OCS 11AUG25 IWC BOARD // Nerd Thunderdome 2025

[JohnnySilverhand]

Any OCS date yet?

Not yet. I signed the aspr and they probably started my background check. What about you?

 

[Rainold]

Not yet. I signed the aspr and they probably started my background check. What about you?

I'm waiting to hear back about IP on this board before I submit for ISEL. Just curious what the OCS turnaround speed was looking like.

 

[williamalmas2001]

Applying for Intel

• Age: 25
• Education:
  • B.A. Economics – Senior Military College (GPA: 3.3)
  • M.S. Land & Property Development (GPA: 3.4)
• OAR: 61
• Current Profession: Financial Analyst – Find, underwrite, and present real estate development deals to executive boards.
• Extracurriculars:
  • 4 years in Corps of Cadets
  • XO & Chaplain – Led formations, managed $15K budget, mentored freshmen
• LORs: 1 from active duty O-3 Naval Intelligence Officer (SOUTHCOM)
• Waivers: None

My recruiter said I have a 50% chance of being selected. I don’t have any coursework in calculus or physics, so I’m not sure how much that will hurt me.

I mean if you have a 50% chance of being selected, I have a 100% chance which is crazy because my RDML said I have no chance.
Not being rude at all man I just don’t want you to get hopes up considering the stats because these are mine; and I don’t think I’ll be selected for Intel

Age:24
B.S. Cyber Security: 4.0 GPA
M.S. Cyber Security 4.0 GPA
OAR: 57
Current Profession: E5 PO2
LOR: RDML Brookes (CO of ONI)
RDML Mutty (CO of JFC Naples)
Capt. Dieter ( CO of NCIA Virginia)
Waivers None

 

[williamalmas2001]

This thread does not make me more confident applying for Intel current AD Intel Sgt in the USAF

-Stats

• Age: 43
• OAR: 58
• GPA: 3.5 (BS/MS all combined)
• Degrees:
  -BA in Psychology
  -MS in Hospital Administration

9 years active intel experience
strong Rec letters
no waivers

You won’t be able to apply for Intel under the new PA 39 or younger no Waiver

 

[CH2017]

Hi everyone, adding myself in here. Going for Intel/CW/SWO in that order:

Age: 27
B.A International PP/Econ: 3.6 (Physics and Calc covered)
OAR: 67
Current Profession: Military/Intel adjacent work OCONUS, primarily in CST
LOR: 3, one college professor and two professional
Waivers: None

 

[wildcatswag25]

I mean if you have a 50% chance of being selected, I have a 100% chance which is crazy because my RDML said I have no chance.
Not being rude at all man I just don’t want you to get hopes up considering the stats because these are mine; and I don’t think I’ll be selected for Intel

Based off everything available on this website, you are both highly competitive for Intel. Not to mention you each fit almost all new criteria for ISEL.

You are not the board. No one really knows what percent chance they’ve got, and I’d caution you from using your own profile to voice the likelihood of acceptance for someone else - especially as a prospective leader.

 

[jaydonje97]

Hey all,

Aiming for MCWO and CWO

I know MCWO isn't available this board, but I'm pinning it as my No.1 choice so I can apply for it next board and have the option to select it if I get chosen.

Education: B.S. Comp Sci from a state school w/ 3.40 GPA

President of a veteran focused club, + Provided educational benefit counseling services to veterans and active duty as my part time job during college.

OAR: 54

Prior service Cryptologic Technician Collection for four years in active duty service.

No waivers

One LOR from one of the school faculty leaders of a veteran focused service.

That being said, my recruiter didn't tell me when I had to get everything submitted to him as far as deadlines for applications go for this board, despite me asking him three separate times over email and text, (my fault for not asking him after I took the OAR, but he said he would send me an email with a checklist of all the docs needed and, I assumed, the due date for everything) so I ended up submitting all my package docs to him on the 14th of July. He claimed later that week that I'll be submitted to this August board, and is pretty adamant that everything will be fine.

I eventually found the board schedule and deadlines doc, and now that I've found this thread, am pretty concerned that he is either BSing me or has no idea what he's doing. He isn't new to recruiting as far as I know, but I'm suspecting that he may claim that I was just rejected from this board, instead of admitting that I missed the deadline to submit, which is kind of absurd, but I don't know how I would find proof that I was submitted and officially rejected, and the board schedule doc clearly states that NRC packages are due a month before the convene date.

I did receive receipt verification of my college transcript via parchment by him and by the U.S. Navy (whether that means big NRC or just my local recruiting office is unclear)

So do I have to go on his word whether I was actually rejected should that happen, or is there some sort of portal that I can log into to see my results?

I have seen that active duty members have access to a list when results are published, so if anybody would be kind enough to verify for me when the time comes that would be awesome.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Hey all,

Aiming for MCWO and CWO

I know MCWO isn't available this board, but I'm pinning it as my No.1 choice so I can apply for it next board and have the option to select it if I get chosen.

Education: B.S. Comp Sci from a state school w/ 3.40 GPA

President of a veteran focused club, + Provided educational benefit counseling services to veterans and active duty as my part time job during college.

OAR: 54

Prior service Cryptologic Technician Collection for four years in active duty service.

No waivers

One LOR from one of the school faculty leaders of a veteran focused service.

That being said, my recruiter didn't tell me when I had to get everything submitted to him as far as deadlines for applications go for this board, despite me asking him three separate times over email and text, (my fault for not asking him after I took the OAR, but he said he would send me an email with a checklist of all the docs needed and, I assumed, the due date for everything) so I ended up submitting all my package docs to him on the 14th of July. He claimed later that week that I'll be submitted to this August board, and is pretty adamant that everything will be fine.

I eventually found the board schedule and deadlines doc, and now that I've found this thread, am pretty concerned that he is either BSing me or has no idea what he's doing. He isn't new to recruiting as far as I know, but I'm suspecting that he may claim that I was just rejected from this board, instead of admitting that I missed the deadline to submit, which is kind of absurd, but I don't know how I would find proof that I was submitted and officially rejected, and the board schedule doc clearly states that NRC packages are due a month before the convene date.

I did receive receipt verification of my college transcript via parchment by him and by the U.S. Navy (whether that means big NRC or just my local recruiting office is unclear)

So do I have to go on his word whether I was actually rejected should that happen, or is there some sort of portal that I can log into to see my results?

I have seen that active duty members have access to a list when results are published, so if anybody would be kind enough to verify for me when the time comes that would be awesome.

I would say more than likely you will be at the October board, and since you put MCWO as first it would make sense to be at that board anyway. When NRC gets the application they would process for the next regular board and since yours would have been submitted after the deadline it would be the October board.

 

[DepictedHero]

Greetings everyone, just squeezing myself in here.

My recruiter confirmed that my package is currently being reviewed, whatever that fully means at this stage.

Here are my stats:

• Age: 24
• Education: B.S. in Computer Engineering, GPA 3.22
• OAR: 67
• Prior Service: None
• LORs: Two university professors
• Waivers: Two (both cleared)
• Designators: Intel (1st), CW (2nd)

Best of luck to everyone else waiting, hope we all get good news soon!

 

[williamalmas2001]

Based off everything available on this website, you are both highly competitive for Intel. Not to mention you each fit almost all new criteria for ISEL.

You are not the board. No one really knows what percent chance they’ve got, and I’d caution you from using your own profile to voice the likelihood of acceptance for someone else - especially as a prospective leader.

You are totally right. I am not the board, and I don’t know any of the chances. I only basing it off my RDML who was on the board for years and stated I wasn’t a competitive runner.

But I firmly believe everyone that is either in or joining and applying to be officer should be coherent and use caution with all posts in accordance with Navy rules and regulations.

 

[wildcatswag25]

You are totally right. I am not the board, and I don’t know any of the chances. I only basing it off my RDML who was on the board for years and stated I wasn’t a competitive runner.

Did they provide any feedback as to why you're not competitive or how you could improve?

Waivers aside, OAR and GPA seem to be the governing determinants for selection. New PA says 55 OAR and 3.3 GPA are strong enough for ISEL, and you meet both of those. Would meeting these requirements alone not make an applicant competitive? Am I missing something?

 

[williamalmas2001]

Did they provide any feedback as to why you're not competitive or how you could improve?

Waivers aside, OAR and GPA seem to be the governing determinants for selection. New PA says 55 OAR and 3.3 GPA are strong enough for ISEL, and you meet both of those. Would meeting these requirements alone not make an applicant competitive? Am I missing something?

During a recent meeting with my Rear Admiral—who, having prior enlisted experience and board membership for SWO and Supply Officer selections, brings a significant level of insight into the process—we discussed the competitiveness of the Intel community application.

He shared that, figuratively, out of 100 applicants, over half typically have an OAR score of 60 or above. Approximately 20% may be active-duty candidates with three EPs and high RSCA values on their evaluations, and many applicants also hold degrees more directly aligned with Intelligence, whereas my academic background may be considered more applicable to IP or MWCO.

In response, I highlighted that I have received strong endorsements from several Intel Officers who believe I am a competitive candidate. I also referenced my own qualifications: a 57 OAR score, two EPs and one MP on my evaluations, a 4.0 GPA, and Letters of Recommendation from senior-ranking Naval Officers who firmly support my readiness.

However, the Admiral expressed that, in his view, I may fall into the middle or possibly lower tier in terms of competitiveness. He added that, based on my background, he would not personally select me for Intel, and he questioned my choice of designator given my strengths might align better with other communities.

I want to clarify that my comments were not meant to suggest that his stats aren’t competitive—they are. My intention was simply to help manage expectations so that any potential outcome doesn’t feel discouraging. That said, I fully support your ambition, and I strongly believe that you should never give up on your goals, regardless of the challenges along the way

 

[steelfoxtrot]

Hey all! I am in for this board (CW). Hopefully, we all receive good news! 😄

 

[exNavyOffRec]

During a recent meeting with my Rear Admiral—who, having prior enlisted experience and board membership for SWO and Supply Officer selections, brings a significant level of insight into the process—we discussed the competitiveness of the Intel community application.

He shared that, figuratively, out of 100 applicants, over half typically have an OAR score of 60 or above. Approximately 20% may be active-duty candidates with three EPs and high RSCA values on their evaluations, and many applicants also hold degrees more directly aligned with Intelligence, whereas my academic background may be considered more applicable to IP or MWCO.

In response, I highlighted that I have received strong endorsements from several Intel Officers who believe I am a competitive candidate. I also referenced my own qualifications: a 57 OAR score, two EPs and one MP on my evaluations, a 4.0 GPA, and Letters of Recommendation from senior-ranking Naval Officers who firmly support my readiness.

However, the Admiral expressed that, in his view, I may fall into the middle or possibly lower tier in terms of competitiveness. He added that, based on my background, he would not personally select me for Intel, and he questioned my choice of designator given my strengths might align better with other communities.

I want to clarify that my comments were not meant to suggest that his stats aren’t competitive—they are. My intention was simply to help manage expectations so that any potential outcome doesn’t feel discouraging. That said, I fully support your ambition, and I strongly believe that you should never give up on your goals, regardless of the challenges along the way

Your background is good and if you look around is as good or better than those who have been selected in the past several years, that includes your OAR, your degrees and GPA's which are great.

There are some things that make me question what he told you, first he is an Intel officer, Intel officers do not sit boards to select Supply/SWO or any other designators other that IWC. He may have made that comment if people were going for SWO-IP/Oceano at the IWC board. If you were to look at the signed selection results and were to look up those names you would see what I am talking about.

I never say or would have said in the past a person has a great shot at Supply/IWC as those are small designators that can have a lot of applicants, in some cases selection rate has been as low as 10% however in your case if you weren't to be selected I would believe it was whatever this person put on the evaluation sheet that sunk you.

 

[Andrew_franny]

Howdy fellas,

I'm on this board, but not too hopeful. Stats below:

• Age: 26
• Education: BA in Business Administration, 3.7 (one calc class)
• OAR/ASTBE: 61/8/8/7
• Prior Service: None
• Waivers: none (unless there's one for color blindness)
• Designators: CWO only

Nerd Thunderdome is definitely the best board forum name yet.