Questions from a spouse about DH application for OCS

[Flash]

Dh was just pre-selected for pilot. We're completely thrilled of course but also kind of anxious about getting him off to OCS in time. He turns 27 on April 4th so he has to start OCS in January (could he start in December maybe?) in order to commission in time. I have no idea how often they start a new class, is it every week? Or every 12 weeks? All we know so far is that he needs to go to MEPS and do his physical test for sit-ups/push-ups and running(?). Does he do the security clearance before, during or after OCS? His recruiter says this is all possible to get done in time we just need to hurry. I just want to make sure his recruiter knows what he's talking about (he seems really on the ball but it's better to be safe than sorry). Would he have been pre-selected if it were likely he'd run out of time?? Seems like a waste to me but I just thought I'd check.

The recruiter should know what he is talking about. Make sure your husband is as responsive as he can be to whatever the recruiter asks for. From what I know the security clearnce should not be a hang-up, he will not be getting a Top Secret clearnace quite yet and those are the ones that take a while. Other than that, DukeAndrewJ gave some excellent advice:

Make sure any needed medical records are gathered before MEPS (info about surgeries etc). Medical issues seemed to be where most people hit time-consuming snags.

Security investigation will start once the SF-86 is submitted after pro-rec (at least this was the way it worked for me). I have heard the investigation only needs to be opened, not finished, in order for final select to be granted. There isn't much he does though besides fill out the SF-86.

Others from my board are having similar concerns about age. I suggest you check out the August 2009 Boards thread to see how they are handling it.

As was mentioned, work quickly and be pro-active. When I was getting ready to submit my final documents I was in contact pretty much daily with my recruiter until it was all through.

The recruiter is often a very busy person, while this might be the most important thing in your lives right now your husband is one of several people they are trying to get into the Navy. Your husband should be be in very regular contact with the recruiter but not bugging him 4 times a day. The easiest way to make sure there are no hiccups is to work through them.

Because we're a team, I'm supportive, I want this as much as he does, I'm a good wife, I'm a good researcher (usually), I like to plan ahead, I have to be involved and know everything, he's looking into this all too...and seriously, why would I not?? I don't like to just be along for the ride I like to be enthusiastic and involved in his life and job as much as possible. He also doesn't get online much, he's pretty busy working, doing school, teaching, etc etc etc. How is this a bad thing?

It is not a bad thing, it is a bit unusual to have someone other than the candidate themselves come on here asking the questions you did. I know that you are likely settling your own nerves it can come across like your husband is not doing the hard work, hence some of the reaction. He is more than welcome to join the site, I would advise he start out searching and listening to begin with if he chooses to join.

A note of caution though, there are many things that your husband will have to endure himself in the service and often the only thing a spouse can do is sit back and just be there. Active and involved spouses, mainly wives still, are welcome in most military enviroments. But there are times and places they are not, this would not be one of them necessarily but it is something you should be aware of. To gain some insight into being a spouse in the military you may want to drop by the Spouse's Corner here on the site and say hello.

Either way, welcome to the forum and I wish your husband and you the best of luck.

 

[CAMike]

You guys are very rude and ignorant to what a good, lasting marriage is all about.

Thanks to the few of you who gave real insight to OCS being tough to get into. I didn't think it was going to be a cakewake, none of this process has been easy, I just wanted to know what to expect. What is the point of having a forum to ask questions if you get flamed for any question you ask?? Why not just make this site a FAQ only site and skip all the nonense of having people post and reply, since obviously most of you can't handle that in a polite and mature manner.

If I were you, I'd read and reflect about the posts in some other AW threads.

Rude? OK. Ignorant- sometimes. What a "lasting marriage is all about"? Ca' mon. Search the word "Divorce" on this site.

Seriously- Best of luck in your efforts, but do the search on "divorce"- it'll explain a lot about the other posts.

 

[HAL Pilot]

You guys are very rude and ignorant to what a good, lasting marriage is all about.

Thanks to the few of you who gave real insight to OCS being tough to get into. I didn't think it was going to be a cakewake, none of this process has been easy, I just wanted to know what to expect. What is the point of having a forum to ask questions if you get flamed for any question you ask?? Why not just make this site a FAQ only site and skip all the nonense of having people post and reply, since obviously most of you can't handle that in a polite and mature manner.

Since I am obviously one of the "rude and ignorant" ones, I have a couple of things to say:

1. Develop a sense of humor or your life around the Navy will really suck.

2. If you had done your homework by reading what is posted on this site before posting yourself, you would have seen mine was a pretty typical response.. Just like it would be in any squadron ready room.

3. Welcome to Naval Aviation. This is how it is. We are all aggressive personalities. Anyone who depends on his/her spouse to do his/her homework won't last long. It's not about "being a team", it's about initiative. Plus once on active duty, you can't do his work for him. HE is in the Navy and it is HIS job. You can support him, but if you try to do his work or if he lets you try to do his work, he will fail. Big time.

4. If you want to be cuddled, go to your user page and ask to join the Private Spouses Forum. They'll nicely whisper sweet things in your ears while answering your questions.

5. I suggest your husband spend sometime on this site. The way we banter back and forth reflects the attitudes and personalities he will find in a squadron. Better he get used to it here when it doesn't count, then be a fish out of water when it does.

6. I hope I've educated you in the areas you are obviously ignorant.

7. Women think it's cute calling their husbands "DH". Men think stupid. DH? Dick Head? Dumb Husband?

8. Your husband probably needs to grow a set of balls.

 

[apilotswife]

Um, sure, whatever. My dh doesn't give a crap what people think but unfortunately I do. He doesn't get on forums because he thinks it's stupid, he googles stuff and looks on the Navy website or asks his recruiter when he has a question. I'd rather pop online and ask someone because it's usually quicker for me. But usually people are pretty nice answering questions. Dh doesn't need my help and really I'm not helping him anyway I'm just curious and like to be in the loop. He never would have gotten selected if he hadn't done the work.

 

[navy09]

7. Women think it's cute calling their husbands "DH". Men think stupid. DH? Dick Head? Dumb Husband?

Or worse...Department Head :icon_rage

apilotswife- If we're bothering you that much, you don't have to post anymore.

 

[Ducky]

Um, sure, whatever. My dh doesn't give a crap what people think but unfortunately I do. He doesn't get on forums because he thinks it's stupid, he googles stuff and looks on the Navy website or asks his recruiter when he has a question. I'd rather pop online and ask someone because it's usually quicker for me. But usually people are pretty nice answering questions. Dh doesn't need my help and really I'm not helping him anyway I'm just curious and like to be in the loop. He never would have gotten selected if he hadn't done the work.

There is nothing wrong with being an informed wife and I think its great that you are a supportive, loving, and caring wife. He will definitely need every bit of your unconditional support as an SNA and when on deployments. However, I agree that you should drop by the spouses corner and get some been there done that advice from some of the other wives.

The reason I suggest that is because many new wives do not realize that their actions and words can and will have a real impact on your husbands naval career both positively and negatively. Although most of the wives are excellent supporters, I've only been in the Navy for 2.5 years and I have already seen guys shunned for the inappropriate comments/actions of their wives. This site is an excellent resource of information and gives junior and senior guys a forum to interact and share experiences both good and bad. However, that also means that the guys you call rude or arrogant may be the guys reviewing your husbands application, or it could be the admiral in charge of flight school. So please be guarded in your remarks until you get a better feel for the forum for your husbands sake if nothing else.

I wish the both of you the best of luck. Now get your husband on here so we can give him a warm AW welcome.

P.S. What is a Dh??? To all us navy guys it usually means department head/dirty hinge

 

[Kathy]

P.S. What is a Dh??? To all us navy guys it usually means department head/dirty hinge

DH is common Internet forum slang for "dear husband." It's used on pretty much every forum that women frequent, and we sometimes forget that this isn't "our world."

I'm closing this thread because I think she has the answers she needed and no good can come from where this is heading.

 

[apilotswife]

The REAL age limit for non-priors??

I've searched all over the internet and this site and usnavyocs.com and keep finding conflicting information about the age limit for SNAs and NFOs. What is the most accurate and up to date info on this?? I keep finding threads from 2002, 2003, 2008, etc but the age limits keep changing or when I do find something from this year it is about an age limit or waiver for a PRIOR enlisted.

Age limit for SNA time of commissioning: 27 or 27.5 for NON PRIORS??
Age limit for NFO time of commissioning: 27 or 30 for NON PRIORS??

HAVE ANY NON-PRIORS EVER BEEN APPROVED FOR AN AGE WAIVER?

Maybe someone should make a "sticky" with this info so people don't have to search all over trying to find it. It would be nice if the navy had this info on their site as well. If anyone has a link to where the info is at please let me know. I just want a straight answer, thanks!

 

[wlawr005]

you can find a lot of age limitation information here. It's STA-21, but the restrictions are the same (usually 27, waiverable until 29 for pilot and 31 for NFO for prior AD service).

Haven't you asked (and had answered) this question before?:sleep_125

 

[apilotswife]

you can find a lot of age limitation information here. It's STA-21, but the restrictions are the same (usually 27, waiverable until 29 for pilot and 31 for NFO for prior AD service).

Haven't you asked (and had answered) this question before?:sleep_125

Thanks but that link doesn't work. I asked about waivers for a pilot and didn't get a real answer. The thread just turned into telling me my husband is pussywhipped and that he can't do this work himself (and that's why he's a pilot select??). I didn't ask about age limits for NFOs and I already know the limit for SNAs but I found a thread that said you have to commission by 27.5 so now I'm confused about what is actually the truth. Are you SURE 27 is the age limit for NFO? Because according to some threads and about.com (stupid reference I know) http://usmilitary.about.com/od/officerjo2/a/nfo.htm the limit is 30 for non-prior NFOs. Does anyone know for sure or is everyone just guessing?

 

[Ken_gone_flying]

Does your husband know you do this?

 

[apilotswife]

Does your husband know you do this?

Nope. Does it matter?

 

[JTH]

Oh no.. Here we go again.. I would just call 1-800-YOURECRUITER. If you don't know about the answer your OR gives and are still in doubt, ask them nicely if they can verify it with someone in the office who has dealt with age limits of non-priors.

Also, PM's to people in the know work better then new threads. Even dumb PM's beat no mail at all!

 

[apilotswife]

I'm sorry that I'm clueless about all of this. Apparently wives aren't supposed to get on here and ask questions about their husbands career...

What is ok for a potential military spouse to do to be supportive and be "in the know"? Would it be weird for me to go with my husband to talk to his OR? I know there will be times when I can't be with my husband or even know where he is, but how can I be supportive without making him look like an idiot? I just don't know what I'm doing wrong!

 

[navy09]

Would it be weird for me to go with my husband to talk to his OR?

No, that's what he's there for.