During my son's cycle (class of 2024), his BGO was active duty and was TDY overseas. He wasn't Johnny on the spot in terms of responding to emails, but he got it done. Getting a BGO interview in early doesn't change a darn thing in terms of competitiveness or getting your file reviewed earlier.
Sure they could review the interview, and I'm sure they do since they start meeting in August, but even if you have been reviewed in August, you are still waiting for MOCs dates to close and their slates to be submitted.
Most of us have full-time jobs and families, and we do care about our candidates, otherwise we wouldn't do this. This is my first cycle, and I had 12 candidates.
I reached out to all of them with the introduction letter. Only two responded to the email. So I got their cell numbers and tried to reach out via text, since that's how kids roll these days. Only one of them replied. At that point, I'm not going to continue to try to lead them to water or engage. I can't care about their candidacy more than they do.
I had one who I hadn't heard anything from. Early January my Area Coordinator reaches out to all BGOs who have candidates without an interview. I reached out to the candidate, they hadn't requested an interview, hadn't finished their app, and advised me they had accepted an appointment to USAFA. News to me.
I had only two advance enough in their portal to warrant interviews. And taking notes during an interview, reading back through notes and resumes, and then doing the BGO write-up is time consuming.
My one remaining candidate reached out to me Saturday, just nerves kicking in. I couldn't tell him anything he didn't already know. Most will wait until 15 April to 1 May. Some will know in the early weeks of May. I did remind him he has a stellar Plan B, and he should focus on spending time with family and friends as regardless of how this plays out, he will be leaving his home, friends, family, state and current way of life to pursue his goals of military service and leadership.
Everyone is stressed, every candidate has skin in the game. So do moms and dads. We get it. Every college in the country has a 1 May deadline, and only SAs require physical fitness tests, MOC nominations, VP noms, ROTC noms, Presidential noms, medical, optical and hearing exams, one one interviews..... you get the picture. This isn't a normal admission process, and if you are successful, nothing about your life moving forward will be normal.
