Can't get any response from my MOC - any suggestions?

Hebo

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Oct 25, 2018
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I recently had interviews with committees for my two senators. Things were very well organized and coordinated. They also kept me informed about when they received my nom application, that it was complete, and when and where the interviews would take place.

My congressman - not so much. Apps are due this week but I sent them in last month. I called the congressman's office and they gave me the number of his staff person who is responsible for nominations. I left a message on this voice mail - 3 times in the last month. I also emailed him 3 times. Nothing. I'm just trying to figure out when and where the interviews will be because I literally have every day scheduled for wrestling and my NYLT until 2 days before Christmas. Obviously, I'll make time for an interview. Any suggestions on what else I can do? Am I being too worried about something I can't control? My Congressman didn't run for re-election this year so I'm wondering if that has something to do with it (he ran and won a state office). Is it possible that he may just not do interviews this year and pick nominations based on applications?

I was thinking of driving over to his office to try and get some answers but I don't want to seem pushy. So, some guidance from people who are involved or been through this process would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
I was thinking of driving over to his office to try and get some answers but I don't want to seem pushy.
I've never been through the process as neither I, or my son, applied to the academies. I would ask though, whose life are we discussing? If I'm correct, we're discussing yours. I wouldn't think anything involved with achieving my dream would be pushy, especially when I've already tried other sources of communication.

That being said, you could just wait it out and see if you are invited for an interview (they don't always interview everyone). You'll have no choice about the date (I expect) so knowing sooner isn't going to help much. You'll either be there, if your invited, or blow it off for something else you have scheduled.
 
So long as it is YOU and not your parents, that drives to see the MOC coordinator, there is nothing wrong with it. It would be wise to call ahead and see if the MOC staffer will be in on the day that you drop by.

My DS spoke to the MOC coordinator regularly and actually build a nice rapport with the lady. I don't think he was viewed as pushy.
 
I've been doing a bit of web browsing and I think part of the problem may be that the person in charge of coordinating service academy noms is the same guy who does the congressman's other services for people in our district. I think he may have quit to take a new job because he was not offered a job with the incoming congress woman and will not be working for the outgoing congressman (who was elected attorney general of our state). It looks like he quit early last month, got married to a staff person from another campaign, and is gone - as in he has or is looking for a new job (I got this info from a wedding announcement in the paper when I googled the staffer). I also think things are kind of a "cluster" at his office during this transition. Our congressman hasn't updated anything on his web page in over a month - everything is on his campaign page for attorney general. Even his on-line letter inviting people to submit nomination applications is dated 2016. It's like he got senior-itis or whatever congressmen get when they become lame ducks. I think maybe his head is in his new job -setting up a whole new team and he's letting his old job run on automatic until it's over. I just texted my dad and he says I should probably wait until next week (after the submission deadline) and just go over there and not take "no" for an answer (but be polite and professional). He pointed out that I'm probably not the only one looking for answers. I hope I don't have to do that.
 
I really understand your anxiety about the interview dates. If I were in your shoes however, I would wait. You have already reached out multiple times, and you don't want to be "that person." JMHO.

Since nomination apps are due this week, they will probably announce interview dates once all apps are in, they analyze the # of applicants, # of nominations pursued, and # of interviewers needed. Our MOC's office had to organize many interviewers from different academies, and I imagine those volunteering are busy folks. Not to mention the staff of the outgoing MOC is also busy with transition issues.

Best of luck to you!

Edited after seeing your last post. Agree with your dad on waiting until next week Also none of the MOCs in our area have updated their SA nom pages either.
 
One of our nominating sources had a Staffer change. We had been well informed, and then nothing for a while. During the transition time. It was odd, but all made sense after the position was filled and we received an email. It all worked out.

Reading your OP, I’m not positive you have confirmation that your packet is received and complete by your congressman. If not, I would suggest stopping in at their office to confirm receipt BEFORE the deadline. Alone, as suggested above. May take a couple tries but that is something I would want a confirmation of receipt.

If you already have confirmation, I would suggest waiting a week or two and then following up again. Phone, email, a visit. Email may be unmonitored bc the address you had, went to the staffers email (the one who is gone, as usually professional emails are their name@xxx).

Elections
Deadline
Holiday
Change in staff

All above means a busy time for MOC’s. Understandable you aren’t notified yet...but I wouldn’t be overly concerned at this point. I WOULD want to know they have my completed application by the deadline.

I also would not make the assumptions you have made above. Lame duck, seniorities, head in his new job. You have no idea what is going on, and that all comes off as disrespectful imo. Staffers/MOC’s have lots on their plates, not only academy nominations. As important as the nomination is to you, it’s only a small part of the position for the MOC.

Good luck to you!
 
I am ready to be flamed, but I have to say it.

Back away.

You have called 3x, emailed 3x in a month. In essence, using a 20 day a month work schedule (5 days a week x 4) you are contacting them every 3rd day. To me that is overkill now.

I understand the anxiety. MoCs are briefed 2x a yr (summer and early winter) by the SA reps that are stationed at the Pentagon. These briefs include everything including how many are already charged to that state or district and their drop dates. Key words...state or district. IE The Honorable Senator Smith from KY is not charged the 5. It is the office, not the person.
~ IOWS they know that they have a drop date of submission by end of Jan.
~ I know this because I interviewed to work in the USAFA office at the Pentagon. They have a room in the office that is old school. Walls are filled with every MoCs name and color coded cards regarding their yr group. The reason why is so if Sen Jones from Utah calls and asks how many they have available to be charged for the yr, the staff in that office can look up and say you have 3 charged, they are Cadet Brown (19), Cadet Schmit(20) and Cadet Wahoo (22), thus you have 2 for this yr.

Your Cong has retired. My bet is that they will not do an interview at all. They are busy doing their own transitioning, and since the new Cong will not take oath of office until after the 1st of the yr., it is highly likely that the new MoC will have submitting a slate is at the very bottom of their list when they hit the floor.
~ No offense, just saying with our problems in the country regarding our borders, health care, taxes, global climate, SA noms are not in their top list of 10, 25 , 50 or 100 to get done.

Final 3 things.
1. Not every MoC interviews. My DS got all 3 MoC noms, but only 1 interviewed.
2. You are making an assumption that he is moving on aka lame duck and doesn't care about this aspect of his career.
~ Some states the MoCs will coordinate their slates, and will only give out 1 nom from all 3 of them. Sens A and B interview. Sen A. submits your name, they contact your cong. and because they have agreed to spread the wealth, even if the Cong. does interview they will not interview you since you are on Sen A's slate.
3. I think you are going over the top impo by stalking the staffer.
~ Seriously Googling and reading their wedding announcement... flame on me, but that's pretty intense to me. Let's be real here. You have contacted them basically 2x a week for a month, even if they have 700 applicants, bet they already knew why you were calling the minute you said on their VM or in an email, Hi, this is applicant Hebo. Imagine if all 700 called them and emailed them that many times a week. That would equal 700 VMs weekly and 700 Emails. Do the math...listen to every VM at 30 secs. and you are at @6 hrs. This is on top of work VMs. Read each email, and again 6 hrs. 12 hrs out of a 40 hr work week. Respond to each, and you are at 24. Now at the same time, they are working with the SAs regarding LOAs. ADD in if they talk, they are talking to the Sens too. Finally, if they do interviews, contacting the committee members. Pretty sure all of that is way more than 40 hrs a week.
~~ You are basically stating in your 2nd post they don't give a sheaattt. Have you thought about it from a different approach? They have it, but need to contact the ones as a priority that called and they don't have? IOWS, their response is like a doc...only calls when it is bad news, if your tests are fine, than you won't hear a peep from them until you come in for your scheduled check up.

I wish you the best and I hope you get appointed, but take it from someone that has been down this path. The nom waiting in the grand scheme of your future is the least stressful thing you will ever endure. For now, I would leave it and make sure I have my ROTC scholarships in hand as plan B.
 
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Didn't mean to come off as such an a$$. Sorry. But Justdoit19 hit it right on the head - I'm concerned that my package didn't arrive at their office. I'm only trying to get confirmation on that. I will back off. BTW Pima - my MOC doesn't get 700 applications and I know my district and my congressman way better than you do. Congressmen and their staffers work for their constituents - they are supposed to be reasonably responsive. That's what I learned in civics class and its what my congressman (now retiring) told me when he spoke to my class two years ago. I've read many of your posts - you're very experienced and knowledgeable and you do a great job of giving tough love. All I'm trying to do right now is make sure that they got my application before the end of the week deadline. I'd feel pretty low if I found out they didn't. I'm sick with worry because my Senators made sure they confirmed receipt the day it arrived. I probably should have hand delivered it or certified mail or something. Anyway, I apparently made a big mistake asking for some guidance from the forum. And yes, I have my ROTC scholarship already in hand.
 
Anyway, I apparently made a big mistake asking for some guidance from the forum.

@Hebo, you did indeed ask for guidance and you’ve gotten it. Some of it you like. Some of it — like Pima’s — you don’t. But that’s the nature of advice: You get various perspectives and you weigh them to make your own decision. Just because you disagree with the advice or don’t like how it’s delivered doesn’t make it less legitimate.

So take Pima’s advice for what it is — one input. Weight it against other inputs. Then make up your own mind. Great training for future cadets/mids and commissioned officers!
 
Anyway, I apparently made a big mistake asking for some guidance from the forum.

Your original question was a good one and describes a situation that many candidates may find themselves in, so I for one, feel that your post was quite valuable.

I also agree with MidCake, that you should evaluate all the information as constructive without being quite so sensitive. If you feel it was a mistake to post your question, because all the responses were not "supportive" enough, then you had better get a thicker skin before you embark on a military career.
 
FWIW, an acquaintance used to be on a Congressman’s staff and when the congressman lost his re-election bid, the staffers left like rats from a sinking ship. They had their options lined up and ready to go on election night. My acquaintance had to take over several duties dealing with constituents that he had little familiarity with. A lot fell through the cracks in November and December and there was poor communication with the transition staff from the new congressman. I think you should take the lack of response from your MOC’s office seriously. Stuff can get lost during times like this. I have a simple suggestion-send a new package of your application via certified mail and include a note saying it’s a duplicate and you just want to be sure they got it in time. That should have you covered.

You got opinions, as you asked for. The opinions you don’t agree with can be what you most need to hear. As for looking up the staffer on the Internet- I don’t view that as stalking. I think it was pretty resourceful. Just want to say your concerns are legitimate.
 
There are many lurkers on this site that are future applicants. There is a lesson to be learned here, and Hebo might hate me more now.

SEND YOUR NOM APPLICATION CERTIFIED OR SIGNATURE REQUIRED.
~ We did that with our DS. I just wasn't going to the trust the mail system, and in Hebo's case the staff. For a few bucks more you can track when it was received and the person that signed for the packet.
 
Going to the office BEFORE the deadline to confirm receipt of your application makes perfect sense. You want to go to a SA, take control of your own situation. If you are uncomfortable going to the office you could always resubmit your package with a carefully thought out and worded (and SHORT) note explaining why it may be a duplicate. Everyone telling you to "just wait" has nothing to lose either way, YOU DO..
 
I was thinking of driving over to his office to try and get some answers, but I don't want to seem pushy. So, some guidance from people who are involved or been through this process would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hebo, my DS is going through the same. He has 3 LOAs, AROTC, and NROTC with ISR. But no nomination, our congressman lost the election, and we have not heard back from our Senators. He went to the MOC office today, and he was given a different name for apparently someone else who is handling the process now.

The advice in the forums is practically all there is about the academies online, other than the academies themselves, remember we all come from different backgrounds and life has taken us through different paths, so we are all different. I do not remember if PIMA is the one that drives the tractor but she/he is tough but tries to give good advice. They are volunteers, and not everyone takes the time to help others.

My advice will be to make sure the congressman's office received your package and then contact your congressional district coordinator, your BGO, your ALO, your RC, your FFR...I don't know to which academy you applied, but they might be able to guide you.

And remember that the people working at your MOC office, they are just regular people if you approach them with respect, I am sure they will be happy to help you.

Good luck and God bless you
 
There are good points in all posts, pro and con.

If it were me, I’d follow the old saying, “Better to make errors of commission than errors of omission.”

The OP has plenty to sift through.

An excellent nugget for lurkers and future applicants, spend the extra money for tracked mail.
 
Thanks for all responses! I've put together a duplicate nom app package and I am sending it certified mail today so I have proof it got there. Should have done that in the first place. My dad also said sending it Fed Ex would do the same thing.
 
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