What is the difference between a “Principal” and a numbered “Alternate” nomination?
Principal and numbered Alternate nominations are used for nominations submitted to the Air Force , Military ( West Point ) , and Naval service academies. The nomination process through my office is a competitive process, whereby 10 candidates are named to compete for a single vacancy. Of the 10 candidates for a vacancy, a single candidate is designated as the “Principal nominee” and the other 9 are designated as numbered “Alternates.” The service academy will evaluate the nominations and an appointment will be offered to the Principal nomination if he/she meets the academy’s qualifying requirements. A Principal cannot be stepped over unless he/she is not qualified. Only then can the selection process move on to the Number One Alternate. This nomination cannot be stepped over unless he/she is ineligible, etc. The selection process moves on numerically until a candidate is selected who is qualified. Since the Merchant Marine Academy nominations compete in a state quota rather than a Memb
