Volunteer for Congressman

2026Cadet

C/O 2026 Appointee
Joined
Dec 6, 2020
Messages
77
Does it help you to get a nomination if you previously volunteer for a congressmen’s campaign/intern at their office or any of the sort? I assume it couldn’t hurt but just looking for advice.
thanks
 
You would think it would be a good idea, so the MOC and their staff actually get to know you, but be careful that it doesn't disqualify you. It might be deemed unfair to the others applying for the same nom. (You know employees of companies sponsoring give aways etc are often not eligible to take part? So the playing field is level for all?) I would reach out to your FFR/BGO/ALO etc or the MOCs office and find out for sure before you volunteer.
 
At my MOC’s Career day a couple years ago she had current cadets and mids do presentations about each of their academies. The young cadet from West Point had been an intern for the MOC. So I would say that it helped him!!!
 
Not clear if you are trying to get credit for something you previously did or are considering volunteering as a benefit in applying for a NOM. If something you did previously, like volunteer on a campaign while in high school, I would assume you were one of many doing entry level/basic tasks for the campaign. Doubt they would be worth putting on your resume. Volunteering at the MOC can back-fire if you come across to those you interact with as doing this simply to gain 'points' on your NOM application. MOC's typically delegate the NOM process to a committee of individuals you may never see before the interviews take place. Have to ask yourself would you have considered volunteering at the MOC's office if you were NOT applying to an SA?

Getting a NOM is not about being politically connected or who you know. For example, your parents donating to a particular politician likely will have no bearing on who gets a NOM.
 
Does it help you to get a nomination if you previously volunteer for a congressmen’s campaign/intern at their office or any of the sort? I assume it couldn’t hurt but just looking for advice.
thanks
Just reading this post really showed me I wasn't the only one like this when I needed a nomination which is assuring. It feels like everything is full circle if that makes sense. Anyways let me give some context and reply to your post. But keep in mind this is my experience and does not have a definitive answer. I am simply showing you my experience and how lucky I got.

So when I was a HS freshman, I realized that I wanted to serve as an officer and train through ROTC or West Point so I began planning early. At the end of 9th grade, I saw an opportunity to work under the Congressman in my district. I am interested in politics and government related work in general but I also knew that if I did this it could help me with receiving a nomination years down the line. So it was win win no matter what. Long story short, I did the internship like I normally would and happened to meet one of the guys who actually helps with setting up nominations and knows the people on the board. I casually mentioned that I wanted to serve as an officer and go to WP or a ROTC program when he asked what I wanted to do in life. In November 2020, when I did my nomination interview, he was there. However I pretended I didn't know him and he never acknowledged me either. I let my experiences and character do the talking and interviewed very well. After the interview, I simply sent a email saying it was good seeing him there and he replied back the same. Now whether he had an influence on me getting the nomination is simply something I'll never know. But what I am trying to say is that even with or without the job, if you have the mindset, character, and dedication, it'll work out for you. But it certainly wouldn't hurt to have that job on the resume when you send your application to them. But as someone stated earlier, make sure it doesn't cause them to disqualify you either. So this is my two cents.
 
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