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2010 DCO/DIRCOM boards: questions, answers, and discussion
- Thread starter das
- Start date
Not taking issue with your correct information, just clarifying for others that the September 2010 IDC DCO board is still for FY11 even though the board itself does not occur within FY11 (especially since what started this was someone's recruiter telling him there weren't any more Intel boards "for the rest of the year", etc.).
USAF.Boom
New Member
Ok, First, there are many GREAT benefits to going enlisted.
Second, you can apply for the DCO program anytime, so it WILL NOT prevent you from applying for several years if you enlist. Someone said that if you want to be an officer then only be an officer. Well, you had to go to college before that was possible and perhaps you need to enlist before it is possible. Maybe, maybe not.
Third, yes there are programs to come in as an E-4 or E-5, it is called "Advanced Pay-Grade". E-6 I have never heard of, but I enlisted as an APG and things went well. So this is not BS. Fourth, do you want to serve or just "be an officer"? I ask only because it seems like some are more stuck on being an officer than really serving. If that is it, then I think you are looking for trouble in your "officer" career.
Being an enlisted IS is a very good way to improve your chances for DCO selection, as long as you are not a shit bag. As far as people being highly educated as enlisted, I went through basic training with a person who held two PhD's in medical research and I currently serve in my unit with an enlisted IS who is a lawyer. So yes, it happens all the time. Of the DCO's that I know that came through the ranks, most had advanced degrees before they were officers. To be a chief, more and more, they are looking for college degrees, though they are not required.
And I would take what those who have not been selected with a caution. They obviously have not "checked all the correct boxes" for one reason or another. No offense to those who have not been picked up, but if you have never served, then where is your expertise coming from?
And while it may not seem like much, but you can come in as a slick chest ENS with no creditability or you can have a chest full of medals/ribbons and have some sort of idea of what the hell is going on. I will tell you that I am treated much differently than others that I have seen, simply because of the comments like, "oh, you know what's going on", or "you've been around the block, so can you handle this xxxxx for me"? strictly by looking on my chest. There is a certain level of creditability that comes with being enlisted. There is a reason why they say that the best officers are those that were enlisted first (exceptions are always there).
Plus the selection board does look at prior service.
Sorry if I railed but being enlisted is NOT a bad thing and can really be beneficial.
Second, you can apply for the DCO program anytime, so it WILL NOT prevent you from applying for several years if you enlist. Someone said that if you want to be an officer then only be an officer. Well, you had to go to college before that was possible and perhaps you need to enlist before it is possible. Maybe, maybe not.
Third, yes there are programs to come in as an E-4 or E-5, it is called "Advanced Pay-Grade". E-6 I have never heard of, but I enlisted as an APG and things went well. So this is not BS. Fourth, do you want to serve or just "be an officer"? I ask only because it seems like some are more stuck on being an officer than really serving. If that is it, then I think you are looking for trouble in your "officer" career.
Being an enlisted IS is a very good way to improve your chances for DCO selection, as long as you are not a shit bag. As far as people being highly educated as enlisted, I went through basic training with a person who held two PhD's in medical research and I currently serve in my unit with an enlisted IS who is a lawyer. So yes, it happens all the time. Of the DCO's that I know that came through the ranks, most had advanced degrees before they were officers. To be a chief, more and more, they are looking for college degrees, though they are not required.
And I would take what those who have not been selected with a caution. They obviously have not "checked all the correct boxes" for one reason or another. No offense to those who have not been picked up, but if you have never served, then where is your expertise coming from?
And while it may not seem like much, but you can come in as a slick chest ENS with no creditability or you can have a chest full of medals/ribbons and have some sort of idea of what the hell is going on. I will tell you that I am treated much differently than others that I have seen, simply because of the comments like, "oh, you know what's going on", or "you've been around the block, so can you handle this xxxxx for me"? strictly by looking on my chest. There is a certain level of creditability that comes with being enlisted. There is a reason why they say that the best officers are those that were enlisted first (exceptions are always there).
Plus the selection board does look at prior service.
Sorry if I railed but being enlisted is NOT a bad thing and can really be beneficial.
X
xxxCharliexxx
Guest
Sorry but I disagree, mainly with your short-sightedness and your ability to have managed so many insults in a short post. Actually, that part was impressive.
1. I don't think anyone is saying being enlisted is a bad thing necessarily.
2. Non-prior DCO's or (slick chest ENS as you put it) don't lack credibility. They got there on their own merit and life experiences and regardless of whether you agree or not, it deserves credit.
3. No one suggested that the ribbons on your chest suggest credibility or the lack thereof either. I haven't been in the military very long but already I know not to judge credibility based on ribbons....or rank.
4. And the advice of others should always be welcome - regardless of their stage in the process. No one said specifically, "can I please only hear from USAF.boom or others that are prior-enlisted and selected through the DCO program please?" Hearing advice from several different people and their different ways of approaching problems or issues is what makes the forum an open forum to everyone...not just those that have a commission.
5. The selection board does look at prior service....and life experiences...and the degree you have...your references...your proven leadership ability or potential, etc. etc etc.....
Finally, I'm going to pop my two cents in on the actual issue. Going in enlisted or officer, with prior service or not, active or reserve, from the Navy or from another branch, etc. is all up to the individual. It's whatever works best for them. There are pros and cons to it all. If someone has a question, I hope to God that someone on this forum, regardless of a commission or lack thereof, will answer with sound advice. Then people compile that advice and assimilate it to work out the best possible solution for their lives. To me, everyone that serves or wants to serve is a unique individual...regardless of the rank they start out with. Each path, enlisted or officer, will mean different choices and options ahead so choose carefully. Again, neither are bad so you can't go wrong with either decision. But if you want to be an officer, don't give up (I think that was the main point everyone was making) because you didn't make it the first time around. But if you truly want to serve, and rank is not a driving factor, then go enlisted and enjoy that life and earn a commission later on if you still want it.
Bottom line is: both answers are right. You just have to decide which one is more right for you so that you can serve your country and the service that you provide symbiotically serves your life.
For those of you who have already faced the local Intel Board interviews, is there any way to prepare? Are there any questions that you can or are willing to share? Should I be reading any kind of periodicals or books? I have a degree in International Relations and I understand that is supposed to help but I have no clue. I am scheduled to meet the Intel pro's before the summer and the board in September. HEEEELLLLLLPPPPPP!!
Devil Duck
Member
Intelligence. You got it, or you don't.
No really, I don't think you can cram for the interviews. The best advice I could give is to provide sincere answers, and don't attempt to answer as you might expect the interviewer would like to hear. In general, I'd recommend becoming familiar with current affairs, if you aren't already. How many newspapers to you read daily? Recommend you keep abreast of the current state of intelligence, defense, government, international relations, et cetera. Knowing what's going on around you is important, being able to synthesize information in to intelligible positions is critical.
It's an awful lot about character, knowledge, confidence, leadership, etc., all things that can't be crammed for. That said, it's important also to show that you're aware of world events - and I don't mean just the 24-hour news-cycle type of "events". What's going on in Sudan right now? Who's running the show in Japan, how long have they been there, and what are they doing? How are things going in North Korea? What newspapers do you read, what was the last book you finished, how do you learn what's happening in the world? These are all questions you should be able to answer immediately, without hesitation, I think. At least, it didn't hurt that I could answer those, and I was selected. Good luck!
Thanks a lot Gopher and Das. I wish I could get you guys together to give me a mock panel interview. Your inforamation is a great help. I usually keep up with world events quite well. I live and breathe NPR, I check BBC, CNN, CNBC, NYT, and Washington Post news sites everyday; and I have subscriptions to Foreign Policy and The Economist. I have to go over some of Das' questions (in another post) so I don't chocke during the interview. If you think of any questions, please let me know. Thanks again.
prozoe1985
New Member
Das, I was told by my recruiter that the September board is only for Intel and IW. IP board will be next year March. Is this correct? I do not have faith in my recruiter. Do you have a official document to this or is there someone in Millington I can call to give me this in writing?
I don't have an official document, but I do have this, as of last week:
The FY11 IDC PR schedule is as follows:
20-23 Sep 2010 - All IDC communities (IP, IW, Intel and OCEANO) - expect all IP, IW and OCEANO quotas to be selected at this PR
13-16 Dec 2010 - If required as an interim PR between SEP and MAR PRs - not planned
21-24 Mar 2011 - Anticipated as Intel PR only to select remaining FY11 quotas
So at this point, that's what I have...
The FY11 IDC PR schedule is as follows:
20-23 Sep 2010 - All IDC communities (IP, IW, Intel and OCEANO) - expect all IP, IW and OCEANO quotas to be selected at this PR
13-16 Dec 2010 - If required as an interim PR between SEP and MAR PRs - not planned
21-24 Mar 2011 - Anticipated as Intel PR only to select remaining FY11 quotas
So at this point, that's what I have...
Hi all, I'm in for the Sept. 2010 boards (Intel). I'd say I've got strong credentials, with the exception of an infraction about 7 years ago - an alcohol related arrest, the charges of which were ultimately dropped and my record expunged. Given the nature of this incident, coupled with the increasingly competitive atmosphere with respect to obtaining a commission with the Intel community, do you think I stand a fighting chance? I'm hopinh my credentials below count towards something positive:
Yale undergrad (3.5 GPA)
Fordham Law School (3.3 GPA)
Fluent in Spanish; proficient in Arabic
Competitive swimmer all 4 years during undergrad
Eagle Scout
Involved in several volunteer organizations
Yale undergrad (3.5 GPA)
Fordham Law School (3.3 GPA)
Fluent in Spanish; proficient in Arabic
Competitive swimmer all 4 years during undergrad
Eagle Scout
Involved in several volunteer organizations
cdb26, as you'll likely hear again, the Navy looks at the "whole person". Most people have something negative in their past...and remember, a commission isn't sainthood. That said, the pool is definitely extremely competitive. But your academic credentials (advanced degree) and languages (particularly Arabic) will be looked upon very favorably.
It sounds like your package is already in or complete, but I would say the important thing to highlight beyond the "facts and figures" is your demonstrated leadership experience. As for negative incidents, time mitigates nearly everything. You obviously have to disclose on your commission application, and you'll have to disclose for 10 years for security investigation purposes (some sections explicitly say 7, but 10 is always safe for the SSBI required for TS/SCI, unless it explicitly says otherwise)...the fact that the charges were dropped and your record expunged is certainly better than a conviction.
I don't yet have information on how many quotas are available for FY11, but Intel typically has the most of any IDC community. You definitely stand a fighting chance, but you often won't know the exact odds until after the board is complete -- and at that point, you know exactly where you stand. If you don't try, your chances are zero, so you've taken the right step. You may also need to try more than once, and Intel is going to have at least one more FY11 board. Best of luck!
It sounds like your package is already in or complete, but I would say the important thing to highlight beyond the "facts and figures" is your demonstrated leadership experience. As for negative incidents, time mitigates nearly everything. You obviously have to disclose on your commission application, and you'll have to disclose for 10 years for security investigation purposes (some sections explicitly say 7, but 10 is always safe for the SSBI required for TS/SCI, unless it explicitly says otherwise)...the fact that the charges were dropped and your record expunged is certainly better than a conviction.
I don't yet have information on how many quotas are available for FY11, but Intel typically has the most of any IDC community. You definitely stand a fighting chance, but you often won't know the exact odds until after the board is complete -- and at that point, you know exactly where you stand. If you don't try, your chances are zero, so you've taken the right step. You may also need to try more than once, and Intel is going to have at least one more FY11 board. Best of luck!