Declined...kinda...

[annie8080]

Hey everyone,

I was up for the April 15th board. I applied 1)INTEL 2) SWO 3) SNFO.

I was pre rec'd for SWO and SNFO, but was declined for INTEL. I was not aware that I would not be able to re-apply for 6 months if I was declined for one of my options and not the others. I want to re-apply for INTEL, but the boss says I need to wait 6 months, and turn down my other commissions. He said I also run the risk of not making it to the INTEL board in 6 months if my packet does not improve by quite a lot. Additionally, I risk not being allowed to re-apply for SWO after turning it down.

I would appreciate some insight into what my recruiter is telling me. Perhaps Goob would have time to comment on the INTEL selection? I was told people with Masters degrees and multiple language skills are getting picked up, and slots are filling quickly. Is there any wisdom in declining these commissioning options to re-apply for INTEL in 6 months?

Thanks in advance for any advice. The Navy is what I want to do, but I want to make sure I get it right. Thanks everyone.

~annie

 

[xmid]

Why did you put down a second or third choice if you didn't intend to accept if you were turned down for your first choice?

 

[HeyJoe]

A Bird in the hand....

Why did you put down a second or third choice if you didn't intend to accept if you were turned down for your first choice?

That's not helping her decide what to do. From what I heard, competition is super tight so you're really betting on the Come Line and risk losing everything for a longshot. Unless you want to change and go for IWO, my advice is to take one of the ones you did get selected for (a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush and you've got two in your hand).

 

[nugget81]

If you only want Intel, and want it badly enough, then turn the others down and reapply. If the other two sound like something you'd want to do, then accept one of them. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. We are adding cliches to our advice today, right?

 

[MasterBates]

I don't get why people put down things they don't want on the sheet.

When I applied, it was for Pilot only. When I went to OCS, I figured in case of NPQ for Pilot, NFO sounded cool, but I was going back to COMCIVFLT otherwise.

If you want to be a Pilot or NFO, take it. If you put them to appease a recruiter or someone else, stay civilian. There are plenty of others who would kill for that slot.

 

[Tyler]

From what I've learned over the past few months on this forum, Intel boards are only taking 2 or 3 people per board meeting with as many as 75 or more applying. Go read last month's board thread and look at the two guys who were picked up for INTEL, if you think you can compete with their stats, then take a shot...but I agree with HeyJoe. It's a very long shot for anyone. Plus you are more than likely throwing away your chances at the other two. I've seen exceptions, but who wants to take that gamble?

Personally, I'd take that NFO slot and count your blessings .

Congrats, btw!!

 

[bert]

You probably have a better shot at re-designating with a warfare pin - anybody have stats from the last couple boards?

 

[BackOrdered]

I second what Tyler said about blessings. SWO and SNFO are difficult and sought after, too. If you really don't think you will be happy as an NFO or as a sworrior, by all means don't come into the Navy doing something you'd hate. But like so many others have said, Intel is extremely difficult to get into.

 

[annie8080]

Thanks for the replies...
I heard its possible to move into intel after working with SWO for awhile. I actually think its a great idea to learn a deal about the ships first, then go into the field that helps strategically place them (intel). Do I need to finish 4 years of SWO, or only recieve my Officer of the Deck pin before requesting to be re-designated? I realize intel is a long shot... Im decently competitve, but no miss America. My portfolio is what it is (only being a junior in college and all) and I want to head out right after college...

 

[VetteMuscle427]

Could always do the hated NFO + DOR as soon as you get to API. Sit around, and get that Intel slot. Worst thing that would happen is you get sent SWO.

Although, I doubt you'll get much support for that idea around these parts.

 

[annie8080]

Sorry Vette, that suggestion went right over my head. What is DOR and API, and why wouldn't your suggestion fly around here?

 

[scoober78]

Could always do the hated NFO + DOR as soon as you get to API. Sit around, and get that Intel slot. Worst thing that would happen is you get sent SWO.

Although, I doubt you'll get much support for that idea around these parts.

Yeah...that's a BIT$^ move...

Don't take a slot from someone who's only dream has been SWO or NFO with the intention of DOR'ing.

 

[whalepelt]

Sorry Vette, that suggestion went right over my head. What is DOR and API, and why wouldn't your suggestion fly around here?

API is the first phase of aviation training and DOR is a Drop on Request (ie, you request to drop out). After someone DOR's they have to get redesignated to something, so someone might try to get into API with a plan of dropping out and trying to get intel, etc..

As scoober said, that deprives someone who wanted to be there the seat and such shadiness is certainly beneath someone with a commission.

 

[skim]

I say take one or the other. You put down 3 choices, and got picked twice. You do want to be an Officer first right? I applied and was denied Intel but got what I wanted in the end. Just remember, even a lion must eat from the fermented berry tree (bad cliche)

 

[Thisguy]

Additionally, I risk not being allowed to re-apply for SWO after turning it down.

I fail to see the threat.

Do I need to finish 4 years of SWO, or only recieve my Officer of the Deck pin before requesting to be re-designated?

In all seriousness, lat xfer isn't a bad idea in this case. I highly discourage anyone from taking a comission with the intent of going into aviation because that's a lot harder, but SWO is such a large community that they can affort to allow people to lat xfer, while the small communities like intel are looking for warfare qualified JOs to bolster their ranks.

Enough of that, I'll answer your question: The minimum is two years of commissioned service and a warfare pin (where available). Also, it's just called a SWO pin, and it goes great with your SWOter and SWOughnuts.