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DCO Intel Community Gouge (Bonus: "The Long Blue Wait" in FY09)
- Thread starter mgreen121774
- Start date
When you are speaking of only a limited number of slots for 120 applicants are you speaking of a particular DCO community?
I am going to be turning in my application packet to DCO into Intel. to hopefully sit for an August board. I wasn't aware that there is such a limited number of slots if that is applicable.
I am going to be turning in my application packet to DCO into Intel. to hopefully sit for an August board. I wasn't aware that there is such a limited number of slots if that is applicable.
There is no word yet that there will be a board in August for DCO Intel. There have been rumors, and the latest word was that the March board (which was canceled) was rescheduled for October. However, there is a new person in charge of the DCO Intel boards, and anything could happen. The point is (unless something has changed in the last couple of days), there are no board dates -- or even months -- that are yet confirmed for DCO Intel.
Also, yes, there are an extremely limited number of slots, and the selection rate is about 5%.
DCO INTEL Board
I heard from my recruiter that there is a recommendation given to the new INTEL Community Manager for a late August INTEL Board. The DCO Board for Supply is being held in July, and the recommendation is for the INTEL Board to meet the month after the Supply Board meets. I will post more as I find out.
I heard from my recruiter that there is a recommendation given to the new INTEL Community Manager for a late August INTEL Board. The DCO Board for Supply is being held in July, and the recommendation is for the INTEL Board to meet the month after the Supply Board meets. I will post more as I find out.
I'm new to the board, and I apologize if I'm posting this to the wrong thread, but I'm hoping to tap into the great deal of personal experience you all seem to have with the Navy Reserve DIRCOM process.
I'm a 35 year old with no prior service and I'm planning to apply for the Intel DCO program this year. I have 11 years as an Intelligence Analyst (GS-0132-13) with a Federal law enforcement agency and hold an active TS/SCI clearance. Academically, I will be completing my Master's in Public Administration next semester with a good GPA (3.8-3.9). My B.A. GPA was in the same range, but it's in Philosophy and English. I have a standard civilian intel training background (CIA's ATP class, 12 weeks at Quantico, etc), but nothing really extraordinary. I am bilingual (Spanish). The physical qualifications are not a problem.
I was told by a recruiter last year that I was a strong civilian candidate, but in reviewing this board I see that the program is much more competitive than I (naively) believed. I was wondering if anyone can provide any feedback about whether I would be considered competitive for a slot (and if not, what you would suggest I can do to improve my qualifications in the few years I have left to apply).
Also, I'm wondering if my chances wouldn't be better with the Coast Guard (considering their work in Latin America and the law enforcement nexus). The Navy would be my first choice, by far.
Finally, I don't have a personal relationship wth any military officers from whom I could solicit a reference. I see that many people here have sought out interviews with officers throughout the country. Is this for the purpose of getting a letter of reference? I'd be more than willing to do the legwork and travel wherever necessary to line up interviews.
Thanks for any constructive comments you may offer, and my sincere congratulations to those here who have already been selected!
I'm a 35 year old with no prior service and I'm planning to apply for the Intel DCO program this year. I have 11 years as an Intelligence Analyst (GS-0132-13) with a Federal law enforcement agency and hold an active TS/SCI clearance. Academically, I will be completing my Master's in Public Administration next semester with a good GPA (3.8-3.9). My B.A. GPA was in the same range, but it's in Philosophy and English. I have a standard civilian intel training background (CIA's ATP class, 12 weeks at Quantico, etc), but nothing really extraordinary. I am bilingual (Spanish). The physical qualifications are not a problem.
I was told by a recruiter last year that I was a strong civilian candidate, but in reviewing this board I see that the program is much more competitive than I (naively) believed. I was wondering if anyone can provide any feedback about whether I would be considered competitive for a slot (and if not, what you would suggest I can do to improve my qualifications in the few years I have left to apply).
Also, I'm wondering if my chances wouldn't be better with the Coast Guard (considering their work in Latin America and the law enforcement nexus). The Navy would be my first choice, by far.
Finally, I don't have a personal relationship wth any military officers from whom I could solicit a reference. I see that many people here have sought out interviews with officers throughout the country. Is this for the purpose of getting a letter of reference? I'd be more than willing to do the legwork and travel wherever necessary to line up interviews.
Thanks for any constructive comments you may offer, and my sincere congratulations to those here who have already been selected!
Hello,
You are absolutely a strong candidate.
Your masters degree, GPA, federal agency intel background, and active TS/SCI are all things that will work in your favor.
When you do your references and letters of recommendation, they don't need to be from military personnel -- just from people who can speak strongly to your character and experience. As to the interviews, sometimes this process gets confused with people doing the OCS application process for Intel, wherein many individuals have multiple interviews and go across the country to conduct them. For DCO Intel, you only need one interview, and that is something your officer recruiter will set up for you. The interview will be with an O-5/O-6 intel officer. (Some might say you can still technically have more interviews, and that may be; but this is the least of your worries.)
Another thing you'll want is a good score on the ASTB. Currently, active and reserve intel candidates must take the full ASTB, which includes sections related to aviation and nautical knowledge. This is the same test that aviation candidates take. If you score well on the ASTB (and there is a wealth of information on this site about how to do so), and have a solid interview, you will have a very strong package.
That said, it is an extremely competitive program. No one can really tell you your "chances", because it depends on how many slots are available at a given board and the other candidates you're going up against. And now, for instance, there hasn't been a board since last October, so all of the people applying for DCO Intel will show up at the next board. The only thing you can do is apply, and make your package as strong as possible.
There may be Coast Guard Reserve intelligence positions that would be a good fit; I can't speak to those. But if the Navy is your first choice by far, then go for it. Don't settle for something else before you've even tried. With the Navy, be aware that it is almost certain that once you are trained (approximately 2 years), you will be mobilized and deployed, likely overseas. Nothing is certain, but if you plan in advance for the possibility that you will be mobilized twice within your 8 year commitment, you'll have less of a chance of being surprised.
Good luck!
owensdad, you appear very competitive. Please note that the boards take a "whole person" approach.
Don't assume that because you know Spanish that you would fit in more with the Coast Guard :icon_wink
Some advice:
- You need to know in your heart of hearts why you want to be a Naval Officer and to be able to convey as such on paper in your motivational statement and during your interviews.
- During my initial due diligence period, a Navy Captain gave me sage advice and I will pass it along: go into this with your eyes wide open and realize that the absolute worst-case scenario is that, after your training (~ 2 years) you will be deployed to the sandbox; nothing else to say in regard to this. I'm not trying to scare you, but knowing and understanding the absolute worst-case scenario helps. It's not a guarantee, but only a possibility.
- I see you are in Texas. Your first order of business should be to contact your local Navy Reserve OPO (Officer Program Officer) and to set up a face-to-face meeting with him. You will more than likely be told that you need to take the ASTB; take it and do your best. Show up and look sharp (i.e., suit, haircut, etc.). Some people balk at this, but every time I visited my recruiter I had on a suit.
- During this time, ask the OPO for the contact information for the CO's of the Navy Reserve Intel units in your area. Contact each one of them and schedule a face-to-face interview, if possible. Otherwise, then resort to the phone.
What you are doing here is telling them that you are a perspective applicant and are trying to gather more information. During your meeting, tell them about yourself (you know Spanish, your Intel experience, et al.), ask about the unit, how you would fit in, etc. This shows your motivation and that you actually care about where you are going to be placed, if selected.
This will also benefit you because when it comes time to do your interviews, you could very well interview with the same people that you reached-out to when doing the above research: rapport.
Take this bull by the horns. Don't be a pest, but don't wait on a phone call either
If you have any other question or require help with your package, please PM me; I would be more than happy to help.
Don't assume that because you know Spanish that you would fit in more with the Coast Guard :icon_wink
Some advice:
- You need to know in your heart of hearts why you want to be a Naval Officer and to be able to convey as such on paper in your motivational statement and during your interviews.
- During my initial due diligence period, a Navy Captain gave me sage advice and I will pass it along: go into this with your eyes wide open and realize that the absolute worst-case scenario is that, after your training (~ 2 years) you will be deployed to the sandbox; nothing else to say in regard to this. I'm not trying to scare you, but knowing and understanding the absolute worst-case scenario helps. It's not a guarantee, but only a possibility.
- I see you are in Texas. Your first order of business should be to contact your local Navy Reserve OPO (Officer Program Officer) and to set up a face-to-face meeting with him. You will more than likely be told that you need to take the ASTB; take it and do your best. Show up and look sharp (i.e., suit, haircut, etc.). Some people balk at this, but every time I visited my recruiter I had on a suit.
- During this time, ask the OPO for the contact information for the CO's of the Navy Reserve Intel units in your area. Contact each one of them and schedule a face-to-face interview, if possible. Otherwise, then resort to the phone.
What you are doing here is telling them that you are a perspective applicant and are trying to gather more information. During your meeting, tell them about yourself (you know Spanish, your Intel experience, et al.), ask about the unit, how you would fit in, etc. This shows your motivation and that you actually care about where you are going to be placed, if selected.
This will also benefit you because when it comes time to do your interviews, you could very well interview with the same people that you reached-out to when doing the above research: rapport.
Take this bull by the horns. Don't be a pest, but don't wait on a phone call either
If you have any other question or require help with your package, please PM me; I would be more than happy to help.
Intel board
I heard from my recruiter last week that the Intel board will be held in July. Since he did not have an exact date, I almost hesitate to post it because it seems that it is not set in stone yet. But I figure that I will pass along whatever information I find in case it is useful to somebody. During the time that I have been asking about it, it has moved from October to late August to sometime in July. The only constant is that it seems to be moving up rather than being pushed back.
I heard from my recruiter last week that the Intel board will be held in July. Since he did not have an exact date, I almost hesitate to post it because it seems that it is not set in stone yet. But I figure that I will pass along whatever information I find in case it is useful to somebody. During the time that I have been asking about it, it has moved from October to late August to sometime in July. The only constant is that it seems to be moving up rather than being pushed back.
I think you're right that there is not yet a date certain. After I saw your post, I checked again and still heard August, but "not for certain". Apparently, a new administrative person is in charge of the Intel DCO selection board, and has been developing a new process. I don't know how much of this is accurate, but again just relaying information for individuals who may be waiting on this board.
For what it's worth, I have also heard that there are no DCO boards of any kind yet scheduled for FY10. When trying to get some specifics from Navy Personnel Command, I was also told that NPC is not responsible for DCO boards. While I didn't get an affirmative answer, it seems that responsibility for DCO boards might somehow be under Navy Recruiting Command as opposed to NPC (which operates all other boards). If this is accurate, that may explain why DCO boards are not listed among all of the other NPC selection boards. This would also make sense since it is a recruiting function to bring in professionals in various fields via direct commission.
For what it's worth, I have also heard that there are no DCO boards of any kind yet scheduled for FY10. When trying to get some specifics from Navy Personnel Command, I was also told that NPC is not responsible for DCO boards. While I didn't get an affirmative answer, it seems that responsibility for DCO boards might somehow be under Navy Recruiting Command as opposed to NPC (which operates all other boards). If this is accurate, that may explain why DCO boards are not listed among all of the other NPC selection boards. This would also make sense since it is a recruiting function to bring in professionals in various fields via direct commission.
bucki4lyfe
Michigan Sucks
bubblehead said:
Just as a note...I wouldn't call going to Afghanistan or Iraq the "absolute worst case scenario."
I've been there, and it ain't that bad...I hope some others can agree with that and post their experiences. They have a full base exchange, uniform shop, burger king, pizza hut, coffee shop, shops run by locals, salon/spa (with full body massage - no joke)...in addition to all of the combat aircraft, ground vehicles, soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen.
I bring this up because I don't want people to be freaked out/scared/etc on deploying/mobilizing. Yes, it's a question they'll ask you and you may go to Afghanistan or Iraq at some point. But realize this -- the military does A LOT to make your warzone deployment manageable.
Also, remember that you don't have to go there, I talked with an O-2 USNR Intel officer last night and he told me people in his unit have "deployed" to Aviano, Italy...that's a damn good deployment if you ask me.
So be open minded, and remember the information above...
Florida, Brussels, and Stuttgart come up fairly often for O-2/3 intel types, too.
I should also add that there's some strategy involved when it comes to the first deployment, at least in my NIRR. For a JO's first deployment, the orders are 'involuntary' regardless of whether or not you volunteered for that billet. This is pretty significant because it means you can dodge some bullets. The IA resets dwell time, and you can choose a billet that looks better than say, fetching coffee in kuwait. I'm not sure if this policy is USNR or NIRR, so YMMV.
DAS and others waiting for the next intel board,
I got a call from my recruiter and he said the next intel board will definitely be held in July. He said the exact date was not listed in the email he received.
For those wanting to get assigned to the Midwest Intel Region, there was a change in intel commanders at Great Lakes, and the new commander is holding interviews on June 24th and 25th for the intel board in July. I'm not sure if all applicants who have already been interviewed by the former commander must re-interview with the new commander. My interview is scheduled for June 24th at 12:30 pm at Great Lakes. Hope to run into to some of you up there.
I got a call from my recruiter and he said the next intel board will definitely be held in July. He said the exact date was not listed in the email he received.
For those wanting to get assigned to the Midwest Intel Region, there was a change in intel commanders at Great Lakes, and the new commander is holding interviews on June 24th and 25th for the intel board in July. I'm not sure if all applicants who have already been interviewed by the former commander must re-interview with the new commander. My interview is scheduled for June 24th at 12:30 pm at Great Lakes. Hope to run into to some of you up there.
smloan2,
I just spoke with my recruiter on Friday and he, too, said that he was informed the DCO Intel board would be in July, but that a date was not yet set. So it seems our information agrees. Here's hoping it's correct!
I interviewed with the previous commander at NRIR Midwest at the end of May, but the new commander also sat in on my interview.
Good luck on your interview, and with the board!
I just spoke with my recruiter on Friday and he, too, said that he was informed the DCO Intel board would be in July, but that a date was not yet set. So it seems our information agrees. Here's hoping it's correct!
I interviewed with the previous commander at NRIR Midwest at the end of May, but the new commander also sat in on my interview.
Good luck on your interview, and with the board!