I like shooting from the hip (I'd like to think so), so when they asked me why I wanted to become an officer, my answer, in variation is:
"I'd be a hypocrite If I say I don't want to get paid more, but I do, want to get paid more. <awkward pause...> ...But I would be an even bigger of a hypocrite if I didnt want to lead and serve an organization, as big as the Navy, that changes people's lives on a grand scale. The amount of lives, whether those who enlisted, those who we help, our missions, and the support that we give is just paramount to what we do, and there is nothing bigger than that. This is why I am in front you right now. To become part of it, as a leader and a Human Resources Officer...."
Something like that.
I had multiple interviews... 2-three officer board, 3 one on one interviews...One of them had a PRC for situational questions (fraternization etc...)
1. I wore my dress whites on all my interviews...(just wear it!)...
2. Make eye contacts when speaking/spoken to.
3. Be specific when answering questions. You will find yourself blabbering and going off topic, and when you realize this, reiterate the question and answer it.
4. Current Events!! I was asked about how I would feel if Dont Ask Dont tell was repealed, views on IA (I didnt realize that the question was really towards how IA is hurting shipboard/navy manning...), and many more...just make sure you are informed and read the damn paper!
Second Question: "Why the human resources community?" <or whatever community you are applying for...>
Always remember you are applying for a commission first, then the community you want. Research the community. Familiarize yourself with what they do...etc. Then link "why you want become an officer" and "why that community" ...
Fraternization/CMEO/Diversity/Command Climate Questions. Prepare yourself with situational questions. Like, if you are the JR Officer and check in this command, there are 5 alcohol related incidents in a month, chiefs and officers are not working together, what do you do?
or, you see the XO and a chief sharing a ride together, what do you do? This mutated into, you hear them planning on going out for dinner on their way home...what would you do? If you say, "im going to talk to them," which one, the officer or the enlisted first? Who do you report it to?
If you are in disagreement with a Senior Chief or Master Chief, how would you address this?
Situational Awareness: very very important!
When the external CO asked me what my favorite book is...I know these kinds of questions are fillers (just to kill time), I took this opportunity to bring up diversity issues. "I like Man's Search for Existence by Dr. Frankl. He was in Auschwitz and wrote his story while in concentration camp..." the conversation turned into the extermination of a race, then what would happen if we don't value racial differences...
PM me if you want more shooting from the hip statements, lol.
-P