DCO Application Process Overview .doc

[dephyler]

I was looking back for some old forms and found this gem that I forgot I had. My recruiter gave it to me when I expressed initial interest in a direct commission.

There's a few things that are Boston specific, but it's still good gouge.

 

[xxxCharliexxx]

that was a great read - I wish I had read it before selection

 

[cookierinthia]

Waiting Like the Rest

Greetings All,

I am waiting on my final selection letter. I was picked up from the July 09 Supply Corps Board. I know of an Ensign who was picked up from the same board and he was commissioned in October. So I will say that although it's a lengthy process, I believe it defends on you and your recruiter on how quickly you get through the process for the most part.

I had to resolve some medical issues before I could get PQ'd. I am now PQ'd, billet information was submitted last week, so I'm in the waiting period right now. So we shall see.

 

[xxxCharliexxx]

Can someone link me to a good summary of the process/competition to becoming a reserve-O? I tried google and came up with jack shit. I am enrolled in OCS now but I am on my way to an NPQ and have been advised that I may want to pursue the Reserves if I want to continue trying to be an Officer - which I do! The NPQ wouldn't be permanent, but long enough to kick me out of OCS..if you were wondering.(According to the Flight Surgeon )

Are you talking through the DCO program?

 

[xxxCharliexxx]

Can someone link me to a good summary of the process/competition to becoming a reserve-O? I tried google and came up with jack shit. I am enrolled in OCS now but I am on my way to an NPQ and have been advised that I may want to pursue the Reserves if I want to continue trying to be an Officer - which I do! The NPQ wouldn't be permanent, but long enough to kick me out of OCS..if you were wondering.(According to the Flight Surgeon )

Ok, well I went through the DCO program (as did most on this thread since it's a DCO thread). All of this info is for Intel Community and if it differs with other communities, a bunch of people will call me out on it so no need to fret

DCO means Direct Commissioned Officer. Whether you are prior service or non-prior service, if selected for this program, you will be directly commissioned as an officer in the Navy. No boot camp, no OCS.

How to get there: I contacted a recruiter. Told him the program I'm interested in (already knew DCO was the way for me). Requirements: degree, age limit (age waivers can be applied), ability to demonstrate leadership through work experience (since you will be skipping OCS, you need to prove that you dont 'need' to take it persay), ASTB scores, 3 letters of recommendation (strong), interviews in the community you are applying for (one needs to be the RIPO and the interview reviews need to be strong), motivational statement (don't blow this off - it's an important piece), ability to get a clearance, no arrests, no debts, ability to get PQL - Physcially Qualified Letter, and a ton of patience...this is not the fast way in.

When it's said and done, your packet (which I can send you a copy of the list of actual docs that need to be included in your packet for submission or better yet, you should get one from your recruiter) will contain your application for commission (which includes your motivational statement), your references, your scores, your motivational statement, your interviewer sheets, your transcripts and resume, and normal things like copies of your birth certificates and whatnot. I'm traveling or I would just pull mine out and tell you exactly what is required but that sums it up for submission.

You get this all gathered in preparation of the next incoming board. This is a date you need to know from the start. If you miss this date, you could literally set yourself back a year.

I won't get into the process of the board since you are at the beginning stages and this gives you what information you asked for, but if selected at the board, the time from board meeting till commission is about 4 months (give or take). During that time, you will be heading to MEPS (if you haven't already) to get your PQL, making sure your clearance is good to go, and then you sit and wait (and pray if you are into that kind of thing and even if you aren't, it can't hurt to start).

Competition: Don't even think about the competition. You don't have time to worry about what the next person has/doesn't have. Make sure your packet is as strong as you can possibly make it. That is the thing you can control - you can't control what someone else has/doesn't have. So concentrate on the things you can control. I know that if I saw the resumes and bios of some of the people I beat out, I would have been highly discouraged (still would have gone for it though) (DAS, GOOD GRIEF! Whatever you do, don't look at his resume unless you just like to worry a lot). I believe they look for the 'whole person' concept. Well rounded and skilled in your own right. If you are an engineer, make sure you have a reference from someone that can speak of your strength as an engineer on the references. If you know a language, that is good too. That package you are putting together...it is the chance to sell yourself so make sure your product is top notch and you portray it as such.

Like I said, this is for Intel, and if it differs for other communities, there are great people with great information here that will help me fill in the blanks for those communities. I'm not sure what a NPQ is - Non-physically qualified? If so, there are waivers depending on the issue but the ability to be PQ is required for any military program including this one.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions, if I were at home, I would have access to the exact forms that spells this out much better in black and white.

And if you have a specific question that you don't want posted on the forum, you can PM me and I'll do what I can to get your answer.

-Charlie

 

[xxxCharliexxx]

It varies by community. Some meet only once a year, some a couple times a year or quarterly. Sometimes, they even schedule them, and then say 'well, no nevermind...we're going to just hold off a while" and you are stuck until the next board meets. (which some of us are all too well aware of). But it's better to be prepared for that date even it it is cancelled. If you know the communities you are looking to apply with, that will help people on the site help you find your board dates. Otherwise, that's something that either your recruiter or your processor would be happy to provide you for all communities.

Glad I could help and sorry I don't have a definitive answer for this one.

-Angela

 

[Intel_warrior]

Charlie gave good gouge. There are so many different parts to the process. Many paper based. You have to have a few things in your mind while you are going through this process. First and foremost, it is you applying for this billet. The recruiter will not motivate you. You may/probably will be the one initiating contact with the recruiter throughout the process. If you want it bad enough, you will do whatever is needed and then some to make it happen. LT Kelly Beamsley website used to have a checklist for paperwork needed for the packet. May still have it. Make sure you have the most current forms, especially the SF-86. As far as time frames, I started the process in February 2009. I am now waiting on Comdocs. A few people took longer and few took less time. As Charlie said, alot depends on the board convening dates and if they actually meet on those dates. You are not guaranteed approval. DCO is very competitive and should not be taken lightly. If you want it bad enough and do not make it the first time around, submit again.

 

[suppo2010]

Charlie gave good gouge. There are so many different parts to the process. Many paper based. You have to have a few things in your mind while you are going through this process. First and foremost, it is you applying for this billet. The recruiter will not motivate you. You may/probably will be the one initiating contact with the recruiter throughout the process. If you want it bad enough, you will do whatever is needed and then some to make it happen. LT Kelly Beamsley website used to have a checklist for paperwork needed for the packet. May still have it. Make sure you have the most current forms, especially the SF-86. As far as time frames, I started the process in February 2009. I am now waiting on Comdocs. A few people took longer and few took less time. As Charlie said, alot depends on the board convening dates and if they actually meet on those dates. You are not guaranteed approval. DCO is very competitive and should not be taken lightly. If you want it bad enough and do not make it the first time around, submit again.

I agree, I am prior service, actually currently drilling as enlisted now, was active duty got out went to school, got a career going, then came back on my own terms for what I think are my right reasons, I gave it 3 years, when I came back I was in grad school, so I decided to wait until after I graduated, unfortunately for me my timing was off, I applied for a community that only took 6 of 150 board eligible people, but the time before took 65, very humbling, I questioned if I was better, then I realized its not who is better, its do you have what they (board) are looking for at that specific time, and no body knows that question, so you work hard, make sure youcan display these 6 things for a good package:

• Do you display the core values of Honor commitment and courage? How ?
• Active in your community/ i.e. church, volunteer, charity functions etc
• Education / College, Post college, professional certs etc
• Awards and recognition / how they relate to the Navy core values
• Team work / There is no 'I' in Navy/ do you play sports? are you on boards? Professional organizations, Chamber of commerce etc... can you show a history of team work....
• Last but not least interviews/ make sure you have well respected individuals in your community give you the interviews, rank doesnt matter as much as respect, there are plenty of 0-6's who have never sat on a board and who's opinions mean absolutely nothing, and board memeber know this, you want quality not quantity, keep that in mind.....

one thing I have learned is your not in competition with anyone else but yourself in the DCO game, if you can say that you have done everything with in your power to put together a nice package then thats all you can do you start worrying about how you stack up against the next person and your in trouble....