What NRC considers competitive

[Hair Warrior]

Thank you for the reply. I'm correct in my assumption that my age DQs me for everything except Intel? I've never served.

There's a waiver for everything, if you can get the waiver signed.

What do you want your designator to be?

 

[exNavyOffRec]

There's a waiver for everything, if you can get the waiver signed.

What do you want your designator to be?

no there isn't, that is BS that has been out there that people like to spout, don't be one of those people, when it comes to age and AD there are hard limits (reserve is flexible), people have gone to OCS and because of being rolled graduated a week after their max age and been given two choices, redesignate or go home.

 

[zoeth]

I just read through the majority of this forum and certainly feel a lot of my questions were answered by reading and searching.
Of course, everyone has a unique story with little twists and turns that makes their own theirs.
So, if I could possibly get someone's opinion or advice on my specifics, I would be very grateful.
Here is some of my personal data:

29 y/o Male
Prior AT2 (frocked when discharged) (AW), MUC, Good Conduct, etc. Honorable, RE-1. 5 years total AD
All MP evals.
ASVAB: 83
Penn State: BS in Cyber Security and Information Modeling and Analysis. 3.1 GPA cumulative, 3.6 In major.
I Have some Lor's set up, (professor, Senior chiefs(2), retired Col USMC, retired Col, Army.)


I still have about 1 year left at Penn, and haven't directly contacted the local OR; and also still have not taken the OAR or ASTB.
I had a waiver approved when I enlisted for MJ, which was also dismissed on civilian record for enlisting. This was ~10 years ago. (not sure if I even declare it at this point)
I have seen the question asked: "Do you want to be a Naval officer, or do you want a specific job?"
I will answer that proactively and say that I want to be an officer above all else and will make necessary sacrifices.
That said, I am interested in all of the intelligence communities first and foremost but, I would defer to other options if those were unobtainable for me.
My age hurts for a couple options (even with the 24 month waiver), and my GPA hurts me with some of the other options but,
some positives are: good prior service with a secret clearance, and a directly related degree from a good school.
I understand that it's called a "package" for a reason, and that they look at people as a whole during these boards.
Also, I already used my Post 9/11 bill which saves the Navy a nice chunk of change. (Some of my fellow sailors and I deduced that for Perform to serve they seemed more likely to
boot the married guys with BAH than the single guys in the barracks.) Or maybe they just rolled dice; but the Navy does like to save it's money.

So I would think my next step is building a rapport with the recruiter and getting some interviews setup, taking the ASTB and building up my package.
How does this look to some of you more knowledgeable guys/gals? Is there anything else I forget to mention that could help my chances?

Thanks for your time!

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

I just read through the majority of this forum and certainly feel a lot of my questions were answered by reading and searching.
Of course, everyone has a unique story with little twists and turns that makes their own theirs.
So, if I could possibly get someone's opinion or advice on my specifics, I would be very grateful.
Here is some of my personal data:

29 y/o Male
Prior AT2 (frocked when discharged) (AW), MUC, Good Conduct, etc. Honorable, RE-1. 5 years total AD
All MP evals.
ASVAB: 83
Penn State: BS in Cyber Security and Information Modeling and Analysis. 3.1 GPA cumulative, 3.6 In major.
I Have some Lor's set up, (professor, Senior chiefs(2), retired Col USMC, retired Col, Army.)


I still have about 1 year left at Penn, and haven't directly contacted the local OR; and also still have not taken the OAR or ASTB.
I had a waiver approved when I enlisted for MJ, which was also dismissed on civilian record for enlisting. This was ~10 years ago. (not sure if I even declare it at this point)
I have seen the question asked: "Do you want to be a Naval officer, or do you want a specific job?"
I will answer that proactively and say that I want to be an officer above all else and will make necessary sacrifices.
That said, I am interested in all of the intelligence communities first and foremost but, I would defer to other options if those were unobtainable for me.
My age hurts for a couple options (even with the 24 month waiver), and my GPA hurts me with some of the other options but,
some positives are: good prior service with a secret clearance, and a directly related degree from a good school.
I understand that it's called a "package" for a reason, and that they look at people as a whole during these boards.
Also, I already used my Post 9/11 bill which saves the Navy a nice chunk of change. (Some of my fellow sailors and I deduced that for Perform to serve they seemed more likely to
boot the married guys with BAH than the single guys in the barracks.) Or maybe they just rolled dice; but the Navy does like to save it's money.

So I would think my next step is building a rapport with the recruiter and getting some interviews setup, taking the ASTB and building up my package.
How does this look to some of you more knowledgeable guys/gals? Is there anything else I forget to mention that could help my chances?

Thanks for your time!

The boards don't care about what your ASVAB score since that only pertains to enlisted accessions. They also don't care how you funded your education whether it's GI Bill, out of pocket, scholarships, or loans so scratch off "saving the navy money" as making yourself a competitve applicant. Also, scratch off your major GPA, only cumulative is used and it's averaged from all colleges attended including the JC/CCs.

Saying you need an age waiver for Intel as a 29 year old shows me you haven't done enough homework for the requirements for the program. Sit down with your OR (if you haven't already) and come up with a good game plan for the next year.

Based off what you presented, the fact you don't have a high GPA or prior enlisted experience in Intel puts you in a disadvantage. I would consider SWO, NFO, and even SUPPLY as secondary options if you don't get selected for Intel. How you perform on the ASTB exam will play a role for selection in all the programs listed above.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I just read through the majority of this forum and certainly feel a lot of my questions were answered by reading and searching.
Of course, everyone has a unique story with little twists and turns that makes their own theirs.
So, if I could possibly get someone's opinion or advice on my specifics, I would be very grateful.
Here is some of my personal data:

29 y/o Male
Prior AT2 (frocked when discharged) (AW), MUC, Good Conduct, etc. Honorable, RE-1. 5 years total AD
All MP evals.
ASVAB: 83
Penn State: BS in Cyber Security and Information Modeling and Analysis. 3.1 GPA cumulative, 3.6 In major.
I Have some Lor's set up, (professor, Senior chiefs(2), retired Col USMC, retired Col, Army.)


I still have about 1 year left at Penn, and haven't directly contacted the local OR; and also still have not taken the OAR or ASTB.
I had a waiver approved when I enlisted for MJ, which was also dismissed on civilian record for enlisting. This was ~10 years ago. (not sure if I even declare it at this point)
I have seen the question asked: "Do you want to be a Naval officer, or do you want a specific job?"
I will answer that proactively and say that I want to be an officer above all else and will make necessary sacrifices.
That said, I am interested in all of the intelligence communities first and foremost but, I would defer to other options if those were unobtainable for me.
My age hurts for a couple options (even with the 24 month waiver), and my GPA hurts me with some of the other options but,
some positives are: good prior service with a secret clearance, and a directly related degree from a good school.
I understand that it's called a "package" for a reason, and that they look at people as a whole during these boards.
Also, I already used my Post 9/11 bill which saves the Navy a nice chunk of change. (Some of my fellow sailors and I deduced that for Perform to serve they seemed more likely to
boot the married guys with BAH than the single guys in the barracks.) Or maybe they just rolled dice; but the Navy does like to save it's money.

So I would think my next step is building a rapport with the recruiter and getting some interviews setup, taking the ASTB and building up my package.
How does this look to some of you more knowledgeable guys/gals? Is there anything else I forget to mention that could help my chances?

Thanks for your time!

Besides what RUFIO said given your age I would say if you really want to serve take the ASTB and look at SWO, Supply, NFO and submit those before you age out, you have to be commissioned by age 31.

You have to disclose all law involvement even if you were waivered before, that doesn't mean you will get waivered again, but probably will, now several boards in the past have considered any drug involvement an automatic N

 

[zoeth]

Saying you need an age waiver for Intel as a 29 year old shows me you haven't done enough homework for the requirements for the program. Sit down with your OR (if you haven't already) and come up with a good game plan for the next year.

Sorry, I didn't clarify, I meant a waiver for SWO/NFO from 29-31 as per the prior service clause. I will be 30 and change when I finish my baccalaureate so it would be a rush to get a package submitted and hope I commission by 31. Between waiting for a cycle to submit to, a response from the board and getting through meps, etc I could easily turn 31 before or during that 3 month long OCS, and I heard you are forced to change or go home if that happens.

So I have been considering Intel and other programs that relate to my degree; upon closer Inspection I realize I made a mistake and I meant IW not just Intel. So the best suited would be IW (1810) or IP (1820) as I see Intel also looks for poli sci, international relations, government, etc.
While I was an ATI I specialized in radar, electronic warfare and frequency analysis. (F18/EA-6B radar systems) so my NEC was related a bit to IW/IP.
My fiance and I are both trying to finish up the last ~<1 year of university and are both working full time, so rushing through to try and beat the buzzer to make swo/nfo is a very long shot.
Other than IW, IP and possibly Intel what else could I possibly qualify for or look at (at least for the Navy)?

Thanks for the responses NavyOffRec and RUFiO.

 

[fc2spyguy]

Besides what RUFIO said given your age I would say if you really want to serve take the ASTB and look at SWO, Supply, NFO and submit those before you age out, you have to be commissioned by age 31.

You have to disclose all law involvement even if you were waivered before, that doesn't mean you will get waivered again, but probably will, now several boards in the past have considered any drug involvement an automatic N

Should be interesting in to the future. A lot more MJ legalizations this year. I feel like the self righteous people on the board are throwing out a good chunk of population simply because people decided to smoke some weed.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Should be interesting in to the future. A lot more MJ legalizations this year. I feel like the self righteous people on the board are throwing out a good chunk of population simply because people decided to smoke some weed.

I can attest for the officer side only ever having one applicant who needed an MJ waiver and that was for 7 uses.

Aside from him I've never worked with anyone else needing an MJ waiver. I did start applications with two more but they dropped the process (they weren't the best officer qualify either).

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Sorry, I didn't clarify, I meant a waiver for SWO/NFO from 29-31 as per the prior service clause. I will be 30 and change when I finish my baccalaureate so it would be a rush to get a package submitted and hope I commission by 31. Between waiting for a cycle to submit to, a response from the board and getting through meps, etc I could easily turn 31 before or during that 3 month long OCS, and I heard you are forced to change or go home if that happens.

So I have been considering Intel and other programs that relate to my degree; upon closer Inspection I realize I made a mistake and I meant IW not just Intel. So the best suited would be IW (1810) or IP (1820) as I see Intel also looks for poli sci, international relations, government, etc.
While I was an ATI I specialized in radar, electronic warfare and frequency analysis. (F18/EA-6B radar systems) so my NEC was related a bit to IW/IP.
My fiance and I are both trying to finish up the last ~<1 year of university and are both working full time, so rushing through to try and beat the buzzer to make swo/nfo is a very long shot.
Other than IW, IP and possibly Intel what else could I possibly qualify for or look at (at least for the Navy)?

Thanks for the responses NavyOffRec and RUFiO.

The other designators (SWO/SUPPLY/NFO) are the only other programs you qualify for.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Should be interesting in to the future. A lot more MJ legalizations this year. I feel like the self righteous people on the board are throwing out a good chunk of population simply because people decided to smoke some weed.

I had the same experience as RUFIO and I recruited in a state that before legalization would let anyone smoke it without legal consequences.

I now work for a fortune 100 company and even though it is legal in the state anyone that shows up stoned (or drunk) is not working there anymore, and they are drug tested prior to employment.

 

[Brett327]

Should be interesting in to the future. A lot more MJ legalizations this year. I feel like the self righteous people on the board are throwing out a good chunk of population simply because people decided to smoke some weed.

You make a good point, though the counter-argument is that MJ is still a DEA schedule-1 drug, which is illegal under federal law. Caveat Emptor. People should use discretion when deciding what to put into their bodies.

Whether it's food, supplements or recreational drugs like MJ and alcohol - there can be good/bad/unintended consequences.

 

[fc2spyguy]

I had the same experience as RUFIO and I recruited in a state that before legalization would let anyone smoke it without legal consequences.

I now work for a fortune 100 company and even though it is legal in the state anyone that shows up stoned (or drunk) is not working there anymore, and they are drug tested prior to employment.

This honestly surprised me. Especially when you consider nearly half the population has admitted to trying it. I'm curious if there was a little of coaching on applicants to not disclose usage?

http://www.gallup.com/poll/184298/four-americans-say-tried-marijuana.aspx

You make a good point, though the counter-argument is that MJ is still a DEA schedule-1 drug, which is illegal under federal law. Caveat Emptor. People should use discretion when deciding what to put into their bodies.

Whether it's food, supplements or recreational drugs like MJ and alcohol - there can be good/bad/unintended consequences.

Understood that MJ is still illegal federally, I think that most of us will see that change in our lifetime. It seems to be a lot less destructive than booze for one.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

This honestly surprised me. Especially when you consider nearly half the population has admitted to trying it. I'm curious if there was a little of coaching on applicants to not disclose usage?

http://www.gallup.com/poll/184298/four-americans-say-tried-marijuana.aspx


Understood that MJ is still illegal federally, I think that most of us will see that change in our lifetime. It seems to be a lot less destructive than booze for one.

I can't speak for other recruiters but I didn't coach them, my career is worth more than an applicant.

"seems" is the key word, not sure about other states but here I have several friends in LE and the amount of people driving under influence of MJ has shot up, so now instead of having people driving drunk, and some on prescription drugs and MJ you have a bunch of people driving drunk, driving high, and under prescription drugs. We didn't fix the driving drunk problem before we added another item into the mix.

Just on one road within 5 miles of my house in the past year there has been one killed by a person driving high, and around 9 injured which included 5 little kids who's mom was high, while during the same period there were 0 people killed or injured due to driving drunk. If a person wants to use pot/alcohol then so be it, but they can't seen to not want to drive high, and even though they say 5 ng/ml is the threshold for impairment they have busted several that were under that who couldn't stay on the road.

I believe it will be legal everywhere eventually, but the cart has been put so way in front of the horse it is ridiculous.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

This honestly surprised me. Especially when you consider nearly half the population has admitted to trying it. I'm curious if there was a little of coaching on applicants to not disclose usage?

http://www.gallup.com/poll/184298/four-americans-say-tried-marijuana.aspx


Understood that MJ is still illegal federally, I think that most of us will see that change in our lifetime. It seems to be a lot less destructive than booze for one.

I've never coached an applicant to lie about drug usage because I've never needed to. If anything it's me having them cough up even trying it once. Not a big deal.

I can see some doing that to avoid having to complete the waiver paperwork, which isn't much of a hassle nowadays.

 

[42Zulu]

Just got the ball rolling. Haven't taken OARS yet but that'll come. Initial contact with the recruiter today and he said everything looks good so far.

27 this year (not looking to fly, so no worries)
Army ROTC experience, but decided not to commission
Undergrad: Chinese, minor in Russian, 3.45 GPA
Post-grad: Master's in International Business, 3.56 GPA
Spent 3 years in China, one finishing my Master's, the other two working in consulting
Speak Chinese, know a little Russian
Eagle Scout, Bronze Palm, Senior Patrol Leader for a year
Risk Manager of my fraternity
In addition to my day job I travel as a third party auditor for quality management systems

Looking to go intelligence, but I'm a bit confused since I thought Intel was the same as IWO but after searching the site I think I'm more confused. Is IWO more influential on combat missions and "Intel" is SIGINT, cyber, counter Intel? I understand both have significant desk type jobs, but it's always interested me. Either way I'd be looking at the IWC boards, right?

Looking over the site I think a 50 would make me competitive for intelligence given the "whole package" approach, but am I wrong in that assumption? Would SWO as my second be a solid backup?

Looking forward to hearing from y'all as well as my recruiter.