I have read it twice....... Why should anyone need to interview with someone who is not their future employer?
In this instance, why should a kid interested in attending any of the five service academies need to "interview" for the privilege of having an application go forward? Makes zero sense IMHO
The MOC nomination process is duplication at best and full of cronyism, mistake, apathy and unfairness at worst. Let every prospective candidate apply to any or all SA that they may desire to attend and let the admissions officers cull the applications and decide the "best" incoming class. Of course the admissions officers WILL consider geographic diversity, ethnic, gender and racial diversity and give special consideration to individuals who overcome huge disadvantage.
Why have anyone other than the service academies themselves decide who can be illegible for appointment?
Can anyone explain how the US Merchant Marine Academy does it. With over 500 potential principal MOC nominees and only 300 or so plebe candidates admitted each year? I thought that if you are a principal nominee and minimally qualified an appointment was mandatory. Or is that also something that is not very consistent with respect to the MOC nomination process nationwide?