LOA/Nom

tallbutshort

5-Year Member
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Nov 20, 2009
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Should I include a copy of my LOA in my nomination applications? On the bottom of the letter it says copy: "MALO's name," so I would think it would list my Congressman too if he was going to get a copy. But I've also heard on these forums that there's no need to include a copy because your MOC will already know about it. So which one is it?
 
Your MOC's staff member responsible for Academy nominations will recieve a copy of district candidates that have received an Academy LOA.....BUT.....this is such an important step in the application for an appointment process .....absolutely include a copy of your LOA letter ....and all other relevant info that will help you compete for that coveted nomination !:thumb:
Fair Winds and Following Seas
 
It can't hurt to include it. That way you're sure they have it.
 
Tallbutshort....

Are they already giving out LOA's? Congradualtaions!!! Are you an athelete? Just wondering for the rest of us.
 
Tallbutshort....

Are they already giving out LOA's? Congradualtaions!!! Are you an athelete? Just wondering for the rest of us.

Thanks! As far as I know USMA is the only academy to be giving out LOAs right now. I think all the others start giving them out around September. And no, I'm not a recruited athlete; I have a high class rank and good test scores.
 
Also claiming that the Dean of Admissions is very interested in her file and that they offered to fund the trip for a CVW... is that normal?
 
Also claiming that the Dean of Admissions is very interested in her file and that they offered to fund the trip for a CVW... is that normal?

Hi all!

Okay...I can NOT speak for USMA/USNA/USMMA/USCGA and I won't try. Each is a unique SA and has their own "style" and "method" for LOA's, etc.

What I will try to do is speak "a little bit" for USAFA. Realize I am not the USAFA/RR, that is my "boss" Col Benyshek. However as I've been an ALO a LONG time (longer than most of this years candidates have been alive) I think I can speak a little bit on this subject.

DO NOT EXPECT AN LOA FROM USAFA.

There, I said it.

In most years, USAFA will award perhaps 5% LOA's for the entire incoming class. I have reason to believe that this year it will be FAR less. Why you ask?

SUPPOSITION ON MY PART HERE BASED UPON DISCUSSIONS WITH FOLKS AT USAFA...(please pardon the caps but I want to make a point here)

The other SA's award a LOT of LOA's but they are loaded with more than a few restrictions/conditions and sadly a lot of them are rescinded later. And IMHO an LOA leads to a false sense of security. I have personally seen a GOOD candidate receive an LOA and believe "I've got it made, I can relax" and ultimately this candidates "actions" resulted in the LOA/Appointment being rescinded a month prior to in-processing. :eek:

USAFA does NOT want to have this happen; therefore, they are VERY VERY VERY picky about LOA's. In my career (I've been an officer since 1983 and an ALO in one form or another for almost that long) I've only had TWO candidates receive an LOA that I can recall offhand.

Now I will tell you that we ALO's are torn by this. On the one-hand we'd love to see more LOA's for USAFA early so that we might be able to "wrest away from USMA/USNA/USMMA/USCGA" some of the outstanding candidates! :thumb: But on the other hand, we don't want to see candidates "lose that edge" in the competition and become lax...that's fatal ALWAYS! :thumbdown:

So...IMHO you will see fewer LOA's from USAFA this year. Of course, next week we might have 10 folks here report they received LOA's and I'll look silly. :redface:

I'd be happy with that because I know how VERY picky Col Benyshek's team is...if anyone receives an LOA from USAFA...they have done EXTREMELY well! I'm not saying an LOA from ANY SA is NOT proof positive of accomplishment, please don't misunderstand me. But I think, again IMHO, that USAFA is going to be VERY stingy this year.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
I will concur.

I serve as the AF rep on my MoC's board. We will occasionally see an LOA in an applicants file but to be honest, it really doesn't mean a thing to us on the board.

Why?

Because it's up to us to give the MoC our recommendations for nomination. Without the nomination, an LOA is simply a really nice letter. But it's the candidates entire package and how they do at our interview/board that will decide who is named to the MoC for nomination.

I would agree, having the LOA, while an indicator of achievement and worthy of congratulations, won't sway the nomination board...that is up to the candidate!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
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