<p>Hey Everyone and Welcome Future Class of '10,</p>
<pre><code> I'm a Plebe that just finished out plebe summer here at the academy. I was on this board all the time last year, so I thought it'd be nice to come back and provide answers to the questions that I wish I had known. You can ask me anything, even down to the smallest things. Just post on this thread, and I'll check in periodically to follow-up on questions.
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<p>*A word of advice - I know everyone is excited to come here, but seriously...don't make the committment unless you have motivation from within that is more than just "I'm proud to be the military". Let me tell you, that fades away quickly during the summer, and you find yourself looking to your friends to get you through the many trials here. Honestly think why you want to be here. Make sure you have a solid answer that will not waiver when the going gets tough...That was my little warning to everyone, we had some drop out this summer, and it's always sad to see that. With that, good luck everyone and I'll keep in touch. Go Navy! Beat Army!</p>
<p>Yes, there are many prior enlisted plebes here. The stats show that there are only a few in terms of actual numbers, but I have a prior marine in my squad, and about three or four immediate friends from the Navy. I know of two of them that were Nukes. Priors are the best because they have the experience and they always have the best stories.</p>
<p>I just had a quick question about the nomination process...</p>
<p>From what I understand the congrrestional nomination is only good for one academy? (USMA, USNA USAFA etc...) So this means that Ill probably just be applying to one academy. But from what ive been hearing from other people, 1 congressional nomination is good for any service academy? Is that true? Im not sure what the story is on this one.</p>
<p>From our experience, the candidate sends a letter to the MsOC and indicates their own preferential ranking of each academy. The MOC then creates their nomination list, and the academy they give you the nomination to is the one you are competing for an appointment from. That said, you could get a USAFA nom from one MOC and a USNA from another, so you would be competing for slots at 2 different academies. Then there are other sources of noms. Are you eligible for a Presidential? Then other rules apply.</p>
<p>Hope I helped! Remember, this is from our experience, the experience of others may differ (can you say disclaimer;-)</p>
<p>To get things straight...You apply to whatever academy you desire (Coast Guard does not require a nomination). You then apply to the Congressmen for a nomination simultaneously. You apply for a nomination to a certain academy, NOT for a general nomination. They then, after a rediculously long period, will call or write you, informing you that you have been granted an interview. You go to that interview, being questioned about that one specific academy, and people are chosen from those interviews.</p>
<p>Apply -> Some get interviews -> Some from that group get nominations -> Some who get nominations actually get appointments</p>
<p>Hi Hugh. Our son applied to only the maritime academies as thats where his interests were. When he applied for nominations through his nominating sources, he gave them the #1, #2, #3 choices per their request on their applications. In the end he received a total of five. Two to USNA and Three to USMMA. The sources included a Senator, two Congressmen and one through NJROTC. As nuts as it may seem, he received nominations to both USNA & USMMA through one Congressman. USMMA was his first choice and indicated it on the paper work they'd requested. He is at USMMA c/o 2009. Great luck to you!</p>
<p>Each Member of Congress determines his/her process. Some will nominate a single candidate for more than one Academy, some will not. Some will not even interview a candidate who already has a nomination to their #1 academy choice.</p>
<p>It all depends on the individual MOC and how they feel it is the most fair to their constituents. </p>
<p>Can you apply for nomination with a congressman outside your district? I'm assuming that's how people are getting multiple nominations as Jamzmom's son did. How does that work----do you send something to as many congressmen as you can? very confused.....</p>
<p>e766, you have four nomination opportunities open to you. Your states two senators, the vice president, and your districts congressman. I have a presidential nomination which is only open to sons/daughters of those who served something like 20+ years in the military.</p>
<p>Speaking of nominations, considering how most nominations dont come back until around december, january. How are people supposed to take advantage of the November date which starts rolling admissions? [I think rolling admissions starts 11/15]. </p>
<p>Im wondering if this would put anyone at a disadvantage completing the application january or decemeber.
-Gonavy 87, when did you complete your application? Was the rolling admissions date a hurry?</p>
<p>Presidentials can get in before the MsOC put in their nominations. Assuming that your file is complete and DoDMERB in order, if you have a presidential and they want you, you can get in very early. Our son got in in December, before he even found out about his noms from MsOC.</p>
<p>Hugh Jass: it is our understanding USNA admissions board meets reguarly..at least weekly... (starting as early as Sept) and reviews those files that are completed...everyone advised our son to complete his application timely as the process starts well before the Nov early admission dates at other schools....the USNA admission board can, and does, offer LOA (letters of assurance) to strong candidates, offering admission pending a nomination, which depending on where you live, can come as late as January. It is also our understanding the admissions board forwards a list of those candidated who have reveived a LOA to the MsOC letting them know you have been offered a seat.....
best of luck~</p>
<p>e766
No, you may not apply for a nomination to a Representative outside your home District.</p>
<p>In addition to the above stated sources of nominations (2 Senators, 1 Representative, Vice President and President (if you met the criteria) )nominations can come from other sources, but cannot be applied for.
These include the Superintendent, and Secretary of the Navy. If you are a very, very (did I say very) highly qualified candidate and they really, really want you, they will make sure that a nomination is forthcoming.</p>
<p>Nominations for more than one Academy can be awarded by a MOC. Thus the candidate could receive two nominations (for different academies) from a single MOC. This is less likely in very competitive states, where MOC prefer to spread things out among a greater number of constituents.
CM</p>
<p>Good explanations everyone! I just wanted to add another source, that I'd mentioned above. The ROTC/JROTC ones you can get from a 20 year military guy. Jamz received a NJROTC from a Lt. Commander as well. It could have been used on it's own merit without the other sources. And yes, Lyferemixed, sure your "neighbor's" is good enough. You've got to get a nomination to be accepted into any of the academies except the Coast Guard Academy. Better get on over there and start mowing his yard & washing his car! ;) LOL
All you need is one no matter the source. Great Luck!</p>
<p>You can only get a nomintion from Congressmen. That means only Senators or members of the House of Reps. There are exceptions: Presidential, Vice Presidential, and Medal of Honor nominations, but your neighbor must be one of the formentioned.</p>
<p>GoNavy, I kinda gotta disagree with your statement. You can get a ROTC Units/NJROTC nomination. I found Jamz's letter from the Department of the Navy, Office of Admissions, USNA states, dated October 20, 2004 and thought I'd post it in case anyone else would fall into the ROTC catagory. I quote:</p>
<p>Dear Jamz,(hee hee)
Congratulations! You have received a ROTC Units/NJROTC nomination. You are now eligible to compete for an appointment to the class of 2009.</p>
<p>As a reminder, all candidates, regardless of the type of nomination they hold, must qualify scholastically and medically and pass the pysical aptitude exam (PAE). </p>
<p>And continues with additional information from there. This was given before he'd gotten all other nominations which began coming in around December and January. </p>
<p>Please don't feel like I'm correcting you or anything. Its just that there is another source other than Congressmen & the others you'd mentioned.</p>