DCO Intel Community Gouge (Bonus: "The Long Blue Wait" in FY09)

[getawaydriver]

I'm moving forward to the next step. We'll say I got in when I get commissioned.

FYI -- I heard today that the March intell board was canceled, as they 'got everyone they needed' from the February board. My source has always been spot-on in the past, so I'm pretty sure this is accurate info.

Ladysailor --

If I am correct, I believe the MAR2009 board was supposed to convene yesterday, the 24th. In lieu of what you had posted, do you (or anyone else for that matter), know if the board actually sat down?

Thanks

 

[ladysailor]

bucki4lyfe -- Thanks! I hope your paperwork picks up some speed. I actually had a nice long conversation with my maternal grandfather when I finally told the family I was selected. I was pleasantly surprised by his enthusiasm and high opinion of the Navy. I'm looking forward to being able to give my family a more 'inside' view of the military and dislodge any outdated stereotypes.

getawaydriver -- Haven't heard a word since the original chatter. Strongly suspect it didn't happen. I was told they had ~175 packets at the February boards and selected ~40, which they determined was the number needed at this time. And by 'this time,' I mean approximately a year from now!

Anyone feel like chiming in to answer my 'what next?' question? Also -- has anyone been to the two week 'knife and fork' school in Newport? Would love to hear more about that.

 

[bubblehead]

If I am correct, I believe the MAR2009 board was supposed to convene yesterday, the 24th. In lieu of what you had posted, do you (or anyone else for that matter), know if the board actually sat down?

Someone posted on another board that the MAR board was canceled and that the next Intel board is in OCT?! Can anyone confirm?

 

[getawaydriver]

getawaydriver -- Haven't heard a word since the original chatter. Strongly suspect it didn't happen. I was told they had ~175 packets at the February boards and selected ~40, which they determined was the number needed at this time. And by 'this time,' I mean approximately a year from now!

Anyone feel like chiming in to answer my 'what next?' question? Also -- has anyone been to the two week 'knife and fork' school in Newport? Would love to hear more about that.

Thank god I am working on an active duty packet... Hurry up and wait.

 

[dephyler]

Anyone feel like chiming in to answer my 'what next?' question? Also -- has anyone been to the two week 'knife and fork' school in Newport? Would love to hear more about that.

I went in October/November and it's not like what it used to be from talking to people in Pensacola classes. It's nothing close to OCS or even ODS, but there is PT every day at around 0530 and about 8 hours of class work a day. No weapons quals. Really, it's just lots and lots of class. You do get the weekend off if you don't f up bad that first week. We got really lucky and the Cole made an overnight call, so we got to go on a tour.

We had one guy in my class that didn't take it seriously at all and got us into "trouble." We had about about 10-15 minutes "beating" that including a lecture on why rules exist, etc, with stories about people dying on the battlefield for breaking them. Oh, and room inspections did include room trashing if beds weren't made right. Trying to keep King hall free of dust is like trying to sweep a desert clean, but they looked for dust bunnies anyway.

I found that if you take it seriously, you'll have more fun. Those that didn't and suffered for 2 weeks were just angry all of the time. Get to know your classmates and listen to the class chief.

 

[knobbzy]

I went in October/November and it's not like what it used to be from talking to people in Pensacola classes. It's nothing close to OCS or even ODS, but there is PT every day at around 0530 and about 8 hours of class work a day. No weapons quals. Really, it's just lots and lots of class. You do get the weekend off if you don't f up bad that first week. We got really lucky and the Cole made an overnight call, so we got to go on a tour.

We had one guy in my class that didn't take it seriously at all and got us into "trouble." We had about about 10-15 minutes "beating" that including a lecture on why rules exist, etc, with stories about people dying on the battlefield for breaking them. Oh, and room inspections did include room trashing if beds weren't made right. Trying to keep King hall free of dust is like trying to sweep a desert clean, but they looked for dust bunnies anyway.

I found that if you take it seriously, you'll have more fun. Those that didn't and suffered for 2 weeks were just angry all of the time. Get to know your classmates and listen to the class chief.

Good gouge, thanks!

 

[knobbzy]

Can anyone tell me their situation if they got the final select letter with a condition? My understanding is that there are three types of final select letters: Select, Select pending some sort of medical test (or something), or non-select (because of reason X). Is this correct?

I'm wondering what the process is for the second option...select letter with the condition. How long did things take? What did people go through?

Thanks.

Hey Bud -- My understanding is that there is only select and non-select. In order to get an actual select letter they make you go through a few hoops first. If it's a medical thing, they will ask you to supply additional info before making a final determination. Once they have that info you'll either get selected or non-select. I don't think there are any conditions; either you are in acceptable standards or not.

[Since I know a bit about what you are asking, I would go to your regular doc and him/her do a full work up and write something stating that "this condition is not present" or "this condition would not effect Mr. X's ability to carry out the duties of a naval officer." Remember you don't have to go to the navy doc, you can have your dr and his lab do a work-up. Often times this is better then gov't docs.] THis statement was reported to Mods as potentially inaccurate. Checking with both Recruiting and Medical POCs, it is indeed a false statement. A civilian doctor cannot examine you, but is not considered qualified to determine whether you are able to carry out the duties of a Naval officer.

 

[das]

Has anyone heard any news on when the next Intel boards may be in 2009?

 

[knobbzy]

Thanks to dephyler and knobbzy. I completely understand the bullets needing to be in theatre, etc. I have a friend who recently deployed as an USAF Officer imbedded with US Army. They did a solid month in New Jersey (lovely location) and got to run some fun drills... including rolling a Hum-Vee. I'm sure when you get to deploy, you get to shoot some beforehand. I'll just have to take myself to the range to keep my skills current. I simply don't want to embarass myself when the time comes.

LS -- For us intel-types, the first 10 drills will be NIOBC training. This is not nesc. held with your final unit, rather it is held as a NOSC that handles this training for your region. After the 10 drills you are then gained by your unit.

You have 1 year to attend, and complete DCOIC -- and there are competing theories as to when is the best time to go.

Once you finish NIOBC and DCOIC, your next AT is at Dam Neck. Once you finish that you are considered fully qualified and hence deployable.

Now I just need to work on my pushups for testing at Newport.

The big thing for DCOIC is height/weight standards. Apparently they will send you home if you are not within standards. I have not heard of anyone failing the written, physical, or swim test -- of course my sample has been limited.

* caveat. this is my understanding of this process, so please use at your own discretion.

 

[knobbzy]

This is all person dependent. For example, I started drilling in June-08 and haven't started NBIT yet. I should be starting in May, but you never really know...most people in my unit head off to NBIT after about 3 drills, depending on when the first available start date is.

Wow. So what have you been doing in the last 10 months? Have you been stashed somewhere?

The reason I ask is that I have unofficially been told where I will be drilling, but they have said that I will be @ Dix for the first 10 drills of NBIT/NIOBC. This, of course, assumes that the training for this starts at the same time I get in!

Thanks for the info D-moni.

-N

 

[bucki4lyfe]

For DCO Intel folks...Can anyone explain to me how it works if you need to/have to/end up missing a drill weekend? I'm talking everything from mandatory work (from your main job) including travel/training, and random other weekends like weddings/etc. What if your main job requires you to leave the area for 2-3 months? How does that have an effect?

Thanks much.

 

[FlyinSpy]

For DCO Intel folks...Can anyone explain to me how it works if you need to/have to/end up missing a drill weekend? I'm talking everything from mandatory work (from your main job) including travel/training, and random other weekends like weddings/etc. What if your main job requires you to leave the area for 2-3 months? How does that have an effect?

The short answer is that it's not that big a deal. (The slightly longer answer is that you can't make a habit of it...). Ideally, you'll know in advance of any conflicts with a drill weekend, and you'll submit a request to reschedule (a "resked") for that drill weekend. That means you'll be coming in on an off-weekend, or perhaps during the week, to make up the time. Since the full schedule of drill weekends is known at the beginning of the FY, you should make every effort to reschedule your personal activities around them.

Unit leadership can get annoyed when they get a phone call or email Friday evening saying "I can't make it in this weekend." That happens, of course, especially if you're sick or have some kind of family emergency, but don't make it a regular occurrence. This is one of the filters that should be considered up front when thinking about pursuing a commission - the Navy likes you to be around for drill weekends. If your job sends you on the road for 2-3 months at a time, this is a big negative; it will make it hard to get through your training syllabus, and will cause harummphing in your chain of command - which will inevitably look something like this:

 

[iroessle]

Idea

Don't know specifically about the unit you'll be in but I was told for the unit I'll be drilling with most of the drilling can be done remotely.. Doesn't work for drill weekend that require our presence such as those that have physical exams, etc... I forget what the exact term for it is....

Anyhow, it might be an option for you depending on your billet.

R/Ian

 

[SCS]

MAR 24 DCO INTEL Board tabled ... any news on next one?

Anyone have any updates on the new round of the tabled March Navy DCO INTEL board? I've heard July or October ...

I sent in my Navy DCO INTEL packet and had my interviews at Andrews AFB on Jan. 11 and was slated for the MAR 24 INTEL board, only to discover on this forum that it was tabled and slated for either July or Oct this year.

Did my best to get updates from the recruiter, to no avail. Coming out of the D.C. region, I'm sure I'm just one of tons in the pile, but I'd like to think I've got a sporting chance after being recommended for commission and because of my proficiency in a critical foreign language. But then again, it's D.C.

Congratulations to those who got in for the Feb one!

 

[das]

Anyone have any updates on the new round of the tabled March Navy DCO INTEL board? I've heard July or October...

I am waiting on this board as well. The latest information I have heard is 08 OCT. I just spoke with my recruiter, and he says he doesn't think any date is firm yet...it could be in October, or it may be earlier, or they could have more than one.