Submitting this here as to avoid further cluttering up the forum. I've got a few questions about the current status of the OCC selection boards.
I am currently a graduate student and am attempting to pivot back to pursuing a military career. I had gotten sidetracked by some research I started in undergrad and was enjoying immensely, but began to feel a bit empty in it, as I had always wanted to be a Marine Officer and a Naval Aviator.
My very first question is in regards to the current Selection Board status. I've been watching the stats pages for the last few classes, and it seems that the selection right now is incredibly competitive, but I've also heard several rumors about AD contracts only being offered to PLC candidates, and reserve contracts offered to OCC. Is this just a standard rumor mill thing, case to case, or the new norm?
I am also curious about my situation in particular. I am quite busy in my program and have not had the chance to take part in many extracurricular activities or volunteer. I spend the vast majority of my time TAing, researching and working out to maximize my PFT. For someone who has not participated in team sports or had a lot of volunteer opportunities, what can I do to make my package more appealing? Outside of my program I also work evenings tending bar a few nights a week, as I incurred a large amount of debt from supporting my entire family from the time I was in High School.
What about LORs? I have one that I could definitely obtain from a retired USMC Counterintelligence O-5; however, I worry that because he is also my Uncle, that there is a conflict of interest and that the LOR may not be particularly valuable...what is the thought about this? I can also obtain LORs from professors I've worked for and am working with.
My current PFT is hanging right around 270. The pull-ups are killing me. I've been a recreational bodybuilder for many years through undergrad, so I am a bit heavy (when below 10% body fat, I hang around 185 lbs at 5'8"). I've stopped lifting for mass and am currently focusing on practicing exclusively for the PFT while lifting for strength two times a week to maintain. I am stuck at 16 pull-ups... what is the best way to improve, once you've hit a nasty plateau?
Thank you in advance for taking on any of these questions for me, I look forward to the responses.
John