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OCS 11AUG25 IWC BOARD // Nerd Thunderdome 2025

My recruiter just called me and asked if I'd be down to go to the OCS class THIS COMING SATURDAY because someone had a last minute withdrawal. My original ship date is 02AUG2026.

I want to go soon but not that soon lol. My cardio is absolutely not ready and I forgot all the Appendix B
Lol I'd be down for that, I'd just have to leave all my stuff and keep my current place while I was in OCS, my manager would hate me for quitting with no notice like that though XD. OCS is meant to be passable for anybody who puts in the work while there, so I wouldn't worry about the learning aspect or physical part. My girlfriend would be pissed though. She doesn't like sudden major changes. Frankly, your OCS date being almost a year out is crazy.
 
Lol I'd be down for that, I'd just have to leave all my stuff and keep my current place while I was in OCS, my manager would hate me for quitting with no notice like that though XD. OCS is meant to be passable for anybody who puts in the work while there, so I wouldn't worry about the learning aspect or physical part. My girlfriend would be pissed though. She doesn't like sudden major changes. Frankly, your OCS date being almost a year out is crazy.
Yeah, August is too far out for my liking. I let my recruiter know I'd be good to fill in for any other possible free slots in the earlier classes of 2026 though. In the meantime its back to daily running and push ups.
 
Selected for Intel

For posterity:
OAR: 58
GPA: 3.45
Degree: MS Hospital Admin, BA Psychology
TIS: still active 9+ years USAF Intel
Age: 43 M
Leadership: NCO set up reporting shop ECT
LOR, Experience, Certs: LoRs from Intel O4 and O3 describing high speed/great work ethic
 
With or without prior service, that makes a big difference.
GPA on a 40+ person makes a bigger deal than active duty Intel service?!
I find that hard to believe. Even I would choose a 9 yr Intel AD over me (0 prior), even if his GPA was 2.0
GPA's are a silly way to judge people over 35.
Cheering you on, JDmann!
 
GPA on a 40+ person makes a bigger deal than active duty Intel service?!
I find that hard to believe. Even I would choose a 9 yr Intel AD over me (0 prior), even if his GPA was 2.0
GPA's are a silly way to judge people over 35.
Cheering you on, JDmann!
I get what you are saying. But also as a millennial myself, I think OCS selection as somewhat of a grad-school application. Also the main target demography are the young guns between 20-29.

Apparently the US Navy is a STEM-savvy branch and the best bet the board can make to invest on candidates would likely be the ones with a high GPA. Let’s be honest, while GPA may not be everything, it definitely means something - the community would rather bet on peeps who can digest what’s being fed. And it had to be the IWC.
 
I get what you are saying. But also as a millennial myself, I think OCS selection as somewhat of a grad-school application. Also the main target demography are the young guns between 20-29.

Apparently the US Navy is a STEM-savvy branch and the best bet the board can make to invest on candidates would likely be the ones with a high GPA. Let’s be honest, while GPA may not be everything, it definitely means something - the community would rather bet on peeps who can digest what’s being fed. And it had to be the IWC.
I take it you've never heard the saying "Poli-Sci let's em fly"
 
I think it was the experience in Intel and having my rec letters speak to working in the field that put me over the top vs a 25 year old with a higher GPA and OAR scores. I not saying ageism is not a thing i just don't think the board put a lot of weight on age vs the whole package. My recruiter was also Intel so I think she did a good job highlighting what the board was looking for. This was my first time applying for the navy but i did apply for AF OTS 3 times and was and alternate once keep and it and keep working on you package until they tell you that you can not apply anymore.
 
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GPA on a 40+ person makes a bigger deal than active duty Intel service?!
I find that hard to believe. Even I would choose a 9 yr Intel AD over me (0 prior), even if his GPA was 2.0
GPA's are a silly way to judge people over 35.
Cheering you on, JDmann!

I think it was the experience in Intel and having my rec letters speak to working in the field that put me over the top vs a 25 year old with a higher GPA and OAR scores. I not saying ageism is not a thing i just don't think the board put a lot of weight on age vs the whole package. My recruiter was also Intel so I think she did a good job highlighting what the board was looking for.
I was specifically talking about with or without prior service to the age reference.

Yes GPA is a big factor for these programs no matter the age as the average GPA of those selected hovers around 3.5

I have seen many who were IS, IT, and CT who had several years of experience who had less than 3.0 GPA's that were not picked up.

One board the program manager told me they had so many applicants everyone with a GPA less than 3.0 was declined by the board with no application review.
 
I was specifically talking about with or without prior service to the age reference.

Yes GPA is a big factor for these programs no matter the age as the average GPA of those selected hovers around 3.5

I have seen many who were IS, IT, and CT who had several years of experience who had less than 3.0 GPA's that were not picked up.

One board the program manager told me they had so many applicants everyone with a GPA less than 3.0 was declined by the board with no application review.
Interesting. Good data!
 
One board the program manager told me they had so many applicants everyone with a GPA less than 3.0 was declined by the board with no application review.
Might be a very dumb question as all the search results and my OR’s explanation point to the “cumulative GPA on the application” is what the boards see.
I did see your comment in the past that some designators (CEC, MCWO) would scrutinize the transcripts and would assume in general cumulative is what counts?

Fortunately I have a good company benefit that allows me to take classes relevant to my tech job and while I am interested in serving I also enjoy learning. I am just trying to get some additional information to plan my next steps. A lot has to be updated for my next package and as I might be able to go for an ISEL if the cumulative is what matters, I am trying to add in some more cyber security courses that would benefit me both in my career and selection.

Thank you for always sharing your awesome insider perspective!
 
Might be a very dumb question as all the search results and my OR’s explanation point to the “cumulative GPA on the application” is what the boards see.
I did see your comment in the past that some designators (CEC, MCWO) would scrutinize the transcripts and would assume in general cumulative is what counts?

Fortunately I have a good company benefit that allows me to take classes relevant to my tech job and while I am interested in serving I also enjoy learning. I am just trying to get some additional information to plan my next steps. A lot has to be updated for my next package and as I might be able to go for an ISEL if the cumulative is what matters, I am trying to add in some more cyber security courses that would benefit me both in my career and selection.

Thank you for always sharing your awesome insider perspective!
I bet they won't look at transcripts if the GPA is high enough.
Hence "poly-Sci" let's em fly"
 
Might be a very dumb question as all the search results and my OR’s explanation point to the “cumulative GPA on the application” is what the boards see.
I did see your comment in the past that some designators (CEC, MCWO) would scrutinize the transcripts and would assume in general cumulative is what counts?

Fortunately I have a good company benefit that allows me to take classes relevant to my tech job and while I am interested in serving I also enjoy learning. I am just trying to get some additional information to plan my next steps. A lot has to be updated for my next package and as I might be able to go for an ISEL if the cumulative is what matters, I am trying to add in some more cyber security courses that would benefit me both in my career and selection.

Thank you for always sharing your awesome insider perspective!
The cumulative GPA goes on the APSR, there is also the GPA calculation sheet they can look at as well as the transcripts if they choose to.
 
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