sparklysquid
Member
While we wait on the results, let's talk about boosting the chances of DCO selection by enlisting in SELRES. It appears that some of the underlying enlisted ratings for 1815, 1825, and 1835 are CTI, IT, and IS respectively. Let's say one does not get picked up for DCO and while they keep trying, they do the enlisted side for several years (for prior service, assuming they still can due to HYT).
The benefits of this move are as follows:
b. Enables one to not get dropped from DCO consideration due to the maximum age limit (since each qualifying year adds one year)
c. For some, may allow stacking enough qualifying years before accepting the commission (~8-10 years), so if they 2xFOS for O4, they end up in the sanctuary at 18+ years and have the option to retire as O3 without too much trouble.
Did I miss any of the benefits?
The challenges are as follows:
Did I miss any other significant challenges?
The benefits of this move are as follows:
- Strengthening your package with rate specific training as well as recent evals that should be glowing, obviously
- TS clearance, if one does not already have it. This can open doors in the civilian career even if one never gets selected for DCO
- May (or may not) be eligible for a bonus for affiliation with the SELRES
- A small amount of extra money for the ADT (and weekend warrior stuff) if the civilian employer offers paid military leave
- Also, very beneficial things start happening with the clock now:
b. Enables one to not get dropped from DCO consideration due to the maximum age limit (since each qualifying year adds one year)
c. For some, may allow stacking enough qualifying years before accepting the commission (~8-10 years), so if they 2xFOS for O4, they end up in the sanctuary at 18+ years and have the option to retire as O3 without too much trouble.
Did I miss any of the benefits?
The challenges are as follows:
- For no prior service or if not affiliated for 6+ years, it is likely one will have to come in as an E3, and can probably put on E4 within 6-12 months. DCO applicants are often seasoned career individuals that achieved significant leadership positions in their day job. Being an E4 will likely be a very humbling experience in the first 4 years in the SELRES for someone in their 30's with solid industry experience, certs, and graduate degree(s). In other words, you basically get yelled at by 25-year-old E5's and you are cleaning or painting 75% of your work time. I've never been in SELRES, how accurate is my impression of this?
- Possibility of being mobilized out of SELRES and ordered to something like a DDG deploying to the Gulf (as an E4 or E5) for 9-12 months is something to keep in mind and definitely consider before signing up. How likely is it to happen for the CTI, IS, or IT rates in SELRES?
Did I miss any other significant challenges?