Presidential nomination questions

[garrettm]

My mother used to be in the USAF and I heard that I could get a presidential nomination if she served a certain number of years. I have cotton conflicting numbers so could I please get the most up to date number of years. I would also like to know if there is anything that I gain from my mother’s service if her time did not meet the time requirement.

 

[Christcorp]

I could give you the long answer, but based on the way you worded your question, I believe the short version will work. Quite simply:

1. Parent is CURRENTLY on active duty; and has at least 8 years CURRENTLY in the military.
2. Your parent is RETIRED from active duty, and is receiving retired pay for the rank they retired.

There are also provisions for adopted children; children of reservists; children who military parent has died; or parents who are veterans and have died. But assuming your mother is still with you; and I pray she is; then she would have to be CURRENTLY on active duty with at least 8 years in; or she is retired and collecting retired pay. Hope that explains it to you. As for the 2nd part of your question; sorry, but there are no other benefits towards academy nominations or any other part of the academy process if she simply served and go out. Best of luck. Mike.....

 

[garrettm]

I am sad to say that my mother is not still with me. She served after high school and then left for a career change. A few years ago, she died from a source that had nothing to do with the military although she did have a military part in her funeral. How would this affect me in the application process if it does at all?

 

[Pima]

I believe that the answer would be no, since she had left the AF before her death and not retiring.

People need to realize one reason for that nom, it is kind of a perk for serving. Many applicants, such as our own went to numerous middle and high schools, thus, it is very difficult to compete for a nom, when you move one school in June and arrive to a new one in August and football season has begun, thus your ECs will be weak, for that yr. Or you leave one school that you were the brilliant one, but the school was less rigorous to arrive to a new one that is nationally ranked and you are behind the eight ball academically.

The Presidential does not exist for everyone. The one thing we all say is have a back up plan, for you besides the ROTC scholarship, check into the GI bill, because you may qualify for college money from there since she was in the service.