Congressional Nomination Guide

[MidCakePa]

Would a recommendation from a governor be helpful?

Only if the governor actually knows you and can genuinely vouch for your abilities from first-hand experience. Otherwise, the SAs are quite adept at sniffing out “name dropping.” In fact, the DOD SAs stipulate reviews only from two teachers: math and English from junior year. They don’t really make room for reco letters. Not saying you can’t send one, but this signals the kind of value they put on anything beyond those two teachers.

 

[GCarter]

I'm looking at the online application for the Vice President's nomination and it never mentions any letter of recommendations until the vary end where it says: "Please send all letters of recommendation directly to the Military Academies." Could anyone here expand on this?

 

[Staffer]

Here is a link to the latest Congressional Research Service Report "Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies: An Overview and Resources for Outreach and Management" dated December 2019. https://www.everycrsreport.com/files/20191218_RL33213_f3a4006314d3a115f3b527e698866af2075056c5.pdf

 

[ZigAndBoon]

This link doesn't work.

It worked for me, just had to figure out where to click. lol

 

[Capt MJ]

Here is a link to the latest Congressional Research Service Report "Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies: An Overview and Resources for Outreach and Management" dated December 2019. https://www.everycrsreport.com/files/20191218_RL33213_f3a4006314d3a115f3b527e698866af2075056c5.pdf

Thanks for this. I post this reference regularly, and I had the 2017.

 

[Xjetdriver]

The Governor of Puerto Rico, yes. One nomination.

The other state Governors?

No.

Not the Governor of Puerto Rico; the Resident Commissioner is entitled to 5 charges and makes the nomination(s). The number of nominations will vary according to how many active charges there will be in the upcoming year.

 

[Staffer]

Here's the most up-to-date Congressional Research Report: "Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies: An Overview and Resources for Outreach and Management" dated Sept 2021: https://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33213?source=search&guid=caf1b68ec0344b54aa4e302a3e1665e9&index=0

 

[Capt MJ]

Here's the most up-to-date Congressional Research Report: "Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies: An Overview and Resources for Outreach and Management" dated Sept 2021: https://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33213?source=search&guid=caf1b68ec0344b54aa4e302a3e1665e9&index=0

Thank you, always handy as a reference, especially for nom types, differencesz between the DoD SAs and USMMA, etc.

 

[Jfmartin25]

Please help! We've been going through this application process for nearly a full year now - as my DS applied to USNA the day the portal for Class of 2027 opened up. He attended Summer Seminar, multiple official/registered visits, Candidate Visitor Weekend, and even reached out to the Head Coach of the Collegiate Sailing team (as he has sailed competitively through High School). He completed his entire Application and even got his Medical completed (before the DODMERB site crashed this Fall). His interviews with Blue & Gold Officer, and Congressional Representatives went well. Everything appeared to be a "GO." Today, in the mail we received a beautiful nomination letter from our Congressman...to the U.S. Air Force Academy (which he did not apply to, nor does he have any interest in attending). Long way of asking - but what does this mean? 1. Is it a clerical error in the Congressman's Office? 2. Did the Congressman select five other nominees for USNA, and send this USAFA Nomination as a "consolation prize" hoping we'd accept? We've email the Congressional office, but it's three days before Christmas, and we aren't hopeful to hear back. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[justdoit19]

Did he apply for the VP nom? That’s open until Jan 31st.

It sounds to me, like a question for your nominating source.

 

[Jfmartin25]

Did he apply for the VP nom? That’s open until Jan 31st.

It sounds to me, like a question for your nominating source.

He did not apply for the VP Nomination. Can you elaborate there please? According to the White House website, the VP is only allowed five nominees as well. I assumed these would have already been selected?

 

[justdoit19]

He did not apply for the VP Nomination. Can you elaborate there please? According to the White House website, the VP is only allowed five nominees as well. I assumed these would have already been selected?

Everyone can apply for the VP nom. Its one of the few categories of noms that each SA has control of. He won’t be actually dealing with the White House specifically, rather they let the SA’s deal with them. If the SA wants your son bad enough, they could choose to use it for him.

Charging of appointees to each nominating source, including the VP’s, has not been completed. That’s what goes on for a looooong time.

Is he SURE he isn’t interested in USAFA? Maybe he could complete his application, and then spend some time looking further into it? Idk his familiarity with AF. But that would also be an option? He would have to hustle a bit.

 

[Jfmartin25]

Everyone can apply for the VP nom. Its one of the few categories of noms that each SA has control of. He won’t be actually dealing with the White House specifically, rather they let the SA’s deal with them. If the SA wants your son bad enough, they could choose to use it for him.

Charging of appointees to each nominating source, including the VP’s, has not been completed. That’s what goes on for a looooong time.

Is he SURE he isn’t interested in USAFA? Maybe he could complete his application, and then spend some time looking further into it? Idk his familiarity with AF. But that would also be an option? He would have to hustle a bit.

How many Nominees can the VP submit? The website states (5) but from everything I've learned in the process, it "feels" like it's a bit more open-ended.
As for USAFA, we used to live in Colorado Springs, and I worked there for a time! His love for the water, and sailing/boating, as well as our time spent in Annapolis feel more like home to us all, and he's not interested in Air Force.

 

[justdoit19]

How many Nominees can the VP submit? The website states (5) but from everything I've learned in the process, it "feels" like it's a bit more open-ended.
As for USAFA, we used to live in Colorado Springs, and I worked there for a time! His love for the water, and sailing/boating, as well as our time spent in Annapolis feel more like home to us all, and he's not interested in Air Force.

It’s competitive, yes. Hope something works out from the MOC’s end for you.

But, like any nomination, you cannot receive it if you don’t apply for it. The VP one is pretty easy to apply for actually.

 

[Navymom.marinewife]

Please help! We've been going through this application process for nearly a full year now - as my DS applied to USNA the day the portal for Class of 2027 opened up. He attended Summer Seminar, multiple official/registered visits, Candidate Visitor Weekend, and even reached out to the Head Coach of the Collegiate Sailing team (as he has sailed competitively through High School). He completed his entire Application and even got his Medical completed (before the DODMERB site crashed this Fall). His interviews with Blue & Gold Officer, and Congressional Representatives went well. Everything appeared to be a "GO." Today, in the mail we received a beautiful nomination letter from our Congressman...to the U.S. Air Force Academy (which he did not apply to, nor does he have any interest in attending). Long way of asking - but what does this mean? 1. Is it a clerical error in the Congressman's Office? 2. Did the Congressman select five other nominees for USNA, and send this USAFA Nomination as a "consolation prize" hoping we'd accept? We've email the Congressional office, but it's three days before Christmas, and we aren't hopeful to hear back. Any help would be appreciated!

Definitely call you congressman’s office. I hope that it was just a clerical mistake. Has the BG commented on it? I would also reach out to them as well.

 

[Jfmartin25]

Definitely call you congressman’s office. I hope that it was just a clerical mistake. Has the BG commented on it? I would also reach out to them as well.

Update: We reached out to the Congressman's office and they noted that there had been a mistake, and that DS has been Nominated to USNA! Thank you all so much for the guidance and motivation here! Now, we are on to the waiting game!