If a candidate is not eligible for any service-connected nominations, and there is no opportunity for JROTC/nom at the HS, that leaves 2 Senators and 1 Representative as nom sources, plus the rare and elusive wild card VP and Superintendent’s noms, or possibly ROTC if a college re-applicant.
If the elected officials’ policy is to collaborate such that no one candidate gets more than 1 nom (as in, not one from all three) and/or a candidate only gets a nom to 1 SA (despite having applied to the 4 that require noms), the shiniest applicant may only get 1 nom, and not to his or her preferred choice.
This is the reality in some states, in an attempt to “spread the wealth,” and it’s the elected officials’ prerogative to do so.
It’s always nice to hear of someone who received multiple noms and offers of appointment, but I wanted to counter-balance the point made about ease of getting noms with the reality in some states.
I often write for lurkers or new members just starting to wade into the confusing world of nominations; my comments are not meant in any way to criticize the above poster.