By my math, a significant number (roughly at least 25%, which stands to reason since each MOC can have five at an academy at one time) of MOC must be "charged" every year with two appointments, or the total numbers don't work out. So how does this work? If a MOC sends in a slate (say 6 nominees) and the Academy decides it wants to "charge" two to the MOC from that slate that year -- and the overall numbers for the MOC allow it because, let's say, the MOC had no appointees the year before -- does the Academy contact the MOC for permission to do so? Or can the Academy do it on its own?
Multiple charges in one year to MOC?
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I am sure there are regular discussions between Admissions and the nom staffers for an elected official, agreeing on the strategy for each year, as most years will be just 1 appointment charged to them, then the 2 appointment year will slip in. The strategy can also adjust to voluntary/involuntary departures of midshipmen before graduation.
If we are seeing multiple appointees appearing on the same slate, the SA has the ability to choose any fully qualified candidate off that same slate and charge the appointment to other nom sources they control, per applicable guidelines. Those appointments won’t be charged to the elected official. Or, many of those appointees might have a service-connected nom, Presidential, ROTC, etc. The elected official usually cheerfully takes credit for anyone from their state or district.
If it’s a “two appointment year,” the elected official would generally submit 2 slates of up to 10 names, or it could be just one.
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We definitely experience 1 slate/nom last year and I think my ds benefitted from it. He got a late call from one of our senators after being told he did not get a nom from their office because USAFA had just told them the senator had another slot to fill. My ds then got a call that he would be on the new slate. Our rep also had 2 slates for USAFA and USMA. Good deal for him with all of the noms to go around.
A1Janitor
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It happens in competitive districts.
They weren’t all charged to that congressman. But it’s good pr.
So some of them were charged to a Senator but live in the congressman’s district?
A1Janitor
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I don’t know where - there are more than Senators. President, VP, military, medal of honor children, ROTC, etc.
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See my post above -
The elected official usually cheerfully takes credit for anyone from their state or district - regardless of where the nom came from or where the appointment is charged.
A1Janitor
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Lol I should have read the thread again and not just the last post.
A1Janitor
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They’re allowed to nominate up to 10 per slate.
If there are more than ten qualified applicants, there should be more than ten of they have multiple slates.
After our experience with the nomination process this year, if DS ends up getting an appointment after all I don't know that I would want our MOC to take credit for him (I'm being funny but also serious...). If an applicant knows they were turned down for a nomination by an MOC but they get placed through another nomination source and the MOC tried to take credit for said student just because they were in their district...do they ever pitch a fit? Pretty sure I would...
A1Janitor
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The goal is appointment. There are plenty of hurdles along the way.
I would let go of the negative, and cherish the journey. It goes quick.
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I don’t think they necessarily take credit for the entire state of candidates. Rather, their slates. Many are duplicate noms, so more than one source ‘takes credit’, if they make those kind of statements (only our congressman does. Our senators don’t). Despite if the candidate is ultimately charged to that source, or another. As already discussed.
Its not uncommon, that a source will say something like ‘pleased to announce that Jimmy Smith, who I nominated to USNA, was appointed’. They are not wrong.
Fact of the matter is that the charging of slates can even occur into plebe summer. As things get shuffled and settled. It’s not an untruth what the source says. Despite where they are ultimately charged. As discussed, many don’t even know where they are actually charged. No one cares after Iday. Certainly not the nom source.
@A1Janitor is spot on. As consuming as this process is at the moment? Once you are appointed, cherish the journey, as it flies by. Someday, today will be only a faint hint of a memory.
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Why should you care? Why should it matter? Save your anger, annoyance and energy for more important things. If the applicant wins offer of appointment, then mission accomplished. Carry on.
I think we're talking past each other. You seem to be suggesting that if it is 10 or fewer names, then it's necessarily only one slate. And I don't understand why that is necessarily so. If the MOC hasn't used up his enrolled allotment of five at any one time (i.e., let's say that there are only three currently enrolled cadets/mid at the academy charged to that MOC), then why couldn't he/she have two slates out of a group of 10 or fewer nominees?
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The Senator or Representative can be very creative, as long as they don’t exceed 10 applicants on a list (slate) of nominees for 1 seat.
I have seen interesting things reported over my time here on SAF.
1 unranked slate, 1 slate with a principal nominee and less than 10 others, for 2 seats.
Slates with less than 10 people, more often than you would think.
They could certainly create 2 slates with exactly the same names for 2 seats.
I think I even saw reported 1 slate with 10 names, and 1 slate with just 1 name, for 2 seats.
I suspect they have their own portals in the SA CRMs, and select something along the lines of “Seat 01, upload slate,” and they enter names. If the decision has been made to charge 2 appointments for this cycle, perhaps they then select “Seat 02, upload slate.”
I think we are having an angels dancing on the head of a pin discussion.
I have seen interesting things reported over my time here on SAF.
1 unranked slate, 1 slate with a principal nominee and less than 10 others, for 2 seats.
Slates with less than 10 people, more often than you would think.
They could certainly create 2 slates with exactly the same names for 2 seats.
I think I even saw reported 1 slate with 10 names, and 1 slate with just 1 name, for 2 seats.
I suspect they have their own portals in the SA CRMs, and select something along the lines of “Seat 01, upload slate,” and they enter names. If the decision has been made to charge 2 appointments for this cycle, perhaps they then select “Seat 02, upload slate.”
I think we are having an angels dancing on the head of a pin discussion.
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And MOCs don't necessarily disclose to candidates how thier slates are presented. This can unfortunately leave the Candidate with the impression that they are a " Principal" or are on an unranked slate, when they in fact may not be. Also, I'm aware of cases where a MOC staff worked with a SA to facilitate a nomination for a candidate that was not originally on the MOC's RADAR. Also some MOCs work together within a state to help ensure candidates are nominated. Definitely have seen some slates with less than 10 names (especially for USAFA and USMMA). Overall the system seems to work in facilitating getting the best of the best nominated-but like in the Military or Business: "no system is perfect".
A1Janitor
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LOL sorry I misread your post.
Yes possible.
My son had a total of 6 applicants for his slate so we had less competition to worry about.