How to make sure your nomination applications are impressive?

willrb2024

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I’ve started the nomination process, however i am a little nervous about how the application will look. What exactly can I do (before about September) to make sure my nomination application is impressive? Any pointers on what exactly they will want to see on the essays/ or in the interview?
 
I’ve started the nomination process, however i am a little nervous about how the application will look. What exactly can I do (before about September) to make sure my nomination application is impressive? Any pointers on what exactly they will want to see on the essays/ or in the interview?

JMPO, but do not start summer-before-applications-are-due résumé padding or complete applications based on what you think they would want to see. These "cookie cutter" approaches are spotted a mile away and certainly will not create a positive impression.

The selection committees will want to understand who you are, what your passions are, and that you have the drive and commitment to be a successful SA appointee. There are many ways to add depth to your package during the summer, but please opt for something that excites you, something that will cause a sparkle in your eye when you tell others about it. You are a unique person and you'll probably find that each SA graduate had a unique path to their commission.

Good luck.
 
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The selection committees will want to understand who you are, what your passions are, and that you have the drive and commitment to be a successful SA appointee.

Agree with FMHS-79.

What are you doing this summer? Not suggesting that you do something just for your application, but successful candidates are always busy doing productive activities.
 
Agree with FMHS-79.

What are you doing this summer? Not suggesting that you do something just for your application, but successful candidates are always busy doing productive activities.

CrossFit, Boy’s State, Civil Air Patrol, Spartan races, raising money for my charity, volunteering at my local food pantry, and studying for the ACT is most of what I’m doing.
 
Civil Air Patrol was my biggest (by far) and most important extra curricular activity. I poured everything I had into the program and absolutely loved it. Earhart Awardee among many other things. I highly recommend the program to everyone.

Find what you love, like @FMHS-79 said, and stick with that. I certainly had a sparkle in my eye when talking about CAP during my interviews. Good luck

(USNA '23 btw)
 
Civil Air Patrol was my biggest (by far) and most important extra curricular activity. I poured everything I had into the program and absolutely loved it. Earhart Awardee among many other things. I highly recommend the program to everyone.

Find what you love, like @FMHS-79 said, and stick with that. I certainly had a sparkle in my eye when talking about CAP during my interviews. Good luck

(USNA '23 btw)

Cool! Thanks for the advice
 
I have to agree with 23Lt, I cannot overstate how much CAP helped me, especially with getting a nomination. If you still can, try to staff or go to some summer activities through CAP, and hit your 2nd Lt. if you haven't already. The nom board in my district was very impressed with the fact I staffed a couple encampments and did PJOC, because it shows leadership (in a military like environment) and that you pushed yourself (two of my instructors at PJOC were service academy grads and mentioned this to us).

Also, for boys state, I recommend running for the Senate or House. The elections are held at the beginning of the week (when most people are afraid to run for office or are holding off for higher positions) so you will have a much better chance of holding an elected position that way. Plus, the house and Senate is more fun imo. Only 1/3 of people at boys state hold elected position, so it is quite an achievement of you get elected. Don't hold off for a "higher" position who's election is later in the week. The board won't care if you were the agricultural commissioner vs a representative, and saying you ran for a higher position but didn't win won't count as much.

Finally, I'd recommend not submitting your application for a nom until September, so you can keep adding new things to it as you do stuff this summer. Good luck and have fun!
 
hit your 2nd Lt

Probably most important award/thing you can do in CAP admissions-wise. Also, at PJOC you are trained by active-duty Air Force SEREs, PJs, and sometimes TACPs. They told us that they treated the training it like a taste of indoc. One of the most difficult weeks of my life physically.

For Boy's State, run for all the positions that you can. My MOC/Senate board interviewers really liked the fact that I was my State Party chairman (required to give a speech to all the boys at the end of the week about our party's platform). There was no election for this, I just volunteered when I had the chance. The MOC/Senate board really liked the fact that I actually did something with my position, like giving a speech. They don't really care, like USNA2023 said, about positions where you don't do anything.

Good luck and enjoy your summer! My PM is open to you/anyone who would like a question answered.
 
Probably most important award/thing you can do in CAP admissions-wise. Also, at PJOC you are trained by active-duty Air Force SEREs, PJs, and sometimes TACPs. They told us that they treated the training it like a taste of indoc. One of the most difficult weeks of my life physically.

For Boy's State, run for all the positions that you can. My MOC/Senate board interviewers really liked the fact that I was my State Party chairman (required to give a speech to all the boys at the end of the week about our party's platform). There was no election for this, I just volunteered when I had the chance. The MOC/Senate board really liked the fact that I actually did something with my position, like giving a speech. They don't really care, like USNA2023 said, about positions where you don't do anything.

Good luck and enjoy your summer! My PM is open to you/anyone who would like a question answered.

You went to PJOC? Not to get too off subject, but which state and what year?

Also, don't take what I said as "don't run for anything but house or senate". That's just what I did, so it's what I can recommend based on experience. There are plenty of other positions that do quite a bit of stuff during the week that would impress any nom board. In my case, I authored the first bill to pass both Chambers, and gave several speeches in front of 300+ people. 23LT probably helped draft a party platform and then gave several speeches to 500+ people. Just whatever you do, do something. Don't just go to some conventions and play sports the whole time.

Again, good luck and have fun!
 
You went to PJOC? Not to get too off subject, but which state and what year?

New Mexico 2018! For those who don't know, PJOC is held in either NM or AZ. Wbu, USNA2023?

23LT probably helped draft a party platform and then gave several speeches to 500+ people.

Correct. Be active at Boy's State and make some things happen!

Just whatever you do, do something. Don't just go to some conventions and play sports the whole time.

Sound advice.
 
To make your application impressive I would say it goes back to basics. Don't think of how to gimmick it or shine it up but let it speak for itself.

- Show academically you have the chops to succeed at a competitive academic institution by taking the most rigorous course load and doing well in it.
- Show that you physically you have the physical and mental fortitude to lead servicemembers in your respective branch by demonstrating top level scores on the CFA/PFT
- Show Leadership not by breadth but depth by finding activities where you demonstrate that you personally make a difference with your ability to influence. If you are in scouting pursue top honors. If you have a chance for Boys/Girls State go and make the most of the opportunity. Run for student office and or lead/start a club.
- Finally, demonstrate attention to detail by proofreading your essays and packets. Show up confident and dressed and groomed for a job interview when you go before panels/interviews. Keep your written and oral presentations on point and succinct answering the questions you are asked and without platitudes.
- Be able to discuss how your options B,C and D all lead you to a desire to commission and serve.
 
New Mexico 2018! For those who don't know, PJOC is held in either NM or AZ. Wbu, USNA2023?



Correct. Be active at Boy's State and make some things happen!



Sound advice.

I was AZ 2018! Honestly the best experience of my life so far. It really pushed my limits, and our two CROs, who were USMMA grads, said they wished they'd been in CAP just so they could go to PJOC. Anyone who happens to read this form and is in CAP, GO TO PJOC!!!!
 
My DS hand-delivered his nomination applications. By the time he got to the third one, the guy taking the applications recognized him and knew him by first name. It turns out that both senators and our district's congressman all shared some of the same SA nomination staff.

Old school. ;)
 
New Mexico 2018! For those who don't know, PJOC is held in either NM or AZ. Wbu, USNA2023?



Correct. Be active at Boy's State and make some things happen!



Sound advice.

I was AZ 2018! Honestly the best experience of my life so far. It really pushed my limits, and our two CROs, who were USMMA grads, said they wished they'd been in CAP just so they could go to PJOC. Anyone who happens to read this form and is in CAP, GO TO PJOC!!!!

Dang that's cool you guys had CROs. We had one PJ and three SERE Specialists! Also wow! Both USMMA!? I thought USAFA when you said two SA grads! Do you have your PJOC hat, patch, and T-shirt, USNA2023?

All CAP cadets should apply and graduate PJOC! Hell of an experience!
 
Dang that's cool you guys had CROs. We had one PJ and three SERE Specialists! Also wow! Both USMMA!? I thought USAFA when you said two SA grads! Do you have your PJOC hat, patch, and T-shirt, USNA2023?

All CAP cadets should apply and graduate PJOC! Hell of an experience!

Yessir I do! Hardest I've ever worked for some fabric . We had a PJ, 3 SEREs and 2 CROs. I was surprised when they said USMMA too, but it was a pretty good thing for me lol. They gave a couple of cadets and me advice on how to utilize PJOC to our advantage during the application process for the academy and getting noms. Their advice seemed to have worked!
 
Dang that's cool you guys had CROs. We had one PJ and three SERE Specialists! Also wow! Both USMMA!? I thought USAFA when you said two SA grads! Do you have your PJOC hat, patch, and T-shirt, USNA2023?

All CAP cadets should apply and graduate PJOC! Hell of an experience!

After reading this, I realized it’s honestly too bad that I didn’t go to PJOC, I almost applied but my friend told me that he hated his experience and almost died (he got bit by a rattlesnake or something). If I don’t get into an SA I probably will apply for next year.
 
Dang that's cool you guys had CROs. We had one PJ and three SERE Specialists! Also wow! Both USMMA!? I thought USAFA when you said two SA grads! Do you have your PJOC hat, patch, and T-shirt, USNA2023?

All CAP cadets should apply and graduate PJOC! Hell of an experience!

After reading this, I realized it’s honestly too bad that I didn’t go to PJOC, I almost applied but my friend told me that he hated his experience and almost died (he got bit by a rattlesnake or something). If I don’t get into an SA I probably will apply for next year.

It's not summer camp, but that's what makes it great. It's extremely demanding and very different than other CAP activities. Also, the instructors take very good care of you. They are trained to jump into combat from aircraft to literally save peoples' lives. If I was injured in the field, i would pray that I was at PJOC!

You should absolutely apply for PJOC if you have the opportunity!
 
It's not summer camp, but that's what makes it great. It's extremely demanding and very different than other CAP activities. Also, the instructors take very good care of you. They are trained to jump into combat from aircraft to literally save peoples' lives. If I was injured in the field, i would pray that I was at PJOC!

You should absolutely apply for PJOC if you have the opportunity!

[emoji28][emoji28]i definitely will try, thanks for the advice
 
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