've been solely focused on studying for the ASTB and haven't talked to a recruiter yet. I thought by the time I make first contact I'll be ready to take the ASTB, schedule a date for MEPS and get my package turned in albeit I was told getting your package together is a lengthy process (which can take up to year), I was hoping to have mine all completed before the next SNA board on the third of April. Is this feasible? I just never thought getting your package together would take long. Thank you
Welcome to the Navy, where YMMV and Hurry Up and Wait will become tried and true maxims for you! And this from someone who is only about to report to OCS this weekend, lol, never mind the other, very experienced fleet guys that roam these forums.
To answer your question directly, if briefly, with my own experience, it took approximately 15 months from first contact to FINSEL and orders in-hand. The main slow down factors in my case revolved around age limits, which recently changed, and having to apply twice as at my first pass, I was not selected. I worked with the officer recruiting station in San Diego County; very nice group of people.
As others have said, you should definitely speak to an OR to get the ball rolling and have your questions answered. Oh, and as a last tidbit, my OR told me they had a candidate screened, processed, sent to board and accepted within a 2-3 month window. It can happen, but I have no idea how common that kind of turn around is.