Just general commentary for those reading. The NEX uniform portal is hitting DEERS which is where your DOD digital identity originates from. When you log into that uniform section it is hitting DEERS and validating if you exist in the proper status. When you onboard as DCO your first status is IRR because you have not been gained into a paid status via your NOSC and had initial IAP orders cut. At this point, you can get an IRR ID and use base privileges. When your IAP orders are cut ( for me it was a few months later) you will change from IRR to SELRES and can get a CAC and start using other access types (mainly IT related)
If you want to log into DEERS and see your status now click the new user in the top right corner of MilConnect and create a DS Login.
https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/
While your at it create a Troop ID at ID.me as well, that is a growing military authentication/validation service on the commercial side.
Thanks for chiming in AMGunner - I know people know stuff about getting ID's, Selres, IRR, ect... that I don't know.
I encourage anyone new to the Navy to try to get a military ID of any kind as soon as they are eligible to get one. Even if it means you have to get the CAC one later (for what it is worth - I was able to get the CAC ID after popping up in NEX no snags - but I was enlisting after a seven year break in service - who knows - maybe there's something that distinguishes me from others). I'm still waiting to get an Officer ID - but I have not been released from my enlistment yet and have not commissioned.
Getting the ID - aside from being cool because it feels real and things start moving - is a major step. You need that ID to anything and everything.
If you can obtain a Military ID before your first drills - I highly encourage you to do it. I was able to. It will make you entry into the reserve infinitely more simple.
The NOSC and computer stuff is a lot to get used to for anyone. The ID will make a very, very, slow process seem just very slow.
You can't even drive through a gate to get on a base without an ID. You will get onto base eventually without one on someone else's time - but everything is a start stop - if that makes sense. If you get an ID you can at least move freely on base, buy a pen and paper at the exchange because an ID is required to by stuff ect...
Good luck to all! If you have a little time to waste in case the ID thing doesn't work out - I'd say try to get one. If you succeed - you will stand around and wait a little less when you do finally show up to drill. An ID lets you do a lot without having to ask someone else that has one - can you take more over there to get what I need because I don't have an ID yet.
Hang in there! It's a weird process but it works.