USMAROTC,
Let me play Devil's advocate.
1. Our friend's DS was a CO candidate. He wanted USNA, placed AFA as number 2 on his list. He got Prin to AFA, no nom to USNA The Prin to USNA, no nom to AFA, they also had placed AFA as number 2, but when Thanksgiving rolled around she wanted AFA, not USNA. Our friend contacted the Sen. office about switching noms. The office contacted the USNA prin., asked if she still wanted the USNA. She said no, she wanted AFA. The office was able to switch them because it was prior to nom deadlines for MOCs. She commissioned AFA 2012. He commissioned USNA 2012.
~~~ They are not as heartless as you think.
A couple of yrs ago on this site, there was an Illinois poster that got a late LOA from USMA(@Dec), but did not have a nom from an MOC for USMA. They too contacted the source, and got it switched.
It happens.
2.
Aren't the MOCs "gaming" the system by not allowing appointments to the top candidates to each of the academies instead of "trying to spread the wealth?"
I posted this already. I think people are assuming that there is a huge discrepancy between number 1 on the list and number 10, but I highly doubt it.
I am betting out of a pool in states that spread the wealth can have a pool of 700+ applicants. Think of states like CA, TX, FL, VA, MD, their population size is huge.
Do you really believe that nom #1 has 2100 best sitting, top 5% rank, NMSF, NHS, 2 Varsity sports for 3 yrs, 300 community service hrs, every AP offered at the school; and nom #10 has 1800 best sitting, a few APs, top 20% rank, with 1 sport for 1 yr?
That is what I am reading this as regarding spreading the wealth. For me I believe what nom #10 will have is
2090 best sitting, top 5% rank, NMSF, 2 varsity for 3 yrs,
250hrs. and every AP offered.
Again, our DS got every MOC nom. When we went to the reception given by the Sen. They stated the overall stats. Every nom was an NMSF. Every nom had at least 1370 out of 1600 best sitting SAT (no superscore); do the math....680+ on each section. None were less than the top 10% class rank. 100% of them were in NHS. Every nom had at least 5 APs. (jr yr was cut off for selection). Combined (the ten on each slate) they had over 5000 community service hrs. Every nom had at least 1 varsity letter and participated in a sport for more than 3 yrs.
~~~ That was the Senate slate, in a state where they don't talk.
His Congressional nom. did not hold a reception. He sent out a newsletter. It was almost identical regarding statistics.
That is a non-competitive state where you can get 3 noms. Now imagine a competitive state. Seriously, do you believe that a spread the wealth state has lower stats than a non-spread the wealth?
I think what is more important for any candidate to understand is the nom opens the door. Once the door is open, they can get appointed without being charged to the MOC.
JMPO, but I don't understand wanting to attend all 3 SAs from a career perspective. Want to fly fixed...AFA/USNA. Want to fly Rotor USNA/USMA. Want to be on land...AFA/USMA. Want to be Spec. Ops....USNA/USMA.
SA's are not 24/7/365 days a yr for 5 yrs. AD is! I would love one poster tell me why they would be happy with all 3 from a career perspective. Not the pat answer I want an SA education, and the training , but what happens after they pin on their butter bars in their career field.
Maybe instead of kvetching about the noms./slates and process. It would be better off to look at it from the nom committee...why you want any SA! Why should we give YOU the nom. for X SA when you would be happy with any nom? Have you thought about 5 yrs from now (sr in hs to commission) when you owe 5 more yrs?
kinnem said:
. But as 'the Guardian' said in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"... "Choose wisely".
LMAO, ROFL! Bullet has always used that statement starting back when he attend PME at Leavenworth as an AF officer. He was constantly teased/taunted that the AF officers are Prima Donnas working banker hours, making a million plus flight pay. His answer has always been, not my fault YOU DIDN'T CHOOSE WISELY.