ds had interview yesterday with senators panel for nomination to usafa. he felt interview went well but at dinner last night he mentioned he got a question about the code of conduct and told us his answer. unfortunately he had gotten code of conduct confused with the air force motto and so his answer was great but not correct. interviewer did not correct him or mention he was mixing things up. any thoughts? he is worried he has blown it. he never even realized he had made the mistake until the evening.
will mistake hurt?
- Thread starter supergirl
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Christcorp
15-Year Member
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Most interviewers: Moc, ALO, etc... worry more about HOW you answer a question than WHAT you answer. Not saying that a particular senator isn't a stickler for RIGHT/WRONG answers; just that it's not normally important. What's important is: 1) Was the interviewee B.S.ing me. 2) Were they confident and convicted in their answer. 3) Were they professional, collected, and sure of themself.
So personally, I wouldn't worry about it. But even MORE IMPORTANT.... Is there ANYTHING that can be done about it now???? NOPE, not a single thing. So why worry about it or let it stress anyone out. The results will be what they are. One question is not going to kill your chances. Just like the academy is looking at the "WHOLE PERSON" application..... So are the MOC's. "The vast majority of them". Don't worry about it. Best of luck.... Mike....
Spanky58ggpt
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Another way to look at this is that whether you are dealing with the motto or the code of conduct, they are both things that you will have ingrained into your entire being as a cadet. As a candidate you have not had that level of exposure yet. As CC said, HOW you answer the question is often more important in providing insight into your potential to become a cadet and make both the motto and the code an integral part of you as a final product, an officer with career potential. As a candidate you are primarily being evaluated on potential to become a good officer, and most probably realize that your personal knowledge of these items is minimal compared to a cadet who has lived and breathed them for four years.
Best of luck! The fact that you were in the interview group says a lot about your level of accomplishment, motivation and dedication to your goals.
Best of luck! The fact that you were in the interview group says a lot about your level of accomplishment, motivation and dedication to your goals.
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I think the two answers above are spot-on! 
When "we" (besides being an ALO, I'm a MoC's nomination panel board chairman) ask a question about the honor code, what we want to know is:
a. Is the candidate familiar with it?
b. HOW do they view it?
c. HOW will they live with it?
His answer was fine!!!
Worry not.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
When "we" (besides being an ALO, I'm a MoC's nomination panel board chairman) ask a question about the honor code, what we want to know is:
a. Is the candidate familiar with it?
b. HOW do they view it?
c. HOW will they live with it?
His answer was fine!!!
Worry not.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
I think I goofed a bit also. I felt that for the most part I did very good in my MOC interview.
There were about 6 people on the board I was interviewing with. Most of them told me I was very impressive and that they thought I did well. I did, however, while talking, perhaps even indirectly, make a comment that I think I would better prepare myself by attending USMA as opposed to AROTC. This seemed to go over fine with almost everybody there, but one person made a point to tell me as I was leaving that his son had done ROTC, and was perfectly prepared. I think he might not have taken too kindly to what I said, even though I had meant no disrespect by it.
Hopefully that won't hurt my chances at a nomination!
There were about 6 people on the board I was interviewing with. Most of them told me I was very impressive and that they thought I did well. I did, however, while talking, perhaps even indirectly, make a comment that I think I would better prepare myself by attending USMA as opposed to AROTC. This seemed to go over fine with almost everybody there, but one person made a point to tell me as I was leaving that his son had done ROTC, and was perfectly prepared. I think he might not have taken too kindly to what I said, even though I had meant no disrespect by it.
Hopefully that won't hurt my chances at a nomination!
Robehrn, that's what makes a 6 member panel difficult. You won't be able to please everybody. I wouldn't sweat it.
I've got a 7 member panel saturday! Quite a few hands to shake.
Everybody is going to make some form of mistake in an interview. It's almost impossible to be perfect in something that is unknown like an interview. Actors make mistakes in live plays all of the time. Think about the hundreds of times they have rehearsed.
Honestly the only mistakes I can see being made are fundamental ones. i.e expressing interest in the academy for free education only, wanting to join the military because you play call of duty and the release of black ops was just the icing on the cake etc.
I've got a 7 member panel saturday! Quite a few hands to shake.
Everybody is going to make some form of mistake in an interview. It's almost impossible to be perfect in something that is unknown like an interview. Actors make mistakes in live plays all of the time. Think about the hundreds of times they have rehearsed.
Honestly the only mistakes I can see being made are fundamental ones. i.e expressing interest in the academy for free education only, wanting to join the military because you play call of duty and the release of black ops was just the icing on the cake etc.
During my interview, I made a few mistakes and I don't think it mattered in the grand scheme of things. I actually got stuck on a word and was unable to properly pronounce it. Looking back it was kind of funny 
I was also heavily criticized for only doing a few sports. I could have answered that better.
The ultimate result though: I still got the nomination. Don't worry about a few mistakes.
I was also heavily criticized for only doing a few sports. I could have answered that better.
The ultimate result though: I still got the nomination. Don't worry about a few mistakes.
i've printed up the responses to give my son. his panel was 7 people as well. he actually thought the local congressmans panel was harder than the senators in terms of questions. i think he was mad at himself for confusing the code because he actually does know it and can quote it - plus had been involved in a situation while volunteering in costa rica over summer vacation that was a perfect example of the honor code - do you report a group of fellow students who sneak out to go to a bar or not? good luck in your interview - at least you will be prepared for an honor code question.