March 2015 IDC Board

[Chop07]

I've seen some comments regarding AD vs. Civilian mix and selection. Let me clear the air a bit. I ran some numbers and basic calculations. I wouldn't read into it too much as it's just scratching the surface. As a point of reference, the last board saw 400 total applicants and saw a 9.5% selection rate. Here are the March 2015 stats sanitized of any personal info or anything remotely private or sensitive.

378 total applications to the IDC community in whole
54 selected across all designators (including CWE)
14.3% selection rate

Of the 378 applications, 257 were from civilians and/or veterans and 121 from active duty. (68% vs. 32%)

Of the 54 selects, 42 were civilians and/or veterans and 12 came from active duty. (77.8% civilian selected)

Designators:

OCEANO: Civilian: 3; AD: Zero
OCEANO-SWO: Civilian: 3; AD: Zero
IW: Civilian: 10; AD: 2
IW-SWO: Civilian: 1; AD: Zero
IP: Civilian: 1; AD: 2
IP-SWO: Civilian: 3; AD: 1
Intel: Civilian: 19; AD: 6
Cyber: Civilian: 2; AD: 1

 

[Manzo]

I've seen some comments regarding AD vs. Civilian mix and selection. Let me clear the air a bit. I ran some numbers and basic calculations. I wouldn't read into it too much as it's just scratching the surface. As a point of reference, the last board saw 400 total applicants and saw a 9.5% selection rate. Here are the March 2015 stats sanitized of any personal info or anything remotely private or sensitive.

378 total applications to the IDC community in whole
54 selected across all designators (including CWE)
14.3% selection rate

Of the 378 applications, 257 were from civilians and/or veterans and 121 from active duty. (68% vs. 32%)

Of the 54 selects, 42 were civilians and/or veterans and 12 came from active duty. (77.8% civilian selected)

Designators:

OCEANO: Civilian: 3; AD: Zero
OCEANO-SWO: Civilian: 3; AD: Zero
IW: Civilian: 10; AD: 2
IW-SWO: Civilian: 1; AD: Zero
IP: Civilian: 1; AD: 2
IP-SWO: Civilian: 3; AD: 1
Intel: Civilian: 19; AD: 6
Cyber: Civilian: 2; AD: 1

Those stat for IW contradict everything I've read about the selection rate of IW... "They like AD who are in the IDC already"

 

[usnavymle]

Those stat for IW contradict everything I've read about the selection rate of IW... "They like AD who are in the IDC already"

Yeah, the 10 for civilian applicants is pretty staggering. If they're all anything like the one or two who've posted in here though, it's hard to compete with a 4.0 Math Master's and a 67 OAR.
I also think that those of us pushed to FY16 from FY15 could have also affected AD IW selection numbers though.

 

[Chop07]

Those stat for IW contradict everything I've read about the selection rate of IW

One thing I have learned is to take the past results and what everyone says very lightly and never think it's the rule for IDC selection boards. Case in point: one of my candidates who is on this thread fit the mold perfectly for selection and fell right in line with the program authorization. Right degree type, zero issues in background, 4.0 GPA...non-select. Last board, I had a mathematics major with a 3.9 picked for Oceanography...but passed over for Intel. Go figure. The best advice I can give is build the best package possible and cast a wide net...and assume nothing....and if your goal is to be a Naval Officer first, you should at least consider SWO because that's what is getting hired regularly and is mostly predictable.

 

[Manzo]

One thing I have learned is to take the past results and what everyone says very lightly and never think it's the rule for IDC selection boards. Case in point: one of my candidates who is on this thread fit the mold perfectly for selection and fell right in line with the program authorization. Right degree type, zero issues in background, 4.0 GPA...non-select. Last board, I had a mathematics major with a 3.9 picked for Oceanography...but passed over for Intel. Go figure. The best advice I can give is build the best package possible and cast a wide net...and assume nothing....and if your goal is to be a Naval Officer first, you should at least consider SWO because that's what is getting hired regularly and is mostly predictable.

I appreciate the words of wisdom. This'll definitely be a learning experience to take for my future endeavors.

 

[Brett Collins]

Those stat for IW contradict everything I've read about the selection rate of IW... "They like AD who are in the IDC already"

I think it's equally important to highlight that Intel O has the highest representation, when we initially believed that they weren't even selecting IO's this go around. All in all, a strong lesson here should be that regardless of what gouge you hear - take it with a grain of salt. Apply, hope for the best, and continually build on your application.

 

[usnavymle]

One thing I have learned is to take the past results and what everyone says very lightly and never think it's the rule for IDC selection boards. Case in point: one of my candidates who is on this thread fit the mold perfectly for selection and fell right in line with the program authorization. Right degree type, zero issues in background, 4.0 GPA...non-select. Last board, I had a mathematics major with a 3.9 picked for Oceanography...but passed over for Intel. Go figure. The best advice I can give is build the best package possible and cast a wide net...and assume nothing....and if your goal is to be a Naval Officer first, you should at least consider SWO because that's what is getting hired regularly and is mostly predictable.

Makes me wonder how heavily the essays play into the selection process.

 

[HawaiiIDC]

Congratulations to all that made it. Stay strong if you didn't. I was in the midst of transferring commands and deploying in May, but now get to enjoy some more shore duty at an awesome command with awesome people.

 

[Manzo]

I think it's equally important to highlight that Intel O has the highest representation, when we initially believed that they weren't even selecting IO's this go around. All in all, a strong lesson here should be that regardless of what gouge you hear - take it with a grain of salt. Apply, hope for the best, and continually build on your application.

I couldn't agree more! I had that as my 2nd option until I was told it was closed for this cycle. It really put salt on the wound when I found out people were being selected

 

[Brett Collins]

I couldn't agree more! I had that as my 2nd option until I was told it was closed for this cycle. It really put salt on the wound when I found out people were being selected

I feel for you man. I read that post as I was submitting and I debated heavily whether I should remove the Intel Officer option and replace it with a SWO-IW or SWO-IP. In the end, I went with my gut and decided that I couldn't remove it because it was my top designator. Airwarriors is a ton of invaluable gouge; however, as with all things, it isn't always accurate. On a positive note, all the mods will be the first to say that anything can happen at a board (especially an IDC Board). I lurked mainly, but I appreciate all you guys do and I want to take a moment to thank the previously selected PRO-REC-Y's that remain a font for content.

 

[usnavymle]

It's also entirely possible that initial gouge on the board was accurate, but the community reassessed its needs at a later date and decided there were enough applicants to select from anyway.
Lesson learned: Even if the word is the community won't be reviewing applications, apply anyway. Worst case, you'll receive a PRO REC X that won't hurt your chances next time, and best case, your package will be considered.
Here's the good news though: If you didn't apply INTEL, you can now. You don't have a PRO REC N for that designator working against you. AD selections for it were still considerably low (6) either way.

 

[wpothier]

I've seen some comments regarding AD vs. Civilian mix and selection. Let me clear the air a bit. I ran some numbers and basic calculations. I wouldn't read into it too much as it's just scratching the surface. As a point of reference, the last board saw 400 total applicants and saw a 9.5% selection rate. Here are the March 2015 stats sanitized of any personal info or anything remotely private or sensitive.

378 total applications to the IDC community in whole
54 selected across all designators (including CWE)
14.3% selection rate

Of the 378 applications, 257 were from civilians and/or veterans and 121 from active duty. (68% vs. 32%)

Of the 54 selects, 42 were civilians and/or veterans and 12 came from active duty. (77.8% civilian selected)

Designators:

OCEANO: Civilian: 3; AD: Zero
OCEANO-SWO: Civilian: 3; AD: Zero
IW: Civilian: 10; AD: 2
IW-SWO: Civilian: 1; AD: Zero
IP: Civilian: 1; AD: 2
IP-SWO: Civilian: 3; AD: 1
Intel: Civilian: 19; AD: 6
Cyber: Civilian: 2; AD: 1

Do you know if AD from other services are grouped with civ/vets or AD for the purposes of these statistics?

 

[exNavyOffRec]

One thing I have learned is to take the past results and what everyone says very lightly and never think it's the rule for IDC selection boards. Case in point: one of my candidates who is on this thread fit the mold perfectly for selection and fell right in line with the program authorization. Right degree type, zero issues in background, 4.0 GPA...non-select. Last board, I had a mathematics major with a 3.9 picked for Oceanography...but passed over for Intel. Go figure. The best advice I can give is build the best package possible and cast a wide net...and assume nothing....and if your goal is to be a Naval Officer first, you should at least consider SWO because that's what is getting hired regularly and is mostly predictable.

But it was the rule for many many years up until what looks like is this board, there was a comment several months ago made by someone that IDC had been asked to get a better mix, maybe this was it, if the trend continues this way then there has been a change, but it could just be a one board thing.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I've seen some comments regarding AD vs. Civilian mix and selection. Let me clear the air a bit. I ran some numbers and basic calculations. I wouldn't read into it too much as it's just scratching the surface. As a point of reference, the last board saw 400 total applicants and saw a 9.5% selection rate. Here are the March 2015 stats sanitized of any personal info or anything remotely private or sensitive.

378 total applications to the IDC community in whole
54 selected across all designators (including CWE)
14.3% selection rate

Of the 378 applications, 257 were from civilians and/or veterans and 121 from active duty. (68% vs. 32%)

Of the 54 selects, 42 were civilians and/or veterans and 12 came from active duty. (77.8% civilian selected)

Designators:

OCEANO: Civilian: 3; AD: Zero
OCEANO-SWO: Civilian: 3; AD: Zero
IW: Civilian: 10; AD: 2
IW-SWO: Civilian: 1; AD: Zero
IP: Civilian: 1; AD: 2
IP-SWO: Civilian: 3; AD: 1
Intel: Civilian: 19; AD: 6
Cyber: Civilian: 2; AD: 1

Very high number of Oceano double normal yearly goal.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Yeah, the 10 for civilian applicants is pretty staggering. If they're all anything like the one or two who've posted in here though, it's hard to compete with a 4.0 Math Master's and a 67 OAR.
I also think that those of us pushed to FY16 from FY15 could have also affected AD IW selection numbers though.

very much so, that does have a factor since a board this early will be mainly for FY 16 and many of the spots are taken, so they won't need many more