How Politics Could Impact Your Service Academy Nomination

[Memphis9489]

This may seem like a political post, but it is not. These forums are all about helping people understand the Naval Academy and the application process.

I think we can all agree that we are living in the most politically polarized society since the Civil War. Candidates seeking a nomination will have to interact with a congressman's office. While it may not be true in every case, I think it's fair to say that the congressman's staff will primarily determine who gets nominated and who does not. Seriously, do you think a U.S. senator is leafing through your file and reading the recommendations you've collected from your Sunday school teacher and soccer coach? Do you think the congressman is analyzing your high school transcript? Are they checking to see if you took any AP math courses? Does a U.S. senator care that you were the president of your school's rock climbing club? The chances of the congressman even attending your interview are unlikely.

Where am I going with this? Things are so politically polarized now that it is quite likely these staff members (probably an intern assigned to the task) will Google your name—and possibly your parents' names—to draw conclusions about you and your family. To be blunt, they’re going to want to know what your political leanings are. For instance, does your father rant prolifically on Reddit about politically contentious issues? Is your mom part of a Facebook group that is virulently pro-choice or pro-life?

All I’m saying is this: What used to not be part of the nomination decision process may now be part of it. Just be aware of that.

 

[usna1985]

I would hope that MOC committees aren’t basing decisions on the political leanings of parents. I’ve never seen that happen. Realize it could, but I’ve always viewed this as a non-partisan process.

That said, CANDIDATES should think about what they post on public sites. Not in terms of politics but advocating racism, anti-semitism, overthrowing the government, etc.

 

[Ihavenoidea]

I completely disagree. This is along the same line as a candidate has to "know" the right people or be "connected" with the MOC if they want to get a nomination. It is based more on myth than facts. Though a MOC has autonomy to evaluate a candidate however they want, what you are describing probably happens in about 5% of the MOC nomination process....maybe. The rest take the nomination process very seriously and don't have a process that considers politics. Alot of them bring in people not affiliated with the staff to make the picks for nominations.

So what is a candidate and their parents suppose to do? Not have a opinion about anything ever just in case they want to get a nomination? Yes what usna1985 is right about a candidate should be aware that what they post can effect a nomination or appointment, but what you are describing is alot different than that.

If it does happen, the candidate is not going to know about it anyway. Not like the MOC staff is going to say "we did not give you a nomination because your Dad posted X on FB".

 

[Gordito]

This may seem like a political post, but it is not. These forums are all about helping people understand the Naval Academy and the application process.

I think we can all agree that we are living in the most politically polarized society since the Civil War. Candidates seeking a nomination will have to interact with a congressman's office. While it may not be true in every case, I think it's fair to say that the congressman's staff will primarily determine who gets nominated and who does not. Seriously, do you think a U.S. senator is leafing through your file and reading the recommendations you've collected from your Sunday school teacher and soccer coach? Do you think the congressman is analyzing your high school transcript? Are they checking to see if you took any AP math courses? Does a U.S. senator care that you were the president of your school's rock climbing club? The chances of the congressman even attending your interview are unlikely.

Where am I going with this? Things are so politically polarized now that it is quite likely these staff members (probably an intern assigned to the task) will Google your name—and possibly your parents' names—to draw conclusions about you and your family. To be blunt, they’re going to want to know what your political leanings are. For instance, does your father rant prolifically on Reddit about politically contentious issues? Is your mom part of a Facebook group that is virulently pro-choice or pro-life?

All I’m saying is this: What used to not be part of the nomination decision process may now be part of it. Just be aware of that.

This is a garbage take. This 'risk' has always existed. There are numerous stories in this forum of candidates of different leanings from their MOC going thru the Nom process perfectly fine and earning a Nom.

Your sensational headline smacks of an influencer trying to get clicks. The process to pursue an academy appointment is already long/stressful enough without creating new boogeymen.

 

[Birdman]

This may seem like a political post, but it is not. These forums are all about helping people understand the Naval Academy and the application process.

I think we can all agree that we are living in the most politically polarized society since the Civil War. Candidates seeking a nomination will have to interact with a congressman's office. While it may not be true in every case, I think it's fair to say that the congressman's staff will primarily determine who gets nominated and who does not. Seriously, do you think a U.S. senator is leafing through your file and reading the recommendations you've collected from your Sunday school teacher and soccer coach? Do you think the congressman is analyzing your high school transcript? Are they checking to see if you took any AP math courses? Does a U.S. senator care that you were the president of your school's rock climbing club? The chances of the congressman even attending your interview are unlikely.

Where am I going with this? Things are so politically polarized now that it is quite likely these staff members (probably an intern assigned to the task) will Google your name—and possibly your parents' names—to draw conclusions about you and your family. To be blunt, they’re going to want to know what your political leanings are. For instance, does your father rant prolifically on Reddit about politically contentious issues? Is your mom part of a Facebook group that is virulently pro-choice or pro-life?

All I’m saying is this: What used to not be part of the nomination decision process may now be part of it. Just be aware of that.

Fortunately we did not see that here in PA. All 3 of my DS' nomination requests went to those in the opposing political party. He ended up with 2 nominations.

So to us, it seems that the pols were able to put on blindfolds and just judge on the merits.

 

[DEMJACK]

I would hope that MOC committees aren’t basing decisions on the political leanings of parents. I’ve never seen that happen. Realize it could, but I’ve always viewed this as a non-partisan process.

That said, CANDIDATES should think about what they post on public sites. Not in terms of politics but advocating racism, anti-semitism, overthrowing the government, etc.

Adding: The cadre did a good job of searching my older DS's social media during BCT and 'utilized' the places he visited, people he hung out with, things he liked, etc. during this training period. The content they referenced was nothing that fell into the categories usna1985 listed. My point is that social media was reviewed for my DS, may be/will be reviewed for your DS/DD. It's worth taking a look at this content with your candidate/newly appointed DS/DD.

 

[Memphis9489]

I completely disagree. This is along the same line as a candidate has to "know" the right people or be "connected" with the MOC if they want to get a nomination. It is based more on myth than facts. Though a MOC has autonomy to evaluate a candidate however they want, what you are describing probably happens in about 5% of the MOC nomination process....maybe. The rest take the nomination process very seriously and don't have a process that considers politics. Alot of them bring in people not affiliated with the staff to make the picks for nominations.

So what is a candidate and their parents suppose to do? Not have a opinion about anything ever just in case they want to get a nomination? Yes what usna1985 is right about a candidate should be aware that what they post can effect a nomination or appointment, but what you are describing is alot different than that.

If it does happen, the candidate is not going to know about it anyway. Not like the MOC staff is going to say "we did not give you a nomination because your Dad posted X on FB".

I hope you're right. However, I still believe that the MOC's staff will have the most influence over who gets nominated and who does not. I know it seems unfair, but we can’t dismiss what a 23-year-old intern assigned to the service academy staff might bring into the conversation.

Additionally, let’s acknowledge that some MOCs are highly polarized and may even instruct their staff to consider the political leanings of nominees.

I know this sounds horribly cynical, but I can’t ignore the possibility that it might be "a thing."

 

[AimHighMom]

Every nomination my DS applied to there was a nomination committee made up of military and civilians. I would assume they are not all the same political affiliation. We live in a very corrupt state (several governors in or recently released from prison) run by a political party that we vote against. In his 2nd year of applications my DS has received nominations from both political parties. Not once have I ever felt that the nomination process in our state was political. We were pleasantly surprised and thankful.

 

[Lilturtl]

Here in GA I was told that both of my senator nominatiotions were handled mostly by non-partisans. Both my interveiws conducted by retired officers with no visible political affiliation. I was told that the job of the committee was just to take that info from my application and info from my interveiw and turn that into a short summery which would then be forwarded to the senator's office. Then the job of the senator's office was just to create a short applicant profile of the top 50-100 or so applicants (I forgot the exact number) out of whom the senator would make the desicions about nominations. I've contacted a few other nominees who were all across the spectrum and it seems that they were all given equal chances no mater political afficiation since they had. I think they purposefully made it like this to avoid political bias and to make sure that all candidates were chosen for their qualities rather than politics which I really aplaud them for.

 

[KrakenMa]

I helped review/rank candidates for my Senators office this year (as a new BGO volunteer) and I can say with 100% certainty that the committee I was working with had no idea what the political affiliation was of any candidate or their family. The topic didn’t come up at all and I didn’t observe anyone googling names.

 

[Memphis9489]

Every nomination my DS applied to there was a nomination committee made up of military and civilians. I would assume they are not all the same political affiliation. We live in a very corrupt state (several governors in or recently released from prison) run by a political party that we vote against. In his 2nd year of applications my DS has received nominations from both political parties. Not once have I ever felt that the nomination process in our state was political. We were pleasantly surprised and thankful.

That's great! Our story is similar. My sons (twins) each got a nomination from a congressman (now senator) in our state who I never voted for and would never vote for. My sons were applying back in 2008-2009 (graduated in 2013), well before things got intensely more politically polarized than they are now.

Remember, I'm not saying this necessarily is a concern-- but it could be a concern.

I guess the bottom line is be careful how you betray yourself on social media - even mom and dad, perhaps.

 

[A1Janitor]

I was in the opposite party of my son’s MOC and one of the members of the committee. It crossed my mind before the process was complete. He secured that nomination.

I was in the same party as the senators. He didn’t get their nominations because he already had one with an LOA.

Not once did I think any decisions were motivated by politics.

I know it would be wishful thinking that all were fair across the country. But I suspect the vast majority are.

 

[LKNBrawley]

What about gender? With the view against women in the military, would an applicant not get the nomination since the priority has shift?

 

[StPaulDad]

I think there's a difference between staff that works in a very political job 80 hours a week and the committee members that come together temporarily for the specific task of evaluating and recommending folks for nominations.

 

[Memphis9489]

Not once did I think any decisions were motivated by politics.

Neither did I, but this was back in 2008-2009 when my sons were applying. The political world is vastly different today.

I would like to think that the political/cultural predilections of the candidate would not be a consideration or even be examined by the staff of an MOC when deciding whom to recommend for a nomination.

To tell you the truth, we did try to "game" the nomination process a bit. I don't know if it had any impact or not. Knowing that congressmen are up for reelection every two years, the moment they get elected they are already campaigning for their reelection. Consequently, my sons gathered recommendations from a couple influential business leaders in our area whom we happened to know. Congressmen are inclined to please important and influential people in their congressional district.

I don't live in Arkansas, but I'll use this as an example:

Let's say a candidate lives in Bentonville, Arkansas—that's Arkansas's 3rd congressional district and also the headquarters of WalMart. How influential would it be if a candidate had a recommendation letter from a senior vice president of WalMart?

 

[Old Navy BGO]

That said, CANDIDATES should think about what they post on public sites. Not in terms of politics but advocating racism, anti-semitism, overthrowing the government, etc.

This comment applies to all aspects of life.....not just the nomination process. We are in a polarized country a Memphis points out, and an opinion on any subject is likely to trigger someone. There is no reason to publish your thoughts on any controversial issue on Social Media ....it can bite you in the a$$. Also, for those that aspire to serve in any portion of the military that may put you at risk of capture and confinement, you don't want to give the bad guys anything personal that can be used against. Be the "gray man" that nobody can find anything about online.

With the view against women in the military, would an applicant not get the nomination since the priority has shift?

I was not aware that there has been any shift in view of women in the military -- that ship sailed long ago and women have served side by side with men for decades now.


Memphis' OP is right, there is an increased potential for politics influencing the nomination process now. I would like to think it doesn't happen often, but the point is --don't make it an issue. Be smart about how you use social media (and that extends to parents too).

 

[IronmanDaremo]

I believe the poster was perhaps speaking to the public news expressed views of the now approved Secretary of Defense and his ability to influence policy .......

 

[OldRetSWO]

What about gender? With the view against women in the military, would an applicant not get the nomination since the priority has shift?

MMMM, the MOC that I interview for is a SA graduate. . . . a FEMALE SA graduate. The interview teams include both men and women and
I've never seen any treatment for or against any gender.

For the record, I had four of my BGO interview kids that I think have a good chance of getting in this year and two have offers already - one turned it down to go to that gray place that I despise and the other will be at I day. They are both female. The other two are both athletic recruits and I'm waiting to see if they get offers. One is male and the other female.

 

[OldRetSWO]

Let's say a candidate lives in Bentonville, Arkansas—that's Arkansas's 3rd congressional district and also the headquarters of WalMart. How influential would it be if a candidate had a recommendation letter from a senior vice president of WalMart?

I've done MOC and Senator interviews for over 20 yrs and I've never seen something like that make any real difference. Its pretty much the same as a letter from your pastor or family friend which is not much weight at all. I give much more credence to a note from your boss at McDonalds who actually saw you work than the CEO of McDonalds who is just another VIP.

 

[8th Wing Refugee]

In my experience, it can creep in, but not necessarily in a R vs. D way. One of our Senators is from my town. The private school that his kids attended is normally "well represented" on his nominations list, particularly given that he has a whole state to draw from, not just a congressional district.