New Congressional District - Question about number of nominations

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May 16, 2022
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As a result of the redistricting process, we will be in a newly created congressional district in 2022. My son will be applying for nominations to the graduating class of 2028 which means he will be applying for nominations in spring/summer of 2023.
I understand that any MoC can have at most 5 cadets attending the USAFA (as an example) at any one point and nominate up to 10 candidates for each vacancy. I'm not sure how this works for a newly created district. Can I please ask for some help in understanding how this works in our case. Does this mean, since our MoC may have zero cadets currently at the academy, s/he can nominate 50 candidates? That doesn't seem right but that is how I read the rules that are in place. I would appreciate any guidance on this topic.
 
As a result of the redistricting process, we will be in a newly created congressional district in 2022. My son will be applying for nominations to the graduating class of 2028 which means he will be applying for nominations in spring/summer of 2023.
I understand that any MoC can have at most 5 cadets attending the USAFA (as an example) at any one point and nominate up to 10 candidates for each vacancy. I'm not sure how this works for a newly created district. Can I please ask for some help in understanding how this works in our case. Does this mean, since our MoC may have zero cadets currently at the academy, s/he can nominate 50 candidates? That doesn't seem right but that is how I read the rules that are in place. I would appreciate any guidance on this topic.
The MOC can have 5 appointees at each SA at any one time. Typically, they are spread out 1 per class year, with 1 year possibly having 2 appointments charged to the MOC. Yes, technically, they could submit 5 slates with 10 names each at 1 SA for this cycle, and have 5 appointees in the Class of 2027 - but think about it - this would mean they could have none in 2028, etc., until 2027 graduates! Therefore, it is likely 1 slate of 10 names will be submitted for an individual SA, and just 1 appointment will be charged to the MOC for that class. This process will be repeated in subsequent years, with 1 year probably having 2 slates for 2 seats, until 5 is reached, and then it becomes a routine replacement as each class graduates.

Don’t forget USNA, USMA and USAFA can also choose other fully qualified nominees off that slate and offer appointments that are charged to other nom authorities they manage, which won’t be charged to the MOC. I am less schooled on USMMA as a non-DoD SA, as they have some other unique nom aspects that differ from DoD SAs. USCGA is not required to use the nom system.

Advanced reading:

(This is 2019 - I have to go check if this is the most recent, but the basics don’t change.)
 
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That's a very interesting question. I really never thought of it from that angle. I will tell you, however, is that it is what is, and your son can only control what he can control.

My own son received his nomination from our former congressman. That congressman was not our congressman come appointment time due to redistricting. However, my son was still "charged" to that former congressman. A girl from our town received an appointment from our new congressman the following year.

I know that really didn't answer your question, but your son just needs to trust the system. I guess he really doesn't have a choice!
 
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I hate when I answer a question seconds after @Capt MJ. It's just wasted typing on my part!
You made me think to add the SA Admissions staffs have decades of working closely with elected official nom staffers, and district changes, re-districting, death of incumbent, etc., will be nothing new. All will be figured out and properly managed.

It’s up to the applicant to stay current with the elected official websites, attend info nights and webinars, and ask elected official staffers for clarification as needed. The OP’s son shouldn’t hesitate to attend info events even if it’s not his cycle yet.
 
@Capt MJ - you are so right. I was being myopic thinking this situation is unique but redistricting has been happening for ever and I'm sure there is a well worn playbook here. Thank you again.
 
@Capt MJ - you are so right. I was being myopic thinking this situation is unique but redistricting has been happening for ever and I'm sure there is a well worn playbook here. Thank you again.
You too will survive this. Be sure to find the “Rollercoaster” threads in the USNA forum and hop on.
 
@Capt MJ - I have tried searching but is there a listing somewhere of how many vacant slots by SA each MoC has going into an academic year?
It’s usually just 1. Depends on the immediate previous graduating class and how many charged appointees were in that class. Could be 2 every so often. Nothing you can do differently about it even if you know. Now, if you see a press release that says Rep Z nominated 20 candidates for USNA Class of 2027, you can logically speculate they did 2 slates of 10 for 2 seats in that class. For 2028, they would likely go back to 1 slate for USNA.

Don’t forget the SA can take other qualified applicants off the list and charge their appointments elsewhere. A nom is a nom!

Your son can always ask. He might not be told.

Unexpected separations in a class of the midshipman charged to the elected official, or, sadly, deaths such as the recent tragedy involving Midn Luke Bird, if he happened to be the charged appointee, will initiate a respectful but necessary discussion behind the scenes as to whether the elected official wants to up their seat target from 1 to 2 in an upcoming cycle.

Per the standing advice from the SAs, your son should apply to all nom sources for which he is eligible, when it is time. That usually means VP, 2 Senators, 1 Rep and any service-related noms. This gives the SA maximum flexibility as to where to charge the appointment if they wish to offer him one.
 
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As a result of the redistricting process, we will be in a newly created congressional district in 2022. My son will be applying for nominations to the graduating class of 2028 which means he will be applying for nominations in spring/summer of 2023.
I understand that any MoC can have at most 5 cadets attending the USAFA (as an example) at any one point and nominate up to 10 candidates for each vacancy. I'm not sure how this works for a newly created district. Can I please ask for some help in understanding how this works in our case. Does this mean, since our MoC may have zero cadets currently at the academy, s/he can nominate 50 candidates? That doesn't seem right but that is how I read the rules that are in place. I would appreciate any guidance on this topic.
LoneStarParent- FYI, if you go to the Texas Legislature Online website and enter your home address at https://capitol.texas.gov, the results will list your current congressional district and also, in red, your congressional district for the 118th Congress (sworn in January 2023). As noted previously, the nomination process for the academies' Class of 2028 will open next spring. If you live in the North Texas area, stay tuned in early spring there will be an announcement on this website regarding the 2023 North Texas Academies Forum event which may be of interest to you and your son.
 
The MOC can have 5 appointees at each SA at any one time. Typically, they are spread out 1 per class year, with 1 year possibly having 2 appointments charged to the MOC. Yes, technically, they could submit 5 slates with 10 names each at 1 SA for this cycle, and have 5 appointees in the Class of 2027 - but think about it - this would mean they could have none in 2028, etc., until 2027 graduates! Therefore, it is likely 1 slate of 10 names will be submitted for an individual SA, and just 1 appointment will be charged to the MOC for that class. This process will be repeated in subsequent years, with 1 year probably having 2 slates for 2 seats, until 5 is reached, and then it becomes a routine replacement as each class graduates.

Don’t forget USNA, USMA and USAFA can also choose other fully qualified nominees off that slate and offer appointments that are charged to other nom authorities they manage, which won’t be charged to the MOC. I am less schooled on USMMA as a non-DoD SA, as they have some other unique nom aspects that differ from DoD SAs. USCGA is not required to use the nom system.

Advanced reading:

(This is 2019 - I have to go check if this is the most recent, but the basics don’t change.)
Capt MJ: FYI, here's the link to the latest CRS report: https://www.crs.gov/reports/pdf/RL33213 dated Sept 13, 2021.
 
LoneStarParent- FYI, if you go to the Texas Legislature Online website and enter your home address at https://capitol.texas.gov, the results will list your current congressional district and also, in red, your congressional district for the 118th Congress (sworn in January 2023). As noted previously, the nomination process for the academies' Class of 2028 will open next spring. If you live in the North Texas area, stay tuned in early spring there will be an announcement on this website regarding the 2023 North Texas Academies Forum event which may be of interest to you and your son.
Thanks for the great information @Staffer!
 
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