My girlfriend's son has applied to the Air Force Academy and received a nomination from our NY state senator Kristen Gillebrand. We found out today that he will also be receiving a nomination from our Congressman. Does he have a better chance of appointment through the Congressman than the Senator due to the ratio of applicants?
multiple nominations
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Christcorp
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It depends if the representative "Ranks" their slate or just lists the names. If S/He ranks the slate, and they are ranked #1; then an appointment is almost guaranteed. If they don't rank the slate, then the nomination is about equal level to the senators. However; there is a limit to how many cadets can be currently at the school for the MOC. So; if one of the MOC's doesn't have their full quota currently at the academy; and the WCS is good; then that could mean a better chance to fill a slot.
The problem with the question is that there's no real answer. Why? Because we don't know the "Variables". How many current cadets at the academy from your district; from your state; etc... We don't know the scores/WCS of the other applicants in your district; in your state. We don't even know your girlfriend's son's scores. But it's ALWAYS good to have more than one nomination. The more, the better. Best of luck. Mike...
The problem with the question is that there's no real answer. Why? Because we don't know the "Variables". How many current cadets at the academy from your district; from your state; etc... We don't know the scores/WCS of the other applicants in your district; in your state. We don't even know your girlfriend's son's scores. But it's ALWAYS good to have more than one nomination. The more, the better. Best of luck. Mike...
Pima
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I agree with Mike, the more the better because it allows the AFA more options to appoint him. That being said, he could have 3 and still not get an appointment. Why? Because he does not have the highest WCS on each slate.
I believe they have stated only 30% of MOCs use Principal or Rank. I also may be wrong, but I believe even if they "rank" that does not tie the boards hands like it does for "principal". That means the MOC stated this is my number 1 choice, but as much as I want him to be charged to me, I will give you the right to override my decision. Principal, ties the AFA's hands, they must offer an appointment to that candidate.
Please do not take this wrong, but in your position as a Mom of the candidates gf, you might want to start bracing yourself for their romantic future if he does get in, especially since you are from the state of NY. CO, they would have higher chances of surviving, but the other side of the country makes it more difficult. There is a term called for cadets that marry their hs sweetheart, it is called the 2% CLUB. Only 2% of cadets that enter with SOs marry them. I am not saying they will not be that 2%, but the reality is it will be a hard road to hoe. The fact that they are across the nation and will see each other rarely is very little in comparison to the fact that they will both mature. He will be home for very short time periods, including summer vacations. I would speak to your DD about how she is going to feel when even during the summer she may only see him for a month. It takes a great amount of love to make it. For example, she is going to have to deal with the fact that for BCT it will be silent, and he will most likely use his phone calls to talk to the folks. Again, I am not saying it won't work, I am just saying that if they do make it, take heart that they endured more than the avg couple and are meant to be.
I believe they have stated only 30% of MOCs use Principal or Rank. I also may be wrong, but I believe even if they "rank" that does not tie the boards hands like it does for "principal". That means the MOC stated this is my number 1 choice, but as much as I want him to be charged to me, I will give you the right to override my decision. Principal, ties the AFA's hands, they must offer an appointment to that candidate.
Please do not take this wrong, but in your position as a Mom of the candidates gf, you might want to start bracing yourself for their romantic future if he does get in, especially since you are from the state of NY. CO, they would have higher chances of surviving, but the other side of the country makes it more difficult. There is a term called for cadets that marry their hs sweetheart, it is called the 2% CLUB. Only 2% of cadets that enter with SOs marry them. I am not saying they will not be that 2%, but the reality is it will be a hard road to hoe. The fact that they are across the nation and will see each other rarely is very little in comparison to the fact that they will both mature. He will be home for very short time periods, including summer vacations. I would speak to your DD about how she is going to feel when even during the summer she may only see him for a month. It takes a great amount of love to make it. For example, she is going to have to deal with the fact that for BCT it will be silent, and he will most likely use his phone calls to talk to the folks. Again, I am not saying it won't work, I am just saying that if they do make it, take heart that they endured more than the avg couple and are meant to be.
Christcorp
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Pima, you are so correct about the 2% club. "SO FAR", my son is part of that club. However, he has the advantage of only being 2 hours from home. For instance, his girlfriend is going down tomorrow to see him for a weekend ski-trip. But during the fall, we; including the girl friend; were at the academy just about every other week during football season. And usually I went and picked him up for any 3 day weekends. Will they survive another 2 years? Heck if I know. But if they can make it through 4 years; plus the time together in high school; I guess it was meant to be. But she isn't his 1st serious girl friend, so at least it's beyond the infatuation level.
multiple nominations clarified
Sorry if this doesn't show up in the right spot but I'm still trying to learn how to navigate this site. I want to clarify my position, It is my girlfriend's son who is applying to the academy. I'm not the mom or dad of the applicant's girlfriend. My question was solely intended to try to clear up some of our confusion on what to do about more than one nomination. The senator who nominated has on her web site to call her office as a courtesy if the applicant receives a nomination from another source. Our other senator, Schumer, has on his site that you MUST call his office immediately if you receive a nomination from any other source. Of course we will shortly be contacting the liason officer for further advice but just wanted to get a head start through here. Pima, the funny part of all this is that our boy does have a serious girlfriend and there has been MUCH discussion on what will happen in that area!! So, thanks for your insight on that matter.
Sorry if this doesn't show up in the right spot but I'm still trying to learn how to navigate this site. I want to clarify my position, It is my girlfriend's son who is applying to the academy. I'm not the mom or dad of the applicant's girlfriend. My question was solely intended to try to clear up some of our confusion on what to do about more than one nomination. The senator who nominated has on her web site to call her office as a courtesy if the applicant receives a nomination from another source. Our other senator, Schumer, has on his site that you MUST call his office immediately if you receive a nomination from any other source. Of course we will shortly be contacting the liason officer for further advice but just wanted to get a head start through here. Pima, the funny part of all this is that our boy does have a serious girlfriend and there has been MUCH discussion on what will happen in that area!! So, thanks for your insight on that matter.
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Attention to detail 
Christcorp
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Question: Does your girlfriend's son only have 2 nominations? Meaning, from the 2 senators? Or does he ALSO have a nomination from his House Representative. Thus making 3 nominations. (The ANSWER will play a big part in my response). Mike...
3 nominations
My son has a nomination from each Senator in state, plus one from our Congressman. Does having three nominations and being "3Q" qualified increase his chances. He does not have a LOA, but was invited to a weekend visit, which we are attending in Feb. Thanks
My son has a nomination from each Senator in state, plus one from our Congressman. Does having three nominations and being "3Q" qualified increase his chances. He does not have a LOA, but was invited to a weekend visit, which we are attending in Feb. Thanks
He has one from our senator and one from our congressman.
Christcorp
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OK; my opinion, which probably isn't worth anything. As far as schumer goes; I wouldn't contact him about anything. Why? Because he hasn't done anything for the applicant. If he gives him a nomination, then tell him that Senator so-and-so also gave a nomination.
The representative's nomination pulls the most weight. Especially if you are the principal nominee. So if you have to tell the senator (Who gave the nomination) that you already received a nomination from your representative, then do what you have to do. But check their rules carefully. Does it say something like: "When applying for a nomination, inform us if you've already received a nomination". That would imply that you had a nomination PRIOR to applying for theirs; and thus, they don't want to waste one on you if you already have one, and there's a LOT of applicants. However; if at the time that you applied for for nominations, and were interviewed, if you didn't have a nomination from one of the others at that time; I wouldn't mention it to them.
Look; I understand what they are doing. They want to maximize nominations to the academy. Instead of 2 senators and a rep all nominating the same 10 people; they can each nominate 10 different people and effectively have 30 nominations. I understand the game. I've played it long enough. Same thing happened a few years back when my son applied. He had a presidential, but the academy wanted him to get a senator or representative's nomination. This way they could hold onto the presidential for someone else who qualified, and couldn't get their MOC nomination. Again; I understand the game. But guess what????? This is your life. (Or in the OP's case, his girlfriend's son's life). As such, you/he has to look out for what's best for him. If I knew for a fact that my senators and representative would talk to each other; that they would indeed coordinate their efforts; and they DIDN'T RANK their slates; then I would cooperate to "ASSIST" them in maximizing their nominations. But guess what???? They are in the congress. When is the last time they were all able to talk to each other and make a useful decision. (Part tongue in cheek; part serious).
Personally; I would not take a chance of having each of them thinking that the other one is giving you the nomination, and them pulling their nomination. I don't trust that they'll communicate. And for the record; there isn't any "LAW" that says you have to tell them. It is nothing more than a courtesy. Well; if they did their job properly; or at least their staff who normally takes care of the academy nominations for them; then they'd contact their "Fellow Congressmen" and ask for a list of who they have nominated. This way, they could take it upon themselves to maximize their efforts if that's what they want.
In other words, it's not your job to do "THEIR JOB". Remember, they WORK FOR YOU. They are YOUR EMPLOYEE. If they want to know if you/GF's Son has a nomination, all they have to do is have one of their flunkies place a quick call or email. There's only 29 representatives in the state of New York. I'm positive that Schumer and Hillary's replacement has these 29 as an Email group. It would take them 39 seconds to ask who they've nominated. So I wouldn't tell them anything. They know how to find the answer if they want it. Your GF's son needs to take care of himself. Now; if he was being interviewed for a nomination; and he already had one prior; and they asked, then I would tell them. But if the nominations came after ALL the interviews were done; then I wouldn't say a thing. But that's just me. It's not a morals, values, or ethics decision. It's a "I don't believe 100% that the senators and representative will do their job properly and talk to each other.... and I am not willing to risk losing a nomination and possible appointment because of their mis-communications. And if they really want the information, they can it faster". Best of luck. mike.....
The representative's nomination pulls the most weight. Especially if you are the principal nominee. So if you have to tell the senator (Who gave the nomination) that you already received a nomination from your representative, then do what you have to do. But check their rules carefully. Does it say something like: "When applying for a nomination, inform us if you've already received a nomination". That would imply that you had a nomination PRIOR to applying for theirs; and thus, they don't want to waste one on you if you already have one, and there's a LOT of applicants. However; if at the time that you applied for for nominations, and were interviewed, if you didn't have a nomination from one of the others at that time; I wouldn't mention it to them.
Look; I understand what they are doing. They want to maximize nominations to the academy. Instead of 2 senators and a rep all nominating the same 10 people; they can each nominate 10 different people and effectively have 30 nominations. I understand the game. I've played it long enough. Same thing happened a few years back when my son applied. He had a presidential, but the academy wanted him to get a senator or representative's nomination. This way they could hold onto the presidential for someone else who qualified, and couldn't get their MOC nomination. Again; I understand the game. But guess what????? This is your life. (Or in the OP's case, his girlfriend's son's life). As such, you/he has to look out for what's best for him. If I knew for a fact that my senators and representative would talk to each other; that they would indeed coordinate their efforts; and they DIDN'T RANK their slates; then I would cooperate to "ASSIST" them in maximizing their nominations. But guess what???? They are in the congress. When is the last time they were all able to talk to each other and make a useful decision. (Part tongue in cheek; part serious).
Personally; I would not take a chance of having each of them thinking that the other one is giving you the nomination, and them pulling their nomination. I don't trust that they'll communicate. And for the record; there isn't any "LAW" that says you have to tell them. It is nothing more than a courtesy. Well; if they did their job properly; or at least their staff who normally takes care of the academy nominations for them; then they'd contact their "Fellow Congressmen" and ask for a list of who they have nominated. This way, they could take it upon themselves to maximize their efforts if that's what they want.
In other words, it's not your job to do "THEIR JOB". Remember, they WORK FOR YOU. They are YOUR EMPLOYEE. If they want to know if you/GF's Son has a nomination, all they have to do is have one of their flunkies place a quick call or email. There's only 29 representatives in the state of New York. I'm positive that Schumer and Hillary's replacement has these 29 as an Email group. It would take them 39 seconds to ask who they've nominated. So I wouldn't tell them anything. They know how to find the answer if they want it. Your GF's son needs to take care of himself. Now; if he was being interviewed for a nomination; and he already had one prior; and they asked, then I would tell them. But if the nominations came after ALL the interviews were done; then I wouldn't say a thing. But that's just me. It's not a morals, values, or ethics decision. It's a "I don't believe 100% that the senators and representative will do their job properly and talk to each other.... and I am not willing to risk losing a nomination and possible appointment because of their mis-communications. And if they really want the information, they can it faster". Best of luck. mike.....
Ironically I received a call today from someone from Senator Schumer's office asking if I needed a nomination. This has been the first I've heard from him at all. I replied I have already been nominated by my congressman, and she simply congratulated me and promptly ended the conversation. Looking at his website now it says:
"In order that more New York applicants will have an opportunity to be reviewed by the academies, please let me know immediately if you are nominated by another source. "
Just thought I'd throw in my two cents
"In order that more New York applicants will have an opportunity to be reviewed by the academies, please let me know immediately if you are nominated by another source. "
Just thought I'd throw in my two cents