<p>I blame it on my fat fingers and a new laptop keyboard.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>A brief comment on the issue of elections. No, the “new bum” does not get a new allotment of 5 at the SA…that allotment of 5 per SA is per seat of House of Reps or Senate. No matter which bum takes up the space.</p>
<p>The consternation in dealing with the changes elections bring lies mostly in a newbie not having a process for selections, perhaps a staff with no experience with SA’s, the need to appoint a new committee in their district to handle such things, etc. As alluded to in earlier posts, there are a variety of ways each MOC may name their slate of nominations. Interview or not. Competitive slate or principal nominee. Each one with a different deadline. And different methods of having the information/application submitted. Some want your application to include the letters of rec/evaluations in sealed envelopes, some want those items mailed directly to MOC.</p>
<p>Word to the wise. Read voraciously on this and the service academy forums. Read the Smallwood book. Read your MOC’s directions, then read them again with highlighter in hand. Follow them to a tee. We set up a long table in an unused room to organize the packets going to each MOC. </p>
<p>And don’t be afraid to ask the MOC’s office questions. “What type of slate do you use? Competitive or principal nominee?” Now is probably better for asking questions and understanding the process than late fall when they are inundated with applications, etc.</p>
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<p>Rangergal! You made me laugh. 
Blame it on my fat head! 
</p>
<p>Simple things for simple folk. 
:p</p>
<p>rangelady offered some good advice. The Smallwood book was a valuable resource for us. Make a timeline and keep a master calendar for deadlines. For college applications in general, go to Costco or some office supply store and buy a box of letter size envelopes and 8-1/2 by 11" envelopes. For high school counselor and those writing letters of recommendation, we included a checklist for them to follow. This is a time to kick a**. Get things in early otherwise you risk losing tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship money, e.g., service academy appointment and/or NROTC scholarship. Good luck, it’s worth it!</p>
<p>If you have an LOA make sure to mention it during your MOC interview (assuming you get to interview). I would leave it towards the end- meaning, make a “great first impression” first- then at the end, perhaps before winding it up with a handshake and “thank you for your time” at the close of the interview, slip in “I would really appreciate your consideration of a nomination. I have a letter of assurance, and this will be possible only with the help of your nomination.” (even though you most likely will be speaking to a committee appointed by the MOC).</p>
<p>What I would NOT do is bring up the LOA in the first few minutes of the interview. Impress the committee first- on your own- then when you have them convinced you are the best candidate since sliced bread, leave them with the news of the LOA- it will just validate their already-formed opinion of you!</p>