LOA Chances of Nomination?

M

Mark Nielsen

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My son received an LOA from the USAFA on November 11th and has had his interviews. They went well. I'm just curious...How often does an LOA applicant not receive a nomination? Does this ever happen? Why? Just curiuos.....
 
Assuming he is medically qualified, it is quite rare to get an LOA and not a nomination and thus an appointment. Each member of congress is allowed to present 10 names each as nominees. Now, there's a lot of "IFs" when it comes to just because you have a nomination, how do you go the next step as far as getting an appointment. With an LOA, those "Ifs" go out the window. The LOA, by the nature of it's name, means "LETTER OF ASSURANCE" Therefor, you are ASSURED an appointment, IF you are medically qualified and have a nomination. (They wouldn't have given out an LOA if you hadn't satisfied ALL other requirements). So, being you are assured, it doesn't matter what type of nomination you get. All the "Ifs" about nominations are also gone. Meaning, it doesn't matter if you are the Primary nominee ranked #1 on the MOC's list, or is you are their last #10 choice. Doesn't matter if it's the representative's nomination or your Senator's. Doesn't matter if it's a presidential, ROTC, or any other type of nomination. You simply need a nomination.

So, back to your question. The only way you wouldn't get a nomination, is if your MOC doesn't give you one. You MOC should have been notified that you have an LOA. But sometimes, this isn't always true. So, what should you do?

1. Did you have the LOA PRIOR to your nomination interviews?
2. If YES, did you inform your MOC that you had an LOA?
3. If you didn't have the LOA at the time of the interview, did you contact them sense the interview to tell them that you have an LOA; and that if you get a nomination, then you are assured an appointment?
4. SPEAK WITH YOUR MOC. Mind you, it's unlikely you will speak with them personally. They have people who work for them who are in charge of this areas. Contact that person and ASK QUESTIONS.

But the nomination is totally in their hands. If you are eligible for OTHER nominations, such as presidential, ROTC, etc... then the academy can help get you another nomination in case your MOC simply won't nominate you. But if all you are eligible for is a MOC nomination, then the academy doesn't have any say over that at all. You need to be on your MOC's slate of 10 names. Doesn't matter which of the 3 MOC members. Doesn't matter in which order. Doesn't matter where on the slate. But you MUST be on at least one of those slates. If you are somewhere on it, and have an LOA, and passed your DODMRB, then you get an appointment. It's really that simple. best of luck... mike.....
 
LOA and nomination

Mike,

My son recieved his LOA's 2 weeks before his meetings. He mailed all MOC's copies of his LOA and also brought copies with him to his interviews.

Mark
 
He should be in good shape. It would be pretty chicken-&&&& of a MOC to NOT give a nomination to a person that the academy deems worthy and eligible enough to receive an LOA. Especially since they know that they only get so many slots; and that your son's appointment wouldn't count against their slot. And that they can nominate him as the very last name on their slate. He would still get the appointment.

But I know you are asking the question....... IS IT POSSIBLE??? Is it possible for a MOC to say: "Yea, you got an LOA, but I'm still not going to nominate you". The answer is yes. Your next question is..... DO I KNOW OF ANYONE HAVING AN LOA AND NOT GETTING A NOMINATION???? That answer is also yes. I know of 3 people over the years in that situation. But I can honestly say that all 3 were very "Unique" situations. And in all 3 situations, the academy was able to get all 3 people in. Here's the 3 I know.

1. Student athlete. Started their application a bit late. Was offered an LOA and blue-chipped for varsity sports. But their application to their MOCs went in past their MOC's due dates.
2. Traditional LOA. No communications between the MOC's. In their state/district, they will NOT give a nomination, if they receive one from another source. Each MOC honestly believed that one of the other 2 MOCs were going to nominate the individual. So none of them did. Fortunately, one of the MOCs didn't fill their slate up, and the academy was able to get them to add her name.
3. The other one I know of was a military dependent overseas. The individual received an LOA, and because of the difficulties in interviewing with MOCs in the states, the academy assured him that a presidential would be quite feasible. And with an LOA, just the nomination would be enough. So, the individual didn't contact their MOCs. Why would you???? RIGHT????? Well, come to find out, the individual's dad in the military, was his "Step Dad". So, the presidential isn't quite handled the same. There are other conditions. Well, they worked it out.

Point is; except for these exceptional circumstances, I've never know an individual with an LOA to not get a nomination. I see individuals with nominations not get into the academy every day. But generally, an LOA is the academy's way of discouraging you from seeking other schools and educational opportunities; and their way of telling your MOC's/Nominators, to trust the academy and nominate this person. And 99.9999999999% of nominators will. Best of luck to you. mike.....
 
LOA Chances

Mike,

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer me. I really appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts and experience.

Thanks,

Mark:thumb:
 
Is it possible to not receive a nomination from one MOC (one senator said no), but receive one from others? With LOA?
 
It is very common to have one moc say yes and one say no. Remember; each moc is only allowed so many slots and so many nominations. Many of these moc will talk to each other and MAKE SURE that they aren't nominating the same person more than one time. I've even seen where mocs will only nominate for 1 service academy and not more than one. This way, the senators can put in 30 names each (60 total) (one to each academy - CG doesn't require nominations); instead of 10 people 3 times each. mike....
 
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