Appointment Without Nomination?

S

shast

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Joined
Apr 14, 2018
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I live in a very competitive district in, and I found out that I did not get a nomination from either Senator, waiting/praying on my Congressman.

I understand a nomination is required, and I am otherwise qualified (DoDMERB qualified and CFA was successfully completed). We don’t qualify for Presidential, because as I read it, it’s for family of active or retired military. I’m also trying to find the nomination form for the VP nomination.

Are there any other opportunities available to me should I not be successful with my Congressman? I know this may sound naive, but maybe other MOC’s don’t fill all their nomination spots and they can be used for other districts?

I’m staying positive, but I’m making sure I leave no stone unturned.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated..
 
shast said:
I live in a very competitive district in, and I found out that I did not get a nomination from either Senator, waiting/praying on my Congressman.

I understand a nomination is required, and I am otherwise qualified (DoDMERB qualified and CFA was successfully completed). We don’t qualify for Presidential, because as I read it, it’s for family of active or retired military. I’m also trying to find the nomination form for the VP nomination.

Are there any other opportunities available to me should I not be successful with my Congressman? I know this may sound naive, but maybe other MOC’s don’t fill all their nomination spots and they can be used for other districts?

I’m staying positive, but I’m making sure I leave no stone unturned.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated..
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Please remember that there are multiple paths to a commission in the USN. While you are waiting on word on the nomination, make sure your plans b, c, and d are in place and solid.

Thank you for your willingness to serve. Good Luck.
 
Not having a MOC nomination is not the end of the world, if your credentials are strong enough and the particular SA wants you bad enough.

Case in point: DD did not receive a MOC nomination for USAFA — not surprising, given it wasn’t her first choice and we live in an area where USAFA is very popular. Yet two days before national decision day (May 1), she received an LOA, pending a nomination. The next day, she learned she’d received a nomination — we have no idea where it came from — and therefore an offer of appointment. So it’s rare, but possible.

(An aside, to show how unpredictable the process can be: DD was the principle nominee on one MOC’s slate for USMA. She ended up at USNA.)
 
MidCakePa said:
Not having a MOC nomination is not the end of the world, if your credentials are strong enough and the particular SA wants you bad enough.

Case in point: DD did not receive a MOC nomination for USAFA — not surprising, given it wasn’t her first choice and we live in an area where USAFA is very popular. Yet two days before national decision day (May 1), she received an LOA, pending a nomination. The next day, she learned she’d received a nomination — we have no idea where it came from — and therefore an offer of appointment. So it’s rare, but possible.

(An aside, to show how unpredictable the process can be: DD was the principle nominee on one MOC’s slate for USMA. She ended up at USNA.)
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Thank you, this is encouraging, but I’m realistic in knowing it’s a long shot. I have a solid plan B&C... but praying it works out for me...
 
I know the superintendent gives out a few nominations for qualified candidates with LOA's, however OP does not mention an LOA. You say you live in a competitive district, so you should not count on getting a nom from your representative. As said previously, work on plan B, C, D, etc. Explore the alternative commissioning tabs on these forums, like SMC's (Senior Military Colleges), ROTC, and OCS/PLC. If you want wholly military experience, SMC's would be the way to go, and I have been reading about how Texas A&M have a Navy SEAL group on campus, so if Special Ops is what you want to do, check 'em out.
Hope USNA works, though there are plenty of threads about SA applicants who got turned down and are now thriving at SMC's or at State U doing ROTC. There are plenty of other options, and don't let a turn-down deter you from service.
Good luck!
 
FutureMarine07 said:
I know the superintendent gives out a few nominations for qualified candidates with LOA's, however OP does not mention an LOA. You say you live in a competitive district, so you should not count on getting a nom from your representative. As said previously, work on plan B, C, D, etc. Explore the alternative commissioning tabs on these forums, like SMC's (Senior Military Colleges), ROTC, and OCS/PLC. If you want wholly military experience, SMC's would be the way to go, and I have been reading about how Texas A&M have a Navy SEAL group on campus, so if Special Ops is what you want to do, check 'em out.
Hope USNA works, though there are plenty of threads about SA applicants who got turned down and are now thriving at SMC's or at State U doing ROTC. There are plenty of other options, and don't let a turn-down deter you from service.
Good luck!
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ROTC Is my plan B. My applications are in to both the NROTC Marine Scholarship as well as Army. I will not be deterred, and I will proudly serve my country as an Officer...
 
Many people in this predicament will be sent to a prep school.
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That's simply not true for qualified candidates. The sad fact is that most people who are well qualified and don't obtain a nom will receive turndowns. I've had it happen to 2-6 candidates per year for the last decade -- never has one been offered NAPS/Foundation. It's also important to understand that many of those who end up at Foundation (and some at NAPS) actually had noms, sometimes more than one.

There is no question that some well-qualified candidates end up at NAPS/Foundation for a variety of reasons. But most of the folks at those schools need extra academic prep.

There is the VERY slim possibility of either the VP nom or a Supe's nom (but only a handful of those are used each year). Thus, agree with the others to focus on alternatives. Also, do consider reapplying.
 
usna1985 said:
Many people in this predicament will be sent to a prep school.
Click to expand...

That's simply not true for qualified candidates. The sad fact is that most people who are well qualified and don't obtain a nom will receive turndowns. I've had it happen to 2-6 candidates per year for the last decade -- never has one been offered NAPS/Foundation. It's also important to understand that many of those who end up at Foundation (and some at NAPS) actually had noms, sometimes more than one.

There is no question that some well-qualified candidates end up at NAPS/Foundation for a variety of reasons. But most of the folks at those schools need extra academic prep.

There is the VERY slim possibility of either the VP nom or a Supe's nom (but only a handful of those are used each year). Thus, agree with the others to focus on alternatives. Also, do consider reapplying.
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Think of the LOAs that don’t get in. Most have one nomination. There has to be more than a handful of them that are in competitive districts/states that don’t get in. With or without the need for medical waivers.
 
Think of the LOAs that don’t get in. Most have one nomination. There has to be more than a handful of them that are in competitive districts/states that don’t get in. With or without the need for medical waivers.
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If you have an LOA, are 3Q and have a nom, USNA has to offer you an appointment. If they don't win their slates (or there is more than one on a slate) and don't have another nominating source, they are charged to SecNav. In my experience, there haven't been many LOA recipients who don't receive a nom. I've had it happen three or four times in 20 years. In one case about 15 years ago, they offered the person a Supe's nom. Ironically, the candidate declined. In the more recent cases, the candidates were always turned down.

If someone is so well qualified that he/she was given an LOA (other than a recruited athlete LOA), that person likely won't benefit from another year of academics. That said, I've no doubt that a few LOA recipients who don't obtain noms may end up at Foundation or NAPS -- I just don't believe it's a large number.

You have to be qualified medically to attend NAPS (and even Foundation). There have been a few candidates who won't clear medical by I-Day but will by the entry date for NAPS/Foundation and I've heard of those being sent to one of those programs. Others are told to take the year off, get healthy and reapply (with a strong likelihood of being appointed).

Bottom line: if you're well qualified and don't have a nom, do not count on NAPS/Foundation. Could happen; likely won't.
 
usna1985 said:
Think of the LOAs that don’t get in. Most have one nomination. There has to be more than a handful of them that are in competitive districts/states that don’t get in. With or without the need for medical waivers.
Click to expand...

If you have an LOA, are 3Q and have a nom, USNA has to offer you an appointment. If they don't win their slates (or there is more than one on a slate) and don't have another nominating source, they are charged to SecNav. In my experience, there haven't been many LOA recipients who don't receive a nom. I've had it happen three or four times in 20 years. In one case about 15 years ago, they offered the person a Supe's nom. Ironically, the candidate declined. In the more recent cases, the candidates were always turned down.

If someone is so well qualified that he/she was given an LOA (other than a recruited athlete LOA), that person likely won't benefit from another year of academics. That said, I've no doubt that a few LOA recipients who don't obtain noms may end up at Foundation or NAPS -- I just don't believe it's a large number.

You have to be qualified medically to attend NAPS (and even Foundation). There have been a few candidates who won't clear medical by I-Day but will by the entry date for NAPS/Foundation and I've heard of those being sent to one of those programs. Others are told to take the year off, get healthy and reapply (with a strong likelihood of being appointed).

Bottom line: if you're well qualified and don't have a nom, do not count on NAPS/Foundation. Could happen; likely won't.
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I agree. I was told at CVW that my son’s credentials disqualify him from Naps.

We knew he would get an LOA. We also knew he can’t see red and green. ;)
 
Not having a MOC nomination is not the end of the world, if your credentials are strong enough and the particular SA wants you bad enough.

Case in point: DD did not receive a MOC nomination for USAFA — not surprising, given it wasn’t her first choice and we live in an area where USAFA is very popular. Yet two days before national decision day (May 1), she received an LOA, pending a nomination. The next day, she learned she’d received a nomination — we have no idea where it came from — and therefore an offer of appointment. So it’s rare, but possible.

(An aside, to show how unpredictable the process can be: DD was the principle nominee on one MOC’s slate for USMA. She ended up at USNA.)

MidCakePa, Dec 23, 2018 Report

This is true. My DD received a LOA from USMA but did not receive a nomination. Her RC called her and told her she would be admitted. My DD asked her how as she didn't have a nomination and she was told it came from an internal source (Supt?). The chances are skim but there is still a chance...
 
One caution . . . the way USAFA and USMA work may or may not be the same as USNA with respect to LOAs, Supe's noms, prep schools, etc. In any event, I wouldn't count on it being the same. All SAs must obviously follow the law -- but there is also a fair amount of leeway in the process. How each works in that grey space can vary from SA to SA, from year to year, from candidate to candidate.
 
MidCakePa said:
Not having a MOC nomination is not the end of the world, if your credentials are strong enough and the particular SA wants you bad enough.
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I frequently caution, here and in real life, that one data point does not make a rule. Of course, if you are involved in the process long enough, you hear and see these types of stories, but the truth is only those in Admissions know the true reasoning behind a particular action outside the normal course of business. Like any laws, there is enough gray area that Admissions can get someone they really want in..but keep in mind, most MOC use the competitive alternate system of making nominations. If you don't have a nomination, that means in most cases, you aren't even in the Top 10 in your District. I am sure that the most competitive districts have a deep pool of candidates, but as a practical matter, if you aren't in the Top 10 in your District, its usually some other factor other than credentials that would lead Admissions t0 find a way to get the candidate in without a nomination.
 
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