exNavyOffRec
Well-Known Member
His degree GPA is very low for AMDO, even when you factor in the MA, he should get the rest of the ASTB done.
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What NRC considers competitive
- Thread starter FormerRecruitingGuru
- Start date
His degree GPA is very low for AMDO, even when you factor in the MA, he should get the rest of the ASTB done.
Megan Crouch
New Member
I just took the ASTB for the second time. I got a 49 OAR, 5/6/6, and I have a 3.3 GPA in political science. I am wondering if I should try and take the ASTB one more time before packages are sent in. I'm commissioning in May 2019, and I'm a female (not sure if that helps/matters). Please let me know if this is competitive or not, or if I should take the ASTB again.
FormerRecruitingGuru
Making Recruiting Great Again
Ask your OR to show you the aviation calculator. And gender doesn’t provide an advantage, sorry.
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Deleted member 67144 scul
Guest
I haven't noticed a whole lot of EDO commissioning content on this forum. True, for active duty it's not something you can commission directly into, but it is an option via DCO. I think it may be a good idea to start a conversation about what's competitive. I'll add a few details I've gotten from OR's, but I'll leave it to our forum's resident recruiters and other people in-the-know to give proper details (like Rufio's original post in this thread). Of course there's certain requirements like a Bachelor's and Master's degree in certain majors, 3.0 minimum GPA, 3-5 years work experience, etc.
Disclaimer: This is what I was told by officer recruiters and may or may not represent what exactly the selection boards consider to be competitive.
Some competitive markers I was told:
1) 3.6-3.7 GPA
2) Certifications/licensing are important. "But my field doesn't have certifications/licensing or has literally no use for them." It doesn't matter. The DoD is a bit traditional in some respects, and the Navy is full of civil and mechanical engineers and some networking/infosec folks. In these fields in the civilian domain, certifications really matter.
In computer science / software engineering (my field), certifications may even be frowned upon because of the emphasis on fast and rational thinking and problem-solving and being able to solve complex problems on a whiteboard in interviews/selection, whereas what few certifications exist (like certified Java programmer) just say you know things and gives the false impression that you're a skilled engineer from that. What's seen as a positive marker by the DoD is a negative one in my industry. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I was told it's a good idea to take the FE exam and become an EIT. If you're remotely technical but not an IT professional (software and electrical engineers in particular), look into IT certs approved by the DoD. https://www.cbtnuggets.com/blog/2017/07/roadmap-to-success-dod-8570-and-8140-compliance/
3) Be a servant leader. Get involved in community service. You may think, "Why would the Navy care about that?" Because people in the Navy sacrifice their time and freedom to serve their country. Sacrificing your time and other activities, especially if individually motivated, to serve your community speaks a lot about your character and dedication.
4) Being a highly competent and successful professional, with leadership experience being a big plus. If you're a youngin like me, you may be a bit limited on the leadership side of things as engineering companies typically have organized structured hierarchies.
5) I'm a bit iffy here, but I got the vibe that there's "preferred" majors from among the required ones. Can anyone confirm this? Eg. are civil or mechanical engineering preferable to, say, electrical engineering?
Disclaimer: This is what I was told by officer recruiters and may or may not represent what exactly the selection boards consider to be competitive.
Some competitive markers I was told:
1) 3.6-3.7 GPA
2) Certifications/licensing are important. "But my field doesn't have certifications/licensing or has literally no use for them." It doesn't matter. The DoD is a bit traditional in some respects, and the Navy is full of civil and mechanical engineers and some networking/infosec folks. In these fields in the civilian domain, certifications really matter.
In computer science / software engineering (my field), certifications may even be frowned upon because of the emphasis on fast and rational thinking and problem-solving and being able to solve complex problems on a whiteboard in interviews/selection, whereas what few certifications exist (like certified Java programmer) just say you know things and gives the false impression that you're a skilled engineer from that. What's seen as a positive marker by the DoD is a negative one in my industry. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I was told it's a good idea to take the FE exam and become an EIT. If you're remotely technical but not an IT professional (software and electrical engineers in particular), look into IT certs approved by the DoD. https://www.cbtnuggets.com/blog/2017/07/roadmap-to-success-dod-8570-and-8140-compliance/
3) Be a servant leader. Get involved in community service. You may think, "Why would the Navy care about that?" Because people in the Navy sacrifice their time and freedom to serve their country. Sacrificing your time and other activities, especially if individually motivated, to serve your community speaks a lot about your character and dedication.
4) Being a highly competent and successful professional, with leadership experience being a big plus. If you're a youngin like me, you may be a bit limited on the leadership side of things as engineering companies typically have organized structured hierarchies.
5) I'm a bit iffy here, but I got the vibe that there's "preferred" majors from among the required ones. Can anyone confirm this? Eg. are civil or mechanical engineering preferable to, say, electrical engineering?
FormerRecruitingGuru
Making Recruiting Great Again
The reason why there aren't any "competitive profiles" for reserve programs is because there are many variables taken into consideration as opposed to 2-3 like active duty OCS programs.
Scratch Supply from your application wish list. You're not eligible because you have zero supply corps/logistics background. EDO and Intel are slim to none because you have "minimal" experience.
The average age for people joining reserve officer programs is roughly 34. Why? Because it takes years to build experience as well as those who do have professional careers to pursue post-graduate education.
My recommendation to you, if your overall goal is to be an officer, is to consider going active duty Intel, CW, and/or IP. You are extremely competitive for any of these programs and assuming you can score a good OAR, solid LORs, and need no legal/drug waivers I would say you have a good chance. Plus, each of these boards have (slightly) higher selection rates than the reserve components. Serve four years, get out and continue your career as a Navy Reserve Officer.
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Deleted member 67144 scul
Guest
Thank you so much. I never knew this. Someone told me before it was around 28 (which I guess is false), and since I'm soon to be 27 I thought it'd make sense to go ahead now. Well, since a few OR's have coaxed me to go on ahead, telling me I have a "good" shot, well, I'll still give it a go since I'm already starting the process. But I have no expectations going in.
It's a good recommendation. To be honest, I am considering this. I make a great salary+benefits but it's not even about money anymore. My big old corporation loves overworking and laying people off which is disillusioning. I just need to convince a family member and a couple other people it's a good idea to go active duty Navy (I've convinced everyone else), and I'm solid. I know OCS is going to be hell in some respects, but I can certainly get through it.
Active AF is another option I'm looking into, especially as it's the most "high tech" and "corporate" branch. I live in a major Navy city and got a lot more ties to the Navy than any other branch, but at the end of the day, my goal is to join the armed forces in some capacity, and I'm at a point in my personal development and understanding of the military that it'd be most prudent to go with the Navy or Air Force.
Don't let the board know you were also thinking of joining the Air Force... that's an auto disqualification.
j/k
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Deleted member 67144 scul
Guest
Don't let the board know you were also thinking of joining the Air Force... that's an auto disqualification.
Heh, no use in mentioning it regardless. I'm looking to join the Navy, so that's what I'm talking about.
I've been getting mixed signals from ORs and others. My now-main OR is confident, but I'm skeptical especially considering what others and Rufio have said along with the overall competitiveness of DCO. I understand that many active component EDOs were first SWOs within 6 months of becoming O-3s, and I'd be accepted as an EDO at about the same age or younger than SWOs who have to spend a couple additional years at NPS, which is a bit unintuitive.
I also understand I'm simply too young/inexperienced, especially for DCO. 3 years out of grad school isn't a whole lot. I've been a competent engineer, but I've only played tech lead / program manager in extended periods of crisis and absurd deadlines. That could be a very positive point, both being able to handle such responsibilities well above my title in a difficult situation, and doing so at a point 8-10 years younger than people generally do at my company. But at the end of the day, you can't replace experience and the skills developed over a decade.
I am being pushed forward and encouraged, but also 100% ready to be rejected. I know there's lots I can do to improve and lots more experience I can gain. For example, just a week ago, I found out the Navy really, really loves EIT's / PE's regardless of your field. If you tell a software engineer (or many kinds of engineers) they should be an EIT, they'll look at you funny or ask you what that means, as it's primarily a civil/mechanical engineering "requirement".
As I go through the process and gain a better understanding of things, I'll list and elaborate on points of interest, as it may be useful to others interested in applying to commission as reserve EDOs.
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Deleted member 67144 scul
Guest
I'm very sorry you didn't get selected for Intel. Is this your first time applying? I've heard it's generally expected to have to apply multiple times, and reflects well (dedication).
I agree with you about OCS. I'm really appreciative of all the knowledge and feedback lost of people provide. To be honest, the plan I was definitely going for with OCS was to get LASIK and a waiver, and apply for aviation. This would have unconditionally pushed me to drop everything without a second thought and shift into a completely new career for at least 8 years. But I age out next month. The timing with other (now-resolved) critical responsibilities in life just did not work in my favor. I'm 50/50 for OCS with regards to other designators.
I was prodded on the EDO road by multiple Navy folks, and am already in the pipeline for the EDO DCO board so it only makes sense to forge ahead. But I'm under no illusions. I know in the AC, no one commissions as an EDO. When they transfer/redesignate, they have to spend 2 years at NPS so everyone is guaranteed to have a Master's (ie. my M.S. is nothing special). On top of that, NPS has specific curricula geared for the Navy, whereas mine was obviously not that way and my research/TA schedule and PI determined a lot of the courses I took (bit of jumping around or special niche courses). I know the lack of experience will kill me, even if I've served in leadership positions in my job during times of crisis and in volunteer organizations. I know the EDO community really likes their EIT/PE certification, which is irrelevant to my field of work so I never pursued it. I know the people best suited to write my LORs will be reluctant as it means I'll be taking time off work.
The only leg I have to stand on is good grades / universities, good career, a potentially solid motivational statement, the interviews going well, my LORs being better than lukewarm. Then there's spinning my leadership roles, which do not exist for people at my experience/title meaning I'm a bit special, into a major strength and standout achievement. If the board sees that coupled with my "young" age as a big plus, then cool. If they decide experience is the hard determinant, I'll take the L just like the Patriots just did.
Going through the full process is advantageous in and of itself, as it will be extremely informative and it'll prepare me much better for OCS boards or future DCO boards.
With that said, would anyone happen to have selectee/applicant statistics?
I didn't apply to the DCO program only OCS.
This is a great thread! Here's me:
Recently took the OAR, but I'm unsure how it affects my chances of selection, so I'd appreciate any insights you all can give.
1st Choice Intel, 2nd SWO.
Any thoughts on where I stand, as-is?
Recently took the OAR, but I'm unsure how it affects my chances of selection, so I'd appreciate any insights you all can give.
1st Choice Intel, 2nd SWO.
- GPA: 3.9 (M.A. Political Science)
- OAR: 56
- Age: 23
- LORs/Interviews: USAF O-6 (Intel), USN O-6 (Intel), USMC O-6 / USN O-6 (Intel)
Any thoughts on where I stand, as-is?
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Deleted member 67144 scul
Guest
Serious question: how do you happen to know 3 O-6s to have them write LORs for you?
Haha, mostly internships and taking graduate courses. Some networking as well; I’m in the D.C. area, and I have a lot of family serving in the military already.
Ian Ferrara
RamRod
Just retook the ASTB today and bumped my scores up.
59 6/7/6
3.5 GPA Social Sciences, minor in sustainable architecture
How do I look?
59 6/7/6
3.5 GPA Social Sciences, minor in sustainable architecture
How do I look?