How to Cultivate Relationship with Congress (Wo)Man

Coming off an election I just interned with my congress woman's campagin. Since I'm a junior I have to wait untill the 2021-2022 school year to get a letter of rec. How should I continue this relationship? Should I get in touch a year prior? What should I do? Thanks in advance.

Having a connection/relationship with your congressman will make no difference in your nomination prospects. The interviews and recommendations are made by a committee and the congressman generally simply signs off on these recommendations. If you find the relationship valuable and the internship fulfilling, then by all means continue it, but don't do it thinking it helps with the nomination process.

BTW - if you do get a nom, and appointment, and are interested in politics/policy you should consider applying for the Congressional Fellowship Program at some point in your career.

Attend virtual or f2f information sessions. Prepare yourself with a strong package, do well on the interview if those are used, impress the evaluation panel. You may or may not get to meet the elected official during the process, or not until a photo op - all depends on how they like to be involved, or not.

Capt MJ said:

Attend virtual or f2f information sessions. Prepare yourself with a strong package, do well on the interview if those are used, impress the evaluation panel. You may or may not get to meet the elected official during the process, or not until a photo op - all depends on how they like to be involved, or not.

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So much this. My MOC is a USNA grad but does not get involved in the process until after the interview boards are done.

The vast majority of members of Congress use independent committes led by a district staffer precisely to avoid a perception of nepotism such as the scenario of a former intern being given preferential treatment. Your time is much better spent on improving your SAT scores vice trying to cultivate a professional relationship with your congressperson.

Kierkegaard said:

The vast majority of members of Congress use independent committes led by a district staffer precisely to avoid a perception of nepotism such as the scenario of a former intern being given preferential treatment. Your time is much better spent on improving your SAT scores vice trying to cultivate a professional relationship with your congressperson.

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True story: our senator didn’t even want a picture of my appointed son with Senator published in the school magazine that’s mailed to parents/alumni yearly....

More likely than not, MOC’s are not involved in the initial selection. They have a great group of support people better qualified to decide, at least initially. Leaders, alumni, military etc. So, know that, and treat staffers well. They will be your key contact. And may have more influence than you know. You are ALWAYS making a first impression!!

I recall a “lesson learned” type story, where the candidate was actually RUDE to the staffer, thinking they were ‘only’ receiving the packet. When actually, that little interaction was an informal, mini interview. Don’t be that person who dismisses the importance of staffer

My youngest dressed out of his sweaty practice gear, into nice, clean clothes, to walk in his packet (drop off was allowed). He ended up chatting for a bit with the staffer, who was a USMA grad. He never interacted with MOC (who was also his opposite political party member...and that doesn’t matter, either). Those impressions matter.

Good luck!

First, there are a lot of overbroad , generalizations about how a MOC makes his/her Nominations here... the truth is, there up to 535 different amswers on how to with their MOC. Some MOC don't have any involvement, some are very active, and I think I heard of at least one that didn't exercise their right to nominate because they were anti-military. That said, a couple thoughts:

You don't need to "cultivate" a relationship with the MOC -- in fact, trying could be counterproductive. The MOC isn't looking for a friend, they are looking for the best people that can represent their State at the Service Academy, and serve as Officers in the USNA. That said, it helps to "stand out from the crowd", especially in the more competitive states that may have hundreds competing for a slot.

How do you stand out ? First, show the initiative and reach out to the MOC office early --let them know that you are interested and working toward appointment to a Service Academy. Much of the advice about initial contact with you BGO applies , do you homework, ask intelligent question, etc.
Second, as CAPT MJ noted - participate in the MOC Academy day events --several of them are virtual now, and easy...but one of my Senators held a few around the State in the past, and I saw candidates go to multiple events. When attending, take the opportunity to meet the MOC (if available, my Senator was very engaging and took the opportunity to speak with each of the Candidates as well as the Service Academy reps. Finally, and most important -engage with the MOC Staff. There is no "just staff," even the receptionist in the MOC office. This is a good life lesson --you will quickly learn that treating the staff well goes a long way in getting influence with the boss, no matter the context.

My DS did not meet our Congresswoman until after he received his nomination and appointment. She held a reception to congratulate SA appointees.

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Instead, work on things and skills that you love to do and have a lot of redeeming value .... For example , you can entertain your family in your Music Parlor. After Covid is licked, you can entertain the elderly and veterans in Retirement homes, Elder care and VA hospitals. That’s some noble work. They love it when live music comes to them ...
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My son did not even know who his nomination sources were...he is a military "brat." He never met them, ever. He had to look them up and follow instructions on their websites.

He secured nominations based on his academic, leadership, physical attributes alone.

You don't need to know your representatives.

MooseMountain said:

Coming off an election I just interned with my congress woman's campagin. Since I'm a junior I have to wait untill the 2021-2022 school year to get a letter of rec. How should I continue this relationship? Should I get in touch a year prior? What should I do? Thanks in advance.

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This suggests you think a relationship is necessary. It generally is not! Don’t waste your time unless doing something connected to the MOC is of real interest or importance to you. For example, do work on an issue that relates to the military (if the MOC is involved with issues impacting military related matters).

Most candidates “earn” nominations by exhibiting achievement in academic, athletic, and leadership. MOCs, their staff, and panels review these things to determine which candidates are likely to be great leaders. They often look at teacher recommendations as well to discern academic strength and character. Interviews and essay submissions are used by many MOCs to fill out the picture.

In a very competitive state, it can be a good idea to reach out early to see if a staffer will discuss with you what an MOC is looking for. But, there is no substitute for superior achievement and a well organized application.

I'm in the same boat as you. I work on my Senator's campaign but the nomination process since I'm a Senior happens while the election is going on (in my state, election season is far from over and there's still work to do) the nominiation process is going so my nomination is likely a few phone calls away. My best recommendation is that once everything dies down, keep in touch with your boss and campaign manager if possible, and tell them early that you want to go to usna or wherever you want to go to.

If you want to go that route, you definitely want to know who can get through to your MOC but I guess that your campaign is smaller for a Representative whereever than a Senator in a somewhat-competitive state so you're more likely to know everyone on the campaign better.

The whole concept is abhorrent.

The process should be blind as to knowledge of the applicant's personal connections or relationships.

FutureAdademyDad? said:

The whole concept is abhorrent.

The process should be blind as to knowledge of the applicant's personal connections or relationships.

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i suspect it is blind. In my son’s district, a competent group of former military officers made the nominating decisions. Staff organized it, but had no input. MOC wasn’t really involved - she was busy campaigning.

I assume my district isn’t the exception. Maybe I am wrong.

A1Janitor said:

i suspect it is blind. In my son’s district, a competent group of former military officers made the nominating decisions. Staff organized it, but had no input. MOC wasn’t really involved - she was busy campaigning.

I assume my district isn’t the exception. Maybe I am wrong.

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same as our state. Son never saw MOC or senators during the application or interview process. Tough panels with decades of service between them.

Years ago, when I was applying, my parents were working on the campaign of the person trying to unseat our incumbent MOC. (They were worker bees, not donors). I got the nomination. The MOC was defeated. Everyone was happy -- well, not the MOC who was defeated.

Later I served on an MOC's nominating committee. The fact that someone had interned with the MOC made zero difference. I'm not naive enough to believe that, among the 545+ MOCs there aren't some "games played" in terms of noms. However, from what I've heard over the years it is EXTREMELY rare. The overwhelming majority of those nominated achieve it based on merit.

Focus on being the best candidate you can and putting together the best package that accurately showcases your accomplishments.

How about starting to initiate a communication channel with SA coordinator at MOC office. They play an important part ( for sure in case of my DD), SA coordinator kept in touch with my DD over the last year. Whether you agree or not, these things play a very vital role. Who knows when the MOC board is reviewing the file, SA coordinator also throws in their 2 cents..

^^^

I recommend always being pleasant and respectful in any dealings with the SA coordinators. And always make sure you, and not your parent, is doing the communicating. Whether it helps or not WRT obtaining a nom is a separate question.

I tend to think that, if you're a jerk with the coordinator, that might make its way to the committee. I would be surprised if favorable comments were considered, but could happen, especially with MOCs that have a small pool of candidates.

FutureAdademyDad? said:

The whole concept is abhorrent.

The process should be blind as to knowledge of the applicant's personal connections or relationships.

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There is a reason that Service Academies have a dual track Admissions process (i.e. Academy qualified/selection and MOC nomination). This ensures geographic diversity and congressional oversight, yet allowing the Service Academies to manage quality control. Sure, a MOC can exert pressure by using the Principal nomination , but the Admissions Board has to find the candidate qualified. Many MOC's use the Competitive Alternate nomination to avoid the appearance of favoritism (as well as spread the goodwill further)

Realistically, the Nomination process is a whole less about "who you know" now than it was long ago (pre WWII). The Military Officer corps before WWII was a lot more elitist; nowadays there is concerted effort toward more inclusion and making the Officer Corps more reflective of society as a whole.