Hi everyone,
My name is Ed Phillips. I just received information about this web site. I am the OCS processor for all fleet applicants (USN, USNR-TAR, SELRES). I see every active duty application that is submitted to Commander, Navy Recruiting Command (CNRC). Any active duty personnel who have questions concerning the OCS program and feel they are not getting the correct information from their Command Career Counselors or chain of command can contact me. If you are civilian applicants, you must contact your officer recruiter as I cannot help you.
The application procedure is different from active duty versus civilian. I will not get into the differences, except to say that active duty personnel are "looked at" in a different perspective than civilian applicants. With that said the OCS program is very competitive right now and even getting more competitive. There are various reasons for this that I will not get into.
To give you some background about me, I am a retired Navy Chief and I understand the significance of what you are trying to accomplish.
The selection process can seem screwed up to some people who are not privy as to what goes on. Some applicants get selected in a matter of days others may take up to several months. It does not mean the applicants who get selected faster are any better qualified than others who take longer. There are many, many reasons for this.
Read OPNAVINST 1420.1. Chapter two deals with how to fill out the application and chapter seven deals with OCS in particular. There are some mistakes in the instruction I have been trying to get fixed for quit awhile. One is the check off sheet that states we want your high school transcripts. That is wrong we need your college transcripts with proof of degree. There are only two documents we will accept as proof of degree (1) final transcript with degree awarded on it or (2) letter from the school stating you have completed all requirements for graduation with a copy of your latest transcript.
I do not need original documents of anything unless I request them. Copies/faxes are fine.
OCS is a recruiting program where numbers are always changing. Do not believe someone if they tell you a program is closed without checking with me or another authority source. For example everyone says SWO is closed. For civilians it is, but we were able to get a few active duty SWO applicants into OCS for FY03. We will start sending FY04 selects to OCS in July and 04 looks to be a very competitive year. Just don't give up after your first try. I was just talking to a select last week who got picked up on his second try. He told me his XO had to try three times.
My contact information is:
Ed Phillips
901-874-9220
DSN 882-9220
PhillipsE@cnrc.navy.mil
ocsquestions@cnrc.navy.mil
Email is the best way to get ahold of me as I receive a ton of phone calls. If you need an answer ASAP do not hesitate to call. The ocsquestions email is answered by the actual officers who sit on the OCS board at CNRC that make the final select/non select decisions. Civilians and active duty can submit questions to ocsquestions. Sometimes when the officers are overloaded I will help out and answer questions as I do have access to that email account.
Good Luck to all OCS Applicants,
Ed Phillips
Ed Phillips
Robin