As stated above, most MOC's use committees to select appointee slates.
Son had as one of his recommenders a very well connected gentleman who is a big Republican fundraiser. The man genuinely knows my son very well and has for years. Very familiar with son's leadership abilities in particular. So, we figured, "why not?"
THe moment son called him, the gentleman got on the phone to both Senators and wrote them letters. Well, our Senator's recommendations involved an evaluation form that was to be filled out, sealed in envelope with evaluator's signature across the flap. Then sent in with our packet so they got it all in one envelope.
So, there we were, not following instructions right off the bat.
He completed the evaluation forms in a timely fashion and called son to come pick them up. He handed him the sealed evaluaitons plus envelopes, clearly on his personal stationery, addressed to each senator with their first name only and "confidential."
We mulled this over for several days.
If we didn't include this added little item, we worried our evaluator would find out somehow.
If we did, certainly it would look like we were "not coloring within the lines."
Ultimately, the cover letter we put in each Senator's packet included a bullet list of items included in the packet. On the bullet for this item, we made it clear that Mr. XXX specifically asked for that to be included.
I would be interested to know how it was received. Son did not get nom from Senator that Mr. XXX has done extensive fund raising for. However, he did get a nom from other Senator as well as our Representative.
I would advise to follow the instructions to the letter. Choose your recommenders carefully. Get a cross section of folks: not all from one of your activities, school, etc. Give those you ask a resume AND a write up of the type of kid the academy is looking for. Ask your evaluator that you need them to emphasize "my perseverance, dependability" .......whatever the qualities are that you feel set you apart from all the other smart, athletic kids seeking appointments!