Can my Senators discriminate against me?

Joined
Mar 20, 2018
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I am a middle right, strongly conservative Republican. I am not super active on social media involving politics (just made everything private just to be safe), I am far from an extremist, and I am respectful of others beliefs. That being said I am President of the first republican club at my liberal school, in my liberal state, with liberal senators. Being the founder of a club is obviously something I want to include on my nomination applications, but I fear I will be rejected because of this. Any opinions or experiences when dealing with this? Thanks!
 
Highly doubtful that the MOC panel will discriminate against you based on politics. Cadets and Midshipmen come in all political stripes. Nominations are a constituent service, in which the MOC represents their whole district, not just the people who agree with them politically.

So if your best leadership examples are tied to a specific political stance, go ahead and highlight them. But with anything like this, focus on what you specifically did to make the organization better, not what the organization stands for.
 
Back in 2015, my liberal Democrat DS received a nomination for BOTH USMA and USNA from the same conservative Republican congressional representative.

As MidCakePA says, while it is highly doubtful that your MOC will be biased, each MOC can run things his or her own way.

So bottom line, why worry about it? It is not in your control, so be yourself and be proud of it!

Liberal or Conservative, we are after all, on the same side defending the same Constitution.
 
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Highly doubtful that the MOC panel will discriminate against you based on politics. Cadets and Midshipmen come in all political stripes. Nominations are a constituent service, in which the MOC represents their whole district, not just the people who agree with them politically.

So if your best leadership examples are tied to a specific political stance, go ahead and highlight them. But with anything like this, focus on what you specifically did to make the organization better, not what the organization stands for.

Thank you!!
 
Back in 2015, my liberal Democrat DS received a nomination for BOTH USMA and USNA from the same conservative Republican congressional representative.

As MidCakePA says, while it is highly doubtful that your MOC will be biased, each MOC can run things his or her own way.

So bottom line, why worry about it? It is not in your control, so be yourself and be proud of it!

Liberal and Conservative, we are after all, on the same side defending the same Constitution.

Thank you!
 
Most MOCs use panels of citizens to decide on the noms. I know quite a few folks who have served on the panel for the same district/state, even after the party holding the seat changed, so even being on the committee isn't necessarily tied to being a member of the same party as the MOC. I've seen zero evidence that party affiliation of parents (which is known) or candidates (which generally is not) has any bearing. Not saying it never happens but haven't heard of it.
 
I agree with MidCakepa and A-ROTC Dad. Use it to your strength. But just be very respectful to all parties. That will demonstrate maturity and compassion. You may even want to highlight that in your essay how you respect other party ideas. It is always bit tricky talking politics and religion in your Apps.
 
To be honest, I've never heard of political affiliation being a factor in the Nomination process, but theoretically it could ..particulary when the MOC and his/her do the nominations themselves, without a panel or board review. In today's day and age, where politics are as polarized as I have ever seen them (perhaps there are some here who remember the 60's and will say it was worse), political views could be liability. I can think of a handful of MOC (from both parties ) that I would avoid any public display of political affiliation if I were in their district. That being said, I do believe that the vast majority of the MOC set politics aside and try to nominate the best candidates they can.

This is a good time to repeat the admonition to be careful about your online profile.. Anything you say or do online can, and will be, held for or against you. I frequently Google a candidate's name before an interview, just to learn a little about them before I meet them. The good news , for the most part all I find are sports accolades, but occasionally there is someone that posts their entire social life and views on Facebook or other social media. Be smart about what you post.
 
I find myself having a contrary opinion to the board's elite once again.

If you were my son or daughter, I would advise you to remove it as a component to your nomination application. I would not remove it as a component to your academy packages.

In a process where you have no control over many things - you have complete control over this one. You have no idea who will be sitting on a board, or who will interview you. You have no idea how "gatekeepers" in the process work, or how those people may react to your affiliations. It's safe to say in your case, some of these folks will not share your political affiliations. Mitigate your risk.

If you have other demonstrated leadership experiences and successes, I would ride those.

The vast majority of the work to select nominees for our members of congress is completed by their appointed boards, or staffers. This is 100% accurate - at least in our state.

Simply an opinion by an anonymous guy on a message board. Best of luck to you in the process.
 
DD had nomination from Senator from one Party and another nomination from a Representative from the other. They don't ask your political affiliation. Most of them cannot register to vote when they apply they are mostly seventeen.
 
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Ultimately this is your choice to make. You have been given solid thoughts on each side. Weigh your leadership with and without it. One thing to think about... if you don’t use it, be prepared to either not talk about it or be prepared to answer why you didn’t put it on there. For example if the panel asks... ‘tell me about a time you did x?’ If you use an example from something related to that club, then the panel might ask why it’s not in your app. Also, if it means you would be searching for other examples and make your nervous to try and not talk about in the interview that could hurt you. I have sat in panels in two states of opposite parties... not once did political affiliation come up. Does that mean it won’t anywhere... no. I would say it is extremely rare for it to be a factor.
 
^^ I agree, you are simply indicating a club you founded while in high school. I would avoid excessive references to liberal/conservative as those are generic labels that mean very little. I am sure they are many conservative Democrats as well as liberal Republicans, those terms are not mutually exclusive. If asked about the club, focus on what you accomplished.
 
There are 535 MOCs, 100 of which are Senators. I think most of these are objective and accept the recommendations of their SA staff [who handle the actual process 99% or more.] More likely you would/could get on the wrong side of a young staffer but not the Senator themselves. But at the end of the day MOCs cherish their perks and some might be a bit biased toward certain candidates. [note that is not the same as discrimination . . . ]
 
My now Youngster was on the Board of his Republican Club (also super liberal hs) as well as another very obviously pro-military club and laid out his resume to reflect just that. Not a problem.
 
Don't sweat it! They really don't care what your political affiliation or leaning is. The main questions is are you qualified to serve. End of story. I would keep it on the resume.
 
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