OCS 11AUG25 IWC BOARD // Nerd Thunderdome 2025

[Gandalf_Actual]

Howdy folks! Considering the number of applicants I’m suspecting will be at this board (lookin’ at you patient, patient intel nerds), I figured it’d be reasonable to set up a discussion space for folks to talk stats and scuttlebutt now that we’ve hit the fleet and street submission deadlines.

As always, the board date and/or available IWC designators might change between now and August, so feel free to keep an eye out for updates to the board schedule/notes on the Commissioning Programs page.


This will be my first look at the board - applying for INTEL and CW.

Stats…

• Age: 30
• OAR: 59
• CGPA (Bachelor’s + Master’s): 3.91
• Degree fields: History, Poli Sci, Global Affairs

Background…

• Prior Army intel nerd
• Squad Leader
• x1 Combat deployment
• Languages: French, Latin (lol, I know… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

Waivers…

• RE Code

 

[Rainold]

Nerd thunderdome 🤣
With the influx of Spring 2025 college grads, laid off government workers, and rolled applicants from cancelled boards, it seems like this will be a tough one. I was confident in my chances before but starting to get concerned ngl. Anyway, here's what I'm working with:

Applying for IP, CW (ISEL) as backup.

• Age: 26
• OAR: 60
• GPA: 3.58
• Degree: BS in Information Technology
• Coursework: Calc 3+ and Physics 2 done
• Certifications: Sec+
• Waivers: None
• No Prior Service/Relevant Experience

 

[Gandalf_Actual]

...With the influx of Spring 2025 college grads, laid off government workers, and rolled applicants from cancelled boards, it seems like this will be a tough one...

100% with you there. I can only speak for what I’ve seen around my neck of the woods, but it’s looking mighty rough to be a non-DoD/ DHS Federal anybody these days. I've never been the pessimistic sort to say a ship’s about to run out of lifeboats – but I can recognize a string quintet tuning up across the office hallway when I hear one…

I think you’ve got an outstanding package though! Sec+ is no joke – some of my old troops spent ages getting their cert, and it was always cause for off-post celebration when they finally did. Wishing you luck, mate!

 

[WhiteShiningTin]

Applying for IP / CW.
I honestly think I have a lot of weakpoint in my application, but for whatever reason my OR sounded confident I have a good shot.
Whatever, I'm just grateful someone helped me throughout the journey and I finally got a chance to try out.
I'm just hoping I don't get a DNR(Do not return) due to my stats and background.

-Stats

• Age: 35
• OAR: 64
• GPA: 3.23 (BS/MS all combined)
• Degrees:
  -BS in Mechanical Engineering (Foreign university, US-equivalency verified through NACES)
  -MS in Computer Science (US university, Specialization in Machine Learning)
• Coursework: Calculus 1, 2, 3 / General Physics 1, 2 (+advanced math / statistics / quantum physics / solid state physics)
• Certifications: None
• No Prior Service
• Extra curricular:
  -Volunteer middle-school / high-school math teacher in underprivileged communities
  -Founding member of a pioneer church for my "ethnicity group"
  -Staff member of university club.
• Focused on leadership roles, specific impact I made for my team, what I can bring to the table for the USN in my statement.
• LORs from academic advisor and supervisor from my previous job.

- Waivers

• One medical waiver due to vision.

- Background (Means nothing, but leaving some TMI just in case some people in a similar situation can use as reference.)

• Immigrated to the US in 2018 with a greencard sponsorship at work. Got naturalized in mid 2023.
  Called the OR's office the next day I swore my Naturalization Oath of Allegiance.
• 10+ years in high-tech manufacturing, network/systems operations/software engineering.
• Former army in my home country for 6 years (active duty - reserves). Had some opportunity to train with US troops and y'all are great.
  Was a sapper / comms / logistics specialist. Also was squad leader.
• Renounced citizenship for my home country last year.
  Spouse and parents are US greencard holders, my siblings are all US citizens.
  In-laws are just foreigners and live overseas.
• Got a call from a DSCA contractor last month for Phone/Zoom interview. I hope it's not a bad sign.