What even is a "principal nomination" and how does it help

[ProcessingStill]

So according to the title my son has received a principal nomination and no one can seem to tell us if this is good or not, and how this affect his application.

 

[CoffeeMama]

From the Nominations FAQs

Nominations FAQ

Below are answers to many Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) re the nomination process. Thanks to USNABGO08 for assistance. As always, we've made every effort to be accurate but the below has not been reviewed or approved by any SA or MOC contact. NOTE: Nominations are a fairly complex...

www.serviceacademyforums.com

What are “principal” noms?

MOCs can submit their slate in one of three ways. It is ENTIRELY up to them; they can do it differently for different SAs and they can change their approach every year. Some may tell candidates how they do it but they aren’t required to.

The first way is “Principal Nominee with Competitive Alternates.” Here, the MOC makes one candidate his/her “principal nominee.” That means that, if that candidate is fully qualified, the SA MUST offer him/her an appointment. [Several years ago, a very small number of 3Qed candidates with principal noms to USNA did NOT receive appointments -- the law describing USNA admissions is worded slightly differently than for USAF and USMA. Thus, for USNA only, 3A+ a principal nom is almost a guarantee but not 100%]. Competitive alternates means that, if the principal nominee is not fully qualified, the SA has discretion in choosing the remaining 9 (or fewer if there were fewer than 10 nominees) if they are otherwise qualified.

The second way is “Principal Nominee with Ranked Alternates.” This differs from the above in that the MOC ranks all 10 of his/her nominees. The SA must go down the list. So, if the principal nominee isn’t qualified, the SA must offer the nomination to the next highest ranked, fully qualified candidate on the list and so on.

The third way is a competitive slate. Here, the MOC gives a list (or “slate”) of 10 (or fewer) candidates to the SA and lets the SA decide which one they think best for the offer of appointment. This is the MOST common method among MOCs.

 

[Heatherg21]

It's a good thing for sure.

 

[Capt MJ]

Bottom line - if the service academy finds him fully qualified (medical/DoDMERB, physical/CFA, academic/everything else that is evaluated), they are required to offer him an appointment. USNA technically has a little more wiggle room in the applicable statute, but USNA will typically offer an appointment if they find the applicant is fully qualified.

 

[justdoit19]

So according to the title my son has received a principal nomination and no one can seem to tell us if this is good or not, and how this affect his application.

Who is ‘no one’?? His BGO for sure could tell him.

 

[Heatherg21]

Who is ‘no one’?? His BGO for sure could tell him.

If his BGO can’t explain the principal nom, they are doing it wrong.

 

[BubbaCool12]

So according to the title my son has received a principal nomination and no one can seem to tell us if this is good or not, and how this affect his application.

It's phenomenal for your son's application process. Assuming he meets the qualification requirements, there is very little reason why he would not be appointed. Congrats!