Oct 2013 IDC/SWO-IDC Options Board

[exNavyOffRec]

I was PRO-REC IP!! This was my 2nd try!! I wish all of you the best. My stats:


Male 32
Enlisted: ET1(SW) (14 years)
Evals: EP, EP, P, EP
Awards: 1JCOM, 1 JSAM, 1 FLOC, and Presidential Service Badge.
OAR 51
Bachelors of Science: Liberal Arts, 3.25 GPA
Appraisals: 2 O-4, 4 O-3, most 10's 3 9’s and great write ups.
LOR's: 1 (ret) O-6, 1 0-5 and 1 O-4.

Good Job, especially since it was your second time.

This is what I mean by AD in tech field is a wild card

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I was not selected either. To be honest I am a bit in shock. I thought I had a very competitive package, so I have no idea what the board was looking for.

The only thing I can think of is that you have a non tech degree and you are not in what would be considered a technical field (ET, CTT, CTI, etc...) and they limit the number of non tech degrees.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Hello everyone,

Don't feel too bad if you're not selected, I wasn't either. I am on USNAVYOCS and they're always referencing this site, so I decided to jump on here as well. Hopefully it will ease the pain for you enlisted guys knowing you're definitely not the only one's. I thought I had a killer package but..... I've been active duty for almost 15 years, 1st class (AZ1), Air Warfare (EAWS) qualified, new guy P but other than that EP evals, Sailor of the Year, Senior Sailor of this and that, 3 NAMs, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, 3.47 GPA in Criminal Justice, working on Master's in National Security, Outstanding PRT's, 10 years LPO of both Navy and Marines, Appraisals from three O-6's, two O-6 LOR's all 10's with great Skipper endorsement, numerous hours of community service, Data Analyst/System Administrator career field, TS/SCI clearance, Maintained Classified material, Command ACFL, Motorcycle Program Coordinator, FCPOA VP, just not quite there I suppose. It is what it is! I thought AOR was low with a 46, and no offense but apparently the 40 was good enough, so I can't use that as an excuse. I had 3 friends that were previously selected with a 42, 45, and 47 OAR score. Highly doubt the OAR would've been the set-back anyway when there's a killer Chief on here with a high OAR and to no avail. I'm 32 and this was my first Intel, IW, IP package. Previously applied to AMDO as well. For those that are questioning the age thing in reference to others, I have a few friends that were accepted to Supply, Intel and AMDO who were all over or at the age limit. Congrats to those accepted and good luck to those in the future that were not. Wish I could help you all, but I'm up the creek without a paddle with you!

I would say you are caught in the same issue, non tech degree and you are AD in a non tech field, otherwise great stats, have you tried for LDO?

The age limit for Supply was recently lowered, but those that were accepted prior were honored, Intel and AMDO are at the statuatory legal limit of 42 (or waiverable to 42). The NRC processors will not even let a application go to board if it doesn't meet the program authorization requirements.

 

[jakeflow]

I would say you are caught in the same issue, non tech degree and you are AD in a non tech field, otherwise great stats, have you tried for LDO?

The age limit for Supply was recently lowered, but those that were accepted prior were honored, Intel and AMDO are at the statuatory legal limit of 42 (or waiverable to 42). The NRC processors will not even let a application go to board if it doesn't meet the program authorization requirements.

I would say if that's the case, it's the most ridiculous technicality ever! Really? You're telling me that a person that has served active duty for anywhere between 4-30 years with a degree is not as technical as a person with a "technical degree." Serving on active duty and earning your degree in ANYTHING is far beyond any technical degree you could ever earn. Guess it's too late for us to turn our degrees in for a new one. This response isn't mean towards anyone specifically, but if the technical degree is the determining factor, we've got some serious problems!

I can't apply for LDO, that program is now limited to anyone under 15 years. 14 and some change to be exact. I hit 15 in September. STRIKE 2 so far! And EODC is probably the most technical rate in the military when you get down to brass tax and ticking time bombs.

 

[azguy]

Serving on active duty and earning your degree in ANYTHING is far beyond any technical degree you could ever earn.

This is a very foolish statement - you couldn't be more wrong. It's unfortunate to see many enlisted guys squandering the chance to use the GI Bill to get an actual college education and instead just getting a 'degree.' I get it, many want to stay serving on active duty and have no other choice, that's cool. But don't think for a second that your degree in criminal justice from AMU means shit compared to kids who study engineering, math, or science for four years at a college.

 

[jcharles]

Pro Rec- YES!

Congratulations!

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I would say if that's the case, it's the most ridiculous technicality ever! Really? You're telling me that a person that has served active duty for anywhere between 4-30 years with a degree is not as technical as a person with a "technical degree." Serving on active duty and earning your degree in ANYTHING is far beyond any technical degree you could ever earn. Guess it's too late for us to turn our degrees in for a new one. This response isn't mean towards anyone specifically, but if the technical degree is the determining factor, we've got some serious problems!

I can't apply for LDO, that program is now limited to anyone under 15 years. 14 and some change to be exact. I hit 15 in September. STRIKE 2 so far! And EODC is probably the most technical rate in the military when you get down to brass tax and ticking time bombs.

That is what I am telling you, if you had a degree in CJ but were a technical field such at CTT or ET or IT then you very well may have been picked up as I have seen priors and AD with non tech degrees but were in rates that were more of the technical rates get picked up.

FYI, I have seen many enlisted earn degrees that were technical and several are now officers.

 

[jakeflow]

This is a very foolish statement - you couldn't be more wrong. It's unfortunate to see many enlisted guys squandering the chance to use the GI Bill to get an actual college education and instead just getting a 'degree.' I get it, many want to stay serving on active duty and have no other choice, that's cool. But don't think for a second that your degree in criminal justice from AMU means shit compared to kids who study engineering, math, or science for four years at a college.

Mr. "foolish statement azguy"......perhaps you should comprehend prior to posting. First of all, if you earn a degree while remaining on active duty (juggling a deploying career, family and college) takes a heck of a lot more dedication and time management than just going to college and earning a degree. Who can't comprehend that?....... besides you? Where in the world did you come up with a Criminal Justice degree from AMU? If you re-read my post, which you should seriously consider before posting anywhere to anyone, My Master's Degree is in National Security from AMU (which by the way has some of the most prestigious faculty in the world, i.e...NASA Astronauts, Retired military personnel). So until you're proven, don't judge someone that starts a sentence with I would say. I didn't ask what you thought.

 

[jakeflow]

That is what I am telling you, if you had a degree in CJ but were a technical field such at CTT or ET or IT then you very well may have been picked up as I have seen priors and AD with non tech degrees but were in rates that were more of the technical rates get picked up.

FYI, I have seen many enlisted earn degrees that were technical and several are now officers.

I hear you NavyOffRec, the boards that makes these choices are obviously a lot further educated on why they chose who they did than what I think. I have numerous friends that were picked up in all shapes and sizes. Couple of the guys I graduated college with (same program) is a pilot and the other is an AMDO. A kid that worked for me and received his degree in Library Studies is a great Naval Officer. You just never know what they're looking for all around. At my last command, I had an Officer that had a General Studies degree. I'd have to agree with you though, a technical degree does seem to get your foot a little further in the door. Thanks.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I hear you NavyOffRec, the boards that makes these choices are obviously a lot further educated on why they chose who they did than what I think. I have numerous friends that were picked up in all shapes and sizes. Couple of the guys I graduated college with (same program) is a pilot and the other is an AMDO. A kid that worked for me and received his degree in Library Studies is a great Naval Officer. You just never know what they're looking for all around. At my last command, I had an Officer that had a General Studies degree. I'd have to agree with you though, a technical degree does seem to get your foot a little further in the door. Thanks.

I would say for you AMDO would be a better shot than Intel, the AMDO community LOVES to select people from the aviation community.

 

[azguy]

First of all, if you earn a degree while remaining on active duty (juggling a deploying career, family and college) takes a heck of a lot more dedication and time management than just going to college and earning a degree..

You assume all degrees are "equal." They're not.

Where in the world did you come up with a Criminal Justice degree from AMU? If you re-read my post, which you should seriously consider before posting anywhere to anyone, My Master's Degree is in National Security from AMU...

No disrespect to AMU, I'm sure many smart people go there, but it's typically considered a "diploma mill" and getting a National Security masters online isn't the same as studying in a field full time in person. Agree to disagree, I guess. If you're a "lifer" and just need to "check the block" for the BA/MA degrees, it probably doesn't matter anyway.

 

[jakeflow]

You assume all degrees are "equal." They're not.



No disrespect to AMU, I'm sure many smart people go there, but it's typically considered a "diploma mill" and getting a National Security masters online isn't the same as studying in a field full time in person. Agree to disagree, I guess. If you're a "lifer" and just need to "check the block" for the BA/MA degrees, it probably doesn't matter anyway.

I never said all degrees are equal. Let me break this down for you again. A person on active duty earning a degree in a technical or non-technical field is tougher than a person just going to college. Serving in the military period should carry a lot of weight IMO, which means In My Opinion. I don't have time to entertain you. Just stay out of my conversation or delete yourself.

 

[jakeflow]

I would say for you AMDO would be a better shot than Intel, the AMDO community LOVES to select people from the aviation community.

Agreed. AMDO boards are far and few in between. 1 board in the last 18 months with the fall board being postponed until February. SMH.... All you can do is get back up and try again. Once I finish up my Safe For Flight, I should be solid for AMDO (here's to hoping).

 

[azguy]

Get off the active duty high horse, you're not special. There are plenty of people who work full time, have families, insert sob story here, that get brick and mortar college degrees. I don't know why you think college is easy... But don't look down your nose at a guy that has a "real" degree just because he didn't get it while in the military.

Again, nothing against you personally or any particular college. My point is that E-Dogs need to know the difference, especially if they are thinking of using it on the outside...buyer beware and all that...

PS- before there is a dog pile, I'm on active duty too, so don't shoot the messenger if this is your first hint that being in the military doesn't make you a superior human being.

 

[Lions]

I figured I would throw my 2 cents in since my name was thrown out there. First off I understand the need for tech degrees. With that said I do not have a tech degree. I have a BS in Intelligence from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). This particular school has a requirement of a TS clearance in order to attend. In addition, it is one of several schools that military intelligence officers have the option to attend in order to receive their masters. This option puts it on the same level as Naval Postgrad in Monterey. In my opinion if the program is good enough for Officer postgrad it should be good enough to get excepted into OCS. I also understand the need for technical rates. I am not sure how familiar people are with EOD but it is a very technical rate. For a quick crash course, we receive extensive training in both chemical and biological warfare, nuclear weapons, electronic warfare, advanced electronics, etc. Hopefully with these short explanations some can see how I question what is looked for during the board. There are obviously a lot of emotions on this thread right now, both good and bad. So, congratulations to those that were selected and for those that weren't try to take an honest look at your package and try to improve it for the next submission.

PS- AZGUY no need for the zingers and not everyone squanders their opportunity for a REAL degree.