MOCs and Multiple Academy Applications

KansasMan

Future Jayhawk
Joined
May 17, 2018
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I've sumbitted my application for my representative, (still working on the senator apps!) and have been informed by my MOC's liason as well as my ALO that it helps if I request a nomination from multiple or all three service academies. I'm taking this as a solid piece of advice, but my question is, would it be worth my time to apply to the other two SAs just to try and help my case with the MOCs?
Obviously I would love to get into ANY of the service academies, (my reasoning to be kept only for the admissions board and the MOCs,) but applying for the other two acadenies would effectively triple the work that I would have to do for the service academies, on top of getting my ROTC Plan B going.

Because if it really would help I wouldn't mind doing all that work, but I just want some extra advice before I do go and get all that extra work.
 
It depends . . . do you see yourself serving in the Navy or the Army?
 
Obviously I would love to get into ANY of the service academies
You gotta pay to play... if you don't apply, then there is essentially no chance of getting an appointment.

Honestly, no one else can answer that for you - it is your future and you are the only one that can assess the up front costs (time, energy, etc.) vs. the possibility of earning an appointment from any of the SAs and your interest in career options available within said service.
 
If you want any SA, then go for it! If not, then don’t. My DS only wanted one. Yet, he knew if he didn’t get an appointment, without a doubt he would be equally happy with an ROTC program. He channeled his efforts towards that, and it paid off. He ended up where he was meant to be! He also didn’t want to accept an appointment at a SA where his heart wasn’t 100% and occupy a space for someone that might have wanted it more. Best wishes, and embrace the journey!
 
With all due respect — and if I’m understanding your post — you’re looking at this backwards. Determine which academy(ies) you want to attend. Then proceed to secure a nomination for each one. Nothing more, nothing less.

Let’s play this out: You’re before a MOC panel and they ask you where you’ve applied. You say USAFA, USNA and USNA, but your first choice is USAFA. Several weeks later, you learn that you’ve received a nomination to USNA or USMA, but not USAFA. It happens!

So now what? You have a nomination to an academy you have no desire to attend. And you’ve deprived someone else who does want to attend that academy of a much coveted nomination. Make sense?

Applying to multiple academies can indeed make someone more attractive to a MOC panel — because it presumably signals a deep desire to serve, via a willingness to attend any of the academies and to commission in any of the branches. Please act with genuine intent, not to game the system.
 
Thank you all for the replies. If I come around to the thought of serving in the Army for several years then I will consider applying to USMA, but currently I don't think that I should. Mainly because I wouldn't be able to do my main thing, piloting a fixed-wing aircraft, but also because I'm just not as passionate about the Army as I am the Air Force. USNA I don't even have to worry about because naval tradition is certainly not my thing, being from Kansas and all.

This question was based off of advice I'd heard from my ALO and MOC liason, but realistically I don't think it's worth the effort for me at least. Better to spend more time on my USAFA application than to spread it between something I really want and something I'm not totally passionate about.
Thanks to everyone again!
 
This is one of those questions that it is important to do some due diligence and find out how your particular MOC (or their nominating board) views things. Some MOC want to see the desire to serve first and foremost, so you should be willing to serve in any armed forces. Others might like the laser like focus on one branch of the service - particularly if you have a good reason behind. ("I want to fly.." is not a solid reason, I want to serve my country as an __ officer is far more powerful).

USNA I don't even have to worry about because naval tradition is certainly not my thing, being from Kansas and all.
Hint -- there are a lot of people in the Midwest with that attitude. The Navy has great opportunities, and Navy traditions will be infused during Plebe summer. In addition, Navy has a lot more opportunities if you don't get to fly. Besides, Navy bases are generally in alot more desireable places than Air Force (although Air Force often has newer facilities and amenities).
 
Don't try to 'game' the NOM process just to improve your chances. What happens if the only NOM you get is for an SA you weren't really that interested in? Also understand that 'piloting a fixed wing aircraft' is not a guarantee and many other things have to fall into place relating to your career interests. Many older threads about that topic.
 
So would it look bad if I only listed one SA?
I am applying to 2 SA's, but since the USCGA doesn't require a nomination from a MOC, I only list one Academy on Nomination applications. I am afraid that that the MOC will think I am not committed to service. However, I do not intend to apply to all three SA's (USAFA, USNA and USMA) because I am already applying to 2 plus ROTC.
 
No, it does not look bad if you only apply to one or two academies. Only apply if you truly are interested in attending.

If MOC panel asks why you didn’t apply to more, just have a good, authentic, truthful answer for why. You won’t be the first or only one in this boat.
 
Apply to those academies that you wish to attend. No more, no less. There is nothing wrong with knowing how it is you wish to serve, and I bet you can even explain that. I'm willing to bet you're applying to USNA or perhaps USMMA.... am I right? Seems like a logical sea service oriented decision to me. Simply be prepared to explain why you only applied to the academies you applied to. I'm sure you'll be asked, not because it reflects upon you, but because they want to see how you explain it. Can you be articulate and confident? This is your future. fashion it the way YOU desire.
 
I'm just not as passionate about the Army as I am the Air Force. USNA I don't even have to worry about because naval tradition is certainly not my thing, being from Kansas and all.

Admiral Chester Nimitz was from Texas. Alfred Mayer Mahan was born at West Point! What the H#!! does Kansas have to do with anything?

Do what you see yourself doing. If you don't like ships or boats that is fine. If you prefer the "surly bonds" over "hill and dale" that is fine too.
 
After reading this post, I had a question along the similar lines above. My DS has completed nearly his whole USNA application. He has BGO next Tuesday, will take the fitness assessment in a couple weeks, and is scheduling the DoDMERB physical soon.

When filling out information for each MOC, our district representative asked for the applicant to rate the academies as to my DS preference for attending (he said USNA, USMA, USAFA, USCGA). One senator said you could only list one service academy, and the other Senator said nothing on her page about it (from what I recall).

If my son did decide to now apply to the USMA at this point, how would that play out? What if his full USMA application was not complete by the time the MOC interview was held? If he has nearly completed the USNA application, do you think the USMA application process is nearly identical and it could "catch up" to his USNA application before the MOC interviews?
 
While it is desirable to have the application completed by the time of MOC interviews, it is not necessary. There are several parts that are often delayed. For example, CFA is due end of January and DODMERB appointments can get backed up, not to mention the waiver process. (My DD went into MOC interviews in November without having done CFA or having full DODMERB clearance. It did not stop her from being named a principal nominee.)

When a MOC asks for preference (either top choice or ranked order), answer clearly on paper or online. Come interview time, state clearly the willingness/desire to attend an academy beyond the first choice. The interview panel will probably ask anyway, but if they don’t, make sure to mention it.

Knowing this will help the nomination panel manage the various slates. Most MOCs want to spread the wealth, so the ability to shuffle pieces in accordance to preference really helps them — and helps the candidate, if they’re open to more than one academy.
 
Some MOCS coordinate amongst one another so only 1 nomination is given to 1 academy. Do not try to game the system. List your preferences properly. Some folks game the system and end up getting a nom and even appointment to an academy they don't really want to attend or didn't even finish the application for. Happens every year.
 
And for newbies reading all this - nothing substitutes researching your elected official websites and asking questions of staffers to see if you can figure out what method they use - principal nom or not, unranked list that lets the SA pick, whether they do multiple noms to multiple academies or only 1 by coordinating with others. And, just because an MOC used 1 method last year, does not mean he/she/successor will stick to that method.

Don’t get all hung up about what’s happening in states or districts the applicant is not a resident of. Focus on what’s in front of you.

And apply for all noms for which eligible!
 
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