<p>Babble-on - I am not sure if you have read any of the other threads on this forum or not but you have again demonstrated that you do not understand the process - </p>
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<p>In the former - All Congressmen must abide by the law - US Code Title X.
Here is the reference for you:
[US</a> CODE–TITLE 10–ARMED FORCES](<a href=“http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title10/title10.html]US”>http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title10/title10.html)</p>
<p>I don’t know what you are referencing with your 160 nominations but an MOC may not give an unlimited number of nominations. They submit a slate of 10 nominees for each open slot available - ONE candidate from that slate of 10 nominees will receive an appointment (as long as one is deemed qualified).
Sometimes a congressman has more than one vacancy to fill and they submit two slates of 10 for each vacancy and can give more than one nomination in a single year.</p>
<p>So, yes you are quite correct that a nomination does not equal an appointment. This is a point I have tried to make clear to candidates and parents. In fact several nominations does not always translate into an appointment. I don’t think anyone on this forum has ever implied that getting a nomination = getting an appointment. It is just one step in the process.</p>
<p>As far as the latter - It is far from obvious. There are more talented, squared-away nominated kids than there are spaces available.
Not every talented, squared-away, nominated kid will receive an appointment.</p>
<p>But guess what? The coolest thing about the service academies is that if you don’t make it the first go - you can try again. You can go to college, take ROTC, stay fit and give it another go. Try that with applying to Harvard.</p>