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CEC Reserves DCO Selection Board

FormerRecruitingGuru

Making Recruiting Great Again
Well looks like I am wrapping this up, hopeful. Got everything together. EIT cert, stellar LORs from O-5s and 6s, civilian director, OAR 64, MEPS, and did 3 CEC interviews (2- Capts, 1- LCDR, might have another LCDR as well), even served directly under leading local NOSC officer (one of my previous DIV-Os, small Navy...) fighting for me. Best of luck come August..... Worst case applying next year with another degree....

You do know the OAR is NOT REQUIRED for DCO, right?
 

cbeez

New Member
I am trying to apply to be a CEC Officer. I absolutely love Seabee community so I want to do this as I want to contribute more.
Can someone give me a frank answer about my chances of becoming CEC Officer (specifically in terms of what my weakness are in general and how I can work on getting my application stronger). Any pro tips is highly appreciated.
Me:
- 31 year old
- BS in Engineering GPA 3.15
- MS in Mechanical Engineering 3.35, published 2 papers as grad student (not sure if this matters but throwing it out there)
- Currently working as Systems engineer at a defense contracting company (almost 1 year) In my previous job I did a lot of 3D CAD design and blueprint (2D drawing for manufacturing).
Total engineering experience:4 years
- E5 as CM (Seabee, been in Navy reserves for almost 3 years now). Passed every advancement exam.
- 1 NAM, couple of junior sailor of quarters, 1 regimental junior sailor of year
- Excellent high in last PFA
- Taking FE exam on August 18’
- working on EXW qual (halfway)
- volunteering at local STEM related events
- I also do some E6 level Alfa shop related stuff like licensing database maintenance, examiner etc.

1. Realistically what r my chances. My problem will be getting LOR from Officer (maybe my CO or XO might help). My LPOs are all asking me to try.

2. I tried two officer recruiters from different cities but they are both very unresponsive. How should I approach? I don’t want to look/sound too pushy.

3. Instead of recruiter, can career counselor from Navy Reserves help me with the recruiting process?
 

FormerRecruitingGuru

Making Recruiting Great Again
I am trying to apply to be a CEC Officer. I absolutely love Seabee community so I want to do this as I want to contribute more.
Can someone give me a frank answer about my chances of becoming CEC Officer (specifically in terms of what my weakness are in general and how I can work on getting my application stronger). Any pro tips is highly appreciated.
Me:
- 31 year old
- BS in Engineering GPA 3.15
- MS in Mechanical Engineering 3.35, published 2 papers as grad student (not sure if this matters but throwing it out there)
- Currently working as Systems engineer at a defense contracting company (almost 1 year) In my previous job I did a lot of 3D CAD design and blueprint (2D drawing for manufacturing).
Total engineering experience:4 years
- E5 as CM (Seabee, been in Navy reserves for almost 3 years now). Passed every advancement exam.
- 1 NAM, couple of junior sailor of quarters, 1 regimental junior sailor of year
- Excellent high in last PFA
- Taking FE exam on August 18’
- working on EXW qual (halfway)
- volunteering at local STEM related events
- I also do some E6 level Alfa shop related stuff like licensing database maintenance, examiner etc.

1. Realistically what r my chances. My problem will be getting LOR from Officer (maybe my CO or XO might help). My LPOs are all asking me to try.

2. I tried two officer recruiters from different cities but they are both very unresponsive. How should I approach? I don’t want to look/sound too pushy.

3. Instead of recruiter, can career counselor from Navy Reserves help me with the recruiting process?

1. Your chances are 0% if you don't apply. To answer your question, it's going to be a toss up. The fact you don't have a Professional Engineering (PE) cert is going to hurt because the community really cherishes that for the boards. Being a CM will kinda help (you're still junior and probably don't have much leadership experience), but your civilian experience doesn't really fully line up with the CEC. I would recommend consider Engineering Duty Officer (EDO) which might line up better.

2. There's a possibility the Reserve OR in Philly is on leave, I mean it is summer. Also, the next CEC board is likely going to be next summer, so reserve CEC is probably a lower priority with other programs with much sooner board deadlines. I would reach out to the NRD Philly HQ number (you can find it on the navy.com website) to get directed to a Reserve OR.

3. No.
 

cbeez

New Member
1. Your chances are 0% if you don't apply. To answer your question, it's going to be a toss up. The fact you don't have a Professional Engineering (PE) cert is going to hurt because the community really cherishes that for the boards. Being a CM will kinda help (you're still junior and probably don't have much leadership experience), but your civilian experience doesn't really fully line up with the CEC. I would recommend consider Engineering Duty Officer (EDO) which might line up better.

2. There's a possibility the Reserve OR in Philly is on leave, I mean it is summer. Also, the next CEC board is likely going to be next summer, so reserve CEC is probably a lower priority with other programs with much sooner board deadlines. I would reach out to the NRD Philly HQ number (you can find it on the navy.com website) to get directed to a Reserve OR.

3. No.

Thanks for your answer. Really appreciate it. I was also told by the recruiter that CEC would be my only option as all other EDO jobs require sea time. Is it true?
 

Jar Jar

New Member
Thanks for your answer. Really appreciate it. I was also told by the recruiter that CEC would be my only option as all other EDO jobs require sea time. Is it true?

Sea time... overseas deployments to combat zones really whats the difference? Or do you not have sealegs?
 

FormerRecruitingGuru

Making Recruiting Great Again
Thanks for your answer. Really appreciate it. I was also told by the recruiter that CEC would be my only option as all other EDO jobs require sea time. Is it true?

The EDO qualification (between when you commission and be EDO qualified) involves sea time, not the actual application requirments.
 

PenguinGal

Can Do!
Contributor
Call and I arrive! :)

First and foremost, Rufio knows what's going on with regards to the recruitment side of things better than I do.

1. It really is a HUGE toss up right now as to your chances. It sounds like you are still in the Navy Reserve right now, have you thought about becoming a CEC LDO? Other than that option, I will say that it fluctuates as to what the boards are willing to overlook or be a non starter for them. When I applied back in 2013 I didn't have my PE but I work in the construction industry. When I started meeting people I found that there was a little bit of everything, some had PEs coming in some didn't. Some like myself work in a comparable industry, others didn't. Heck, I know one guy that was working as a pharmacist but had his engineering degree! So it really comes down to the board's composition and what those individuals are looking for in applicants. However, you really, REALLY don't know unless you try. I will say that your experience as a Bee is definitely helpful as is the fact that you already have an MS. In your job, would it be possible to get enough experience under a PE to sit the PE exam? It is starting to become a hard limit for promotion to O4.

2. This is definitely when people try to take leave. Try Rufio's suggestion regarding NRD Philly.

3. Not going to lie, most CCs I have experienced on the RC side aren't really well instructed in officer programs and so forth. There are likely some that could offer advice and help you get the documents you need from the Navy side of stuff but they can't help with the actual submission.

I'm sending a PM your way.
 

cbeez

New Member
Sea time... overseas deployments to combat zones really whats the difference? Or do you not have sealegs?

I apologize if it was unclear in what I said. What the recruiter told me was for EDO in Navy reserves, I would not be considered because Navy “wants” people who were prior active duty officers who have been on deployments ( maybe “sea time” is a colloquial term for deployment).
 

cbeez

New Member
The EDO qualification (between when you commission and be EDO qualified) involves sea time, not the actual application requirments.
I will have absolutely no problem doing that. Also the company I work for is very military friendly (ther main customer is Navy) so I don’t see a problem in taking extended leave.
 

cbeez

New Member
Call and I arrive! :)

First and foremost, Rufio knows what's going on with regards to the recruitment side of things better than I do.

1. It really is a HUGE toss up right now as to your chances. It sounds like you are still in the Navy Reserve right now, have you thought about becoming a CEC LDO? Other than that option, I will say that it fluctuates as to what the boards are willing to overlook or be a non starter for them. When I applied back in 2013 I didn't have my PE but I work in the construction industry. When I started meeting people I found that there was a little bit of everything, some had PEs coming in some didn't. Some like myself work in a comparable industry, others didn't. Heck, I know one guy that was working as a pharmacist but had his engineering degree! So it really comes down to the board's composition and what those individuals are looking for in applicants. However, you really, REALLY don't know unless you try. I will say that your experience as a Bee is definitely helpful as is the fact that you already have an MS. In your job, would it be possible to get enough experience under a PE to sit the PE exam? It is starting to become a hard limit for promotion to O4.

2. This is definitely when people try to take leave. Try Rufio's suggestion regarding NRD Philly.

3. Not going to lie, most CCs I have experienced on the RC side aren't really well instructed in officer programs and so forth. There are likely some that could offer advice and help you get the documents you need from the Navy side of stuff but they can't help with the actual submission.

I'm sending a PM your way.

I have actually been following your comments in other threads so thank you for your reply.

1. Honestly CEC is my first and foremost priority. I have not even really considered other options until now.

The problem with my job is my department has no one with PE so I would have to look for new job. And even then there is no guarantee that I will find someone with PE.

2. I will keep following up. Hopefully the recruiter doesn’t get offended/annoyed.

3. 3. Roger that.
 

Jar Jar

New Member
Congrats to those that get/got selected. My package never made it to board due to issues with N3M. I appears I meet the DODI standard for medical stuff but as a 32 year old with a 2 week issue of acute back pain with full recovery and no re-occurrences, the navy has their own standard in which N3M will not issue a waiver. Multiple doctors also said it wouldn't be an issue but they still wont change their mind. So looks like I have to join a different service, or even go to the space force. Haha.... Maybe Ill see you guys during joint service exercises overseas...
 

FormerRecruitingGuru

Making Recruiting Great Again
Congrats to those that get/got selected. My package never made it to board due to issues with N3M. I appears I meet the DODI standard for medical stuff but as a 32 year old with a 2 week issue of acute back pain with full recovery and no re-occurrences, the navy has their own standard in which N3M will not issue a waiver. Multiple doctors also said it wouldn't be an issue but they still wont change their mind. So looks like I have to join a different service, or even go to the space force. Haha.... Maybe Ill see you guys during joint service exercises overseas...

That’s been the theme with many N3M disqualifications. Best of luck with other services and hope it works out!!
 
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