Competitive Nomination process

I apologize in advance if this topic has been beaten to death already and I overlooked the thread, but I couldn't find an exact answer.

I recently learned that my two senators and representative all use a competitive nomination process. I understand that they present a list of ten names to the academy to rank and give them the choice to pick. If I'm on the list, but is the not the one picked by the academy, do I become an alternate, or am just plain out of luck? Do alternates not exist in this nomination process? I ask because I have received an LOA, but I know of at least one other person in my district who has also received an LOA to USAFA. From what I read, being an alternate with an LOA is good enough for an offer of appointment (all I'm missing is the nomination).

Thanks.

Here is the reader's digest version:

There are 453 representatives and 100 senators. If one from each gets the nod, that 553 appointees. Throw in 100 presidentials, 20 ROTC, misc from the other types of nominations, and you're looking at approximately 700 appointments. That still leaves approximately 650-700 appointments to go. If you are not the one selected from your Rep/Senator's list, but are ON his/her list of ten, then you will go into the National pool. Now, instead of competing with the other 9 on the Rep/Senator's list you were on, for 1 slot, you will be in a national pool of approximately 4000 nominees for one of the 650-700 additional appointments. So you still have a chance. Percentage wise, you have a better chance. 1 in 10 is 10%. 600-700 of 4000 is about 15-18%. So just hang in there. Best of luck. Mike.....

P.S. If you have an LOA, then there is no "Alternate" or competition for you to worry about. If you get a nomination, then you GET THE APPOINTMENT. Assuming that you are qualified academically, physically, and medically. And being you are asking on an air force forum, you must be already, because the air force WILL NOT GIVE YOU AN LOA unless you ARE QUALIFIED. Good luck.

Gotcha, thanks!

I wanted to make sure I'm understanding this. My son is showing a nomination from our congressman. (I don't know what method he uses - principal or competitive). If he uses the competitive method, does this mean my son was selected for the nomination by the academy, or do all on the list from the congressman show having a nomination?

If he is qualified in all other areas, does this mean he will get an appointment?

COmpetitive or principal everyone shows they have the nom. from the MOC slate.

The letter from the MOC will state the method they have submitted to the AFA.

I.E.

~You were selected and we us competitive.
~ You are the principal
~ You are not the principal, but if the principal declines we will go alternate or competitive.

If he is qualified in all other areas, does this mean he will get an appointment?

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Sorry, but NO!. He now has to win the apptmt through the WCS. Highest score wins.

The nom is needed to enter, but it is important to understand that @3K candidates get noms, and only 50% of them get apptmts.

Remember, not everyone on the senator list will be on your Congressman's list. It is highly possible that 8 out of the 10 on the Sen. list get apptmts because they were charged to other sources.

It is just important to understand be proud of the nom, but that doesn't mean they are in.

Thank you so much for clarifying this.

cluelessmom said:

Thank you so much for clarifying this.

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Clear as mud.

My son received an LOA from Navy and Air Force last year. The BGO from Annapolis told him that he was in. He said the Sec of the Navy would give him a nomination if he did not get one from our MOC. I don't know if that helps alleviate any of your concerns or not. Also, a young lady in his High School class received the Principal Nom from one of our Senators. She was told that as long as she met the minimum requirements that the AFA had, she was in. My son and her are classmates at the Air Force Academy.

I hope that helps. I know it can be a very anxious time in a home.

Dog; it isn't really that muddy. For Air Force; because this is the Air Force forum:

1. If you get an LOA from the academy, and you receive ANY nomination, and you pass your DODMRB physical, you WILL receive an appointment.
WHY? Because the air force doesn't give out LOA's unless your application is 100% complete, and you are 3Q. The ONLY THING that can be MISSING, is a nomination and/or the DODMRB.

2. Just because you have an LOA doesn't me you are guaranteed a nomination and thus an appointment. The Navy might be able to guarantee you a nomination if you can't get one from another source, but the air force has never guaranteed an LOA recipient of a nomination.
Steve can clarify this if I'm Wrong: But I do know of an LOA recipient a couple years ago who DIDN'T get a nomination, and DIDN'T receive an appointment. I don't know them personally, but heard of them through the system. Is it unlikely? Yes. Chances are, you WILL get a nomination if you have an LOA; and thus an appointment. But guaranteed? Nope. Not at all.

3. If your MOC gives "PRINCIPAL" nominations; and you receive that principal nomination; and you are 3Q; and you have your application 100% completed; and you pass the DODMRB; then you WILL RECEIVE an appointment. Again; this is for air force. Doesn't matter if the other 9 people on the MOC's slate of 10 have higher WCS scores than you. Principal is guaranteed an appointment. IF, all the things I mentioned are satisfactorily complete.

I don't think that's too muddy. Best of luck. Mike.....