LOA

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nikkip

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Apr 25, 2015
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Hi everyone! I got my LOA today from West Point so I'm very excited! I have my interviews on Saturday with both my senators, one of which I asked for a nomination to Air Force. West Point is my choice and I don't want to chance getting a nomination to Air Force when someone who really wants to go there could use it. How do I go about explaining to them that West Point is my choice and not Air Force? I know I could call the office but I feel like it's a little too close to the interview to do that now. Should I just make my intentions clear as soon as I walk in?
 
Congratulations on your LOA. There have been several threads on this very subject as of late. I am not sure what you are afraid of, if West Point is your first choice and you have an LOA for that SA, then IMO you should call your MOC and let them know your desires. If you say nothing and you only receive a nomination for USAFA your LOA for WP is worthless. Be bold and take the initiative or you can sit back and worry about what may happen. This is your future and if you can do something to make your dream materialize and you don't do it because you are "afraid", then you have to live with the consequences. The MOC can either say yes or no. But if you don't ask, well....you really don't have anything to lose and could gain what you want. That's my take for whatever it's worth.

On another note, if you can see yourself at either SA and doing any job that fits the needs of that service after the Academy, then take your chances and interview for both. Only you know where you see yourself and only you can make the decision.
 
For what it's worth, my DS has applied to both USNA and USMA, and ranked USMA as his first choice on MOC paperwork. However after visiting both schools he changed his focus and wanted USNA instead. He mentioned this to the MOC committee during his interview.

That following week he actually received a call from his congressman congratulating him on being nominated to West Point! DS graciously thanked him but explained his first choice had changed. The congressman said he would look into it. About a week later an article appeared in the local paper announcing DS had been nominated to USNA.
 
Another reason to notify your senator or congressman ahead of time is the MOC may have different panels performing different interviews for specific SA's. The last thing you want to do is walk in thinking you are being interviewed for USMA when in fact the panel has been pulled together for USAF based on your original request. In our congressional district the USMA and USMMA were combined under one panel and a different panel was interviewing candidates to USNA and USAFA.
 
Seconding BlackKnight's advice. In GA, the panels interview for specific academies. You need to let them know. Did you finish your AFA application? If you don't get WP would you go there? If that's the case, interview w/ both, let one be for WP, one for AFA (what did you tell your congressman?).
 
When I did my interview last Saturday, at the very beginning of the interview they asked for clarification as to what my choices were so they might do the same with you and give you a brief moment to justify or set straight your preferences. i can't see them not giving you some sort direct or indirect question where you could easily state your wanting to go Westpoint or it being your first choice. Good luck!
 
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