Principal Nominations

WMcCollum

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2014
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Is there a difference between principal nominations and "regular" nominations? Is one viewed more highly by the admissions board than the other?
 
If a MOC gives out principal NOMS (not all do) then by law, the academy must offer an appointment to that nominee provided they are triple qualified (3Q).

If the slate is not ranked, the academy can decide who to take.
 
Thanks, will a principal nomination lead to an earlier appointment, assuming you are 3Q?
 
Just out of curiosity...do MOCs always stick to the same nominating system? If they usually do competitive slate, is that how they have to do nominees every year? Or do they sometimes change to principal?
 
Just out of curiosity...do MOCs always stick to the same nominating system? If they usually do competitive slate, is that how they have to do nominees every year? Or do they sometimes change to principal?

I know that in the past some have switched it up. It's probably not too common to do so though. In any case, it's their process and they can do whatever they want each year at their own inclination.
 
Principal Nomination vs. Regular Nom.

There is a huge difference between Principal vs. Regular nomination.
Principal nom. is the equivalent of a "First Place" nomination and the academy will accept this nominee (IF) that nominee satisfies the educational, physical, and SAT standards for acceptance to the various academies. My son was a "PRINCIPAL nominee" and I am thankful every single day that our congressman/congresswoman used this protocol for the selection process. My son was selected as PRINCIPAL nominee, because he displayed the attributes that the military officers deemed excellent to select him as their "number 1" pick. I am eternally thankful because I am sure that other candidates may have had "higher grades and higher SAT scores". However, my son loves being a cadet and my be one of the cadets who will graduate as the "happiest cadet". He loves USAFA and is honored to be serving there as a cadet. The Air Force officers who interviewed all of the candidates in December of that year must have seen in my son the same attributes that I see, that will make him an honorable officer in the United States Air Force. He is grateful to be there, and I am thankful that his dream is being fulfilled...
 
I know that in the past some have switched it up. It's probably not too common to do so though. In any case, it's their process and they can do whatever they want each year at their own inclination.

The Nominating Committees can do it any way they want to.
The one in my district switches according to the situation that year. If there is an outstanding candidate, who may be overshadowed by another candidate (on paper), a P-Nom will be used to protect the "lesser" candidate's chances. He or she will get the P-Nom and the other outstanding candidate will get the Nom. It almost always works out that they both get in :)

Blue
 
Principal noms are nice to have. (I don't have one sadly) However, I believe that not having one is not the end of the world. If you're good enough, you'll get in one way or another.
 
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