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VIP Trip

Spekkio

He bowls overhand.
Interesting, considering that you're supposed to pass the PRT before you can file your paperwork.
 

wink

War Hoover NFO.
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
Key word is supposed. If this were really case no one would ever fail the In-PRT at OCS, yet it happens.
No people fail the in PRT because they turn into fat bodies between their last PRT and OCS.
 

Spekkio

He bowls overhand.
No people fail the in PRT because they turn into fat bodies between their last PRT and OCS.

I have talked to many a candidate at OCS who was never given a PFA, and others who were given a PFA where the recruiter didn't give a shit about form. Some still make it through the in-PFA, but many roll since they have no idea how to do a proper pushup.
 

ufnavy06

New Member
None
Nuke power....hope you know what you're getting into. Since I just 'finished' it (note the quotes) I know what's what. Don't get behind and you'll be fine. I was behind from day 1 and never caught back up (then physical fitness took a backseat, etc), so now I'm no longer in the handy dandy submarine officer pipeline, but instead now in the SNFO pipeline. If you want any help or anything, pm me and I'll do my best. Good luck.
 

dbrauer87

New Member
Well I fly out saturday. Not looking forward to the PRT. I've met my recruiter once, that was to fill out a little paperwork. Haven't done any type of pt test or anything. Just gonna have to see how things go I guess.
 

Kanjelman7

New Member
Hello everyone and my apologies for resurrecting this thread (found it in a forum search), but this is still highly relevant to me. It's been 3 years since the last post in this thread; has the process changed much since then?

I'm a little confused from what I've been reading on the forums (elsewhere). What exactly is involved in the VIP trip? My initial impression was that we would tour ships/subs on the east coast and get to interact with officers of the surface warfare/nuke community to get a feel for what the job is like.

Now I'm reading that the VIP trip includes the technical interview and PRT? I'm a little worried now...
I've been studying/exercising semi-regularly, but more of my anxieties are related to the technical interview. I've seen the study guide and studied some of it but I don't have everything down cold (i.e. wake up in the middle of the night and spontaneously solve a study guide question).

What I'm basically asking is, what exactly does the VIP trip entail? Does this include the tech interview/PRT or are those separate events? Where does OCS fit in? (I'm assuming it occurs once all of the other mentioned stuff is cleared...)

I'm going to receive orders to fly out on October 18-20 so the narrow time period from now until then (for preparation) is what's getting me. I already know that I'm at a "technical disadvantage" because I was actually a biology major in college and not a math/engineering/physics/chem major. Honestly, I want to do this regardless because I want to serve and my recruiter said that I "qualify" (having finished the calc and physics sequence during my undergrad).

Besides, I haven't finalized/submitted all my NUPOC paperwork to the recruiter so I'm thinking I can't even get interviewed without those taken care of first.

Any help in clearing out my confusions is highly appreciated! Also, I found the info in this thread highly useful. Thank you.!
 
Right now, it's like the Nuclear Navy is dating you--so they'll only want to show you the good side (that's how I tricked my wife into marrying me). My VIP trip was almost 20 years ago (!), but there was no PRT or interview at all. The interview takes place at Naval Reactors, you'll be in a suit...I'm pretty sure you'll know you're going to have it. As far that interview goes, I remember sweating it too, but if memory serves they basically ask you one or two max/min problems, the admiral talks to you for 30 seconds ("why'd you pick..., uh, what school did you go to? (my answer) Whey'd you pick, uh, that school?") and then they whisk you off to a hotel room with a flag, swear you in, and that's it.
 

CUPike11

Still avoiding work as much as possible....
None
Contributor
Hello everyone and my apologies for resurrecting this thread (found it in a forum search), but this is still highly relevant to me. It's been 3 years since the last post in this thread; has the process changed much since then?

I'm a little confused from what I've been reading on the forums (elsewhere). What exactly is involved in the VIP trip? My initial impression was that we would tour ships/subs on the east coast and get to interact with officers of the surface warfare/nuke community to get a feel for what the job is like.

Now I'm reading that the VIP trip includes the technical interview and PRT? I'm a little worried now...
I've been studying/exercising semi-regularly, but more of my anxieties are related to the technical interview. I've seen the study guide and studied some of it but I don't have everything down cold (i.e. wake up in the middle of the night and spontaneously solve a study guide question).

What I'm basically asking is, what exactly does the VIP trip entail? Does this include the tech interview/PRT or are those separate events? Where does OCS fit in? (I'm assuming it occurs once all of the other mentioned stuff is cleared...)

I'm going to receive orders to fly out on October 18-20 so the narrow time period from now until then (for preparation) is what's getting me. I already know that I'm at a "technical disadvantage" because I was actually a biology major in college and not a math/engineering/physics/chem major. Honestly, I want to do this regardless because I want to serve and my recruiter said that I "qualify" (having finished the calc and physics sequence during my undergrad).

Besides, I haven't finalized/submitted all my NUPOC paperwork to the recruiter so I'm thinking I can't even get interviewed without those taken care of first.

Any help in clearing out my confusions is highly appreciated! Also, I found the info in this thread highly useful. Thank you.!

I was a former NUPOC applicant before I went aviation. I did get to go on the VIP trip though to Seattle. The trip itself is pretty sweet. You and some others from your district will all go w/ your recruiter and you'll get to meet others who are applying from other cities, as well as other Officers who are in the program (mostly O-3s if i remember correctly). You'll have dinner the first night and it'll kind of be an intro to everyone and the plan of the day for the next few days as well.

The next day, you'll tour whatever base you're at and then get a pretty thorough brief on what exactly is entailed in the program from the Officers who are there. They'll also have you guys do some of the practice problems that they give you to do for the interview and give you tips on getting through the problems if you get stuck or working them out. You'll see a bunch of the guys nerd out during this point and jizz in their pants when they get called up to do a problem in front of everyone. But anyways, after that, you'll get to tour some more and have lunch too in the galley. I think we got to see the damage control trainer, the submarine sim, and some other spaces as well too. We also got to tour one of the SSBN's that was docked. It took some time though as none of us (candidate wise) had clearances, so they had to "scrub" the sub of important docs. On the sub, we got to ask questions of officers and enlisted guys who were on there and what it was like and everything else.

That night, some of us went out to the bar on base and hung out for a bit.

The next day you'll get to tour one of the ships in port. For us it was a Cruiser that was there, so we got to see the surface side of the nuke program. Same thing, you ask questions and then get to spend more time talking to the Nuclear Trained Officers about their job prospects and what they're doing after their first sea tour and after their commitments. That night we got taken to the local casino and got to have some fun and drink w/ some of the officers and recruiters and other candidates. Honestly, its a good way to see what kind of people you might be serving with and who was there and getting to form a small bond during that short amount of time. You could definitely tell the last day who all had been hanging out and who chose to stay in their hotel rooms and play world of warcraft.

Anyways, it was a good trip and learned alot. Definitely ask many questions all the time and take in as much as you can. Make sure you think about your decision to go forward. Not many will do it, but dress the part while there....not saying wear a suit, but if you want to stand out. Look nice during the walking around and tours and such. Be comfortable but not overdressed. Trust me, the Officers that come there ARE judging you and evaluating you guys at all times and it will definitely make an impression. If you want specifics with what i learned and why I didnt go that route, PM me.

Otherwise, don't worry about being at a disadvantage because of your major. There were marine biology majors and biochemistry and other non-engineering majors there too. If you're being invited to go on that trip, that means, you've already cleared a few hurdles. They don't invite every potential NUPOC candidate on those trips. If you're going, it means they think you might have a chance with the Admiral and now want to see if you are worth the time.

Good luck.
 

Kanjelman7

New Member
Um, are you normally physically active with anything? If not, you're going to be spending quite a bit of time in H.

H??? What is that?

You'll see a bunch of the guys nerd out during this point and jizz in their pants when they get called up to do a problem in front of everyone.
Are they called up voluntarily or involuntarily?

I did not know your recruiter will join you on the VIP trip (I'll need to ask mine). Also, how many prospective candidates attended? (does it fluctuate every time? are they a diverse bunch?)

dress the part while there....not saying wear a suit, but if you want to stand out. Look nice during the walking around and tours and such. Be comfortable but not overdressed.
I was planning to pack a couple of short-sleeve plaid shirts and office slacks/khakis. I'm worried about the leather shoes though since they aren't anti-slip and I'm sure we'll be spending lots of time on the deck.

If you want specifics with what i learned and why I didnt go that route, PM me.
Will do, and thank you. Thank you to vxc961 as well.

If you're being invited to go on that trip, that means, you've already cleared a few hurdles. They don't invite every potential NUPOC candidate on those trips. If you're going, it means they think you might have a chance with the Admiral and now want to see if you are worth the time.
I don't know if I'm placing an "irrational burden" on myself, but I realize that actual government money is being spent on me so I can attend this trip in the first place (which I am grateful for). I plan to work hard and not let my recruiter down.

Just for a last minute clarification, the technical/Admiral interview happen at a later date after the VIP trip? Is it scheduled after a certain amount of time passes after the VIP trip, or do I just go to my recruiter and tell him that I'm "ready" ?

Thank you for all your help and advice.
 

CUPike11

Still avoiding work as much as possible....
None
Contributor
Yes the interview will come later. If after the vip trip, the officers on your trip feel like you have a chance, they will submit your package to DC. Your recruiter will then be notified if you were selected for an interview or not. I would be studying the math and physics interview questions they are going to ask, so you know how to solve them.

"H" is H-class our the holding class. You go there if you cannot keep up physically, are sick, or hurt. You stay there until you are well enough or can pass physical standards.

You might be called up in both ways to solve a problem. They like to see who will standout though.
I've only been on the trip once and I'm not a recruiter so on my trip, there were about 35. And yes I could say they were diverse in some ways.
 
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