I figured I would get this started up.
I didn't do so hot on my ASTB so I won't be able to get an NFO contract in time.
(Eyes are too bad for Pilot-Scores: 4/1/3; I may retake it later but for now its on hold)
So instead, I'm going to try to contract as Ground. Is anyone in the same boat?
Also, does anyone know when the board will meet and when the results will be issued?
And additionally, does anyone know how many males and females are predicted to be selected as well as the typically average PFT scores for those selected as well as weights given to academics, athletics, and leadership during the application process.
To give some background on myself, here are my STATS as they are now (I'm still working on my PFT)
College GPA: 3.3
Major(s): English & Secondary Education
Involvement: Running Club, Theater Troupe (Writer), Film Making Club (Founder & President)
Leadership: Film Making Club (Founder & President)
Last PFT: 222/300
FAH-42 sec
Crunches-100
Run-26:54
For OCC 221 we had 5 selected all male, 1 was DOR, 2 caught pneumonia, and 2 graduated, and as of today are in TBS.
For OCC 222 we had 8 selected including myself, 3 female, 5 male.
Background for me, packet started January 4th, finished January 15th, Sworn in/contracted Feb, Accepted Mar 26th.
College GPA: 3.0
Major: Management Information Systems (2014)
Involvement: Hundreds of hours of volunteering, sports and leadership in college, other things as well
Waivers: None
Last PFTs: 288,288,288,289,292, 294( I ran it maybe 1-2 times a week)
20 Pull Ups
100 Crunches
18:56 run
The females who made it ran between 288 and 295, scores suffered the most from the running. During our PFTs the girls were encouraged to do pull ups, eventually when the boards got closer they maxed out their free arm hang, and during mini OCS they also did quite well.
I would say the average is not a very good measure unless you know what contract you are going for. For me, ground, I had the highest PFT score in the region at 294, the next being 288. From experience most people go ground so it is pretty competitive, so better than average is best. For air, I believe the average was 283 and for law he was selected in Feb at 279 or lower I believe.
I had very good letters of recommendation and I still volunteer quite a bit, I don't know if that helped, but it didn't hurt. I thought my GPA would hurt me the most, and I was under the assumption, since it was my first application I wouldn't get selected, but I was ranked very high in our OSO and during the boards.
- Improve your PFT dramatically, that is the first thing they look for in a candidate; our OSO won't submit packets where candidates are under 245. For me the pulls Ups and crunches are a free 200 points so start there. I breathe every 3 steps for running and its gets me on a pretty good pace. If you can secure a 70sec FAH and 100 crunches, the run time is your flex score.
- Volunteer, even if its once a month, it looks good. The library in my area has volunteering for 6th month blocks, also churches are good as well as soup/ food banks. The VA is also a very good option.
- I don't know if your OSO does weekly PT sessions. Ours has them Mon/Weds/Fri at 0600-0700 led by candidates. If yours doesn't, maybe you can start one and then each week a candidate can make up an exercise; nothing exhaustive, but enough where you get to know each other and you learn what its like to be in a unit and work together.
- Do not get waivers, and get your packet in as fast as possible if its not already in, it shows dedication and initiative.
- Some OSO's run mini OCS, a 3 day event held usually on a base where they get Sergeant Instructors who may be at OCC. It's a great way to show your OSO/OSA you are dedicated. There will be opportunities at these events to showcase leadership.(do not get a light duty belt there, even if you are injured.)
- Visit your OSO/OSA as much as you can. I don't know how many candidates never go in but it is staggering. Ask for book recommendations, ask them about their MOS, why they joined, if they have a family what is it like for them. Give them the best "you" If you make time for them they will notice and you can rank higher among other candidates. Educate yourself on Marine Corps history and ask them about it.
Best of Luck with the boards.