Explanation of "scroll" process and Timeline of events until receipt of COMDOCs

[Devil Duck]

I emailed my recruiter the other day to inquire as to whether I'd be commissioned prior to the second week of February. The response was an almost certain 'no'. I'm still trying to figure out what the hiccup is caused by. I had no issues with medical and already have a clearance. I know none of this will matter in a few weeks/months, but for now it's extremely frustrating.

 

[Travia]

Hello Devil Duck,
I think everybody is frustrated mainly because we can't get a concrete answer. It is very hard to deal with answers like I do not what the hold up is or I haven't hearrd anything. I need more and I don't think that's to much to ask for. My letterwas sent to be signed on January 19 and I believe that I should at keast have received an email copy of the Final Select Letter by now. How long does it take for a letter to be signed? My recruiter said that it is a push to get everybody Commissioned ASAP however, it doesn't seem that everybody knows that. I am not sure how often the Recruiters/Processors check the system to see if the Final Select Letters are there. The last I heard from my Recruiter on Monday was about the letter being sent for signature but he could not view it which meant it had not been mailed yet. Then he stated that he could see movement on my COMDOCs but he wasn't sure the rate. Well it has been 3 days and no other update. I truly doubt if he has checked again. I don't think they understand how important this is to us because if they did they would be doing more or at least trying to find out more information. My life has been on hold waiting on this to happen, especially when my family lives in different states. Keep your head up.

 

[dephyler]

I don't think they understand how important this is to us because if they did they would be doing more or at least trying to find out more information. My life has been on hold waiting on this to happen, especially when my family lives in different states. Keep your head up.

Not that it's too comforting to hear, but get used to being on edge. Even once you're in, you'll know something is supposed to happen, but not necessarily when. e.g, I might go down and help with the humanitarian effort, but I've been waiting for 2 weeks for the green light, and it's no where in sight. I'm in touch with my chain of command, but there's no movement. My wife is far from happy that we don't know for sure, but waiting is the name of the game. I have no doubts that we'll all deal with this many, many times throughout our careers. Big Navy is a very slow beast, especially when it's dealing with a huge mobilization down in Haiti. It sucks, but learning to cope early is a necessity.

 

[cargodog]

There's got to be something bigger at bay here. It can't be an issue of "how long does it take to sign a letter". If someone were really just remiss in signing letters than no one would have been commissioned in the past 6 weeks - but there has been a few. My recruiter is very on top of it, he's sent the issue up the food chain and they can't get answers either. Which tells me that the issue isn't someone just forgetting to sign the docs. There's got to be some strategic reason why docs aren't coming out. It could be anything.

Yes, the not knowing is the worst part. I was expecting (and my recruiter was expecting) for us to be commissioned already in January and its going on seven months of waiting. But even if it were another month away, it wouldn't be as bad as not knowing whether I'll get docs on Monday or next March! At least we could plan for it! What really gets to me the most, though, is that there are folks who were selected in the September board and have already commissioned. I know "life aint' fair" and all, but come on!

At least we're not alone. At least there isn't just one of us who isn't getting docs. So we know we didn't just fall through the cracks. Which again leads me to believe there's some strategic reason for our delay.

 

[OnTopTime]

I don't think they understand how important this is to us because if they did they would be doing more or at least trying to find out more information. My life has been on hold waiting on this to happen, especially when my family lives in different states. Keep your head up.

As a former reserve officer recruiter (admittedly more than 7 years ago), I can tell you that this is almost certainly wrong. Recruiters do understand how important this is to applicants. It's important to the recruiters too, because their job performance depends on getting this done. Someone (either the recruiter or a processor) is very likely checking at least daily to see if there has been any movement. The recruiters are very busy; they will probably not contact you just to tell you that nothing has changed. The recruiters will be reluctant to keep calling CRUITCOM or the applicable department at PERS to try to find out what's causing delays because they don't want to bug the people there. As a field recruiter, getting those folks pissed at you can make your job very difficult. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a standing order for recruiters to not make these kinds of inquiries.

It may be hard for you, but you need to be patient. This is not all about you. The people that process DCO documents have other things to do as well. People get sick, go on vactation, etc. Shit happens. You should feel lucky that you were accepted for a commission after a very competitive process. As others have mentioned, this will not be your last experience with a Navy bureaucracy that at times can be difficult to figure out. Get used to it.

 

[3912DCO]

Not that it's too comforting to hear, but get used to being on edge. Even once you're in, you'll know something is supposed to happen, but not necessarily when. e.g, I might go down and help with the humanitarian effort, but I've been waiting for 2 weeks for the green light, and it's no where in sight. I'm in touch with my chain of command, but there's no movement. My wife is far from happy that we don't know for sure, but waiting is the name of the game. I have no doubts that we'll all deal with this many, many times throughout our careers. Big Navy is a very slow beast, especially when it's dealing with a huge mobilization down in Haiti. It sucks, but learning to cope early is a necessity.

I'm with dephyler on this one. This is NOT the most frustrating wait I have ever had in the military. Being told I am at the top of the list to deploy and then anxiously awaiting that phone call for 3+-months (thank goodness it was ONLY 3!!!) was not only nerve racking but destabilizing for my family. You cannot make any long-term plans, like vacations and you're constantly anticipating this upheaval. Waiting for this process to reach its rightful conclusion is a walk in the park.

The reality is, the powers that be, are trying to run a war and they are as considerate as possible (from what I hear, the Navy better than any other branch) under the circumstances.

As frustrating as this may seem to you, this could well be the BEST wait you have in the military...welcome aboard, Shipmate!

 

[lait1]

Cargodog and Iceman, No express in Houston. All I know is that the docs are sitting on someones desk for signature. Throwing darts at the list of names I guess.

No express here in South Carolina either! I talked to my recruiter 2 weeks ago and she had just gotten off the phone trying to check on my final select letter. I've been trying to contact her yesterday and today and have not gotten in touch with her to find out what's going on... At this point, throwing darts at the list of names is the best guess as to what is going on...

 

[cargodog]

What do you want to bet there's a bunch of LTJG's sitting in DCO Commissioning HQ and they really do take turns every day throwing darts at our names while sipping their morning coffee. And then they watch this forum for one of us to get all excited and post something all over air warriors. Ha ha! Kinda funny, really.. :icon_tong

 

[Travia]

As a former reserve officer recruiter (admittedly more than 7 years ago), I can tell you that this is almost certainly wrong. Recruiters do understand how important this is to applicants. It's important to the recruiters too, because their job performance depends on getting this done. Someone (either the recruiter or a processor) is very likely checking at least daily to see if there has been any movement. The recruiters are very busy; they will probably not contact you just to tell you that nothing has changed. The recruiters will be reluctant to keep calling CRUITCOM or the applicable department at PERS to try to find out what's causing delays because they don't want to bug the people there. As a field recruiter, getting those folks pissed at you can make your job very difficult. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a standing order for recruiters to not make these kinds of inquiries.

It may be hard for you, but you need to be patient. This is not all about you. The people that process DCO documents have other things to do as well. People get sick, go on vactation, etc. Shit happens. You should feel lucky that you were accepted for a commission after a very competitive process. As others have mentioned, this will not be your last experience with a Navy bureaucracy that at times can be difficult to figure out. Get used to it.

OnTopTime,
Your tone was disrespectful and I ask that you reframe from responding to my post. Numerous people have vented but you decided to respond to my post. You don't know me so please don't respond to me in that manner because I would dislike thinking that your attitude reflects the Navy that I will represent. I didn't disrespect you so I would appreciate the same courtesy.

 

[OnTopTime]

OnTopTime,
Your tone was disrespectful and I ask that you reframe from responding to my post. Numerous people have vented but you decided to respond to my post. You don't know me so please don't respond to me in that manner because I would dislike thinking that your attitude reflects the Navy that I will represent. I didn't disrespect you so I would appreciate the same courtesy.

Oh boy. First thing: "If you can't stand the heat,..." You're posting in a public forum, and I will not "reframe" from responding to your posts if I think that a response is warranted. I was attempting to send a dose of reality your way, a message which you appear to have interpreted the wrong way. You will have trouble in your military career if you continue to be so sensitive and easily feel "disrespect" when someone with more experience than you attempts to provide a course correction.

Edited to add: Although I quoted your post, my response is meant for all those in your situation who have expressed similar thoughts. It's just that you were more succint in stating an opinion that the recruiters don't get it and that somehow you were being done a disservice.

 

[tenntoo]

OnTopTime,

Thanks for the pep talk.

Fellow Selectees,

I just wanted to toss in a note on my experience with Navy bureaucracy. Although I've experienced a great deal of "hurry up and wait" in my eight years of reserve duty and my recent mobilization to Afghanistan, this is the very first time that I've felt like I've been left out to flap in the breeze. For my fellow selectees who are entirely new to the Navy especially, be assured that most of the time your peers and superiors will work hard to keep you informed, because a happy sailor is a productive sailor. From my perspective this standstill does not resemble the normal state of affairs; generally the system functions a little better than this.

For now, let's all keep our heads up! Also, keep venting. I know that it's been a great relief to know that I didn't fall through some crack all alone.

Best,

-tenntoo

 

[OnTopTime]

OnTopTime,

Thanks for the pep talk.

Just to be clear: Travia and those in a similar situation are likely justified in feeling that things are taking too long; my main point is that saying that the recruiter is somehow part of the problem or is holding back information or not trying hard enough to get answers is asinine. If you're frustrated, the recruiter is frustrated too, and times a factor of x depending on how many applicants he/she has in the same situation. If the recruiter doesn't know then the recruiter doesn't know; there's not too much else they can tell you other than to keep being patient.

 

[Intel_warrior]

my main point is that saying that the recruiter is somehow part of the problem or is holding back information or not trying hard enough to get answers is asinine.

OnTopTime, I don't or hope that these folks aren't saying that the recruiter is a factor in the signatures. I believe;someone correct me if I am wrong; they are upset with their recruiter due to lack of information. A recruiter should at the very least initiate contact with the selectee once a week or once every two weeks. At the very least the recruiter can say "have not heard nothing" or "I checked and the trail ended at the signature desk". Instead, the selectees are having to be the initiators of the contact. Some folks from what I have read have to spend time hunting their recruiter down just for an update. I check in with mine every two weeks for an update. My recruiter has never initiated contact with me. It has always been him returning my calls or emails. When I signed in as enlisted, that recruiter was like a bulldog Latched on and wouldn't let go. Also, in the different units I was a part of, the commands always kept the personnel well informed. I do get in a hurry up mindset occationally, then I remember this is big Navy. I do agree, lets everyone be patient. Our time will come. Remember, the big hump was getting selected.

 

[tenntoo]

Intel Warrior,

You said it perfectly. Thanks!

 

[tenntoo]

Hi Team,

This isn't a lot of data, but when I emailed my recruiter today he said that his other selectee had COMDOCS on the way. He had emailed the program manager to check on mine. So, the system is still churning.

Best,

-tenntoo