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ti8pluzce

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Good morning everyone, my mom was talking with her friend and she found out my congressman's sister lives next door. They have eaten together multiple times, and are close friends.

After that, my mom is suggesting I write a letter to the Congressman and give it to his sister. I have some concerns, as to not make the sister feel "used" or "uncomfortable." However, I can also see the upsides. Any advice can help. Thanks.
 
I wouldn’t bypass the system - you don’t know how it would be taken. Generally, the Congressmen have staff and military committees that handle everything and they are hands off.

If the sister wants to put a kind word in for you, great.

In the end you will stand against your competition in front of admissions.
 
Building on @A1Janitor, the system is not so much WHO you know but WHAT you’ve done and WHAT your potential is. MOCs aren’t normally involved in the nom process (there may be rare exceptions) and leave it to staff and committees of veterans, active-duty personnel and civic officials. It’s highly doubtful that a letter “from a friend of a friend” will get you anywhere in the process. Besides, what would you even say in the letter? MOCs have a well-oiled process for vetting candidates, so focus your attention there.
 
As a side note unrelated to this topic … My son and I went to dinner with my sister and brother in law last night. On the way home, he received a text message from an unknown number congratulating him. After a google search - it came back as the congresswoman who nominated him. He had a very nice conversation with her.
 
Aside from the congressman’s sister feeling ‘used, uncomfortable’, how do you think the congressman would feel about this?

What do you see as the ‘upside’?

No need to answer. But it’s not YOUR relationship to explore. It’s your moms friends. Far removed. I agree with A1, if the moms friends neighbor wants to talk to her brother about her neighbors friends dd/DS, then that’s great. Although no idea what they would be able to say about you.

Many SEN/REPS hold service academy open houses. Attend that. If you are able to chat with the REP, that would be a connection that might be a good opening story.
 
Just don’t, you have gotten good advice above. Follow the established process, present yourself well on the application and if there are interviews, ace them. Earn the nom on your own merits.

This is not a “who you know, how do you work around a process to get an edge,” this is straightforward following whatever the elected officials have established as their application and evaluation process. Most have a panel of SA grads and veterans who review the applications and conduct interviews if those are done. The elected official may well have nothing to do with it except approve the slate.

Your mom, out of love, is focused on smoothing your path, as she has done all your life. I applaud your instinct which has made you pause and think about whether this would be a good thing to do. Never ignore a gut feeling in these kinds of situations.
 
justdoit19 said:
Aside from the congressman’s sister feeling ‘used, uncomfortable’, how do you think the congressman would feel about this?

What do you see as the ‘upside’?

No need to answer. But it’s not YOUR relationship to explore. It’s your moms friends. Far removed. I agree with A1, if the moms friends neighbor wants to talk to her brother about her neighbors friends dd/DS, then that’s great. Although no idea what they would be able to say about you.

Many SEN/REPS hold service academy open houses. Attend that. If you are able to chat with the REP, that would be a connection that might be a good opening story.
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Her friend did take care of me when my mom was working night shifts (when I was younger). However thank you for the advice. I will investigate if my congressman has an “open house,” thanks again.
 
Capt MJ said:
Just don’t, you have gotten good advice above. Follow the established process, present yourself well on the application and if there are interviews, ace them. Earn the nom on your own merits.

This is not a “who you know, how do you work around a process to get an edge,” this is straightforward following whatever the elected officials have established as their application and evaluation process. Most have a panel of SA grads and veterans who review the applications and conduct interviews if those are done. The elected official may well have nothing to do with it except approve the slate.

Your mom, out of love, is focused on smoothing your path, as she has done all your life. I applaud your instinct which has made you pause and think about whether this would be a good thing to do. Never ignore a gut feeling in these kinds of situations.
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Thank you so much! This helped a lot. I didn’t want to send a letter so the congressman misunderstands it as me trying to “buy” a nomination. Your replies confirmed my belief. Thanks again.
 
I agree with all of the above and in addition to that what exactly would you write in this letter? Would you write the same letter if that person didn't happen to live next door and how would you get it to your MOC? Even if their NOM application instructions ask for a personal letter to the MOC (which seems unlikely), you would be expected to submit all relevant application information in the manner they specify which is the same for all applicants. Handing it to a neighbor related to the MOC wouldn't be one of those methods. The fact she might have been your babysitter in the past wouldn't really qualify her to provide any meaningful input about your qualifications and the NOM process really doesn't work that way. Seems awkward to me trying to use a neighbor/relative of the MOC to somehow gain an advantage during the MOC NOM process. I would follow their application process like every other applicant is expected to do.
 
Now, if you get the nom, and there is a reception/photo opp/grip and grin with the MOC, you are cleared to take the opportunity to say, “Sir, I am sure you don’t know this, but our next-door neighbor is your sister Jane Jones. We have been neighbors for x years, and she and my mom are friends.” The MOC will enjoy that and probably secretly appreciate you did not try to capitalize on that in some way to get to him.
 
time2 said:
I agree with all of the above and in addition to that what exactly would you write in this letter? Would you write the same letter if that person didn't happen to live next door and how would you get it to your MOC? Even if their NOM application instructions ask for a personal letter to the MOC (which seems unlikely), you would be expected to submit all relevant application information in the manner they specify which is the same for all applicants. Handing it to a neighbor related to the MOC wouldn't be one of those methods. The fact she might have been your babysitter in the past wouldn't really qualify her to provide any meaningful input about your qualifications and the NOM process really doesn't work that way. Seems awkward to me trying to use a neighbor/relative of the MOC to somehow gain an advantage during the MOC NOM process. I would follow their application process like every other applicant is expected to do.
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Thank you for your reply! That’s why I was hesitant and wanted to seek further advice, I didn’t think it was appropriate but maybe someone with more knowledge would see it different. Have a good night/day!
 
Capt MJ said:
Now, if you get the nom, and there is a reception/photo opp/grip and grin with the MOC, you are cleared to take the opportunity to say, “Sir, I am sure you don’t know this, but our next-door neighbor is your sister Jane Jones. We have been neighbors for x years, and she and my mom are friends.” The MOC will enjoy that and probably secretly appreciate you did not try to capitalize on that in some way to get to him.
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Thank you again, this is what sounds best to me (God willing I get the nom) thanks.
 
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