What I did forget to mention was that my nomination was generated via LOA. My MALO and I specifically informed each of my members of congress to withhold my name from the principle nomination, and place all other nomination candidates above my name on the list (since any nomination, no matter how far down the slate, meant appointment). Therefore, whether my letters of withdrawal from the nomination races reach their destinations or not, there would be only a slim chance that my name would impact anyone's ability to acquire appointment (considering nominee selection is not biased and nominees deserving of appointment are in fact placed/ranked by qualification). There would be 7-8 other names before me, other than the principle nominee, which would be placed on the waiting list if approved. Being that there nearly 500 appointments generated just from the principle nomination, roughly half the class would be selected from perhaps the remaining top 5 candidates per slate. The unfortunate fact of the matter is, in past years, only a third of all nominees was appointed. Some of those 6-10 slots (depending on whether or not USMA respects the rank order), will only obtain appointment when the circumstances are such that none of the top 5 slots make the academy's cut.
Of course, congressional and academy standards are not always equivalent, and I feel that a slot taken, no matter how far down the slate, will impede a qualified candidate (perhaps not as qualified) in their pursuit of appointment. However, as indicated above, the last slot in the nominee bracket, whether by congressional or academy rank, will only see appointment should the preceding applicants become inadmissible.