<p>Alcat, not real familiar with all the inner workings of AFA but since all three major service academies work basically the same, I will throw out my thoughts. I would be more inclined to listen to what the ALO said than the moralizings of a random poster. Good kids do make mistakes. At USNA, these candidates will write a statement and their package will go before a ‘character’ review board. If the board feels, from the statement, that the candidate has learned a lesson and will not repeat the mistake, the incident is not normally held against them. I would imagine that AFA has a somewhat similar process. There are mids/cadets today at all three academies who fall under this category.</p>
<p>There are several current threads over on the USNA forum which describe various ways that a ‘back door’ nomination may be obtained. Those in the ‘national pool’ do, in fact, need nominations and as your ALO alludes, the AFA will assist him in obtaining one.</p>
<p>Good luck. The only downside is that your situation probably forebodes a long wait. The qualified alternate pool can only be firmed up after the primary nominations have been awarded and the qualified alternate pool will have to be pretty much in place before your situation can be addressed.</p>