IL nominations?

Dial the gate said:
We recently looked at the MOC applications, and they have all of the academies listed and the instructions are to order them by preference. From reading your posts I see Durbin and Kirk don't duplicate, what if you are applying to 2 academies? Would you apply to Kirk for AFA and Durbin for USNA? (for example)
Scared! :eek:
Click to expand...

I believe this is exactly the process. The MOCs will communicate to make sure the most highly qualified candidates have nominations to their top choices. Most likely, your Representative will nominate you to one academy and a Senator will pick up the other.
 
Illinois only

Background:
My son had an LOE to USMA and an LOA to USNA. He visited both and loved both. He felt good about his opportunity to get into either.

Son now already appointed to class of 2017-
these are just our observations from IL.

(do not generalize this information to other states-and remember things possibly change year to year!)

If I am not clear, re-ask and I will try to clarify further (sometimes I know what I am typing, but that doesn't mean I am clear to the reader)

If you look closely at Kirk/Durbin rules-one of them say 'pick only one', and the other says 'order but only your first will be considered'.
Kirk and Durbin do not duplicate.
If you want to go to USXA-you should fill out the packets for 1.) Durbin, 2.) Kirk 3.) Representative of your district, 4.) VP and if eligible 5.) presidential and 6.) ROTC as well. No matter how much of a Rockstar you are, you will not get a nomination from Both Durbin and Kirk. Period!

What if you are undecided and want both USXA and USYA?
Both Kirk and Durbin tell you to pick ONE ONLY.
So should you split the pot from Kirk and Durbin or put all of your eggs in one basket? In other words should you ask Kirk for USXA and Durbin for USYA?
Prior to turning in all of the packets my son (his idea-I thought it was particularly well thought out but it would never have occurred to me) did a historical search of all those nominated by Kirk and Durbin over the past 6 or so years. Easy internet research.There was no instance of name duplication regardless of academy. For example there was no John Smith to USXA on Kirk and John Smith USYA on Durbin. to In other words one could ask Kirk for USXA and Durbin to USYA but you are only getting ONE of those requests. Not both. No splitting the pot here.

Son's Representative let him pick two but order them. We come from a highly competitive area in Illinois. Son walked away with only a nomination from his top choice from our Representative. He could have asked Kirk/Durbin for one and Representative to another. But by the interview in December they wanted him to pick one and he did. Some Illinois Representatives duplicate senator noms and some wont duplicate senator noms (In other words you may get a letter from you representative saying they wont nominate you because they know that Kirk/Durbin is). Some Illinois Representatives will give multiple noms (In other words you may get a letter from you representative saying I know Kirk/Durbin is nominating you and I will too). so if you want to double dip then you need to live in a noncompetitive area. Your district can be one way and then four blocks away in another district can be the opposite. You can research this.


My personal opinion -if you live on my block- is to pick and then go-for-it. By November you may have a very clear idea of what you want. I know the anxiety of this though. What if you put all your eggs in one basket-but the other basket is the one he would have gotten into??? My son was completely undecided-if in fact leaning towards one direction, but after summer experiences, gathering more information, interviewing with admissions officers, talking with some veterans at the american legion, etc he had a firmer handle on his leanings and why.

My son had an LOE to USMA and an LOA to USNA. He felt good about his opportunity to get into either. However, he knew going into the Nomination process that unless he got VP or SUP noms (forget about it...) there was really one egg to be put in one basket.


On the other hand a Friend's son from another state has three noms to three service academies.


feel free to PM me with Land of Lincoln Questions.

good luck!
Vista123
 
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Wow! Vista123, thank you! And congratulations to your family!

I realized after I posted that there were two variables to "duplicate."

My DS is straddeling the fence between USNA and AFA, with spending time on one side before hopping to the other. He got USNA summer seminar but not AFA so it will be a difficult decision without seeing both. Hopefully, like your DS, by the interview, maybe he'll have made a decision.

We will do some research (great idea!), and maybe that will help shed some light on our representative who is new to us due to redistricting.

Thanks again for the great info!
 
The question of splitting your 1st choice has been discussed in the past and it is generally NOT a good idea to try to 'game' the NOM system to increase your chances. 1) What happens during the MOC interviews if you happen to get asked why you chose a different academy as your top choice on various applications? and 2) What if you get a NOM to the academy that truly isn't your top choice?
 
My DS's problem right now is that he is on the fence between USNA and USAFA. He received a slot for Navy summer seminar but not AFA, so we will get him out there one way or another for a visit for him to decide. He has equal navy and air force career dreams (goes back and forth). So in a perfect world, as happens in some other states, you can apply to different academies with different MOC's, and even perfect-er, receive multiple appointments so that you can then decide...as we are learning (thank you all!), in Illinois, he will just have to decide sooner :confused:
 
The general consensus does seem to be going all or nothing for one academy.

However, in some districts, Representatives will nominate candidates to a second academy regardless of a Senator's nomination. In less competitive districts, the Representative may even provide multiple nominations to different academies. This holds even more true for highly competitive candidates.

Your DS may very well find his calling, especially with nomination app deadlines being several months away. Best of luck!
 
Nn139, thank you! They are so strong and smart, aren't they? Last week, he was disappointed that he would have to make a choice and not try to go for both, but spent this past weekend really studying both academies and plans B and C as career options in case he is not awarded with his number 1 career field. Pretty cool stuff.
 
DS and I attended the Service Academy Forum presented by Rep. Schock (IL18) last Spring where his staff member explained he will work with Durbin and Kirk's staff throughout the application process to ensure no duplicate noms and maximum number of nominations. You will have to make a decision at some point in that process. Also, DS only got an interview with Schock out of the three applications.
 
Service Academy nominations are a great example

... of Illinois government working together in harmony.

Patriot Mom, was your son nominated by Congressman Schock this year? Our DSs are on the list together then :). Quite right, his office was the only one of the three that had an interview.
 
Hi WAM, just out of curiosity, how do the interviews work if you are overseas?
 
@wam

Yes DS did get his nomination from Schock. Congrats to your son and good luck! Are you waiting patiently as we are for word on an appointment?
 
Hi VistaMom! DS did his interview with his ALO stationed in our region, Congressman Schock's office, on the phone.

Patriot Mom, let's message!
 
I wish I was waiting patiently...

Good for you to be waiting patiently! I ... am not most moments, but at this moment, am. :)
 
Just received a phone call from Senator Durbin's office. USAFA Class of 2017!
 
Thank you! It has been a long wait, but my future has finally been solidified. Good luck to both of your DS's!
 
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