National OPO Blog

[National OPO]

National OPO,

So does that mean that the July-Sept OCS classes for Pilot and NFO will likely be filled with people accepted from the February and earlier boards or is there a chance that some accepted in the April/May board will make it to these classes? Any insight is greatly appreciated!

Yes, we fill upcoming OCS classes based on "first come-first served" from the list of applicants selected from previous boards. So we start at the top of list and start placing them into future OCS classes based on their availability date on their application or based on input through their recruiter ("applicant wants to ship during MMM-MMM timframe if possible"). It is a running process. As boards are conducted and individuals "selected", and as they finalize all post-board processing and are ready to ship, then we place them into a future OCS class based on when they become ready to ship and based on availability date/info. First in-next out. Once we assign an OCS date, we try NOT to move that date to minimize conflict and stress on the applicant, although we might on a case-by-case basis and when needed, ask individual applicants to roll-up to back-fill declines or other vacancies or in response to an immediate goal increase by higher authority. We dont have too many applicants selected from boards too long ago that havent already been assigned an OCS date that will occur within the next few months. Even those applicants that might be finishing college this spring will ship within a month or so after graduating. So yes, there does still exist the chance that applicants selected at the next board (May timframe) could be placed into one of those OCS classes occurring in the July-Sept timeframe. It all depends on the list of prior-selects ready and waiting to ship and how fast we are able to run through that list to get to those applicants selected at the ~May board.

 

[Surf]

Yes, we fill upcoming OCS classes based on "first come-first served" from the list of applicants selected from previous boards. So we start at the top of list and start placing them into future OCS classes based on their availability date on their application or based on input through their recruiter ("applicant wants to ship during MMM-MMM timframe if possible"). It is a running process. As boards are conducted and individuals "selected", and as they finalize all post-board processing and are ready to ship, then we place them into a future OCS class based on when they become ready to ship and based on availability date/info. First in-next out. Once we assign an OCS date, we try NOT to move that date to minimize conflict and stress on the applicant, although we might on a case-by-case basis and when needed, ask individual applicants to roll-up to back-fill declines or other vacancies or in response to an immediate goal increase by higher authority. We dont have too many applicants selected from boards too long ago that havent already been assigned an OCS date that will occur within the next few months. Even those applicants that might be finishing college this spring will ship within a month or so after graduating. So yes, there does still exist the chance that applicants selected at the next board (May timframe) could be placed into one of those OCS classes occurring in the July-Sept timeframe. It all depends on the list of prior-selects ready and waiting to ship and how fast we are able to run through that list to get to those applicants selected at the ~May board.

Thank you for the clarification Sir. I was given an OCS date of AUG 31, but told my recruiter I could ship/would like to ship sooner if possible.

 

[Fronch]

Question about designators requiring a security clearance: Is the FS letter contingent on the clearance? In other words, am I waiting for my clearance to be processed before NRC can assign me an OCS date? I haven't been contacted by anyone regarding my clearance yet, and I'm not sure if this is typical.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Question about designators requiring a security clearance: Is the FS letter contingent on the clearance? In other words, am I waiting for my clearance to be processed before NRC can assign me an OCS date? I haven't been contacted by anyone regarding my clearance yet, and I'm not sure if this is typical.

Yes.

 

[Tycho_Brohe]

I haven't been contacted by anyone regarding my clearance yet, and I'm not sure if this is typical.

I didn't get the call from OPM until a week before I left for OCS. We had to do some serious scrambling to make it work, but as long as your paperwork is in order, previous addresses, former employers, etc. there shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Hybrid55]

Yes, we fill upcoming OCS classes based on "first come-first served" from the list of applicants selected from previous boards. So we start at the top of list and start placing them into future OCS classes based on their availability date on their application or based on input through their recruiter ("applicant wants to ship during MMM-MMM timframe if possible"). It is a running process. As boards are conducted and individuals "selected", and as they finalize all post-board processing and are ready to ship, then we place them into a future OCS class based on when they become ready to ship and based on availability date/info. First in-next out. Once we assign an OCS date, we try NOT to move that date to minimize conflict and stress on the applicant, although we might on a case-by-case basis and when needed, ask individual applicants to roll-up to back-fill declines or other vacancies or in response to an immediate goal increase by higher authority. We dont have too many applicants selected from boards too long ago that havent already been assigned an OCS date that will occur within the next few months. Even those applicants that might be finishing college this spring will ship within a month or so after graduating. So yes, there does still exist the chance that applicants selected at the next board (May timframe) could be placed into one of those OCS classes occurring in the July-Sept timeframe. It all depends on the list of prior-selects ready and waiting to ship and how fast we are able to run through that list to get to those applicants selected at the ~May board.

Thank you for the thorough and informative reply, I appreciate it!

 

[National OPO]

Question about designators requiring a security clearance: Is the FS letter contingent on the clearance? In other words, am I waiting for my clearance to be processed before NRC can assign me an OCS date? I haven't been contacted by anyone regarding my clearance yet, and I'm not sure if this is typical.

Per the Program Authorization for IW, available for viewing at, http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/Program-Authorizations.htm, applicants selected for IW must eventually be able to obtain a TS/SCI security clearance. This requires the applicant to conduct an SCI pre-screening interview (by phone) with the Navy's Fleet Cyber Command Security Directorate office in DC as part of their background investigation and security cleareance screening. As such, you should work with your recruiter to contact the SSO officer in DC to arrange for a telephone interview to complete this SCI pre-screening - if not already scheduled. Once done, your background investigation paperwork (that super-large SF86 form that asked for childhood friends, etc), along with the SCI pre-screening results, are actually sent to OPM and DoD Central Adjudication Facility to commence the process by which you are assigned a TS/SCI security clearance. NRC is not actually the entity that does background investigations or assigns security clearances - entities up in DC do that. Once the entire collection of paperwork is received in DC and NRC gets confirmation that they have it for action and are starting their investigation, the NRC will go ahead and issue you your Final Select letter with assigned OCS ship date. We cant issue you your letter until then to prevent possibly shipping you to OCS just for your security clearance to be denied or disapproved (for whatever potential reason). Hope this helps explain the process.

 

[National OPO]

All - please feel free to pass around this blog site, but wanted to provide some insight into the physical fitness requirements upon arrival at OCS. Your recruiter (if being worked through an NRD) should be telling you that the more in-shape you are upon arrival at OCS, then your time at OCS will be that much easier. Every class we have folks that show up not in good shape and getting rolled over into Holding Company to work on their physical conditioning. Dont be one of those Officer Candidates. During your first week, the staff at OCS will be yelling at ya, waking you up early, and running you all over the place. On that first Wednesday, you will perform a standard Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT) in which you will be required to perform push-ups, sit-ups, and perform a run - all timed. Failing any portion of this will result in your immediate rolling to Holding Company. Then again on Friday morning, you will have a cardio event (not a standard Navy PRT), but more along the line of scissor kicks, 4-count burpees, squat thrusts, etc. Stuff that makes you want to throw up and uses muscle not normally used. But like with the Wednesday morning PRT, should anyone fall out or be unable to keep up, they will be rolled back to Holding Company to work on their cardio fitness. So please take serious getting into shape prior to shipping to OCS to minimize your chance of 1) being rolled back, and 2) getting injured. Work on upper body strength as well as cardio. Dont limit yourself to just push-ups, sit-ups, and straight-stick running (although good to be proficient in each of these) but instead consider some cross training to get the majority of your muscles ready for OCS. Otherwise your legs and back and under-used muscles, coupled with sleep deprivation, are going to be hurting after the first week at OCS.

 

[Fronch]

As such, you should work with your recruiter to contact the SSO officer in DC to arrange for a telephone interview to complete this SCI pre-screening - if not already scheduled.

This is the info I was looking for. I have contacted my OR to see about doing that ASAP. Thanks!

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

All - please feel free to pass around this blog site, but wanted to provide some insight into the physical fitness requirements upon arrival at OCS. Your recruiter (if being worked through an NRD) should be telling you that the more in-shape you are upon arrival at OCS, then your time at OCS will be that much easier. Every class we have folks that show up not in good shape and getting rolled over into Holding Company to work on their physical conditioning. Dont be one of those Officer Candidates. During your first week, the staff at OCS will be yelling at ya, waking you up early, and running you all over the place. On that first Wednesday, you will perform a standard Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT) in which you will be required to perform push-ups, sit-ups, and perform a run - all timed. Failing any portion of this will result in your immediate rolling to Holding Company. Then again on Friday morning, you will have a cardio event (not a standard Navy PRT), but more along the line of scissor kicks, 4-count burpees, squat thrusts, etc. Stuff that makes you want to throw up and uses muscle not normally used. But like with the Wednesday morning PRT, should anyone fall out or be unable to keep up, they will be rolled back to Holding Company to work on their cardio fitness. So please take serious getting into shape prior to shipping to OCS to minimize your chance of 1) being rolled back, and 2) getting injured. Work on upper body strength as well as cardio. Dont limit yourself to just push-ups, sit-ups, and straight-stick running (although good to be proficient in each of these) but instead consider some cross training to get the majority of your muscles ready for OCS. Otherwise your legs and back and under-used muscles, coupled with sleep deprivation, are going to be hurting after the first week at OCS.

There's an OCS physical training guide booklet that helps out with all of this, especially for those behind the curve with physical fitness. Your recruiter SHOULD have some or at least more ordered and arriving soon. It'll even give suggested workouts everyday up to six weeks to help get you where you need to be.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

All - please feel free to pass around this blog site, but wanted to provide some insight into the physical fitness requirements upon arrival at OCS. Your recruiter (if being worked through an NRD) should be telling you that the more in-shape you are upon arrival at OCS, then your time at OCS will be that much easier. Every class we have folks that show up not in good shape and getting rolled over into Holding Company to work on their physical conditioning. Dont be one of those Officer Candidates. During your first week, the staff at OCS will be yelling at ya, waking you up early, and running you all over the place. On that first Wednesday, you will perform a standard Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT) in which you will be required to perform push-ups, sit-ups, and perform a run - all timed. Failing any portion of this will result in your immediate rolling to Holding Company. Then again on Friday morning, you will have a cardio event (not a standard Navy PRT), but more along the line of scissor kicks, 4-count burpees, squat thrusts, etc. Stuff that makes you want to throw up and uses muscle not normally used. But like with the Wednesday morning PRT, should anyone fall out or be unable to keep up, they will be rolled back to Holding Company to work on their cardio fitness. So please take serious getting into shape prior to shipping to OCS to minimize your chance of 1) being rolled back, and 2) getting injured. Work on upper body strength as well as cardio. Dont limit yourself to just push-ups, sit-ups, and straight-stick running (although good to be proficient in each of these) but instead consider some cross training to get the majority of your muscles ready for OCS. Otherwise your legs and back and under-used muscles, coupled with sleep deprivation, are going to be hurting after the first week at OCS.

Shame on the OR that doesn't properly brief their applicants on physical preperation, but I know there are ones that do not.

 

[A_Longo88]

Good Afternoon Sir,
I was curious to see if you could provide us with some info on the Supply Pro Board.

Have they been meeting on schedule?

What was the selection percentage like in the Jan/March boards?

What are some of the stronger qualities that they look for?(technical degree, OAR, GPA, evals, etc.)

Are there any special requirements for submitting a package to the supply board as opposed to Pilot, NFO, SWO ???

Any help would be great. I am having a tough time deciding on which programs to apply for when I submit my application in July.

V/R,

AS1 Longoria

 

[National OPO]

Good Afternoon Sir,
I was curious to see if you could provide us with some info on the Supply Pro Board.

Have they been meeting on schedule?

What was the selection percentage like in the Jan/March boards?

What are some of the stronger qualities that they look for?(technical degree, OAR, GPA, evals, etc.)

Are there any special requirements for submitting a package to the supply board as opposed to Pilot, NFO, SWO ???

Any help would be great. I am having a tough time deciding on which programs to apply for when I submit my application in July.

V/R,

AS1 Longoria

AS1 - wow, strong looking package! The AC Supply board has had some boards get cancelled or combined simply due to low accession quotas assigned to NRC compared to the volume of previously selected applicants. So NRC, combined with the Supply community, did cancel the Nov13 board and the Mar14 board simply because we havent needed to hold those boards. We did hold the Aug13, Jan14, and are looking to hold the upcoming 09Jun14 board. Supply community selection rates have been pretty low over the last few boards - only about 15-20%. This is due to high application volume compared to relatively low accession quotas. So the community has been able to be pretty selective with the applications. You have a lot going for you. The only "flag" that I see looking at you as a Supply applicant might be your degree and officer interviews. The Supply Program Authorization says the community prefers technical and Business degrees - but the truth is that they prefer business degree first and then will conside technical degrees. Also, have you considered getting some Interviews or LORs from some senior Supply Corps officers - O-6 or perhaps even Flag officers? The Supply community loves to see strong recommendations from other SC officers. Regarding your degree, have you perhaps also considered applying to IP or IW as well as Supply? If not, why? Give yourself the most opportunities for a commission. Why limit yourself to just Supply? You dont have to answer, just asking the question.

 

[A_Longo88]

Sir,

Thank you for the quick response!

I currently plan on applying for 1. AMDO (in hopes that the fall board isn't cancelled) 2. NFO (I have a waiver pending that should be completed by July) 3. I'm stuck between SWO/ SWO(IP) / Supply.

I will be re-taking my ASTB to help improve my scores and make them more competitive

If I were to be going the supply route, I have an O-5 Suppo and many O-3s here at my command who I could get interviews from.

My plan is to have my package in by mid July to make the Fall AMDO board, the rolling NFO board, and possibly one other in the AUG/SEP time frame.

My #1 goal right now is to get commissioned, but I would also like to have a job that I enjoy.

This will be my one and only OCS application before I transfer to the USS CARL VINSON in December.

 

[National OPO]

AS1, the Aug14 AMDO board is still scheduled. I dont expect that one to be cancelled unless our FY15 OCS accession quotas for AMDO were to go to zero (not expected). You would be a shoe-in for NFO as long as you have the ASTB-E, AQR, and FOFAR scores to be eligible. You would also have a good shot for SWO. SWO-IP uses the IP eligibility criteria for their selection and not the SWO critera. And we already talked about Supply. Best of luck whichever way you decide to go and remember that you can apply more than once should you not make it your first time through - assuming that you remain eligible in all other regards.