Clear up confusion

CAPT T

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Feb 6, 2021
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First I would suggest the owners of this site set up a new topic area: APPOINTMENTS.

While reading a wiki article I saw a GLARING falsehood that I observe in many general and specific articles online and continue to hear in the peanut gallery. In the bio of a late, full Admiral of the WWII generation, the article states he "was appointed by his Congressman."

The President appoints, Congress nominates.

If one searches the term(s) "how do you get appointed to a military academy?" one will get plenty of hits for Congressional sites that provide words to the effect "Members of Congress may nominate applicants who meet the eligibility requirements established by law. A candidate may seek a nomination from the following: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives who represents the congressional district in which the candidate resides. Both U.S. Senators from his or her state." When visiting many of these sites he or she will find a plethora of information about winning a nom - to go onto an appointment. But, few times will the site describe what an appointment actually IS...

Allow me to display an actual letter of appointment (mine): "By direction of the President of the United States you are hereby appointed a MIDSHIPMAN in the United States Naval Academy..." "...given under my hand and Seal of The Navy Department at the City of Washington" -- signed on behalf of the President, the Secretary of the Navy.

Congressmen, Senators have NEVER had the power to appoint, only to nominate. In my 20 years of experience I have many times run into both candidates and parents who use the words "appointed by my Congressman (or) Senator." As in the wiki article I have seen many times the explanation "appointed by my Congressman or Senator."

As most of us, I am sure realize, people read into things. Without specific instructions or explanations they many times will either read what they want to believe or think they know.

"Hey, my son was appointed by his congressman, why wasn't he accepted."

"Captain, I intend to apply but I am waiting to hear that I have a nomination first."

These are some of what I have often heard during my 22-years as the as the leader (area Coordinator, AC) of 42 Blue and Gold Officers (BGOs - ALOs, in West Point or USAFA parlance.) I have found many times an urgent need to clarify the actual, legal process of appointment. In that regard, I have witnessed candidates who have lost valuable time in completing their Academy paperwork which had delayed their review by the Admissions Board and Parents who became suspicious of the process: "I guess he didn't get in because I didn't contribute to the Congressman's campaign."

I picked at random, 5 Congressional sites to determine what information, links or instructions are typically provided. All fit the minimum information for nomination. Some provide links to service academy sites. NONE explain the differences between a nom and an appointment. NONE stress the fact that the final decision rests with the Executive Branch.

For those grads who remember "A Message to Garcia:" the lessons learned deal mostly with character, work ethic and taking initiatve. There is one more - ensure the correct message gets to the right person.

In summary, the fact that I keep hearing how "my Congressman appointed me" or "I am applying for a Congressional appointment" leads me to believe there is a lot of bad skinny out there. All appointees need a nom, but not all noms are appointed. I know this has been stressed before but, do not wait to start and/or complete your service academy application until after receiving a nomination. It is important to remember that, depending on Academy, 1 of 6 or 7 NOMINEES will actually be accepted. Although the nomination process is both required and important, it is in effect ONLY a recommendation. The decision rests with the President through the offices of Admissions.

"He who hesitates is lost."
 
First I would suggest the owners of this site set up a new topic area: APPOINTMENTS.

While reading a wiki article I saw a GLARING falsehood that I observe in many general and specific articles online and continue to hear in the peanut gallery. In the bio of a late, full Admiral of the WWII generation, the article states he "was appointed by his Congressman."

The President appoints, Congress nominates.

If one searches the term(s) "how do you get appointed to a military academy?" one will get plenty of hits for Congressional sites that provide words to the effect "Members of Congress may nominate applicants who meet the eligibility requirements established by law. A candidate may seek a nomination from the following: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives who represents the congressional district in which the candidate resides. Both U.S. Senators from his or her state." When visiting many of these sites he or she will find a plethora of information about winning a nom - to go onto an appointment. But, few times will the site describe what an appointment actually IS...

Allow me to display an actual letter of appointment (mine): "By direction of the President of the United States you are hereby appointed a MIDSHIPMAN in the United States Naval Academy..." "...given under my hand and Seal of The Navy Department at the City of Washington" -- signed on behalf of the President, the Secretary of the Navy.

Congressmen, Senators have NEVER had the power to appoint, only to nominate. In my 20 years of experience I have many times run into both candidates and parents who use the words "appointed by my Congressman (or) Senator." As in the wiki article I have seen many times the explanation "appointed by my Congressman or Senator."

As most of us, I am sure realize, people read into things. Without specific instructions or explanations they many times will either read what they want to believe or think they know.

"Hey, my son was appointed by his congressman, why wasn't he accepted."

"Captain, I intend to apply but I am waiting to hear that I have a nomination first."

These are some of what I have often heard during my 22-years as the as the leader (area Coordinator, AC) of 42 Blue and Gold Officers (BGOs - ALOs, in West Point or USAFA parlance.) I have found many times an urgent need to clarify the actual, legal process of appointment. In that regard, I have witnessed candidates who have lost valuable time in completing their Academy paperwork which had delayed their review by the Admissions Board and Parents who became suspicious of the process: "I guess he didn't get in because I didn't contribute to the Congressman's campaign."

I picked at random, 5 Congressional sites to determine what information, links or instructions are typically provided. All fit the minimum information for nomination. Some provide links to service academy sites. NONE explain the differences between a nom and an appointment. NONE stress the fact that the final decision rests with the Executive Branch.

For those grads who remember "A Message to Garcia:" the lessons learned deal mostly with character, work ethic and taking initiatve. There is one more - ensure the correct message gets to the right person.

In summary, the fact that I keep hearing how "my Congressman appointed me" or "I am applying for a Congressional appointment" leads me to believe there is a lot of bad skinny out there. All appointees need a nom, but not all noms are appointed. I know this has been stressed before but, do not wait to start and/or complete your service academy application until after receiving a nomination. It is important to remember that, depending on Academy, 1 of 6 or 7 NOMINEES will actually be accepted. Although the nomination process is both required and important, it is in effect ONLY a recommendation. The decision rests with the President through the offices of Admissions.

"He who hesitates is lost."
You can suggest an error correction on any Wilki page. Maybe this would worthy of that? How you explained it, is very thorough and clear.

Our senators seem clear on their websites, that their nomination is a nomination. Additionally, as a BGO, I (we) am tasked with explaining the process to my schools, and other outreaches. There are also both Admissions, and Congressional Service Academy Open Houses held to explain the process and answer questions. And USNA (not sure another the other SA’s) holds regular online admissions forums.

And of course, it’s all explained on each SA’s website.

Imo there is outreach, information and opportunities to understand the process. It’s a beast of a process, for sure. But info to understand how it all works, imo, is amply available. I also think the SA’s are always trying to expand their outreach and understanding. IDK how one would actually make things more clear.

IMO, Someone who thinks that a nomination equates to an appointment, hasn’t dug very deep. Or read/researched what the process. BC the info for sure is there.
 
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This site already has a running yearly thread where candidates can post their appointment information. Here is a typical example relating to USNA......


Many of those who only have a passing awareness of SA's and the application process are probably not aware of the finer points of the terminology surrounding many aspects of applying. If you see an error on some other website relating to SA's, I think you best option is to let that website know so they can reword/correct any factually incorrect statements.

There are numerous threads on this site that talk about the overall application process and help those in the current cycle be familiar with what all is expected. Someone just applying to an SA is likely NOT an expert in every aspect of applying and is part of the reason they use sites such as this one. Each SA also has their own website where they provide detailed application information.
 
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