Wanting to serve, hoping for the chance.

[Hacker]

I have B.A. in political science (3.88 GPA) and I intend to complete thesis and earn my M.A. in political science (4.0 GPA) this semester. I'm a die-hard patriot and I've always been interested in serving my country in the Navy when I finally finished school. So, I approaached a Navy recruiter back in October. On his advice, I took the ASVAB (99), passed an MEPS physical, took the ASTB (70 8/7/7), collected letters of recommendation, completed SF86, etc. I've got an officer interview scheduled next week.

I know I want to serve, but I don't really know if I'll be of value to the Navy as an officer. My degree isn't in a technical field and I'm too old to be a pilot or NFO (I'll turn 27 this month). My recruiter suggested I apply for intelligence and see what happens. I'm hoping for the best, but I know it's very competitive. My question is two-fold.

1) Do you think I have what it takes for INTEL? I'm not asking for you to predict whether or not I'll get selected. I just don't know what it takes to succed as an INTEL officer.

2) If it turns out that I'm not INTEL material, is there another field I might have a better shot at?

I appreciate any feedback, and if I don't make it to NOCS, let me tell you here and now how grateful I am for your service to our country.

 

[phrogdriver]

1) Can't say if you have what it takes. Your academics seem to show that you're smart enough, but there are lots of smart people around. Does the field interest you and are you willing to work hard? Are you not a complete spaz? Then go for it.

2) As far as other fields, you'd have to ask the officer recruiter what ones you're eligible for and then research those. Nuke and CEC are probably out because you have no technical background. Does being abused by your superiors while on a big gray ship appeal to you? How about Surface Warfare, then?

3) You're welcome.

 

[Hacker]

That's what I'm talking about. I am a smart guy, and yes, I know there are lots of smart guys out there. While being smart is always a good thing, it is of course not everything. I sell insurance and there are lots of agents who aren't that smart but they can outsell me any day of the week. The point is, different jobs require different skillsets. What kind of skillset do good intelligence officers possess? I've seen posts on this forum about foreign language skills, academic background, work experience, test scores, whole-person concept etc. I'm just trying to synthesize all that and boil down what's important and what's not. Perhaps there is no ideal intel officer profile, but since I've never been one, I don't really know what's required of them. I've been reading everything I can find on the subject and I'm humbly turning to the experienced personnel who regularly comment in this forum. If you're an intel officer, hopefully you know what it takes to be a good one.

As far as I know, I'm not a total spaz. I do well in school, work hard at my job, and get along well with peers and supervisors. I go to church and pursue a few hobbies (horticulture, beekeeping). I've never served in the military or worked for the government. I haven't traveled extensively and I don't speak another language, but I have the desire and ability to do all of those things.

IMHO I'd be an outstanding officer who would fit in well with the IC, but what do I know?

 

[revan1013]

Don't nuke it man. You're qualified. You want to do it.

Frickin apply already.

 

[Devil Duck]

It all starts with that first phone call to the officer recruiter.

To build on the phrogdriver's comments, to be intel you generally must be slightly introverted (-beekeeper, check) & have a distaste for natural sunlight.

 

[Hacker]

Sounds like intel officers have developed quite the stereotype.

Seriously, I am working with an officer recruiter who seems to think I have a decent shot. As I mentioned in the initial post, I have an interview with an intel officer next week and my recruiter says that's the final item I need to complete my application package. Hopefully, a good interview combined with my other stats will make for a competitive profile. Then I just have to wait.

 

[Devil Duck]

Agree there is a stereotype for intel officers. Like most stereotypes, it's often proven false.

 

[flyboy]

Hacker,
I might be able to put some firsthand knowledge into your brain. I was recently an Intelligence Specialist in the Navy Reserves. (Yes reserves isn't active duty) but I did go on a few AT (annual training) to active duty locations. My most recent one was to PACOM in Pearl Harbor. The intelligence officers that were there on active duty weren't necessarily the brightest crayons in the box, but they had the drive to learn and the ability to be taught. It's not that you have to be super smart to perform well in Intelligence. Most of the time you will spend working on templates if you are imagery, and researching current events and producing a daily brief for your command/commander if you are OPINTEL. When I was in Hawaii, every morning we sat around and worked on a morning brief through research of some of the open source websites. Hands down, one of the coolest jobs in the Navy with lots of opportunity to move up, with the exception of aviation. You will need to be or become a good public speaker, and have good work habits, but intelligence is not required (no pun intended) Apply and be prepared to wait because it's a hard field to get into through OCS. They don't select a lot, but put a solid package in and cross your fingers. If you want it bad enough, you'll get it. I tried for 3 years to get selected for SNA and persistence paid off. Good luck!!