Senator Nomination Interview

[DudusMaximus]

My son was selected for an interview with our state's senator. I am trying to prep him as best as possible for this interview. He has already interviewed with his USNA BAGO and the USAFA Liaison Officer. Those interviews were about 1.5 hours and were somewhat casual.

I suspect that the senator's panel will more stressful/tense and require more preparation.

What is the nature of these MOC interviews? Are my presumptions correct? Any advice different from interviewing with BAGO/Liaison Officer?

Thanks

 

[1017225]

I was just notified a few days ago I'm going to be interviewing with of my Senators as well (Virginia- Senator Mark Warner)
Looking forward to it but from what I've heard its more strenuous than the B&G and ALO interviews due to the fact that B&G Officers and ALO's are there to help and offer advice as well as evaluate whereas the Senatorial board is mainly concerned with making the choice of candidates, so I'd assume the trend to be that they are more formal and intense than interviews with Liaison Officers are.

Just my two cents

 

[hawk]

Can't speak for your State, but in ours the Senate interviews were focused, perhaps intense, but not at all hostile.

You will be asked thoughtful / difficult questions about your resume/EC's, about your future plans, backup plans if you don't make it into an academy, etc.

Which you really need to be prepared to answer. In competitive states it will likely be a board composed of officers (active and retired) of the branch you are considering, and most like grads.

If you are truthful and honest you will be fine. Pad your resume, tell them what you think they want to hear vs what you truly think and you will likely get caught.

But ultimately they are looking to answer these types of questions:
- Does this candidate really want to be an officer?
- Can the candidate handle the academic, physical and mental demands of the academies?
- Will this candidate have the best chance of getting an appointment, making it through the summer training, and graduating as an officer?
- Is the candidate likely to be the best officer for the branch relative to the other candidates?

So if you can answer these to yourself you will be fine. If you cannot, it will be uncomfortable. But not fatal! And remember, if the only thing worst than not getting a nom leading to an appointment is to actually get one, and not be prepared (academically, physically, mentally) to see it through.