Recruiter JUST told me I didn't make August boards!

[sndyson]

Regarding my package for OCS/Pilot August review boards:

After having scrambled to get absolutely everything together, and ON TIME, there was only one more thing to worry about. I received a DWI back in 2007 for which I needed a waiver from my recruiter's CO. I was told he would call me 2 weeks earlier than he actually did, but we did talk and he was more than happy to provide a waiver after our 10 minute conversation, even ending the conversation with "hope to see you on the fleet." I was, of course, relieved now that everything was taken care of.

Moving on, I called my recruiter today just to triple-check that everything was indeed good to go and was informed that my package would NOT be making the August boards because the waiver was not in on time. Well, everything required on my part was in on time and as far as that extra 2 weeks for the waiver - that was simply me waiting on a phone call, I couldn't exactly just call up the CO.

So what am I to do now?? My recruiter said there was no indication of when the next board would be and I was really liking my chances for August's (good test scores, rec's, etc.). I spoke with Navy Personnel Command and they gave me the number for the OCS help desk. I will call them tomorrow and see what they can possibly do/advise but other than that I'm unfortunately clueless. If anything, I do put the majority of blame on myself for even making it necessary to rush and get everything in - not to mention I would not dare point fingers at recruiters or CO's for that is simply not my place to do so. But other than that, I would very much appreciate any experiential advice or ANYTHING you guys are able to provide.

SUGGESTIONS?

 

[MasterBates]

Get used to it. When Navy says jump, you go how high.

When they don't do something that is not required by law or regulation, don't be shocked.

Just accept that, and you will be much happier.

 

[squorch2]

I suggest you chill the fuck out.

edit: that is serious advice, not just snark.

 

[sndyson]

I suggest you chill the fuck out.

edit: that is serious advice, not just snark.

please, some sound advice would be much more appreciated than the above. I really am in a predicament here. thank you.

 

[eas7888]

please, some sound advice would be much more appreciated than the above. I really am in a predicament here. thank you.

Sndyson, that is the best advice anyone can give you.

Step 1: Chill the fuck out
Step 2: Examine your options.
-If you really want to fly, there are other options. Air Force (To include Air Guard), Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and the Army.
-You can wait for the next board to come around.
Step 3: Be patient. This is a slow process. The military has a surplus of applicants right now, so who knows when the next board will be. It can be months, or a year before your packet gets seen. Plan for the best, prepare for the worst.

Step 4: I don't have any other advice, other than make sure you eat plenty of fiber. A healthy BM always makes me feel better.

 

[CAMike]

snydyson- OK, you're right. I'll share some advise with you. Keep in mind this is coming from someone older and wiser than others that responded to your in this thread previously.

Those folks didn't seem to answer your original post appropriately. You are not in any unusual predicament and you need to chill out now. If you're a decent officer candidate, your head will not explode as a result of ANY delays. Once in the Navy you will experience many delays and orders that won't be your first or second priority. Squorch2 shared sound advice with you. Re-Read post #2 and #3 and reflect on it. Your personal opinion means exactly ZERO to the Navy.

Welcome to the Navy.....maybe!

 

[squorch2]

snydyson: some self-reflection may be in order here as well. Why are you so hell-bent on getting a Navy commission now now now? Are there other circumstances in your life that could use the attention and energy you're currently wasting worrying about a process that you cannot influence?

Or look at it this way: what do you want to hear? Something to make you feel good or the truth?

Here's some sound advice: you do not present the picture of someone who is happy with himself. Earning your commission will not change that. While you're waiting for the next board, take the time to think about why you're doing what you're doing - and if you're not happy with the way things are going, make changes.

But for now, have a beer and chill the fuck out.

 

[MasterBates]

With your DWI, just make sure you don't get another one while having a beer and chilling the fuck out.

 

[Bobola2005]

Coming from the perspective of another applicant, I would also suggest that you calm down a bit. This definitely is a very long process and will take longer than you like. My first steps in seeking a commission as an officer started back in April of 2010 and I have still yet to have my application boarded due to delays and cancellations. That’s about 1.5 years between the time I started the process to the time I will find out if I am accepted or rejected. I used that time to get a PPL to make myself more competitive. It is going to take a while. Look into your other options. The Air Force has an OTS board that is due for December and they are supposed to be accepting pilots at that time. I also believe the Marine Corps is opening their air contracts back up so that is always an option. Additionally, I had an OA recruiter for the Air Force Reserve tell me that they are taking a lot of pilot applicants right now because of a lot of openings. Look into those options and keep pushing along.

If you wanted someone to tell you to go bug the people at the OCS help desk, I doubt anyone would recommend that. I think all you can do is just work on bettering yourself and continue to look at all your options.

 

[sndyson]

It was not my intention to seem as though I was in any uproar of emotions. It simply is the time sensitivity that called for the CAPS and the double question marks, not any kind of explosion on my part. I truly was just looking for some sound advice on what my options may be as they pertain to resolving *this* situation, and not a detour into exploring other routes other than Navy OCS/Pilot. I do realize that I personally hold little/no weight with anyone Navy right now. So thank you, Bobola, for the PPL suggestion and being able to relate with knowing the hell-acious time frame this can all involve. I have also been pursuing this endeavor for quite some time now and really wanted to avoid adding another year to it - the reason for my original post in the first place. So, again, suggestions anyone?

 

[squorch2]

You keep alluding to and now explicitly mentioning the time sensitivity of things... what is so time sensitive about any of this?

 

[xxxCharliexxx]

Ok, my 2 cents which isn't worth that much...

I'm not going to tell you to chill out...I think that's been covered.

Feeling that something outside of your control is keeping you from what you want it not the best feeling.

Considering your DWI, I was sort of surprised you were given a waiver considering the abundance of qualified applicants without the waivers. I'm not saying that to be mean - it's actually a compliment that the CO thought that much of you to grant you a waiver. I'm sure it gave you a huge boost. Now as great as that was to hear that you were being granted a waiver, it however did not translate into his immediately dropping everything to call you. He's a CO. He commands a unit. He's got a bigger list of things to get accomplished that particular day other than your waiver for your DWI. The fact that you received a call within a couple of weeks is pretty good timing in my opinion (not that you asked for it). I'm also quite certain he was unaware of any deadline you had riding on his phone call.

You asked "so what am I to do now?" My best advice is to do everything you can to improve your package until you figure out when you can apply for the next board. Also, check with your recruiter to see which documents are time sensitive...meaning, ask when your LoR's, interviews, waivers, etc will expire so you can keep that in mind as time ticks away so you aren't faced with another deadline and all of these things to "handle" at the last minute (or even the last month). Because as you already have learned the hard way, if you waited until 2 weeks before the deadline to get something into your package....then you've already waited too long.

My other piece of advice is don't even think about pointing fingers at anyone...you are very right about that part. Even your phone call to NPC to get the OCS number is extremely tricky. Be very careful and proceed here with caution with tomorrow's phone call to OCS help desk. I would not contact them at all. It's a VERY SMALL Navy and everyone will remember the a-hole that called to complain because he didn't get his DWI waiver in on time to get picked up for OCS. Is that will what will be explained on the phone when you call, no, probably not. Will it matter? No, because that's what they will hear.

Best thing is to suck it up, accept what's occurred, and make sure you never let it happen again. Phone calls and bitterness won't cut it. Act like the officer you want to become, and take ownership of what's happened and make the best out of the situation and additional time you have been given. Do search other options, other branches, other programs within the Navy that may be compatible, etc - but do use all of your time to improve your package. Know that everyone else that didn't make this board will be doing the same and they will be your competition when the next board is scheduled.

Good luck to you,
Charlie

 

[sndyson]

You keep alluding to and now explicitly mentioning the time sensitivity of things... what is so time sensitive about any of this?

The boards meeting next week is where the time sensitivity comes from, and then they won't meet again until X amount of months after that. It's not that I NEED to get in this go around, it's that who knows when the next go around will be so better now than some time down the road (and like I said, as far as I knew everything was good to go until today). This is something I have committed to making happen, and having to wait longer is by no means a deal breaker/dead end. Just trying to embody that little thing we refer to as "mental fortitude."

 

[squorch2]

Right now you're embodying "sounding like a spaz."

 

[phrogpilot73]

Just trying to embody that little thing we refer to as "mental fortitude."

Well, you're not. Welcome to the military. Shit doesn't go your way sometimes. Let's review:

The economy is in the shits. The military is facing huge budget cuts/personnel cuts. There's MORE than enough qualified applicants. The fact you got a waiver for a DWI is a damn near miracle. The board meets next week.

What does all this mean? There isn't shit you can do to change it. Push the issue enough, and you're only going to piss people off and when a board does meet - you won't get selected because you were a whiny bitch. Work within the system, or else look like a whiny entitled douchebag.

My advice? Chill the fuck out. Sound familiar?

Make your package even better. Who knows when the next board is going to be... Could be next month, just no one knows. Be prepared. But stop fucking whining on here about how you're showing "mental fortitude" by demanding the military change their rules/procedures because of YOU.

This is your warning. Keep this up, and you will be banned.