Recruiters

I agree with Bobola. When I contacted my OR with a B.A. in General Studies, he would barely give me the time of day. I took the ASTB and crushed it. Now he considers me a very competitive applicant. Just do what you have to do to get the test over with.

Hello everyone,

I finally made my first attempt to contact an OR yesterday but was greeted with a voicemail on the other end. I left my name, alma mater (UCSD), major (general biology), and GPA (3.7) and billets that I was interested in (no particular order: AMDO, intel, supply,NFO).

I haven't taken the ASTB yet, but I've been studying lightly for it. I figured I'll increase my effort once I get a hold of the OR and get a definite test date so I have a goal deadline to be working towards (so that I know that my studying won't be in vain).

I read the first post of this thread that persistence is key, but how can I find that balance without coming off as too pushy/annoying? For example, how often should I contact the OR if I keep getting voicemails? (maybe every 3 days? once a week?)

I tried to use the official site (http://www.navy.com/locator.html) to find other ORs within my zipcode (and I have used other close zipcodes too) but it seems that there is only one OR in my vicinity.

I've come to a halt and I'm not sure what to do. As more time passes, my anxiety increases. Should I fax that same OR my 1-page resume and 400-word motivational statement? Do I need to be more aggressive and attempt a walk-in at their office?

I'm eager to serve my country, and I've even considered enlisting to go the "mustang" route if need be (if I'm desperate enough). In the meantime as a recent college grad, I've been filling my time with part-time work and volunteer work until my chance comes up.

If it's of any use, I am located in San Diego (I know, right?)

Thank you for your patience to read my somewhat long post, btw.

That'll happen a lot. Sucks, but truth.

1) Good plan 2) Call everyday. Nothing says you have to leave a voicemail or use the OR that the processor sends you to (I assume thats a good size office with multiple ORs) every time you call. Just keep calling till you get a voice, or drop by their office. Just know they are out a lot doing promotional gigs.

1) That'll happen. Not a lot of the offices. 2) NO 3) You can, but be prepared for no one to be there.

Good dedication, but you probably don't want to go that route - its been talked on here a lot before, so search it if you seriously consider it.

Hello everyone,

I have been reading these forums for awhile now and this is my first post. So far I have been trying to contact a recruiter for the past 3 weeks leaving voice mails and even going to the offices, but have not been able to get into contact with one. I m currently studying civil engineering with a 3.22 gpa I was wondering if anyone has a recruiter close to the LA area that has been helpful to them.

I apologize if I’m reiterating what others have already said, but I thought I’d give my two cents.

I have been in contact with my OR for the past few weeks and even scheduled the ASTB. I think part of the reason he was responsive to me, was because his personality is very respectful and professional. I loved the idea of becoming a Navy Officer before meeting him and felt 10-times better after meeting him. Also, I did the “pre-screen” with the Officer headquarters out of Denver, prior to calling my recruiter. After doing this, they passed my information on and I also told my recruiter, in my initial message, that I had already done this. Any pre-qual’s that you can do, will help. The number and quality of applicants right now are so high, that they aren’t going to make it a priority to get back to someone that says…”Hi LT Johnson, I have some questions about the Navy”.

Remember, that first voicemail is a first impression – so make it count .

As a officer recruiter I can tell you we have hundreds of applicants and will have a hard time keeping up with every one of you. I always say the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I find myself helping the applicants who show the most motivation first. Don't feel like your recruiter is ignoring you call back stop by send a email.

In addition to the above NRC has done a reorganization sending many of the officers on recruiting into the field as division officers so the number you are calling may or may not be good. If you are attempting to reach an officer recruiter you have a few options.
1) call the nearest NRD HQ and ask for the Officer assistant chief recruiter/officer recruiter
2) go to the nearest Navy Recruiting Station and ask for the number for their division officer

How do you get the opnav 1420/1 officer application? Is there a site for the form?

sure.....
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=OPNAV 1420

email me at william.soderquist@navy.mil

When is the next NFO board? My degree gets conferred in two months.

29/M Prior 5yrs Aviation Electronics Technician
9/7/9/61
B.S. Finance 3.4 GPA
40 hours, PPL

The next board will be in April but applications are due March 26th. After that board dates haven't been released. And by the way you can apply up to six prior to getting your degree.

I would just submit by March 26th, but honestly I wouldn't feel good about submitting a rushed package. I don't have LORs yet, and although everyone says PPL doesn't matter, I'd like my package to include that. And I'm pre-graduation.

I feel if I rushed one together this week it wouldn't reflect well on me, for the next time if it got denied. What are your thoughts? With a rushed package would my prior give me a chance for april board?


I'm planning for next board Oct-Jan, with a complete and strong pack, unless your advice is to rush and get one in now for April.

Thanks

The aviators on here have some good gouge on how valuable or more appropriately not valuable a PPL is.

It is unlikely you would be able to get the application together in time now given it is essentially Wednesday.

Thanks.

I have never encountered an issue with my recruiter. He is very prompt and communication is open. I figure as long as you are respectful, do your research, and provide the details a recruiter needs in a timely fashion you won't run into issues.

Northshore, I am going to respectfully disagree. I have had some pretty large issues with my recruiter, most of which have since been resolved (at least to the best of my knowledge) despite my prompt, respectful, and detailed information. I truly believe that it is completely dependent on the recruiter his/herself as to what kind of experience an applicant is going to have. Nothing against any recruiter or recruit, but just remember that recruiters are people too. I know I have forgotten that at times! lol

It depends on the recruiter and the recruit. It also depends on what designators the Navy wants to fill. If you're applying for a competitive designator with few available spots, it doesn't make sense for your recruiter to put in a lot of effort on your behalf. If you're applying for a high-demand designator, your recruiter will want to make your application as strong as possible. Of course, plenty of recruiters will do their best for all applicants, but looking at it from a perspective of pure self-interest, recruiters will put the most effort into people who are likely to get picked up.

Understood PenguinGal. Sorry to hear you are running into issues. Hopefully the both of you are on the same page.

Thanks, Northshore. I think we are finally on the same page. My last couple of interactions with the recruiter have been nothing but positive. I truly believe that my OR didn't think I would pass MEPS. Then again, considering I had to lose over 100# in order to do so, I had my moments of doubt too!

Every recruiter is different. There are many good ones, and a few bad ones. They have to deal with a lot of people, and many of those people will never join the military. I imagine that they don't want to waste their time on those people, so if they really think that someone won't be able to get to recruit training, they put their efforts elsewhere.

Just some perspective...

I did OHARP for 3 weeks. In that time, there were about a dozen people who contacted the office. Of those people, none had interest in an URL job. In fact, the most popular inquiry was about PAO, followed by intel and the occasional inquiry about something random that may not even exist.

A good portion of those people saw the Navy's OCS video and went "wow, that looks hard" and were never seen again.

So if you just take that as a datapoint for what your average OR deals with daily, you shouldn't be surprised if they don't spend a whole lot of energy talking to you until the numbers show you're competitive and you want to apply for SWO/aviation/submarines and stick around past a couple weeks.

That is funny, I have never seen that, I wonder what type of people those were like.

The thing is people rarely get dropped from OCS if they are trying, one person we sent to OCS was rolled 5 times, none due to medical. We had another who went to OCS and then graduated 9 months later, due to medical.

You know why so many people ask about PAO, it is because it is an easy degree but no jobs

Went to OCS with a girl who had been there over a year due to a fractured hip and shin. A YEAR. At OCS.

You want it, it can happen.

We had a guy, no injuries, over one year at OCS. The DIs just kept rolling him for the fun of it or something. He is now a commissioned officer.