No Nomination for USMA

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GoArmyNavy2263

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Hello all,

This year I have been applying for the USNA and USMA classes of 2026. I had most of West Point's application completed when I received nominations to the Naval Academy from my district's congressman and a state senator. I was thrilled to receive the nominations and reached out to my district's congressman to request an additional nomination to West Point. I was unable to receive one and assumed that my application was now unable to be completed without a nomination. If the Naval Academy does not work out this year and I attend an Army or Navy ROTC program at a college (Most likely Texas A&M), I plan on applying to both the USNA and USMA again next year. What could I do differently next year to receive a nomination for both the Navy and Army? Would I be able to apply for an ROTC-related nomination for both Army and Navy? Would my congressional district change if I attend a college that is far from home? (I live in IL, so Texas A&M is quite far away).

While I know West Point is not my first choice, it was a tough call between Navy and Army! After completing a CVW at USNA this past October and touring West Point at around the same time, I was able to see how incredible and steeped in tradition both schools were. West Point has to be the most beautiful place I have ever seen! So West Point is still my number 2, and I would love a shot at attending if the Navy does not work out.
 
While I don't feel qualified to address your first questions, I'd still highly recommend that you finish your USMA application since you'll still have a shot at USMAPS if you don't get a nomination.
 
Much to address her, I will cherry-pick a few.

- Did you complete your USMA application? Please assure us you applied for the VP nom, even though it is a long shot. It’s not over until USMA tells you it’s over - for this cycle.
- AROTC can give you a nom for USMA. NROTC can give you one for USNA. No cross-pollination.
 
If you end up reapplying next year, spread the wealth. It may be different for your rep and senators, but for our rep, my son got to list them all in rank order of his preference and he ended up get one to USNA and one to USMA, his top two. Then for the senators, he could only specify one, so he split them. Asked for USNA from one and USMA from the other. He did not get a nom to USMA from the Senator and we're still waiting on the other. Not knowing your process for your area though, this all may be useless to you. But for sure don't put all your nom eggs in one basket.
 
Generally, students attending college out of state would still use their original home for the purposes pf nominations to Service Academies. That could change if an applicant actually moved their permanent home to the out of state college along with things like drivers license and tax returns in the new state.
 
I didn't realize that I could be considered for USMAPS without a nomination, that's great news! I just need my PE Teacher to submit an evaluation and then my application should be complete, I will get on that ASAP! And yes, I have applied for the VP nomination. Do you need an ROTC Scholarship to be considered for their nominations or can you be a "walk-on" without a scholarship and apply? (I'm still awaiting news for the NROTC and AROTC Scholarship).

HopefulDad2026, my Illinois Senator's and congressman worked in the same way that your location's senators congressmen did. You could only pick one academy for senators and for congressman you would rank the academies. I put Navy as my number one and Army as my number two. When I reached out to my congressman about a potential second nomination, they told me that they did not give multiple nominations to specific individuals because they could not do it for every single applicant. Good luck to your son!

Thank you all for the responses so far!
 
OldRetSWO, that is good to hear! I'm assuming that the congressional area around Texas A&M is super competitive with the immense size of their corps of cadets! Thanks for the information!
 
You can join ROTC any which way you want, any status - it’s your performance and commitment that will earn you the PMS or PNS nom recommendation.

Glad you are completing your application and not letting it stall. If you end up being a re-applicant next cycle, USMA will know if you bailed or gutted it out to the end of this cycle.
 
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Capt MJ, how can I increase competitiveness as an ROTC member for these ROTC-connected nominations? When you mention performance in an ROTC program, is it all based on physical fitness tests and college grades?

Thanks for the info, I'm looking forward to next year, no matter the program I am apart of!
 
GoArmyNavy2263 said:
Capt MJ, how can I increase competitiveness as an ROTC member for these ROTC-connected nominations? When you mention performance in an ROTC program, is it all based on physical fitness tests and college grades?

Thanks for the info, I'm looking forward to next year, no matter the program I am apart of!
Click to expand...
Perform well academically. Meet and exceed required minimums.
Perform well militarily.
Perform well in physical fitness training.
Be early to be on time.
Be squared-away with grooming, uniform and gear.
No conduct issues. Watch that impulse control and “ideas that seemed good at the time.”
Volunteer for the jobs others avoid. Do them well.
Develop a rep for positivity, professionalism, hard work and helping fellow cadets or midshipmen.
Be humble.
Be just as committed and appreciative of the ROTC path as if you aimed for it from the get-go. It will be no surprise to your chain of command you are considering re-applying to a SA, but be present and committed to life in that unit as if you were going to spend 4 years there. Who knows - you might absolutely love that path.
 
GoArmyNavy2263 said:
Capt MJ, how can I increase competitiveness as an ROTC member for these ROTC-connected nominations? When you mention performance in an ROTC program, is it all based on physical fitness tests and college grades?

Thanks for the info, I'm looking forward to next year, no matter the program I am apart of!
Click to expand...
I second everything Captain MJ shared! My DS received notice of his QNS in the end of April last year (USMA). He moved forward with full force, and jumped into AROTC with both feet. Within the second week of school, he was offered a 3 Year AD ROTC scholarship and the opportunity to lead his Unit/Team (not sure of the proper terminology).

Something you might also want to consider (if you choose this path) would be “mirroring” a WP plebe schedule. Continue to push yourself in all aspects of academics, military, and leadership.

It’s still early for you! Hopefully none of this advice will matter, and you’ll wind up on the road to serving this great Nation of ours sooner than later! Wishing you all the best!
 
A couple of things to add.

You will not be considered for USMAPS if you are qualified. Not getting a nomination is technically not a disqualifying event. USMAPS is only for candidates that are lacking in Academics or Leadership/Extracurricular. While technically your could be considered for sponsored prep, That competition is really tough and most of those candidates are fully qualified with a nomination.

As @Capt MJ state: ROTC opens another nomination source but you have to make a decision. Do you want to be an Army Officer or a Naval Officer. Nominations under the ROTC category are unlimited but the number of slots is limited to what I think is 25 each year. Getting an ROTC nomination is not that hard if you do your part. Competition for the open spots is very similar to all other nomination slates.
 
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