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PriorEnlistedTo1830
New Member
too old for everything else.
Me too. 38 here, will be 39 going through OCS if selected. I’m physically fit. Obviously not as fast and as strong as I was back in my Marine Corps days.
I’ve been in the Intel community for so long I just don’t see myself doing anything else, nor would I want to. I would best serve the Navy as an Intel officer based on my skills and experience as an Intel professional (personal opinion).
Wow, you and I could be twins. I'll also be 39 going through OCS (unless I go to the Dec 10 class somehow), I was also prior enlisted intel. I actually did a PRT with a bunch of Naval Academy guys back in October just to see where I was. 70 push ups, 95 sit ups, and ran the 1.5 mile in 11 min... not too bad for my age but I was hurting at the end.
BlueDacnis
IP Officer - Graduated OCS 20JUL18
For this board, I put IW as my first choice and Intel as my second, at the urging of my recruiter. Didn't list a third choice. I have an interview with an O-5 in Navy Intel attached to my packet, and he recommended me for IW. She said it would seem rude / presumptuous to list Intel first, since his recommendation specifically says IW. I know I have a super low chance for that (now, in hindsight) given my lack of a STEM degree. I tried to tell her this, before packets were even due, and she kept assuring me it was fine situated how it was. It may or may not ruin my chances, however slim they originally were. I hope it doesn't. I'm only 24, so my plan is.. If I don't make Intel, I'm just gonna put in for the March SWO board and hope and pray I get it.
I really prefer Intel, because I (unlike most it seems) actually like office work, and all of my degree and civilian career thus far have been reading information, picking out important bits, compiling said information into a mode of presentation (whether standing before people and doing it verbally or in 12 page research papers), etc. And my civilian career has heavy administration involved, lots of paperwork. And I'm pretty good at PowerPoint, lolol. But SWO has its interesting bits, too. I like that they get to immediately go underway and get thrown into the thick of things, and get to learn about ships and see how the Navy operates "out there" first-hand. Or at least that's what it sounds like. It also sounds like you don't get a lot of sleep and you're under a lot of stress, and surrounded by toxic politics (if you're unlucky enough to land in an environment like that.) Either way, I just want to be a Navy Officer and there's always the option for a lateral transfer (however difficult that may or may not be to accomplish) later.
I really prefer Intel, because I (unlike most it seems) actually like office work, and all of my degree and civilian career thus far have been reading information, picking out important bits, compiling said information into a mode of presentation (whether standing before people and doing it verbally or in 12 page research papers), etc. And my civilian career has heavy administration involved, lots of paperwork. And I'm pretty good at PowerPoint, lolol. But SWO has its interesting bits, too. I like that they get to immediately go underway and get thrown into the thick of things, and get to learn about ships and see how the Navy operates "out there" first-hand. Or at least that's what it sounds like. It also sounds like you don't get a lot of sleep and you're under a lot of stress, and surrounded by toxic politics (if you're unlucky enough to land in an environment like that.) Either way, I just want to be a Navy Officer and there's always the option for a lateral transfer (however difficult that may or may not be to accomplish) later.
exNavyOffRec
Well-Known Member
not sure what the USMC does for Intel, talking to those that have been enlisted Intel in Army and USAF the USN is different, it is more office work, analyzing, powerpoint stuff. The Intel officers I worked with would think it was funny when people would talk to them about what they thought they did.
exNavyOffRec
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately there are many senior IWC officers who haven't been part of the board process that are out of touch with what the boards look for. I will say that your 4.0 GPA will give you a better shot than the other non-tech degrees out there.
PriorEnlistedTo1830
New Member
I went to the Navy Marine Corps Training Center (NMITC) for my previous MOS, 0211: CI/HUMINT) when I was enlisted. Marine officers also attended this course. Navy enlisted with equivalent MOS goes through this course as well, not sure if Navy officers do.
Currently, I am civilian Intel Analyst and that is all I do. PPT presentations, brief all echelons of military and DoD civilians on various topics (too sensitive to specify here) and sit in front of a computer most of my days researching, collecting, analyzing, and managing my team.
This work is not for everyone for sure. However, extremely rewarding and... important.
BlueDacnis
IP Officer - Graduated OCS 20JUL18
Solon Skarlatos
Active Member
I'm 1. SNA and 2. Intel so either way I'm really really competing for a slot. I only kind of threw Intel on there because I didn't know much about each job...Did you guys not pick a second choice? I didn't but it was because I was too old for everything else.
calidude620
Active Member
I went 1. Intel 2. IW. I really want Intel, but my recruiter thought I had a shot at IW because I was enlisted IT and my current civ job is in networking. However, all of my research on here suggests my non-stem degree may not but sufficient for IW, but we'll see. I've read on here that a 3rd choice is viewed as "fallback", so I stuck with two. If I don't get it this time, I may go 1. Intel 2. SWO. I'm 30, so I may be pushing the SWO age req, even as a prior enlisted. The aviation community is appealing as well, but again, I'm 30, and I'm also 6'5 which puts me right at the max for height. I won't give up if I miss out this round though.
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I know several current/prior enlisted Marines in intel who did mostly staff work, office stuff, Powerpoint. One is now a Marine reserve O-4 and the other is a Navy reserve O-4.
To the two 38 year olds applying for OCS, if you don’t get picked up, consider IWC DCO. Worst case scenario you get told no.
To the two 38 year olds applying for OCS, if you don’t get picked up, consider IWC DCO. Worst case scenario you get told no.
Solon Skarlatos
Active Member
You should look into aviation! Not this coming up board, we don't need more competition lmao. It is a very appealing job imho, it requires a lot of work but I feel after training it is better than SWO or any other job.
exNavyOffRec
Well-Known Member
Many who have done Intel as enlisted in other services think they will become a USN Intel officer and be on the ground gathering info like they see in movies, it seems you are one of the few that have a realistic expectation of what the job is.
@NavyOffRec are you telling me that I wasted all my money on skydiving lessons for my future as an Intel Officer?