MOC will only give 1 SA nomination

SF_DAD

SF_DAD

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My DS is working through the 2 Senators and 1 Congressman nomination packet requirements. Both Senators have automated applications that will only allow 1 SA, however, the Congressman lets my DS list in order of precedence. Is this the situation across the spectrum?
My DS would like to be considered for USMMA, but does not want to pass on the possibility of getting a nomination for his first choice. How have others handled this situation? Should he list first choice with one Senator and USMMA as first choice with the other Senator? The assumption is that the USMMA nomination is less sought after and more likely from one of the Senators.
 
There are discussions about dividing the choices. Many states, the Senators and Representatives DO talk. The representative is more likely to offer multiple nominations, depending on the quality of the application and the number of applicants. You are correct that USMMA is the least likely to have full slates, but even for Senators, those slates WILL fill up. Your DS could state that he is open to a nomination to USMMA during his interviews, but if he truly has a 1st choice, I'd go with that choice. My DD truly wants USAFA but would consider USNA so she is putting USAFA as #1 across the board and her rep she is listing USNA as well. Your DS could also contact other state representatives to see if they are willing to nominate him to USMMA because USMMA is not bound by the district, only the state. In fact, I just saw in my state, that last year, one representative only had 2 USMMA nominations, and 1 was from across the state, so that applicant did his due diligence and earned a nomination outside his district.

Good luck!
 
This comes up every year. There are many states where the Senators and Representatives collaborate, agreeing to not duplicate names on their lists, or only offering 1 nom to a candidate for 1 SA, in the interest of “spreading the wealth.” It is not universal, but they have the freedom to do this. It also occasionally happens applicants are given noms to schools they haven’t applied for.

Gaming the order preference also comes up every year. I am a proponent of ranking SAs consistently across all elected official sources, aligned with true personal preference. That minimizes unintended outcomes. If the officials’ staffs are collaborating already, then they will see two #1 picks for different schools, and then it won’t be clear which school is truly #1.

Be sure your DS is clear on the fact USMMA is a bit different WRT noms. See the copied item below:
  • A candidate does not have to reside in the same Congressional District as his/her nominator (a Member of the U.S. House of Representative CAN nominate a candidate who resides in a District other than their own, as long as it is in their (the nominator's) State/Territory). This differs from nominations to the USMA, USNA, and USAFA.

The applicant can work the phones with every other District in the state and see if he can apply there for consideration. We have had reports of success with that.

If the policy is to give 1 nom and 1 nom only, then put the desired SA first for all three and hope for the best.
 
Capt MJ said:
Gaming the order preference also comes up every year. I am a proponent of ranking SAs consistently across all elected official sources, aligned with true personal preference. That minimizes unintended outcomes. If the officials’ staffs are collaborating already, then they will see two #1 picks for different schools, and then it won’t be clear which school is truly #1.
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This! Every year there a applicants who game the system and end up with a nom to an academy they really didn't want to attend. Do the opposite of the Navy SEALS.... don't be THAT man.
 
kinnem said:
This! Every year there a applicants who game the system and end up with a nom to an academy they really didn't want to attend. Do the opposite of the Navy SEALS.... don't be THAT man.
Click to expand...
Picture this scenario. Collaborating staffers from various staffs are talking, comparing two very even candidates who have applied for the same SAs. One has put Navy across the board as #1 for Senators and Rep. The other has mixed up the order. Staffers then have to guess, if they can only use the applicant’s name on only one slate, if that’s the way their state does it. Which candidate makes it really clear what his or her #1 preference is?
 
If one nominating source limits you to one choice then pick your favorite. But if the others let you broaden out, then search for your USMMA nom over there where the light is better. Honestly I'm not sure any state fills their allotment of USMMA nominations, so if you're a good candidate you should be able to scare one up from one of the legislative offices in your state. (EDIT: I may be over-stating this a bit, but not many reps are sending ranked lists of ten names in for USMMA.)
 
All great points above. I knew about the USMMA nomination being Statewide, just haven’t considered looking outside of our Congressional District. My DS will have to get to work to see what opportunities may be out there.
In the end the choice is his, but I will recommend that he go with his first choice at every opportunity.

Thanks for all of the advice.
 
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