.... This added , unnecessary requirement of obtaining a nomination in addition to what really matters, being academically, medically, and physically qualified skews the admissions process.....
NYBEAR: Like I mentioned in my previous post, requiring a MOC nomination, isn't an unnecessary requirement. It does 2 very important things. It ensures a nationally diverse class of cadets, and it accurately represents "The Tax Payers Who Are Paying For The Academies and the Education".
If you don't agree with that 2nd position, then you don't understand or agree also with our system of government. We are NOT a democracy or a democratic form of government. We are a "Representative Republic" form of government, where our representatives are democratically elected. In other words, we are NOT 1 individual country and government. We are 50 individual states, also known as autonomous countries, comprised to form a Union. States are considered independent countries and governments. That's why we have a secretary of "State". (Representing our interest to other countries). But more to the point; our 50 states, and to a lesser degree our territories, all need to be equally represented at the academies. Just like our system of government has senators to represent the physical states, and representatives to represent the population. And as long as that is our form of government and how the people are represented at the federal level, then it's only right that the academies also equally represent our 50 states. If that is not in place, then there is nothing stopping the academy; other than your faith in them; that they won't select their class based specifically on finite characteristics.
You might think that academics, medical, and physical fitness is "WHAT REALLY MATTERS" when selecting an academy class, and thus future leaders; but I have to disagree. The vast majority of the military is the enlisted corp. They are the ones who are being lead and most times perform the tasks directly related to mission accomplishment. And those squadrons, wings, platoons, etc... are made up of individuals from all over the country. With all types of backgrounds and experiences. It's important that those leading these individuals have experience with this diversity.
You might believe that a diverse group of cadets/mids coming into the academy is mainly benefiting that particular group of cadets/mids. That diverse group of cadets/mids is also benefiting the rest of the cadet class and the entire academy. It is exposing each cadet to diverse individuals with diverse backgrounds. That's why it's also great that some international students attend the academies also. We need our officer corp to be well rounded with the people they interact with. Just like the academy wants a "Well Rounded" applicant who has done academics, athletics, clubs, leadership, etc.... The academy wants to make that cadet MORE WELL ROUNDED. By the experiences they have at the academy. With a room mate from georgia; or a squad leader who is black; or an element leader who is a female; and the wing commander who came from a single parent family; etc... All of these diversities, along with many others that I posted previously, contribute to cadets having a well rounded experience.
Why do high schools have International Exchange Programs? So the individuals in the school don't have only the experience of the kids they grew up with their entire life. Yes, that exchange student from Brazil might get a lot out of coming to a school in the United States; but that school and class get just as much our of the Brazilian student being there. Diversity is a "2-Way-Street".
But again; besides these logical reasons for diversity; when it comes to nominations, (Specifically MOC nominations); we're also talking about representation of the people. Each state, each citizen, each tax payer, pays for our academies. They have every right to expect to be equally represented. And what better way, than half the class being made up of 1 cadet per state representative and 1 cadet per state senator. (That's only 553 cadets by the way. The other 700-800 come from a mixture of other nomination sources and leftovers from the states. Now, if you want to argue the need for presidential, VP, ROTC, etc... type nominations, I can see that argument. I'd still disagree with you, but I can understand it. But nominations from state representatives and senators is imperative. Not only for cultural/national diversity, but also for tax payer representation. Sorry for the novel. I tend to be long winded at times. Mike...