Is this a major problem?

P0wderedM1lkMan

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2012
Messages
13
Hi, this morning my father walked in saying he was in "big trouble" and handed me a phone. I answered and it was someone from the my senator's office. He told me that my father had called as myself to correct a minor problem with my cover letter. I had the address set for Lautenberg, but the Dear, part set for Menendez and my father thought that he could just fix it quickly by calling as me. He reminded me of the Academy's honor code and asked if my father did the entire application for the nomination. I did my entire application with minimal assistance from my father, and I told the man on the phone that. He said that he could make myself not applicable for the nomination for this event, but he said he will allow me to still be in competition for this nomination, since I explained this huge misunderstanding.

Is this a big problem? Do you think that he just told me that I can still get the nomination and will still just throw my application out of the window? Should I even be worried about this event? My father thinks that the senator will look at everything and think that he wrote everything, rather than thinking that I wrote everything.
 
No offense, I get where your Dad was coming from with the phone call, but seriously, I think Lautenberg's office was ticked for your original error...Dear Sen. Menendez.

This is akin to submitting an essay to Rutgers of why you want to attend and miss the fact that you wrote Seton Hall within the body of your essay. You did cut and paste.

Dad was wrong to call, but you highlighted the fact that this was a cut and paste, plus, you never took the time or energy to proof read by yourself or someone else. They may see this more about being lazy than anything else.

I think that the coordinator will make more note over the fact that it says Menendez than an honor code violation or Dad. Think about it, you mailed a letter to Lautenberg's office (address) and if you did the proper format, the letter would have Lautenberg's name and address, but the body would have had Menendez...can we say again cut and paste?


They will be concerned that Dad is a helo, but they are accustomed to that. I do not believe if you are the best candidate on the slate this will harm you at all. I do believe if it comes to the number 10 slot, and it is between you and another applicant this will harm you. Not because of Dad, but because of you asking for a nom from Menendez that was submitted to Lautenberg. Cut and Paste is what you did, and that opens up the question why you should get the number 10 slot compared to another applicant that took the time to proof their request. Military life is about the small details. It is about checking, double checking the facts.

I know that doesn't help you, but I hope you learned your lesson when it comes to plan B (college apps), proof read everything, and have someone else read it too before you hit SUBMIT.

Hurts to read, but if you want to be in the military, this never would have occurred if you proofed the request. I am positive you have learned through this event and it will never happen again. I hope it also enlightens your family to the fact that helo parents can hurt more than they can help.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the reply. I just want to clarify that this was only a cover letter detailing the contents of my application that I was submitting. The only error was the Dear, part and there was no mention of Menendez anywhere else in the body application. Do you think that this would still make any difference in their ruling?
 
Several things going on here.

First, in the days of helo parents, there is great sensitivity to parents completing things on behalf of their kids. With the SAs in particular, there is a fear that the PARENT, more than the candidate, wants the appointment. That's a huge red flag. In your case, the fact that your dad called AND that he helped with the application (even minimally) may trigger some concerns. You did address them as best you could but there still could be some doubt.

Second, Dad calling as you was not smart. A father rarely sounds like his son -- not only the tone of voice but the words used, etc. And adults instantly recognize the difference. Obviously, you should have called. This is why those of us who've gone through this process tell candidates and their parents over and over again that the CANDIDATE should ALWAYS be the one communicating with the SA and with the MOC's offices. If you couldn't call, Dad should have called as Dad, not as you. However, in this case and as you've related the facts, any "honor issue" rests with your dad, not with you (unless you directed him to call as you, which you have not stated occurred). Still, the person at the MOC's office was probably annoyed at being lied to and took it out on you. Tell Dad that here on out, YOU want to handle ALL communications.

Third, as Pima points out, attention to detail is important.

My guess is that all of the above prompted the call. They first were concerned about the detail in the letter but then realized they were being lied to by a parent who may be too heavily involved. As to how this will affect your application for a nom . . .. It won't help, that's for sure -- just being honest with you. Whether it's a non-factor or will hurt, and if so how much, no one here can say. You'll just have to go through the process and see what happens.
 
P0wderedM1lkMan said:
just want to clarify that this was only a cover letter detailing the contents of my application that I was submitting. The only error was the Dear, part and there was no mention of Menendez anywhere else in the body application. Do you think that this would still make any difference in their ruling?

We can't answer that question. We do not sit on Lautenberg's MOC committee.

Listen to usna1985.

Honestly if you proofed the request, Dad wouldn't have called. You didn't, Dad did, and now you are in turmoil.

You are so lucky that NJ is not seen as competitive regarding MOC noms. compared to states like CA, VA, NY. TX and CO where the MOCs talk!
 
What's Done is Done

Hi, this morning my father walked in saying he was in "big trouble" and handed me a phone. I answered and it was someone from the my senator's office. He told me that my father had called as myself to correct a minor problem with my cover letter. I had the address set for Lautenberg, but the Dear, part set for Menendez and my father thought that he could just fix it quickly by calling as me. He reminded me of the Academy's honor code and asked if my father did the entire application for the nomination. I did my entire application with minimal assistance from my father, and I told the man on the phone that. He said that he could make myself not applicable for the nomination for this event, but he said he will allow me to still be in competition for this nomination, since I explained this huge misunderstanding.

Is this a big problem? Do you think that he just told me that I can still get the nomination and will still just throw my application out of the window? Should I even be worried about this event? My father thinks that the senator will look at everything and think that he wrote everything, rather than thinking that I wrote everything.

What's done is done, move on with the lessons learned. It sounds like the staffer has let it go by telling you what could have happened and by saying you will still be considered. I'm sure these staffers that handle the nominations have seen and heard it all. This episode may go into the "good kid, over-exuberant dad" file. Try not to dwell on this and keep moving forward with lessons in mind. And don't let your dad call again:wink: Good luck to you.
Cheers...
 
this all depends on the competitiveness of your district. things like this reflect poorly on yourself (no offense intended) and may/probably will hurt you amongst your competitors for a nomination from Lautenberg. forget about it bc you cant change what happened. just do VERY WELL on your INTERVIEW with the MOC's admissions board.
 
this all depends on the competitiveness of your district. things like this reflect poorly on yourself (no offense intended) and may/probably will hurt you amongst your competitors for a nomination from Lautenberg. forget about it bc you cant change what happened. just do VERY WELL on your INTERVIEW with the MOC's admissions board.

Not to be mean but...your going to be a junior in high school, you might want to wait until you have gone through the application process and receive an appointment (Possibly) before you give advise to those who have already applied.
 
Not to be mean but...your going to be a junior in high school, you might want to wait until you have gone through the application process and receive an appointment (Possibly) before you give advise to those who have already applied.

+1
 
Back
Top