Chicken or the Egg?

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Kukailimoku

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(Help: moderator please move this to the appropriate thread.)

Really stupid, stupid rookie question time...

What comes first, a MOC Nom or an Appointment?

Does one apply for and receive an Appointment then take that appointment to the MOC to make a strong case for the Nom?

Or does one get a Nom from a MOC and stick that in the application to make a strong case for the Appointment?

Is one required to be obtained before beginning the other process? Or are both applied for in parallel, with the returns/results varying wildly from case to case?
 
To answer your question, the nomination comes first, then hopefully the appointment. You cannot receive an appointment without having a nom in hand, whether it be from moc, vp, presidential, or rotc.

I suggest working on both applications this summer because the application deadlines for nomination sources are usually in late September mid October and usually have their slates made by Christmas.
 
To get an appointment one needs a nomination. So the answer is Nomination then Appointment. It is possible to get a conditional offer (LOA) with one of those conditions being obtaining a nomination. Make sure you apply to all nominating sources you are eligible for. MOC (2 senators, 1 representative), VP, presidential, etc.

A LOA may add weight to the MOCs nomination process. Remember LOAs are the exception, there are very few.

The MOC nominations deadline is January 31. The majority of the appointments come in February and March. Typical MOC applications deadlines are September-October, but check with your MOC. The candidate application deadline is January 31, so although somewhat parallel and overlapping, the Nomination process ends before the appointment process ends.
 
Look under Other Service Academy Discussion, sub forum Nominations.

That's a good place to start your research and reading in this site. The Search function is your friend, as are your MOCs' websites that have information on their nom process.
 
Along the lines of what Capt MJ said, I would suggest that you start all research at your MOC website. Some ask that you contact their office in the spring of junior year so that they can "watch" for your nomination application. If they don't receive it by a certain point, they will call you to ask if you are still interested in pursuing a nomination. What helped us was to research the MOC websites before even looking to this board, write down the deadlines on a calendar, and use the summer in between junior and senior year to get everything in line. Senior year will go by so quickly, especially fall when you're working on your plan A, plan B and possibly plan C. Therefore, get as much started with your MOC now... secure your letters of recommendation, etc. Good luck!
 
+1 @mclark97
Agree that the process runs in parallel. Most applicants initiate the academy process by applying the summer program (SLE etc.) as soon as the window opens.

Here is a time line for USMA....similar guides exist for all the SA's.
http://www.usma.edu/admissions/sitepages/timeline.aspx

If your DS/DD is striving to be a military officer, he or she will need to become resourceful. Tbis forum is a good start. As CaptMJ says, use you google search to fine tune what you are looking for. Post questions here on topics on gray areas or to clarify conflicting info.

Good luck!
 
Thanks all for the quick replies.

I'm sensing three things:
1. Begin both applications in parallel, but...
2. The MOC Nom has to be in hand before the Appt can come (ignoring for the moment the existence of LOAs), and
3. Gantt chart is your friend....
 
Kukailimoku said:
Thanks all for the quick replies.

I'm sensing three things:
1. Begin both applications in parallel, but...
2. The MOC Nom has to be in hand before the Appt can come (ignoring for the moment the existence of LOAs), and
3. Gantt chart is your friend....
Click to expand...

Agree with this except that as earlier stated, the MOC apps are usually not accepted until late spring or early summer and noms awarded December thru February.

Check your local MOC website:

https://denham.house.gov/serving-you/military-academy-nominations/military-academy-nominations-faq
 
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