Applying to Jan board 2013

[ChelseaRuthless]

Seems like you have your stuff together!

I sure hope so! This has been the hardest uphill battle I've ever come against in my life, and I've never wanted to do anything more. I'm feeling really confident about it this time.

The news from my OR that the potential to have a class date in Jan. really came as a shock to me, however. Especially since I just took a full time position with an accountant to work during tax season literally the same week my OR called. Last I had heard before that, I the earliest I'd ship would've been next summer. Regardless, I'm hoping for the best and whising everyone else the same. Let the anxiety ensue!

 

[Tycho_Brohe]

It may depend too on what platform you're flying and the systems onboard or the systems you are using.

Speaking of which, all you SNA/NFO applicants, what platform are you all hoping for, ideally? Fixed wing vs helo, jets vs AEW/ASW vs whatever else there is.

At first I thought I'd like to fly the E-2 Hawkeye, but several conversations have led me more towards the Super Hornet or Growler. Still not entirely sure yet.

 

[Chemystery]

Helicopters here man. I love me some rotary winged goodness!

Hail to the gyroscope!

 

[AllYourBass]

Speaking of which, all you SNA/NFO applicants, what platform are you all hoping for, ideally? Fixed wing vs helo, jets vs AEW/ASW vs whatever else there is.

At first I thought I'd like to fly the E-2 Hawkeye, but several conversations have led me more towards the Super Hornet or Growler. Still not entirely sure yet.

I haven't given this much thought at all. The most specific I've gotten in my own mind—without any conversations or explicable reasons to back the thoughts up—is that I'd like to either "fly jets" or "fly big fixed wing aircraft." I figure I'll start to narrow my dreams down if I get selected for SNA

 

[WilliamC]

Same here. I have gone through so many phases where I thought one or the other would be awesome, and have ended up thinking that absolutely any platform would be awesome. I figure if I'm selected and I make up my mind in flight school after getting a more intimate view into each pipeline, then that would be ok. Most of the time though, including now, I lean toward helos.

Edit... Hence my avatar... lol

 

[BusyBee604]

Considering GPA and ASTB are the main factors, will my GPA significantly harm me?

It's hard to fathom this disparity... usually above average GPAs equate to high ASTBs. Must be a reason, too much night life... not enough scholastic effort? I'd be less than honest if I said no harm-no foul. How significantly, no one but the board members can determine.

I hear my flight time helps offset low GPAs but I cannot recall who and how accurate the source of that info was.

Generally speaking, that is bad gouge. The problem is that the GPA (not logged GA flight time), is a prime factor in being selected (i.e., getting in the door). You could have a bushel of prior time, but if you don't get in the door...what good is it? Prior flight time may/may not result in slightly higher flight grades (mainly in instruments), but overall, not a significant 'edge'. It depends on how quickly you can shed [some] GA habit patterns/procedures, and relearn to fly "THE NAVY WAY", which is not the same as GA (or the USAF), in many ways! Not trying to be a wet blanket, it is what it is. I wish you good luck.
BzB

 

[LFCFan]

Speaking of which, all you SNA/NFO applicants, what platform are you all hoping for, ideally? Fixed wing vs helo, jets vs AEW/ASW vs whatever else there is.

At first I thought I'd like to fly the E-2 Hawkeye, but several conversations have led me more towards the Super Hornet or Growler. Still not entirely sure yet.

I grew up around fighters, so the hornet and growler are my first choice. Rotary wing would be cool as well, and I've spoken to a few naval aviators who have both said that about 50% of new SNAs are going that way these days. Really, I just want to be on a carrier.

If SNFO, hornets and growlers all the way!

 

[LFCFan]

Generally speaking, that is bad gouge. The problem is that the GPA (not logged GA flight time), is a prime factor in being selected (i.e., getting in the door). You could have a bushel of prior time, but if you don't get in the door...what good is it? Prior flight time may/may not result in slightly higher flight grades (mainly in instruments), but overall, not a significant 'edge'. It depends on how quickly you can shed [some] GA habit patterns/procedures, and relearn to fly "THE NAVY WAY", which is not the same as GA (or the USAF), in many ways! Not trying to be a wet blanket, it is what it is. I wish you good luck.
BzB

Probably true right now sir, but there are plans for a "quality" vs "not quality" filter in the OCS boards of the near future, and apparently flight hours are one way for those with sub-3.0s to avoid getting stuck in the "not quality" pile, which is likely what TolgaK is thinking of.

 

[kbrunick]

Been lurking for awhile, applied for Dec 3 board, figured I'd say hello to everyone.

Male, 24, non-prior, SNA/NFO

3.93 - Computer Information Systems Degree, Northern Arizona Univ.
3.95 - Masters in Business Administration, Univ. of South Dakota

ASTB Results: 7(AQR), 7(PFAR), 8(FOFAR), 62

 

[BusyBee604]

At first I thought I'd like to fly the E-2 Hawkeye, but several conversations have led me more towards the Super Hornet or Growler. Still not entirely sure yet.

Wow, if you're not entirely sure between these two platforms... go with the Hawkeye. Obviously you haven't witnessed a Blue Angel show, or sat through "Top Gun"! lol

BTW, for all prospective SNAs, tomorrow night... Sat. 12/09 @ 8pm EST, the Military Channel will air "The Bridges at Toko-Ri", my all-time favorite flick. I first saw it in 1957, while a NAVCAD in API at Pensacola. It pumped me to switch my goal from ASW to VF Jets (got an FJ-4 "Fury" Squadron upon winging out of advanced), the next 18 years were awesome!

BzB

 

[Artur]

I spoke with my OR early this week because I was shocked that my security clearance investigation started so early in the process (I am not prior service). I applied to the 03 Dec board, and my investigation is already coming to a close, and I've already been PQed. My OR said the same thing a lot of these other guys are saying: results next week, if I am prorec'ed y, enlisting the week before Christmas, and reporting to OTC in January or February. But I agree, I'll believe it when it happens...

I think this may be my first post, but I'm a longtime lurker on AW. I've been working on getting into OCS just shy of 2 years now, and this is my second board. I put in for IW back in April and was a non-select, going for SWO this time. So hey guys!

Could you possibly say a few things as to what your investigation was? Such as what did they do, if you had to meet with anyone , maybe questions they ask ?

Would greatly appreciate the insight since i will be going trough one soon, but don't know really what to expect.

Thanks in advance !

 

[TolgaK]

It's hard to fathom this disparity... usually above average GPAs equate to high ASTBs. Must be a reason, too much night life... not enough scholastic effort? I'd be less than honest if I said no harm-no foul. How significantly, no one but the board members can determine.

The transcript shows the story. If they look at it, they'll see what happened. I had problems with one specific subject and was persistent repeating it until I earned a B. I had trouble in another subject as well. I switched majors, got my act together, and pulled up my GPA from a super low number to that 2.92. I flew multiple times a week, was involved in a bunch of school clubs, and took a semester at another school for EMT-B (starting a potential back up career), and for a while had a job. I was most busy after the degree change. There's a semester or two in the dean's list as well. My recommendations from my bosses in aviation work shows reliability, and the ability to learn quickly and adapt to new styles of flying. The ASTB is significant because it shows that I can study and and work under pressure.

Even if they don't look that deep, a quick scan will show grades across the board to start, lower grades in the second year, and higher grades to the end. It's easy to assume I was a careless party-animal when looking at that one number. I trust that if they really are looking at the "whole person," the timeline one can build from my package will show someone who figured things out during college instead of before. What I'm worried about is if they don't make any attempt to do this, and just dismiss me because of some arbitrary minimum.

The problem is that the GPA (not logged GA flight time), is a prime factor in being selected (i.e., getting in the door). You could have a bushel of prior time, but if you don't get in the door...what good is it?

As LFC already mentioned, it was the quality vs. non-quality pile that flight time can help me get on the good side of (so I've heard). 3.0 isn't a hard minimum in any case, it's more like a detent.

 

[Grantspec]

My grandpa flew close air support in his F4U-4 for alot of those bridge bombing missions in Korea! I've never heard of that movie but I will definitely watch!

 

[WilliamC]

In my interview with my investigator this tuesday, we basically just went over my SF-86 and made sure everything was correct. She had called me a few days before and we made a time to meet and she me a couple more references to gather from different schools I had attended or residences I had lived at in the past. I guess she wanted a couple more than the NASIS site required. In all I gave her about six more names numbers and addresses during the interview with whom she followed up with in the next couple days, and she has appointments with others next week. She was super nice and easy to talk to. There was no grilling, or intimidation. This may be rare, but I understand that the investigators are reasonable, professional, and polite as long as you are too. I asked her for her business card which she was very willing to provide. I think as long as there is not a ton of time spent abroad, foreign contacts, or other issues such as drug use or rehab etc. it should be pretty painless. We talked for a couple minutes about I trip I took to Italy a couple years ago, and since it was just a simple vacation is was no sweat to get the bases covered. We made casual talk throughout the entire thing, and I felt great about talking to her. That interview really put me at ease about the whole process. I had reserved us a study room in my university library to chat and it was easy. It took about 45 minutes.

At least that is how it went for me. As long as there is nothing major to account for, you shouldn't sweat it.

 

[JoJoGoHard]

Artur, allow me to clarify a few things regarding a TSC/I Security Clearance... Currently being AD and having a TSC/I Clearance myself, the process is pretty much straight forward and direct... After completion of your SF-86 paperwork/package, it will be reviewed and processed... Once that is accomplished, NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigation Services) will send an agent to ask you questions regarding your Top Secret Clearance... You will be asked questions regarding your association with Foreign Nationals, Credit Report, do you drink alcohol, how often, childhood upbringing, have you ever been fired from a job, how many jobs have you held , criminal records... That's just to name a few... It is basically a check on your creditability... They will have already talked to your references... To make a long story short, despite if you have ever been in any trouble, regarding criminal activity or anything along those lines, just be truthful and honest about it... Think about it, if you have a criminal record, they will know about it, speeding tickets exceeding a 300.00 dollar fine, misdemeanors or anything... Honestly is the best policy... As long as everything is documented you will have no issues being issued a Top Secret Clearance... Definitely good to have Clearance to have... Will be good for up to 5 years and in the civilian sector realm, goes a long way... I know of a lot of "shipmates" who have gotten out of the enlisted ranks because of having a TSC/I and could get a job making 50-60 thousand out in the civilian world just because they have a top secret... Good luck with you Clearance, but you should be fine...