Does anyone know how the children of deceased/disabled vets nominations work for appointments?
I have read that the academies only have 65 available slots for these types of nominations.
Are they all ranked based on merit or is it a first come first serve kind of thing?
Similar to Presidential nominations, service-connected noms are a matter of eligibility. Either you’re eligible, or you’re not. The SA then chooses to offer appointments to the ones they want, meeting their criteria for qualification in all categories (the infamous “triple Q”) for filling out the class. It is not first come, first served. The numbers for these categories are capped for each class.
It’s also recommended to apply for every nom category for which eligible - elected Representative, Senators, VP. That gives the SA max flexibility in eventually slating you to a nom source. Let’s say you have a service-connected nom, but also get a nom from Representative X. That gives the SA another opportunity to find a place for you.
If you haven’t already, read every page, dropdown and link on each SA website, as well as the Sticky at the top of this Nominations forum.
USCGA does not require a nomination.
USMMA, as I understand it, will take a nom from any elected rep in your state.