27 Female. DUI in August 2014. Tattoos. Navy Veteran. I have faith...

[AndriFlyHigh]

Hello,
My name is Andri
Boy am I late to the gun show!

I joined the Navy at 17 with hopes to go officer and be a Navy pilot but I went in without designation like my recruiter instructed. I got out at age 23 because I wanted to get a taste of the "real world"(I don't like the flavor!). Honestly, I have an itch for military life that won't ever go away. I'll be 28 next month. I've contacted a few officer recruiters about joining and I'm getting the same responses

Tattoos: We can waive those...
Age: You have until you're 29...
DUI: Wow that screws your chances a bit, but let's see what we can do. You have to wait a full year before you can submit the application. It will be a year the end of August 2015.

My degree is in Business 3.15 GPA
I haven't taken or even began to study for the ASTB, because I had no idea I still had a chance because of my DUI last year until I called yesterday(2.24.15).

I am currently in college for an Associates in Commercial Aviation.
I also train at College Aviation and I should have my private pilots license by the end of June.

I do not know what my pros and cons are that's why I'm here to meet you kind folk!

I have so much faith in making the passion I've had for flying in the Navy since I was about 16 come true. If I have a chance to apply I'm going to take off running as soon as I get the green light. Please send up positive vibes and happy thoughts in support, thank you all in advance for taking the time to read.

My social media accounts open eyes to the passion I have inside a little better :
On all platforms: YouTube, Instagram, Twitter.
AndriFlyHigh

 

[Brett327]

So, you'll be 28 next month. You stated that you're currently in an associates program. Do you honestly think you'll be able to complete 2+ years of your education to get the required BA/BS, and get commissioned in just 12 months?

What's the plan for getting your degree finished?

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

There's an applicant on here with a similar background, however he got a DUI several years back. He didn't get picked up for NFO.

Getting a DUI pretty much puts the nail on the coffin for getting selected. I'm not saying there's a chance, but I am saying your choices are slim to none.

 

[AndriFlyHigh]

So, you'll be 28 next month. You stated that you're currently in an associates program. Do you honestly think you'll be able to complete 2+ years of your education to get the required BA/BS, and get commissioned in just 12 months?

What's the plan for getting your degree finished?

I APOLOGIZE I failed to mention I have a Bachelors In Business. Is 12 months a miracle amount of time to get processed and accepted

 

[AndriFlyHigh]

There's an applicant on here with a similar background, however he got a DUI several years back. He didn't get picked up for NFO.

Getting a DUI pretty much puts the nail on the coffin for getting selected. I'm not saying there's a chance, but I am saying your choices are slim to none.

Thank you much. I am going to still go through the process if I have a chance.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I have seen a guy with a DUI get picked up SNA but he had excellent ASTB scores.

 

[BigBadBoJenkins]

So you can't submit an application until August 2015? I'm not sure on the timeline between applying, getting accepted for OCS, attending, and commissioning. Sounds tight for time.

 

[jtmedli]

PROs: PPL (shows initiative and will help with ASTB), Good GPA + Associates (if you finish it), Prior Service, (INSERT GOOD ASTB SCORE HERE...STUDY FOR IT!!!!)

CONS: DUI (obviously), Tattoos (not too bad as long as they're not super visible in a short sleeve uniform), GPA (Some might view Business as a non-technical degree and would expect a 3.5. I know the Air Force is big on Technical Degress. Navy isn't quite that black and white.)

Do you have any volunteer experience? Do you teach Sunday School or anything like that? Other than your prior service, do you have a solid civilian work history?

Keep in mind that boards may or may not forgive the DUI but you're going to have to show them that you are both an intelligent person and a person of character that made a mistake. The 'whole person concept' is a very real thing in this man's Navy and your package should show the selection board that you're a diverse, generous, intelligent, devoted, and reliable person. If you can put together a selection package that shows them as much then you may have a chance. Best of luck to you. I'm not the type of person that believes a DUI should be a career killer. I'd like to think people make mistakes and deserve to be forgiven and given another chance to prove themselves.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

PROs: PPL (shows initiative and will help with ASTB), Good GPA + Associates (if you finish it), Prior Service, (INSERT GOOD ASTB SCORE HERE...STUDY FOR IT!!!!)

CONS: DUI (obviously), Tattoos (not too bad as long as they're not super visible in a short sleeve uniform), GPA (Some might view Business as a non-technical degree and would expect a 3.5. I know the Air Force is big on Technical Degress. Navy isn't quite that black and white.)

Do you have any volunteer experience? Do you teach Sunday School or anything like that? Other than your prior service, do you have a solid civilian work history?

Keep in mind that boards may or may not forgive the DUI but you're going to have to show them that you are both an intelligent person and a person of character that made a mistake. The 'whole person concept' is a very real thing in this man's Navy and your package should show the selection board that you're a diverse, generous, intelligent, devoted, and reliable person. If you can put together a selection package that shows them as much then you may have a chance. Best of luck to you. I'm not the type of person that believes a DUI should be a career killer. I'd like to think people make mistakes and deserve to be forgiven and given another chance to prove themselves.

Unfortunately, talking with a rep at NRC with a good insight into these boards, he mentioned that a DUI pretty much nails the coffin shut for selection when it comes to the Pilot/NFO Boards. I do agree that everyone makes mistakes and deserves second chances, but that's up to you or me to decide when it comes to board selection.

As for waivers, they are not guaranteed by any means. The XO of my NRD (who's about to take over a in a few months) made it clear to the Wardroom that he will not approve any DUI waiver (unless there's some extenuating circumstance) if he's the bottom line authority.

 

[jtmedli]

Unfortunately, talking with a rep at NRC with a good insight into these boards, he mentioned that a DUI pretty much nails the coffin shut for selection when it comes to the Pilot/NFO Boards. I do agree that everyone makes mistakes and deserves second chances, but that's up to you or me to decide when it comes to board selection.

As for waivers, they are not guaranteed by any means. The XO of my NRD (who's about to take over a in a few months) made it clear to the Wardroom that he will not approve any DUI waiver (unless there's some extenuating circumstance) if he's the bottom line authority.

That's rather unfortunate. That being said, if it were me, I'd still submit my package to every single board that I could let them deny me every single time that they felt necessary. At least I would've tried and gotten my denial in writing rather than allow rumor and pessimism to make me give up.

 

[fergz89]

As for waivers, they are not guaranteed by any means. The XO of my NRD (who's about to take over a in a few months) made it clear to the Wardroom that he will not approve any DUI waiver (unless there's some extenuating circumstance) if he's the bottom line authority.

If the DUI were to have happen 5 years ago and that is basically the only dash on your record, would you think they consider that be an "Extenuating Circumstance" ?

 

[exNavyOffRec]

That's rather unfortunate. That being said, if it were me, I'd still submit my package to every single board that I could let them deny me every single time that they felt necessary. At least I would've tried and gotten my denial in writing rather than allow rumor and pessimism to make me give up.

unfortunately if the NRD won't approve the waiver it will never see a board.

 

[jtmedli]

If the DUI were to have happen 5 years ago and that is basically the only dash on your record, would you think they consider that be an "Extenuating Circumstance" ?

I'm pretty sure "Extenuating Circumstance" = is your dad an O-6 or have stars on his shoulder?

 

[jtmedli]

unfortunately if the NRD won't approve the waiver it will never see a board.

Like I said, I'd still try if I was in that position. At least I could say I tried.

 

[AndriFlyHigh]

I'm pretty sure "Extenuating Circumstance" = is your dad an O-6 or have stars on his shoulder?

I have a cousin whose a major in the army. Maybe I can go that route (JoKE)