inabearsuit
Member
I haven't posted here since August, as I went off to OCS and classed up with 02-16. But at the time, a lot of people were cheering about the high pro-rec Y rate for SNA/NFO boards. For the boards last summer and beyond, we were looking at a 95% "Y" rate.
Not to burst anyone's optimism, but NAMI is absolutely destroying OCS flight candidates left and right. Our class (both divisions) lost half our aviator hopefuls due to NPQs. Some left and some re-designated. I was included in that mess, I was disqualified 18 hours before graduation. My "issue" wasn't an issue for Newport's flight surgeon. My records passed through every level until it go to the tippy top of NAMI, where it was sent back down. I was told by our surgeon that this is unusual.
The most common NPQ was for arm/leg/torso lenths (anthro), so I'm posting this to let future candidates know they should have their measurements triple checked, whether at MEPS or at the recruiting station. Numerous people were in awe when they got hit for the anthro NPQ when they had been told prior to showing up in Newport that they were good to go.
My personal warning is for priors or current service members on age waivers. Three of us on age waivers (within the bounds of our 29-year age limit) were given very strange reasons for non-waiverable medical issues. I won't go into actual medical details, but we were given very little information and no way to request second opinions or fight the disquals. Myself and another were dropped from aviation just before graduation, and the third candidate was dropped 3 weeks after while in student pool waiting for orders.
I still graduated on time, and spent 5 weeks in student pool until I was given orders as an 1160 (SWO). But I just want to caution SNAs/NFOs and to say please make sure you have every possible medical "duck" in a row. Also, make sure you have a back-up designation in mind just in case.
But remember, you are going to OCS to be a Naval Officer first and foremost.
Not to burst anyone's optimism, but NAMI is absolutely destroying OCS flight candidates left and right. Our class (both divisions) lost half our aviator hopefuls due to NPQs. Some left and some re-designated. I was included in that mess, I was disqualified 18 hours before graduation. My "issue" wasn't an issue for Newport's flight surgeon. My records passed through every level until it go to the tippy top of NAMI, where it was sent back down. I was told by our surgeon that this is unusual.
The most common NPQ was for arm/leg/torso lenths (anthro), so I'm posting this to let future candidates know they should have their measurements triple checked, whether at MEPS or at the recruiting station. Numerous people were in awe when they got hit for the anthro NPQ when they had been told prior to showing up in Newport that they were good to go.
My personal warning is for priors or current service members on age waivers. Three of us on age waivers (within the bounds of our 29-year age limit) were given very strange reasons for non-waiverable medical issues. I won't go into actual medical details, but we were given very little information and no way to request second opinions or fight the disquals. Myself and another were dropped from aviation just before graduation, and the third candidate was dropped 3 weeks after while in student pool waiting for orders.
I still graduated on time, and spent 5 weeks in student pool until I was given orders as an 1160 (SWO). But I just want to caution SNAs/NFOs and to say please make sure you have every possible medical "duck" in a row. Also, make sure you have a back-up designation in mind just in case.
But remember, you are going to OCS to be a Naval Officer first and foremost.
Oh well, the life of a black-shoe wearing SWO it is!
