College Degree...wants to be an officer...bad/average GPA...enlist?
Funny you should mention that...
First, the disclaimer: Everyone else is right...by all means, if there is any program you can go into NOW, even if it is not the service you would prefer, then that is probably the path the smart money is on. And the guys who say you join to be an officer first and flyboy second are 100% correct. Can't stand the guys I work with who are officers in name only. American, Naval Officer, Aviator, NFO, RIO, Squadron member, in that order.
Now, having said that: 2.X GPA from Ga Tech in a ME degree. 1994. Drawdown. Sent away for OCS info (had to put GPA on postcard) Got back a letter with the address of the local enlisted recruiter. Took the hint, and since I REALLY wanted to be an officer, I enlisted. Really had a love affair with subs, so I became a Sonar Tech subs.
Now the big question. Is the 2.8 the result of you maxing out your innate capabilities, or because you didn't try your hardest? If the first, no prob, but just be aware that life is a tough business, and the competition can be brutal. If the second, then its time to buckle down if you have any intention to suceed in any branch. If I studied as hard in college as I did in flight school I'd probably invented the cure for cancer.
You see, I was a slacker. But in the Navy I caught fire. Top student in RTC, first in Sub School, first in A School, came in as an E-3, made E-4 after eight months (perfect score on the test). Qualified in subs in five months (you have twelve--I set the record for my boat). Made LPO of Deck Div after a year and three months. Picked up for OCS after a year and eight months. Total enlisted time: two years, two months (not counting OCS).
I say the above not to beat my chest and try to impress anybody (we all think we are future CNOs anyway), but to drive home a point--if you go enlisted, you are going to be looked upon as a really smart enlisted guy, and not a future officer candidate just slumming. The Navy is the worst service for going from enlisted to officer, IMO. Once you enlist, they have you, and they view you as exactly what you are--a bluejacket. Met several guys on the same program I was on, but since they were drifters in college and were still drifting in the Navy when I met them, I can only assume that they are either still enlisted or never made it and got out. So, you break out of that by proving that you are officer material. And part of that is by not just doing well as an enlisted guy, but excelling, by doing very very very well.. In other words, the only one who will hold you to the standards you need to achieve will be yourself. Your supervisor won't do it--you are already far exceeding what he needs out of you.
If you don't, you are still not sunk, it will just take more time--4,5,6 years. Better to come out of the corner swinging.
Regardless, throughout the entire process of biding your time, there are some rocks and shoals to avoid. First, you will be smarter and older (and hopefully more mature) than your buds of equivalent rank. This can turn into a problem if you are not aware of it. Second, not every supervisor is going to be exactly thrilled to get a college dude who comes in off the bat saying "Golly Gee, I'm going to be an officer", while at the same time the you really are just beginning to do the job the Navy is actually paying you for--a job that he already knows backwards and forwards. So, you WILL need people skills. Not even a really big challenge, but just be aware the problem might be there.
Also, while your natural peers (by dint of education and age) will be the JO's, maintain friendly but military distant and correct relations. That will show you are true blue Navy, and avoid the ire of senior enlisted.
On the plus side, commands LOVE guys that can possible get OCS slots, as everyone gets to put stuff like that on their FITREPS, etc., showing what great mentors and leaders they are. Guys like Department Heads and XO's will be your natural allies. The JO's will be supportive, but are busy with their own careers. Senior enlisted outlook will depend upon their personal character. If the guy is a man and leader, he will usually help any other man rise to his natural ability. If not, just remember he really can't stop you if you have what it takes.
Also, you are there to do the enlisted job, not on some work study program for wayward youths. Be danged good at your job. Pick one you will have a passion for. If things don't work out, its going to blow doing something for four years that you don't enjoy. Go subs or aviation, and avoid the surface community. Both subs and aviation have both smaller commands (easier for LCDRs to notice you) and have smarter enlisted guys (easier for you not to go crazy).
Know the instruction for the program you want cold. Don't expect anybody else to do your paperwork for you. Part of being an officer is taking charge and seizing the intiative.
Anyway, that's it. Free advice, and probably worth what you paid for it. The pitfalls don't end there. Once you get a commission, you will be older than your peers, again, and also more experienced with the military. Which, in your peers eyes, will count for jack AND squat. On your nugget cruise, you will be exactly that--a dumb nugget. Doesn't matter if you could build the plane because you just spent two years working on it. Starting out on the rookie level again and again can get discouraging. But these are not showstopping obstacles, just speed bumps to be aware of.
Good Luck.
