How soon should you contact your local Representative, Senator, or Governor?

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Jun 9, 2017
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1. How soon should you contact your local Representative, Senator, or Governor?

2. Also once you do contact them, how do you build a relationship with said person? Are there beneficial volunteering opportunities available or things I can do to strengthen a relationship between them prior to submitting my application?

Thank you so much!
 
If you haven't read the following things yet, it's a good start on understanding the process:
- every page, drop down and link in USMA.edu, especially the Admissions pages, and particularly who can nominate
- the elected representatives' web pages describing their nomination process. They often differ. It's usually easily searchable under "service academy nominations."
- the Nominations forum here on SAF, especially the stickies at the top.
- if there are info nights or presentations, attend them if you can, show interest.

If you browse the "Chances" or "Stats" threads across all SA forums here, you will see the broad spectrum of academics, athletic and civic achievements accomplished by both successful and unsuccessful candidates.
 
In most cases, MOC's delegate the interview and screening process to a committee comprised of veterans and others. This reduces cronyism, and in essence, helps select candidates based on quality, not on "who you know."

Focus on your resume, and what @Capt MJ says and not on meeting the senators or the Congressional rep.
 
As a USMA 2021, you don't need to know the reps or anyone. I know that I got lucky and had my field force and my BGO be interviewers, but the interview with BGO ended up with me NOT getting a nomination from the senator. So knowing someone doesn't always mean you will get a nom.
 
Every MOC is different; our district House Representative hosted a reception for all those seeking nominations early in the school year. Others just take the application packets without any contact whatsoever.

As stated focus on finding civic service and leadership opportunities between now and September; joining a bunch of clubs or groups doesn't carry as much weight as starting one or serving in a key role.

BTW state Governors have no involvement in nominations whatsoever . . .
 
DS never met the MOC until after he received his appointment. DS successfully navigated the process by doing the following:

1 - Attend MOC Academy Day(s) where MOC hosted event and each academy and ROTC presented. Speak with representatives from the academies and the MOC's office. Show interest and get noticed.
2 - Meet the MOC's aide who handles the nomination process. Stay in contact with this person throughout the process. This is the most important person to get to know through the nomination process.
3 - Visit the MOC's web page and understand the requirements and the deadlines. Complete and submit the required forms and get the needed letters of recommendation (the number will vary by MOC) ahead of the deadlines.
4 - Prepare for your interview(s). Most likely you will interview before a panel (2-10 people). This is a very different dynamic if you not experienced it to date. Some of the people you meet at the Academy Day may be on the panel.

Best of luck.
 
2 - Meet the MOC's aide who handles the nomination process. Stay in contact with this person throughout the process. This is the most important person to get to know through the nomination process.

^ This..... a thousand times, this.
 
1. How soon should you contact your local Representative, Senator, or Governor?

2. Also once you do contact them, how do you build a relationship with said person? Are there beneficial volunteering opportunities available or things I can do to strengthen a relationship between them prior to submitting my application?

Thank you so much!
I think you might not understand the process. You are simply applying for a nomination, not building a relationship. It's NOT who you know. Go to your senators' and congressman's website. Click on constituent services. There should be directions for seeking a SA nom. Do everything it says. Do it EARLY. The governor has no role in this process. Some governors will invite you to a reception after you are appointed, but that is their only role (a photo op).
 
Advice on identifying MOC office's aides is spot on - our MOC had a retired Brig Gen and another USAFA alum who did a fantastic job.

You might meet some of these folks at the academy admissions seminars in your area; ours was over the summer last year at a local university. If not already make sure you are on the email list; your initial academy application filing should have triggered this. If not look up your state / region admissions rep and find out when and where.
 
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