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Is the BDCP closed for 2011

samc

New Member
Hello All,

I spoke to a recruiter(for officers) and was told that the BDCP was out of money. He told me I could apply but I would be turned down. I have an Associates degree already in Business Administration, over 6 years as a Big Box retail manager, and 2 years as a Banker. I am in the last portion of my junior year of my BA in International Business.

He told me that with this degree I would only qualify for the Supply Corps. Oh I also currently have a 3.20 GPA.

My main interest was Public Relations or Naval Aviation, worst case scenario NFO. I haven't taken the OAR yet because I just started looking into this. I know that being 28, with my birthday about 9 months out; is putting a red flag on me.

I haven't reached another recruiter that can verify this information. It seems to me that it would be odd the program would be out of money, unless the NAVY calculates its fiscal years differently. Which should be some where around sept. or oct if my memory is correct.

Does anyone have information if this is true.

I know I could join as a reservist, and finish school, but it would be nice to have the financial help in exchange for service. I also know if if enlist full time I would potentially be putting school on hold for a time, especially if I am assigned to a ship and not shore duty.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
 

twobecrazy

RTB...
Contributor
I spoke to a recruiter(for officers) and was told that the BDCP was out of money.

They have already selected for FY'11 (present). I believe FY'12 (next year) as well but I could be wrong about this. Try searching it has been discussed before.

He told me that with this degree I would only qualify for the Supply Corps. Oh I also currently have a 3.20 GPA.

That is incorrect.

My main interest was Public Relations or Naval Aviation, worst case scenario NFO. I haven't taken the OAR yet because I just started looking into this. I know that being 28, with my birthday about 9 months out; is putting a red flag on me.

Are you prior service? If not, sorry you won't be able to do any Naval Aviation job. Which makes me believe the OR telling you that you only qualify for Supply (he/she was probably recommending it based on your background) is more accurate based on the information you have given us.

I haven't reached another recruiter that can verify this information. It seems to me that it would be odd the program would be out of money, unless the NAVY calculates its fiscal years differently. Which should be some where around sept. or oct if my memory is correct.

Does anyone have information if this is true.

See above.

I know I could join as a reservist, and finish school, but it would be nice to have the financial help in exchange for service. I also know if if enlist full time I would potentially be putting school on hold for a time, especially if I am assigned to a ship and not shore duty.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.


Yup. Sounds like you have some thinking to do. But be advised being prior enlisted doesn't guarantee you a chance to become an officer later on. Also, before posting questions you should search the forum first. We are happy to answer any questions you can't find answers for.
 

SC-NY-88

FNG
None
Hello All,

My main interest was Public Relations or Naval Aviation, worst case scenario NFO.

OUCH! Good thing you're 28 and too old for aviation because that's the wrong attitude.

Yes, BDCP is currently "closed".
Yes, the fiscal year for the US Navy begins in October.
No, Your degree doesn't effect what you apply for, however age and medical conditions do.
No, the program isn't "out of money", the Navy isn't broke (well, I guess the whole federal government is :D ) it's just that there is something like 100 slots supposed to be available for BDCP and the BDCP billets, if you can call them that, are over filled.
Considerable gaps between High School and college, and then associates to BA may make it harder (not impossible) to get into the program.

9 times out of 10 ORs know ther stuff.
 

samc

New Member
OUCH! Good thing you're 28 and too old for aviation because that's the wrong attitude.

I'm not trying to offend anyone, by any of my statements.

The point I was making is that I know what I would want to do if I joined. I would make just as much of a commitment to the military as they would me. I've always thought of being a pilot. NFO as it was explained to me by the recruiter would handle secondary tasks on applicable aircraft. If that is incorrect please educate me.

You get a choice of applying to 3 positions you would like, if chosen you report for that position. At some point it becomes a list of preference. It would make no sense for me to do something I'm not going to commit to. IMHO
 

samc

New Member
twobecrazy Thank you.

I need to clarify something. The recruiter told me that with applicable test scores on the OAR and ASTB I could qualify for Aviation. Now that I think about it, I feel that what he was really trying to say is that Supply Corps would be the easiest route for me if I was selected into OCS. That being my degree, work experience, and my current GPA would probably make me a more competitive candidate going for Supply Corps, than another discipline.

Once again thank you for the information.
 

MIDNJAC

is clara ship
pilot
twobecrazy Thank you.

I need to clarify something. The recruiter told me that with applicable test scores on the OAR and ASTB I could qualify for Aviation. Now that I think about it, I feel that what he was really trying to say is that Supply Corps would be the easiest route for me if I was selected into OCS. That being my degree, work experience, and my current GPA would probably make me a more competitive candidate going for Supply Corps, than another discipline.

Once again thank you for the information.

He wasn't just trying to tell you that supply would be the easiest. You are currently too old for either pilot or NFO programs, unless you have prior enlisted service and qualify for an age waiver. Even then, that will only approve you up to age 29 (meaning you would have to get your commission before you turned 30).

Bottom line, if you aren't a prior service type, you need to look to other alternatives.
 

twobecrazy

RTB...
Contributor
He wasn't just trying to tell you that supply would be the easiest. You are currently too old for either pilot or NFO programs, unless you have prior enlisted service and qualify for an age waiver. Even then, that will only approve you up to age 29 (meaning you would have to get your commission before you turned 30).

This is slightly inaccurate. It is up to 31 for NFO. 29 is for NA. Meaning you have to commission before 31 for NFO and 29 for NA.
 

NTXRockr

Alive and kicking...sort of.
This is slightly inaccurate. It is up to 31 for NFO. 29 is for NA. Meaning you have to commission before 31 for NFO and 29 for NA.

But this still requires him to be prior service. I assume that he is not and his OR is trying to push him in the direction that he's likely to get accepted through. No need to waste both his and the OR's time and work to apply for a designator you can't get into.
 

NTXRockr

Alive and kicking...sort of.
Yeah, but I don't think that means you must pick three. Just more options I guess.

I only picked one (pilot) but my OR put both SNA and SNFO (without my permission) down on my application. His intentions were just to get me accepted instead of possibly missing out on pilot - I was afraid to get NFO but not pilot, then have to decide whether to re-apply and piss off that board or to cut my losses and go NFO - but it worked out anyways as I was pro-rec on both. If I were applying today instead of 18 months ago and were just trying to become an officer no matter what the designator, I'm sure I'd fill out all five in order to maximize my chances. You may not get exactly what you want, but if you intend on being a naval officer and make the most of your situation I don't think it would really matter.
 

bluesig1

sure thing
None
I'm not trying to offend anyone, by any of my statements.

The point I was making is that I know what I would want to do if I joined. I would make just as much of a commitment to the military as they would me. I've always thought of being a pilot. NFO as it was explained to me by the recruiter would handle secondary tasks on applicable aircraft. If that is incorrect please educate me.

You get a choice of applying to 3 positions you would like, if chosen you report for that position. At some point it becomes a list of preference. It would make no sense for me to do something I'm not going to commit to. IMHO

I think that depends on what you consider secondary tasks. If you were in the E-2 your AIC for intercepts, ATC type work, battle space management. If your in P-3's, your handling some Nav work, or execution of attacks against targets, reconnaissance, and sensor operator. If your in the F-18 your targeting contacts, being the FAC-A, making sure the pilot doesn't kill you. If your in electronic attack your running sensors, jammers, etc. Of course you could just be dead weight in the back.:)
 

Phoenix289

API- Whiting for Primary
Now don't quote me on this as I still need to do a bit more digging, but I went in for my face to face meeting with my OR yesterday and he told me that BDCP is done for, as in not just taking a break for a few years. I'm not taking his word for it as he's told me some incorrect info before, but if that is true, what a bummer. Basically, he said it just isn't necessary anymore with so many people applying for OCS anyway due to the crappy economy. I count myself extremely lucky to have gotten into BDCP when I did as I'm sure all the other BDCP guys are. It's a great program, but I think most of us can agree it's one of the best scams in the Navy. If this is true good luck to everyone with OCS applications.
 
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