Should preference be expressed at the nomination interview

Maui1

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5-Year Member
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Nov 27, 2008
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Should one express right up front which academy they choose to serve for during the nomination interview before the board? What if a candidate is torn between two academies like USNA, West Point, and/or Air Force? From past experience it is felt that it may hurts a candidates chances if one chooses to declare his first choice up front. On the other hand I have read on this forum that many are appointed by all four academies! All input greatly appreciated.
 
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My son only chose USNA when he was asked to rank the Service Academies on his congressional nomination application. During his nomination interview, he also stated that the Naval Academy was his one and only choice.

He received an appointment to USNA in December.
 
IMO, if a candidate is truly interested in only one service, it's to their benefit to make that clear to their MOCs. What good is a nomination to USXA if you wouldn't accept an appointment there?

A "pro" for having a single service/SA preference (IMO) is that it's clear that the candidate has thought about their service options after graduation. It would look a bit strange (again, IMO) to express only interest to USAFA, but plan to do NROTC as their "backup," unless AFROTC isn't available at their chosen school.

That said, if a candidate would accept an appointment to a second SA, I would think they should make that clear, too. If one wants to be an infantry officer, for example, it would make great sense to have USMA as a second choice behind USNA (Marines). (JK, I'm a 2012 NAVY Mom!)
 
It all depends on ur MOC and your location. My MOC had told me to rank my choices but that I probably would only recieve a nomination for my top choice because CA has an enormous amount of applicants for each MOC.
 
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