I would like to start off by saying Congrats to Das!!!! Good hanging in there!!! Charlie has hit everything on the head. Everyone should take a look at his post. I couldn't have said it better. ANYTHING that you can do to improve your packet from before, do so. Persistence is the key. All Navy boards, not just for officer look for key things like that. Improvements are the key. You should always take the premise as if there is always something that could be added to "break you out" Remember, especially in today's economy and political climate that there are a lot more competitors than there used to be, especially within the intelligence profession, whether those who are just here for the the love of the profession, those who are want-to-be career naval officers, or those who just want the Naval Intelligence Officer resume bullet. Non the less, no matter what an individual's intentions or reasons, they are still competitors. You still have a peer group who is going through the same processes as you and who are just as hungry, so you should always be looking for improvements to possibly "break you out" in addition to being persistant. And I speak from 19 years of enlisted and naval experience. I watch a lot of these postings and I really like what I see, everyone coming together for a common cause, offering tips to help the next person.
And I commend all of you. What I see within the chat rooms are the pennacle of "leadership". A perfect example are those who are still here offering help and suggestions and even the mistakes and experiences throughout there own process that could help someone else, even long after they have made it. Those are true character's of a naval officer. I think all of you exhibit that. Keep going........
If there is anything that I could offer or share that I have learned which has helped tremendously throughout my naval career, it is, "never take NO for an answer" and if you don't get selected when and as if you think you should, "make them give you a reason to tell you NO". From the looks of it, they are running out of reasons for some of you. PERSISTENSE is key......
If it makes anyone feel better, I am goiing through the same process and have been for a year and half now. I have been and are still through the non-selections, processor errors, and recruiter mishaps (oops did I say that?) and all of the bullcrap that comes with it. And I have been in this Navy for over 15 years. So no one is special here in the light that they are the only ones who get seemingly crapped over. It happens to all of us. Its all apart of the process. I think that when all said and done, you will value it more because of the struggle. I don't mean offense to anyone when I say this but, if you have been in the military before, officer or enlisted you should understand this and the process a little better than those who haven't.
But, I will say this. No matter how good or bad your selection package may be. A recruiter can MAKE or BREAK your package. So remember it is your career! I would advise don't just leave your career to the fate of someone else. Be sure to communicate with your recruiters and processors (respectfully). Be proactive! Take charge of your own career. Anticipation will help some. Try to stay a step ahead of the recruiter. But remember, they also have many other candidates and collateral jobs and duties that require time away from the office (CO, XO, PRT Coordinator...etc). And with the limited amount time they have to filter through hundreds of candidates to find the ones that exhibit the most potential for success. They have theirs, it is up to you to get yours. The faster and more accurate the package is assembled the bigger the buffer to iron out "snaff-foos". The better you understand the process and the navy in general, the better I think your selection experience will be. Take charge of your career!!
Remember...... "one of the most dangerous things in life is sincere IGNORANCE ......
Good luck everyone!!! I hope to see you all on the other side.
