My Congressman Popped the question

[Thunderbolt]

I received a phone call by the academy coordinator from my congressman in CA, and the first question he asked me was

Q Have you ever attended a public school in California

A No, I did not. I lived overseas all my life in 6 countries as a military/diplomat dependent.


*Silence*

And he asked a couple other questions about my interests.
Basically, that was the kiss of death. Am I dead?

 

[Just_A_Mom]

Exar Ganis - How many times do we have to tell you - it ain't over 'till it's over......

So - sounds like you had a phone interview. How did the rest of the interview go? Did you know to expect a phone call?

 

[Zaphod]

Q Have you ever attended a public school in California

A No, I did not. I lived overseas all my life in 6 countries as a military/diplomat dependent.


*Silence*

What the heck does that have to do with the price of sand in the Sahara?

Look, if your MOC is basing their decisions on whether or not you attended public school (and in California, no less), then maybe they have less between their ears than you do. I wonder what their position would be if you had attended PRIVATE school in California?

Anyway, and as already stated, it ain't over 'till it's over. Besides, you're not REALLY applying ONLY to this ONE Congresscritter are you?

 

[usna1985]

Just a thought, but could it be that the MOC assigns students to a review panel based on their high school? And the silence meant that he would have to give yours a bit more effort?

Of course, if the man had read your package, he would know what school you attended.

It's all very odd, as you describe it. However, I've never heard of students being "discriminated against" because they were home-schooled, attended private school, and/or school outside the US. For example, I attended a private school in MD yet received a nom from my MOC in VA. It was years ago, but I have no reason to believe things have changed.

 

[Zaphod]

Of course, if the man had read your package, he would know what school you attended.

Come on...

Next thing you know, you'll be expecting them to actually read the bills they vote on.

 

[Thunderbolt]

I think it means more than you think. The state of CA is the most overprotective when it comes to their constituents. That's why UCs for example are 97 percent instate. Maybe they don't like the idea about giving a nomination to someone who has never lived in their district, or even in their state. That's my theory.

That wasn't an interview. It was more of a call asking for questions, and for confirmation of my materials (although it is very late) I honestly don't know what's going to happen, but I hope for the best. I got a call 3 AM in the morning, and I was really excited. They told me to check my inbox, and I was flooded with NROTC application materials. It pissed me off!

 

[USNA69]

Even though EG has never allowed paranoia to take a back seat to anything, he may have a point here. It does happen. His dad is career military and has declared CA as his residency. Some MOCs, especially in states such as FL and TX, where there is an abundance of active duty military residents due to their state military pay taxation laws, have not, in the past, made it easy for military members. Not sure about CA. Anyway, the "smart" thing to do would be to simply slide the folder into the "not competitive" pile for one made-up reason or another. The arrogancy of the misinformed in CA seems to be another story.

The following is not at all reflective on EG's situation. In order for a military member to declare themselves to be a resident of any particular state, it simply means that they "intend" to retire there. Nothing more, nothing less. Needless to say, many military members are residents of states with the most permissive state income tax requirements for active duty military. If TX and FL Independence Days were declared military holidays for their respective residents, the bases and posts would have to shut down. Incidentially, this is in no way, shape, or form, an endorsement for a military service member "residency" migration to NH, VT, SD, ND, WY, or MO.

I am sure we have all looked at the SA nomination procedures and commented about Presidential nominations, either as a sign of patriotism or with a little bit of jealousy since those members get an added nomination. I would bet you dollars to donuts that when the congressional committee that was formulating these laws made it, it was simply so they would not feel obligated to give out their nominations to those that they felt were not bonified constituents. Remember, most of these resident service members only vote in the national elections, if that.

So EG, calm down. Do your part. Apply and make every effort for you MOC's nominations. Remember, you always have your Presidential. You do have a nomination.

A corollary of this is, for these same students, the requirements for in-state residency tuition.. I think there have been a few lawsuits addressed at states who have the same attitudes as the aforementioned MOCs.

Again, good luck.

 

[Pima]

I know that it is very frustrating as a military member, with MOC's, at times we lose sight that the MOC's are comparing apples to apples and feel we might not be getting a fair shake since we are not always there phsyically. That said, the SA's are becoming very competitive and harder to get into. I am positive my s will not get a senator nom. over 315 applied for nom., our state does not do interviews, it is totally up to what your records look like. The reason I say that he won't is because over 50 are coming from Magnet schools (SAT's in th 1500) that are ranked nationally, where we come from a small town school. We have been told that the cong. will occur for him, b/c their district is liberal and rural with very few apps. I am not saying he doesn't deserve the nom ---150 pts over SAT (M/CR) than avg., EC's and a job, I am just saying there is alot of competition. Many MOC's are just being up front and don't want to waste your time on hoping that you will get the nod, when they can see that it isn't going to happen. The fact that they sent the rotc applications might also be something they automatically do for all candidates.
Personally, I would call the MOC's office and ask a few questions, such as how many are applying, by now they should know the numbers since cut-off is for our area 11/15-12/15. Also ask if there is anything to do to make your application shine more.

Best of luck and keep moving foward

 

[USNA69]

I am just saying there is alot of competition. Many MOC's are just being up front and don't want to waste your time on hoping that you will get the nod, when they can see that it isn't going to happen.

You could possibly be correct. However, leading with the question of whether or not the candidate had ever attended school in the state causes one to doubt it.

 

[Pima]

Point taken about the school, and I think the only person who can answer that ? is the MOC. I would call them and ask why they wanted to know... if the answer is to find a corresponding person in the office to assign them to, then that is legit. If it was to determine if they were truly a resident that is still valid. In our case we had the ability to chose which state we would apply from....I can hear the screams now...the reason why is that we have my h legal residence for federal taxes (no it is not FL or CA), but our physical residence where we own a home, where I work and pay taxes to, license and vote is in another, thus we had to choose 1 state. We chose the state we currently reside in. Yes, we called everyone sens. and cong. from both states to make sure that this is how it worked for military, yes all around with the caveat you can only apply to 1 state.
Just for more info it actually works that way for state univs. they have laws in place for military children who maybe a resident in 1 state but live in another to make them eligile for IS tuitition.

 

[Thunderbolt]

I was just starting to get excited when two of my friends that I went to SLS with in my school got their noms from their congressman/senator. One of them got his by default from the state of Oregon.