2010 DCO/DIRCOM boards: questions, answers, and discussion

[Devil Duck]

MEPS is the path of least resistance. Feel free to try your own physician. If you do, you must subject yourself to extra pain, and time. MEPS stinks, but you're done in hours. I've been through three times, and none were enjoyable experiences. That said, it's still the easiest option.

Allow me to expand, I attempted to complete my physical with my local physician. My recruiter provided several DD forms stating that all tests indicated must be completed. It was a pretty extensive form. My doctor was unable to complete about half the tests without referrals. Co-pays for all the tests and referrals was about $500 and couldn't be completed in a week. Example, the DD form includes EGK. After this conversation with the doctor, I ended up at the MEPS in Montgomery, AL. Long story short, when I finally got in for the physical, I was there about two hours. MEPS didn't complete a good portion of the test listed on the form. I was PQ'd, so apparently they did the required tests.

 

[xxxCharliexxx]

The reasons for non-select at the March 2010 IDC board are different than the Sept 2009 Intel board (which Charlie posted). As I remember them as verbally read to me by my recruiter, they were:

- Conflicting interview assessments
- Lack of quantifiable leadership experience
- Non-applicable employment experience
- Insufficient educational experience
- Poor writing skills

As others have noted, this information is on the BUPERS results letter, and all of your recruiters have access to it. All non-selects are lumped into the same "bucket", and that's about all the guidance you'll get (from the board, anyway). However, you can probably deduce which item(s) apply to your package, and address them if you choose to apply again.

During the Aug boards of 08 and the Sept boards of 09, both were the same. From speaking with my recruiter, nothing has changed with this board as far as information on selection or non-selection. The letter that goes out defines you in a category. The recruiters can (most do) request from the board specific reasons for candidates not getting picked up to help increase their odds next go around. (Afterall, if the recruiters think you were strong but must have lacked slightly in one category or another, it is to their benefit as well to find out where you were lacking). Those are the categories that Das is mentioning. These categories are scored based on your submissions.

As das mentioned before, it's weighed on a score system of sorts and lack of leadership gets you a low score, conflicting interviews gets you a low score for that category, your written statement gets a score, your job performance and experience gets you a score, your level of education gets you a score, your language skills gets you a score, etc. Some things boot you out of the running entirely for that board like missing documentation but that will be listed under "lacking required NIRR recommendation" or the like.

So, everything that is on the list to submit in your packet is weighed with a score. Lacking documentation or proof can get you a bad score for that category or get your packet tabled until you supply the proper required documentation.

Bottom line...its your job to make sure everything is submitted that is required. Everything that you submit will be weighed so make sure it's the best you have to offer and it's as competitive as you can make it. The men and women running these boards are not out to get you and delay you. It's their job to pick the most competitive candidates and they are good at what they do. So, the best thing you can do is to make sure you are good at what you do too.

It's not really important how the entire process all works but it's good to know. Concentrate your efforts and focus your attention to gathering information (like this forum), improving your packet, communicating with your processor (chain of command is important if possible...processor first then recruiter, your recruiter will thank you for it), making certain that each and every required document is in your packet and submitted on time, etc. You have a lot of work to do. If you spend the majority of your time trying to figure out how it all worked precisely, then that's time you aren't spending making your packet more competitive.

Best,
Charlie

 

[RedShirtEnsign]

- Conflicting interview assessments
- Lack of quantifiable leadership experience
- Non-applicable employment experience
- Insufficient educational experience
- Poor writing skills

I appreciate the information people are providing. In the case of my packet (and probably a few others), I cannot really determine which one or more than one of these was the deciding factor. Non-applicable employment experience? I have DoD employment experience, but it didn't pertain specifically to ships. Did that make a difference? Conflicting interviews? I don't think they were conflicting, but all I know was what the recruiter told me afterward. Poor writing skills? I rewrote several drafts of the personal statement, but I have no way of knowing how it rated against what the board was looking for. Was there a document missing or out of order? If so, I have no way of knowing. I'm going to prod the processor to see if he can get more specific information.

 

[das]

I appreciate the information people are providing. In the case of my packet (and probably a few others), I cannot really determine which one or more than one of these was the deciding factor. Non-applicable employment experience? I have DoD employment experience, but it didn't pertain specifically to ships. Did that make a difference? Conflicting interviews? I don't think they were conflicting, but all I know was what the recruiter told me afterward. Poor writing skills? I rewrote several drafts of the personal statement, but I have no way of knowing how it rated against what the board was looking for. Was there a document missing or out of order? If so, I have no way of knowing. I'm going to prod the processor to see if he can get more specific information.

Your recruiter and processor will be your best source of information here, as they obviously have access to your entire package and sometimes the benefit of a little additional information.

I can tell you right now that your DOD experience was probably only viewed as a positive, and it definitely doesn't have to pertain to "ships" to be an asset. What they mean by employment experience not being applicable at all would be if your primary work experience was, say, as a staffmember in a Barnes and Noble or something. However, if someone was a store or regional manager for Barnes and Noble, that might still be viewed as a positive, because it shows management/supervisory experience, and presumably leadership experience.

Unfortunately, the board process is something of a "black box"...all you can do is take the limited, general feedback that applies to you and the 222 other people who weren't selected, work with your recruiter, and decide how your package can be improved.

 

[MrsBND]

Has anyone gotten their official notification yet?

 

[das]

Has anyone gotten their official notification yet?

Yes. If you're talking about the MAR 2010 IDC board, everyone in this thread who has so far said they were selected or not selected has gotten their "official" notification. The official results letter was available as of 25 MAR 10.

Welcome to AirWarriors!

 

[MrsBND]

Offical Notification

Yes. If you're talking about the MAR 2010 IDC board, everyone in this thread who has so far said they were selected or not selected has gotten their "official" notification. The official results letter was available as of 17 MAR 10.

Welcome to AirWarriors!

I am talking about the March 2010 DCO Board (22-25 MAR 10). I was told I made it via email from my recruiter, but it would be nice to see something official.

 

[das]

I am talking about the March 2010 DCO Board (22-25 MAR 10). I was told I made it via email from my recruiter, but it would be nice to see something official.

Yes, that is the board (this was the DCO board for the Information Dominance Corps (IDC), and reviewed candidates for Intel, IW, and IP). Sorry about that; 17 MAR 10 was a typo; the results letter was dated 25 MAR 10 (was thinking of the 17 SEP 09 results letter from the 14-17 SEP 09 Intel DCO board!).

Your recruiter telling you that you were professionally recommended ("selected") is official; some recruiters will show you the complete official results letter if you just ask to see it. Since a few more things have to occur before "Final Select" (FINSEL), you might not see anything until your Final Select letter. Before Final Select, you have to be declared physically qualified and your security clearance investigation must have commenced. Then you will get Final Select, be "scrolled", and receive your commissioning documents (COMDOCS).

If your recruiter told you that you were selected, you're all good; however, just ask to see the board's results letter if you really want to see an "official" document. The reason some recruiters don't share this letter is that it has everyone's name on it.

 

[MrsBND]

Thank you!

 

[Devil Duck]

. . . it would be nice to see something official.

If by 'official' you mean something in writing. . . the first 'official' document I saw was my commissioning appointment and orders. There's a lot of faith in this process. Congrats!

 

[Boston2184]

Hi Everyone -

I'm new to this site, though I have been hitting military.com's discussion boards pretty heavy recently. I notice a lot of talk here about IDC related DCO applicants. I did see one or two seebees in here, is anyone going for EDO? I'm trying to find out if the next EDO board has been set, and if any EDO applications were reviewed at the 22-25MAR10 board or if that was IDC only. For reference, and in line with many others I threw down my basic stats below for info. Would certainly welcome any feedback.


- 26 years old
- Employed in a technical position since obtaining my undergraduate degree in 07
- Worked full time while completing my MS degree full time
- BS in Electrical Engineering
- MS in Electrical Engineering & Leadership
- Strong LORs: Employer; Retired Navy Commander; Past Employer
- Strong interview with O-6 C/O of DDR&E Joint Reserve Unit
- Strong extracurriculars
- Prior experience working with E1s-E3s during product integration at FTXs

What I'm lacking:
- Current/prior service (attended USMC OCS while in college, honorary discharge on request)
- Other federal service
- Professional Engineering certification
- Formal management/supervisory experience (only team leadership experience)

 

[christie]

Thanks for the advice, dephyler! I've contacted the recruiter where I'm now living (moved during the 15 month-long process) and am looking into other areas.

if you go enlisted, you can still apply for a direct commission into the reserves. That may take a while, but it is possible. Only think about OCS if you're considering going active duty. In which case, I'd say don't go enlisted, try to get an active duty commission first.

 

[GIJ316]

EDO Board

I too am waiting on the EDO Board. From talking with past EDO selects, the EDO community does not appear to post a selection board schedule, but rather gathers the DCO Kits and meets on an informal schedule. If anyone hears anything on their expected meeting date please pass that on.

 

[War D Eagle]

GIJ316,
I believe I remember hearing a few EDO applicants that I chatted with recently mention that the EDO boards meet immediately upon arrival of packages (possible a certain number would spark a meeting). That's actually how the Civil Engineer Corps review board worked. I had no idea as to when the review panel was going to convene (or if they had already convened), but I just got word from my recruiter that I was picked up and getting assigned to a NMCB detachment. It may be the case that you are in the dark until the results come back...

 

[MrsBND]

Contacts/Questions

Are there any recruiters--or former recruiters--on this forum?