the secretary of defense". Well, look at who YOU and your FAMILY knows real close. Then SPREAD the word about your interest in the academies. See who they know. You might find that a friend of the family knows someone real close to someone else. But I wouldn't be emailing them on a regular basis, pretending that you are interested in particular issues; when in fact, you are simply trying to get him/her to remember your name. The might indeed remember your name. "Oh, this is the Pain in the *** who emailed me all the time asking stupid questions". Just an example. Anyway; I recommend letting your ACTIONS speak louder than your WORDS. Best of luck. mike....
 
CC is 1000% correct in everything he stated, especially about the fact that most MOC's have a staff member or team working the issue. In come cases, such as NC., the staff member handling noms does not work in DC., thus, you won't even have the chance to talk to the MOC. You will be speaking to an administrative person that compiles the packets for the MOC. They traditionally do not sit on the board regarding the decision making process. It is easy to see this since the packet is being addressed to an area within your state and does not have a DC zip code.

The next thing to put into your mind, an MOC could have 70+ applicants for each SA. That means the person you speak to will have to remember you out of 300 people. You better have something unique to distinguish you besides the "Hi, I am Candidate XYZ and just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to you."

The Pain in My A... point is also true, just calling to introduce yourself when it is a week before deadline due date, can make you get that title, because the person on the other line, is probably thinking I have 156 more packets to get done by the end of the day, and you want to chat!

That is my own opinion, due what you desire, just remember sometimes "face time" can do more harm than good.

OBTW, one thing to give you a heads up on. This is not a text forum. You always want to put your best foot forward in anything you do, and writing u, ur or b4 consistently can get you a lot of ribbing. JMHO. If you want people to take the time to respond, give the respect of writing out the words in full. There are exceptions, such as OBTW, JMHO, IMHPO, etc. but there is a difference between acronyms and text shortcuts.
 
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