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Requesting new gouge about BDCP closure

CStudent

New Member
Bummed out about BDCP. Making my first post here because accurate information on the state of the program is really scattered and hard to find/verify, even on Airwarriors.

I've got a few friends asking me about the program. I note the Facebook group for BDCP seems pretty lost. There's not a lot on Google or the Military.com forums, either.

If some Airwarriors could take the time to post some accurate gauge for me, it would be appreciated.

  • The only quasi-official gouge I can find says BDCP is closed through Oct 2011 (the start of FY 2012?). Some on these forums say its closed through FY 2013, if not permanently. Can anyone link confirmation either way?
  • Some sources indicate it is merely closed for certain job ratings (SNA, Intel, etc). Others say the entire program has been put on hold.
  • Is there anything prospective BDCP apps can do in the meantime? A waitlist? A particular congressman to write?
  • Is there any other program, anywhere in the military or DoD, ideal for those who are essentially halfway done with school?
  • Not that it matters, but would anyone care to speculate on why they closed this particular program? Primarily budget related, or was it driven by performance? Did STA-21 or NUPOC get closed down as well? Seems to me that BDCP would be the cheapest of these options for the Navy itself.
Any other information relevant. If this thread gets some good replies, I'll spread the word to other sites and put together a post updating the gouge sticky on Airwarriors.
 

CStudent

New Member
Might as well post this here, too:

I'm seeking advice regarding my own (potential) career:
Intended to apply to BDCP in Fall for IW, SWO-IW, or Intel. Starting university again this summer as a Junior. I'm 27yo, and BDCP seemed like an ideal fit for me. I intend to stay in for 20+. Since I'm a little older, things like insurance and healthcare, plus being able to "start the clock" while I finish school was a really attractive proposition to me.

If BDCP is really closed through FY2013 or beyond, I will strongly consider going enlisted. I would like to commission one day. My friends tell me that it's a lot harder to move from Enlisted -> Officer than it is to simply be accepted out of college. This seems really strange to me. Why not promote from within? Any truth to this claim?

I guess I'm also concerned about the age factor. 27yo is a pretty old E-3, from what I hear. I'd be as old as some of the warrant and commissioned officers, but the same rank as some 19-22 year olds. I can swallow my pride, suck it up and push through to reach my goals. But I have to admit I'd feel odd, being neither fish nor fowl. Any older, lower-ranked enlisted guys out there have any experiences to share?
 

MIDNJAC

is clara ship
pilot
I have nothing else to add here, but for the love of god, it is "gouge" not "gauge". Just trying to look out for your future if you join the big gun and yacht club :)
 

Lucy

Member
I just found something "official" the other day but can't now... If I find it again I will post.

As to why it changed, the overall program got restricted from 300 total applicants to 100 applicants, which of course there are more in currently than that (about 50-75 3 years out, 100 2 years out, and 150 1 year out). So after Spring graduation there should be more spots cleared, but whether this is enough to bring the total under the now 100 person max I have no way to know. This can always change when new budgets come out, but unlikely as logn as the qualified applicant pool is as big as it is.

And BDCP was an easier cut because 1) large number of highly qualified applicants means they don't need additional incentives, and 2) BDCP was paying E-3 to E-5 and BAH rate for people doing "nothing" other than going to school (that would have been about 2500-3000 a month for my location).

Hope it changes but good luck no matter which path you take!
 

CStudent

New Member
I have nothing else to add here, but for the love of god, it is "gouge" not "gauge". Just trying to look out for your future if you join the big gun and yacht club :)

Bah! One of those things I always got wrong, then made an effort to fix...but now second guess myself every time. "Gouge? As in eye-gouge? That doesn't make any sense. Must be gauge. Sounds right..."

Thanks for the reminder. Fixed everywhere but the title. Can't edit OP title once posted.


I just found something "official" the other day but can't now... If I find it again I will post.

Please do!
 

Lucy

Member
Will do. Sorry for not having it. A years worth of reading has led me to bookmark new info, not "old" (or at least old to when I first heard it). Just curious, what is your OR saying as far as BDCP goes?
 

CStudent

New Member
I haven't asked yet. I haven't touched base with him since October. Just found out about this tonight, and my paperwork will be on hold until I'm back in school this summer. I will ask and post with update.

I expect he'll try to talk me into NUPOC. It would be a great opportunity, if I wanted to be in that field. I'm told they always try to push the brainier folks who qualify in that direction? Seems like they have a tough recruiting target to meet in that field.
 

NTXRockr

Alive and kicking...sort of.
The reason that BDCP is "closed" is due to the fact that they filled practically every applicant slot through FY2012. The past year or so the number of applicants skyrocketed due largely to the bad economy and lack of civilian jobs, so when that happens a lot of people turn to the military, with those with bachelor's degrees going for officer commissions.

As far as enlisting then trying to swap over to officer later down the road, only a very small percentage actually do so successfully, so do not count on this as a successful long-term plan. Many find that they are a good fit in the enlisted Navy, while others only are interested in a commission; it largely depends on what job you want in the Navy, but don't make a decision based on a minuscule possibility of moving from one to the other. If you are set to be an officer, why not finish your classes and apply for direct accession within the last year of college? You can still go enlisted if you choose to if you do not get in, but don't rush it if you don't have to.
 

CStudent

New Member
The reason that BDCP is "closed" is due to the fact that they filled practically every applicant slot through FY2012.

To clarify: Through to FY2012, or through FY2012 to FY2013?

One means they've closed all the slots for this fiscal year. The other says they've not only filled every slot this year, but also every slot for the following year.


As far as enlisting then trying to swap over to officer later down the road, only a very small percentage actually do so successfully, so do not count on this as a successful long-term plan.

Yeah, this is what I've heard. And why I planned on finishing school first. Still seems strange to me. Why not promote from within?


You can still go enlisted if you choose to if you do not get in, but don't rush it if you don't have to.

This is exactly my problem. I'm trying to rush it. I've been stuck in neutral too long. Now I'm in a rush to get going and make some progress. Put a few points up on the scoreboard.

BDCP seems like a great fit. I'm midway through school and too old for ROTC. I love the idea of starting my career now, while in school. Start the clock on retirement, bank some vacation days, etc. It probably would have opened some doors at a local defense contractor.

Having concerns about cash, health insurance, etc removed while in the final years of college seems incredibly luxurious to me. But the real perk was locking in my career now, and not having to worry about if I'll be accepted after college, or in what rating, etc.

Anyways, I'm sad to see the BDCP get cut back. I always thought it was a great idea, and kind of expected it catch on in other branches and eventually to phase out ROTC and even programs like STA-21 a bit. Clearly I was mistaken.
 

MIDNJAC

is clara ship
pilot
First off, I wouldn't worry about being an older E-3 while in BDCP. That rank is basically for administrative purposes only, and you will not be drilling or anything with other sailors. On the upside, you can use that time while on active duty prior to commissioning towards your overall time in service (ie retirement), and while the rest of the ENS around you are making normal O-1 < 3 yrs pay, you could presumably be making O-1 > 3 yrs.....in other words, you will be ahead of your peers for pay purposes for at least a little while.

Secondly, you have to be an active duty enlisted sailor to qualify for the STA-21 program. ROTC or OCS are your best bets right now if BDCP is not an option, and you aren't currently serving. When I say ROTC, I mean as a normal midshipman, as the STA-21 program is also a portion of the ROTC program. If you want to go Intel, IW, or some other restricted line community, then ROTC is not going to be the best bet for you. Their goal is to commission unrestricted line officers (ie SWO, Subs, SNA, SNFO) and there are very few who actually commission into restricted line communities from NROTC........the couple of guys/gals I saw go this route had medical issues relating to the URL jobs.
 

eas7888

Looking forward to some P-8 action
pilot
Contributor
First off, I wouldn't worry about being an older E-3 while in BDCP. That rank is basically for administrative purposes only, and you will not be drilling or anything with other sailors. On the upside, you can use that time while on active duty prior to commissioning towards your overall time in service (ie retirement), and while the rest of the ENS around you are making normal O-1 < 3 yrs pay, you could presumably be making O-1 > 3 yrs.....in other words, you will be ahead of your peers for pay purposes for at least a little while. .

I'm kind of on the crappy end of this. Being in the Army Reserve for eight years, with two deployments, I've accumulated enough retirement points to put me at roughly 3 years 9 months and 17 days of active duty. So, instead of getting that oh so sweet O-1E, I'll be maxing out my O-1 and O-2 and shortly after getting the O-3, I'll have that maxed out too. I suppose I don't have to look at the pay charts for those every two pay increases? *shrug*
 
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