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Designator Advice

Sandcrab01

New Member
Howdy all,

I’m new here, so hopefully I don’t get roasted too bad :cool: . If so, the more wittier the better it is. In all seriousness, any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

23-year-old Female
B.S. Agricultural Leadership & Development
Cumulative GPA: 3.05
Texas A&M University

I come from a family of all enlisted so please correct me if I explain anything in a wrong way.

I’ve done my research on the site and I learned not to ask, “what are my chances” on anything. But I did have a few questions maybe someone can help me with.

I have done my searching on all job requirements on Navy Cyber Space (https://www.navycs.com/). While going through Air Warriors threads, I have seen different posts where applicants have applied strictly to one designator because it correlates with their degree and others who just applied to one that had nothing do their degree. My question is, which path is the better way to go down? I’m open to applying to any designator. Of course, I do have my preferences, but my overall goal of becoming a Naval Officer is more important than getting a preference in jobs.

Also, if anyone has suggestions or comments about different designators, I’m very open to hearing them.

I have talked to an OR already getting through the basic health questionnaire he asked to me over the phone. I don’t believe anything should stop me from being accepted other than having tailor bunions, If I’m not mistaken, I believe I can get a waiver for them if MEPS marks it down. Also, I will be getting taped for BMI. (Not sure how much that plays a part in the selection process.)

Again, any help or advice will be appreciated in my application process.
 

RedFive

Well-Known Member
pilot
None
Contributor
Unless it has changed, they allow you to list up to three designators. You can list three, or two, or one, whatever you want. When I asked my OR about it, he said "Well, do you want to be an NFO?" No... "Well then don't put it." I only listed pilot and it worked out. YMMV.

Essentially community #1 will screen you and you'll get it if they want you. If not, they kick you to the next community, and so forth. Each community will have a different number of people they're selecting that board along with various requirements for their designator (20/60 eyesight correctable to 20/20 is a good example for pilots). Some mins can also change from board to board (probably things like GPA, I doubt they'll flex for eyesight in aviation). In 09 they hired a bunch of extra pilots due to perceived shortages and I'm sure the standards changed a little bit.

We have some OR types around here who can give you amplifying/updated info. Goodluck!
 

Sandcrab01

New Member
Unless it has changed, they allow you to list up to three designators. You can list three, or two, or one, whatever you want. When I asked my OR about it, he said "Well, do you want to be an NFO?" No... "Well then don't put it." I only listed pilot and it worked out. YMMV.

Essentially community #1 will screen you and you'll get it if they want you. If not, they kick you to the next community, and so forth. Each community will have a different number of people they're selecting that board along with various requirements for their designator (20/60 eyesight correctable to 20/20 is a good example for pilots). Some mins can also change from board to board (probably things like GPA, I doubt they'll flex for eyesight in aviation). In 09 they hired a bunch of extra pilots due to perceived shortages and I'm sure the standards changed a little bit.

We have some OR types around here who can give you amplifying/updated info. Goodluck!

So does it look better to have more areas to apply to or stick to just one?

Is it easier to get in as a pilot? I would be interested. I need to double check on my eyesight but I believe it is close.
 

FormerRecruitingGuru

Making Recruiting Great Again
So does it look better to have more areas to apply to or stick to just one?

Is it easier to get in as a pilot? I would be interested. I need to double check on my eyesight but I believe it is close.

Talk to your recruiter to come up with a game plan. He/she knows you more than anyone else here. I would limit your options to Pilot/NFO or SWO due to the GPA.
 

snake020

Contributor
Howdy all,

Of course, I do have my preferences, but my overall goal of becoming a Naval Officer is more important than getting a preference in jobs.

I do not recommend this approach, especially if you have thoughts towards doing something operationally oriented or long term ambitions such as command-at-sea. IMO, unless something specifically attracts you to a staff corps community (e.g. MSO, Supply), you will likely be far happier sticking with unrestricted line or restricted line designators.
 

ATIS

Well-Known Member
Forget your degree. What do you want to do...why do you want to serve in the Navy as an Officer? Do you want to lead in combat, do you want to lead others in accomplishing another mission area that stimulates something inside of you (no jokes there gents)?

ATIS
 
D

Deleted member 67144 scul

Guest
So does it look better to have more areas to apply to or stick to just one?

Is it easier to get in as a pilot? I would be interested. I need to double check on my eyesight but I believe it is close.

Do what interests you and plays to your strengths. People who know you in person such as your OR will be able to assist more with that than random Internet strangers could. The "I'll do whatever it takes to get in" mindset is admirable but will you necessarily enjoy just taking anything when grasping at straws? The GPA is of some concern as has been noted, so do thoroughly explore those options that are feasible. Is grad school on your radar? A Master's with a solid GPA can produce a much stronger and flexible application. Remember, there are other services too. Also, sometimes it takes some exploration and spitting in the wind a few times to find the right path for you, and that applies to many things in life.
 

Sandcrab01

New Member
I do not recommend this approach, especially if you have thoughts towards doing something operationally oriented or long term ambitions such as command-at-sea. IMO, unless something specifically attracts you to a staff corps community (e.g. MSO, Supply), you will likely be far happier sticking with unrestricted line or restricted line designators.

I do have my preferences which includes Supply, AMDO or Intel. I just didn't know if it would be worth applying to these designators if I wouldn't have a chance.
 

Sandcrab01

New Member
Forget your degree. What do you want to do...why do you want to serve in the Navy as an Officer? Do you want to lead in combat, do you want to lead others in accomplishing another mission area that stimulates something inside of you (no jokes there gents)?

ATIS

If I was to choose anything I wanted to do it was most likely be Intel or something in the aviation area. Just trying to see if it is a wise choice to apply if my degree had nothing to do with these jobs. But I would want to take the chance because the worst they can say is no.
 

Sandcrab01

New Member
Do what interests you and plays to your strengths. People who know you in person such as your OR will be able to assist more with that than random Internet strangers could. The "I'll do whatever it takes to get in" mindset is admirable but will you necessarily enjoy just taking anything when grasping at straws? The GPA is of some concern as has been noted, so do thoroughly explore those options that are feasible. Is grad school on your radar? A Master's with a solid GPA can produce a much stronger and flexible application. Remember, there are other services too. Also, sometimes it takes some exploration and spitting in the wind a few times to find the right path for you, and that applies to many things in life.

Which options would you say are more feasible? With my GPA being a concern, I wanted to do my research on designators I have a shot in being accepted to.
 

Sandcrab01

New Member
Talk to your recruiter to come up with a game plan. He/she knows you more than anyone else here. I would limit your options to Pilot/NFO or SWO due to the GPA.

Would you say that AMDO would be in reach with the GPA that I have? or only the options that you listed.
 

Sandcrab01

New Member
Which options would you say are more feasible? With my GPA being a concern, I wanted to do my research on designators I have a shot in being accepted to.
Do what interests you and plays to your strengths. People who know you in person such as your OR will be able to assist more with that than random Internet strangers could. The "I'll do whatever it takes to get in" mindset is admirable but will you necessarily enjoy just taking anything when grasping at straws? The GPA is of some concern as has been noted, so do thoroughly explore those options that are feasible. Is grad school on your radar? A Master's with a solid GPA can produce a much stronger and flexible application. Remember, there are other services too. Also, sometimes it takes some exploration and spitting in the wind a few times to find the right path for you, and that applies to many things in life.

I did want to pursue a masters degree, but with the age limit I wanted to commission as soon as possible.
 
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