• Please take a moment and update your account profile. If you have an updated account profile with basic information on why you are on Air Warriors it will help other people respond to your posts. How do you update your profile you ask?

    Go here:

    Edit Account Details and Profile

Supply Officer Interview

JCF86

New Member
Hello all! I'm scheduled for an interview for Supply Officer in the next couple of weeks, and I was wondering if anyone has been on this interview before and if they could tell me what to expect. Thanks!
 
I conducted mine with a Supply Corps O6 in August 2013. The interview lasted approximately 30 minutes and there is a form they largely go off. We chatted for a little while about common interests (sports, etc) and then the Captain basically had me fill out my form verbally. I spent about 10 minutes asking him questions about the Supply Corps that I couldn't easily find the answer to online, and at the end he mentioned he would give me a good recommendation.

There were two points where I realized a military interview is not really much different than a civilian interview. First when he questioned why I did not leave law school if I was not going to become an attorney (sunk cost thinking, etc) and second when he asked me to provide 3 words that would describe myself. I provided 3 sentences, which he politely reminded me was not what he asked. One of those moments where you internally /facepalm. These questions were questions I've seen in interviews on the civilian side more or less, so there's no special handshake or anything to this interview.

I wore a dark suit and a red tie. I strongly advise you wear a suit, as this is a job interview.

The questions I asked were basically:
1) What type of advanced degree is currently sought after, and in his experience, what is the best way to go about getting it? i.e., Should you go get that Petroleum MGMT degree, go the Navy-paid top 30 business school route, attend a war college, or do your MBA at night classes during shore duty so you can still get FITREPS while your peers are not getting FITREPS.
2) How many supply officers reach the brick wall of non-select for O5 at years 13-15 and are shown the door, close to retirement?
3) What is the most important lesson he learned/kept from his time as a JO?

You get the idea. I don't think using this time to ask silly questions like "What's it like being a Supply Officer?" is really a good idea, but that's your call.

Good luck, and take my experience with a grain of salt. YMMV.
 

Renegade One

Well-Known Member
None
I conducted mine with a Supply Corps O6 in August 2013. The interview lasted approximately 30 minutes and there is a form they largely go off. We chatted for a little while about common interests (sports, etc) and then the Captain basically had me fill out my form verbally. I spent about 10 minutes asking him questions about the Supply Corps that I couldn't easily find the answer to online, and at the end he mentioned he would give me a good recommendation.

Lot's more stuff.

I think your questions numbers 1 and 3 were perfect…on point and relevant. Any officer would be favorably impressed, I think. Good for you for thinking that far ahead.

I wouldn't recommend worrying too much, or asking about, question #2. It's just too far in your future to be immediately relevant, and, with some, could send a funny [unintended] message. Just a thought.

All your comments about "it's a job interview"…spot on. Thanks.

Thanks so much for the help JD. Another quick question, what is FITREPS?
A FITREP ( AKA FITness REPort) is your annual (sometimes more often, based on departures of reporting seniors, your arrival/departure dates, etc.) "REPORT ON THE FITNESS OF OFFICERS" assessment. That's what mine were called…formal title may have changed…name may be different for Marine Officers.

Important stuff that shapes much else in your career.
 
I wouldn't recommend worrying too much, or asking about, question #2. It's just too far in your future to be immediately relevant, and, with some, could send a funny [unintended] message. Just a thought.

That's a good point. I didn't even realize the unintended implication(s) until just now. Just goes to show you can never see every angle yourself!
 

Renegade One

Well-Known Member
None
That's a good point. I didn't even realize the unintended implication(s) until just now. Just goes to show you can never see every angle yourself!
Ahhh…don't sweat it now. The post was more relevant to others in your same position. I'm sure you knocked it out of the park… :)
 

VCipollone

Officer Candidate
I did mine with an 0-4 and it was largely like a civilian interview. My interviewer asked me how I would react in certain situations like being flirted with by a female subordinate and dealing with a shady CO. As long as you kept your bearing, it was pretty simple. If you want to be in the military, you should already be in good shape because (hopefully) you understand how to act. "Yes sir" and "no sir" go a long way.
 
Top