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FY 23 IWC DCO Reserve Board

E

exNavyOffRec

Well-Known Member
kaldor2c7 said:
Thank you. I'm not sure what makes a candidate "top notch", that's driven from the community needs I'm certain. But generally speaking....I think applicants need to focus on the whole picture of their package (all areas) and illustrate their strengths and how they align to the community "needs". To be honest here...by GPA was way below average and my interview scores were NOT 10s, but they were well written by the review panel. But my background is former NSW, engineering degree (Phd student at night), I work within the DON cyber world full time, my research is cyber physical systems, and my only Naval Officer recommendation was someone I served under while overseas when he was a JO, he's now flag. Rest were professors whom engage with my research. Again whole picture concept was my strategy.
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I am sure your enlisted background played a big part, in most cases not having 10's is a killer but getting 10's by the OIC is very important, even if the other panel members don't give 10's if the OIC does that is a huge plus.

You have a unique background that I doubt they will see again.

Having read a lot of DCO submissions some of the comments from the panel members can be interesting lol.
 
kaldor2c7

kaldor2c7

IWC CW Mustang
exNavyOffRec said:
I am sure your enlisted background played a big part, in most cases not having 10's is a killer but getting 10's by the OIC is very important, even if the other panel members don't give 10's if the OIC does that is a huge plus.

You have a unique background that I doubt they will see again.

Having read a lot of DCO submissions some of the comments from the panel members can be interesting lol.
Click to expand...
I suppose the message with my share is to the masses I see combing through these threads (2 years now)....don't be so hell bent on GPA, OAR (non DCO), panel scores, and LORs from random birds or star/flag types (just my opinion and I was never a recruiter so take that with a grain of salt). Focus on the meat and gravy of your story with artifacts to the claim! Yes my very well worded panel review language didn't match my number scores, even my OR was baffled by that inconsistency (Yahtzee!)

Of course DCO is different in applicant content than the regular commission route (OCS), I get it that they "maybe" want priors as we "might" be rather turnkey upon commission (some ground truth to that for sure), but for those that are not priors, but serving in Cyber/IT/Intel/Atmospheric Science roles now... I suggest a few things....get those industry gate keeper certs (CEH, OSCP, CPENT, CISSP, etc), engage with online or live CTFs, make sure you're taking leadership roles in your current line of work, describe your wins and losses and how you powered through them (the story), volunteer for talks (high school, University, DEFCON, etc etc), write a few white papers (personal blog, Medium, X, or peer review), heck just about anything that contributes to the growth of knowledge for your industry, it is going to layer your opportunity for alignment with the PA & Navy's needs that much better.

Don't get me wrong, the STEM degree and STEM /Cyber specific graduate school work is critical from a competitive standpoint, as well as the exposure to bleeding technology within the cyber space, that you won't see in your undergraduate curriculum (unless you can prove it through extra-curricular activities), and drill down hard on that focus with your research/thesis/dissertation within industry hot topics seeking cutting edge solutions (because as of today we have more industry questions than answers seeking results within the cyber resiliency strategy).

It's the story that everyone of us has that could make you stand out among the gate keepers as potential leaders in the US Navy as well. Remember, I grew up MacGyver, TOP GUN, and The A-Team so I'm wired differently and my story started on Beta/VHS (clearly past my bedtime as of this writing). And as it was drilled into me for years and years with NSW......'Never Quit'........ I went to MEPs 5 times in the last 2 years, everything you could imagine being tested...was!!! for over someone at my age (naturally lol, very discerning experience)

Please everyone keep applying but also keep improving those KITS, capture those small wins and illustrate them!

BTW- The numbers from this board were extremely low (6 1815s and 4 1825s). I suspect FY24/25 will increase but they're not obligated to fill them
 
vickey0070

vickey0070

Member
kaldor2c7 said:
I suppose the message with my share is to the masses I see combing through these threads (2 years now)....don't be so hell bent on GPA, OAR (non DCO), panel scores, and LORs from random birds or star/flag types (just my opinion and I was never a recruiter so take that with a grain of salt). Focus on the meat and gravy of your story with artifacts to the claim! Yes my very well worded panel review language didn't match my number scores, even my OR was baffled by that inconsistency (Yahtzee!)

Of course DCO is different in applicant content than the regular commission route (OCS), I get it that they "maybe" want priors as we "might" be rather turnkey upon commission (some ground truth to that for sure), but for those that are not priors, but serving in Cyber/IT/Intel/Atmospheric Science roles now... I suggest a few things....get those industry gate keeper certs (CEH, OSCP, CPENT, CISSP, etc), engage with online or live CTFs, make sure you're taking leadership roles in your current line of work, describe your wins and losses and how you powered through them (the story), volunteer for talks (high school, University, DEFCON, etc etc), write a few white papers (personal blog, Medium, X, or peer review), heck just about anything that contributes to the growth of knowledge for your industry, it is going to layer your opportunity for alignment with the PA & Navy's needs that much better.

Don't get me wrong, the STEM degree and STEM /Cyber specific graduate school work is critical from a competitive standpoint, as well as the exposure to bleeding technology within the cyber space, that you won't see in your undergraduate curriculum (unless you can prove it through extra-curricular activities), and drill down hard on that focus with your research/thesis/dissertation within industry hot topics seeking cutting edge solutions (because as of today we have more industry questions than answers seeking results within the cyber resiliency strategy).

It's the story that everyone of us has that could make you stand out among the gate keepers as potential leaders in the US Navy as well. Remember, I grew up MacGyver, TOP GUN, and The A-Team so I'm wired differently and my story started on Beta/VHS (clearly past my bedtime as of this writing). And as it was drilled into me for years and years with NSW......'Never Quit'........ I went to MEPs 5 times in the last 2 years, everything you could imagine being tested...was!!! for over someone at my age (naturally lol, very discerning experience)

Please everyone keep applying but also keep improving those KITS, capture those small wins and illustrate them!

BTW- The numbers from this board were extremely low (6 1815s and 4 1825s). I suspect FY24/25 will increase but they're not obligated to fill them
Click to expand...
Your last statement about not being obligated to fill is concerning because I keep reading article about Military not meeting yearly quota for new recruits. Does that apply to enlisted soldiers ?
 
E

exNavyOffRec

Well-Known Member
kaldor2c7 said:
I suppose the message with my share is to the masses I see combing through these threads (2 years now)....don't be so hell bent on GPA, OAR (non DCO), panel scores, and LORs from random birds or star/flag types (just my opinion and I was never a recruiter so take that with a grain of salt). Focus on the meat and gravy of your story with artifacts to the claim! Yes my very well worded panel review language didn't match my number scores, even my OR was baffled by that inconsistency (Yahtzee!)

Of course DCO is different in applicant content than the regular commission route (OCS), I get it that they "maybe" want priors as we "might" be rather turnkey upon commission (some ground truth to that for sure), but for those that are not priors, but serving in Cyber/IT/Intel/Atmospheric Science roles now... I suggest a few things....get those industry gate keeper certs (CEH, OSCP, CPENT, CISSP, etc), engage with online or live CTFs, make sure you're taking leadership roles in your current line of work, describe your wins and losses and how you powered through them (the story), volunteer for talks (high school, University, DEFCON, etc etc), write a few white papers (personal blog, Medium, X, or peer review), heck just about anything that contributes to the growth of knowledge for your industry, it is going to layer your opportunity for alignment with the PA & Navy's needs that much better.

Don't get me wrong, the STEM degree and STEM /Cyber specific graduate school work is critical from a competitive standpoint, as well as the exposure to bleeding technology within the cyber space, that you won't see in your undergraduate curriculum (unless you can prove it through extra-curricular activities), and drill down hard on that focus with your research/thesis/dissertation within industry hot topics seeking cutting edge solutions (because as of today we have more industry questions than answers seeking results within the cyber resiliency strategy).

It's the story that everyone of us has that could make you stand out among the gate keepers as potential leaders in the US Navy as well. Remember, I grew up MacGyver, TOP GUN, and The A-Team so I'm wired differently and my story started on Beta/VHS (clearly past my bedtime as of this writing). And as it was drilled into me for years and years with NSW......'Never Quit'........ I went to MEPs 5 times in the last 2 years, everything you could imagine being tested...was!!! for over someone at my age (naturally lol, very discerning experience)

Please everyone keep applying but also keep improving those KITS, capture those small wins and illustrate them!

BTW- The numbers from this board were extremely low (6 1815s and 4 1825s). I suspect FY24/25 will increase but they're not obligated to fill them
Click to expand...
Yep OCS and DCO are completely different, OCS programs (except Aviation) give lots of weight to GPA and degree, not so much on LOR's or work history or certificates while DCO gives those a lot of weight.
 
kaldor2c7

kaldor2c7

IWC CW Mustang
vickey0070 said:
Your last statement about not being obligated to fill is concerning because I keep reading article about Military not meeting yearly quota for new recruits. Does that apply to enlisted soldiers ?
Click to expand...
The IWC community is never short of applicants. And the number keeps growing. They can be selective as they will, but more so… and pray to whatever god you spiritually align with…that they are as the IWC are the backbone of our National Security assets.

:::::the army has entered the chat ::::: ??‍♂️
 
E

exNavyOffRec

Well-Known Member
vickey0070 said:
Your last statement about not being obligated to fill is concerning because I keep reading article about Military not meeting yearly quota for new recruits. Does that apply to enlisted soldiers ?
Click to expand...
They are talking about enlisted in most circumstances, no issues getting those to apply to be an officer.
kaldor2c7 said:
The IWC community is never short of applicants. And the number keeps growing. They can be selective as they will, but more so… and pray to whatever god you spiritually align with…that they are as the IWC are the backbone of our National Security assets.

:::::the army has entered the chat ::::: ??‍♂️
Click to expand...
So very true, that is why on the OCS side the average GPA of those selected is very high.
 
kaldor2c7

kaldor2c7

IWC CW Mustang
exNavyOffRec said:
They are talking about enlisted in most circumstances, no issues getting those to apply to be an officer.

So very true, that is why on the OCS side the average GPA of those selected is very high.
Click to expand...
As one would expect for an OCS applicant whom has poured his life into an education to become the best in their field (no doubt). And one of many paths I hold the highest level of respect for, we all have our own story for sure. Starting out as an undesignated airman I can assure you I’ll never forget that parallel adventure.

As we also know, the Navy needs both quantifiable and qualifiable metrics in bringing on solid talent. That measuring stick isn’t gospel but it is reality. It’s not perfect but it’s effective. DCO vs Active is different in applicant process but almost the same end state product.

Didn’t mean to turn this thread into a rhyme or reason to the madness, but hopefully it helps those watching on, what makes the mechanics work under the hood.

Again I’m not a recruiter. Only a byproduct of the process (officially twice)
 
B

Buster02

Intel 1835
ML2015 said:
Congrats to all that are getting selected! If anyone has any questions about anything please let me know. I got selected last cycle and it was a process transferring from the enlisted side. But I am here to help in anyway I can.

To those who do not get selected please do not get discouraged. Use what you learned from the board and take it with you to try again.
Click to expand...
I was in the selection from the last cycle as well. Have you commissioned already since you were prior?
 
ML2015

ML2015

Sursum Ab Ordine
Buster02 said:
I was in the selection from the last cycle as well. Have you commissioned already since you were prior?
Click to expand...
I got commissioned in June but it was not because I was prior. I just made the cut of the people being commissioned in FY23. It seems like a lot of people got pushed to FY24.
 
kaldor2c7

kaldor2c7

IWC CW Mustang
ML2015 said:
I got commissioned in June but it was not because I was prior. I just made the cut of the people being commissioned in FY23. It seems like a lot of people got pushed to FY24.
Click to expand...
So I presume there will be another run or batch of us being commissioned in the late Spring then? Unchartered waters for me here
 
ML2015

ML2015

Sursum Ab Ordine
kaldor2c7 said:
So I presume there will be another run or batch of us being commissioned in the late Spring then? Unchartered waters for me here
Click to expand...
Everyone that got picked up in the March board should be getting commissioned soon. Everyone that was picked up on this past board I would say 3-4 months. I found out end of March, got my COMDOCS around June and then everything went through PERS beginning of August.
 
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