IW Officer Interview

[deskwarfare]

interviews

Does anyone here have a idea about what to expect in an interview with a IW officer? I've got mine coming up soon and I just want to be prepared.

For instance, should I expect there to be alot of basic military questions, technical questions, or is it more like a job interview where you just talk about your application and personal motivations?

I saw that IT1's application was still pending crypto (IW, whatever) interviews so I thought maybe ya'll would have some insight. Thanks!

 

[IT1toOfficer]

Every interview will be slightly different, but I'll tell you what type of questions they asked me. They asked me:
Why I want to be an Officer in the Navy?
What could I bring to the Wardroom?
They asked questions about package?
What are my weaknesses and strengths?
What do you know about the Community?
What makes a good leader?
What does the term “officer and a gentleman” mean?
What is the Career path for the community?

A big thing is they want to get to know you. I had an Intelligence officer ask me questions about the world and politics. One question was: Name the top 3 countries that I though the US should be worried about in regard to terrorism?

IT1

Just think on your feet!! Most of it is your opinion. Be honest and take your time responding.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Interviews....what a joy.....whether you're the interviewee or the interviewer. I've sat on several of these for STA-21 candidates. Regardless of what interview you're doing, there are some pretty standard questions people will ask. Some were alluded to above.

Some that I liked asking (that were not so common) were:
- Do you know who I am and what division/department I work in? (Hint: if you can find out any info about who your interviewer(s) is/are, do it.
- What was the last book you read? (Wait for response) Did you enjoy it or not? (Wait for response) Why?
- What is one thing you've done in the Navy you wish you could take back?

Overall, it is the thought process I was looking at. Your end answer is no so important as it is to not look like you just got socked in the gut with a soccer ball. Maintain poise, and answer completely, honestly, and concisely.

Shine your shoes....don't wear plastic leather corframs
Fresh haircut...as in that day or day before
Military creases, uniform as sharp as it can possibly be (take the extra time to put the shirt stays on!)

 

[gagirl]

Navybeav,

I just saw your post about Supply and I may be too late, but my husband was selected 4 yrs ago with a Political Science degree. I'm sure things are more difficult now and requirements have changed but I thought I would at least post it.

Good luck!

 

[deskwarfare]

(take the extra time to put the shirt stays on!)

Thanks for the advice Steve. I wasn't sure what to expect and now I've got a pretty good idea. I don't think there are shirt stays for dress whites (the jumper kind), are there? I'm sure as hell not going to show up in anything less than dress uniform. funny anecdote- I once showed up to a court date to dispute a ticket in a rural area. I was wearing a suit and tie and the prosecuting attorney for the locality mistook me for another attorney. Apparently people in rural michigan wear alcohol related t-shirts that have holes in them to court and so a suit and tie really threw the guy for a loop. I got out of that ticket with a $50 court fee and a lesson about first impressions.

Somebody told me to know what to expect in the 1st 5 years as an IW officer. I'm thinking shore in the DC/Norfolk area (like NIWA or FIWC), afloat, shore overseas, pursue my master's degree. Sound about right? Anyone out there a JO cryppie/IW?

 

[Steve Wilkins]

I don't think there are shirt stays for dress whites (the jumper kind), are there? I'm sure as hell not going to show up in anything less than dress uniform.

No, there's really no need for shirt stays with dress whites. On that note, I would confirm with whoever is setting up this interview what uniform is expected. You can really make yourself look much more squared away if another uniform other than dress whites/blues is authorized.

Somebody told me to know what to expect in the 1st 5 years as an IW officer. I'm thinking shore in the DC/Norfolk area (like NIWA or FIWC), afloat, shore overseas, pursue my master's degree. Sound about right? Anyone out there a JO cryppie/IW?

Check out the links/documents at NPC found at:
http://www.npc.navy.mil/Officer/Pers44/InformationWarfare/NewAccessions.htm
http://www.npc.navy.mil/Officer/Pers44/InformationWarfare/GeneralInfo.htm <---this one is especially good (lots of info)
http://www.npc.navy.mil/Officer/Pers44/InformationWarfare/JOCorner.htm

 

[deskwarfare]

Steve- good info, thanks again. I mentioned to one of the LT's running this thing about the dress whites and she didn't comment. I can't imagine how I'd look more squared away/prepared in say service whites and certainly not in utilities/coveralls/bdu's. So I think I'm gonna stick with the dress whites.

 

[twidget]

Somebody told me to know what to expect in the 1st 5 years as an IW officer. I'm thinking shore in the DC/Norfolk area (like NIWA or FIWC), afloat, shore overseas, pursue my master's degree. Sound about right? Anyone out there a JO cryppie/IW?

I think the first two steps are right, but from what I was told, pursuing graduate education is likely to fall in right after your PCS afloat tour. That's when the IW detailer told me I'd have a shot at it anyway.

Also, for your first shore duty, don't put much stock in going to the DC/Norfolk area. Your chances are much greater of going to the DC/DC area.

Out of the 9, yes I said 9, IWs in my OCS class, 6 came to the DC area. The other 3 went to another CONUS NSA/CSS shore site (not Norfolk).

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Steve- good info, thanks again. I mentioned to one of the LT's running this thing about the dress whites and she didn't comment. I can't imagine how I'd look more squared away/prepared in say service whites and certainly not in utilities/coveralls/bdu's. So I think I'm gonna stick with the dress whites.

I'm telling you man, get clarification. Ask the question and don't stop till you get an answer. You ask em, "What uniform is most appropriate for the interview?" If I were sitting the interview, I would think you wore your dress white because you thought the interview was a special occassion. It is and it isn't. And this would especially apply if I was interviewing other people and they all seemed to get the word about the appropriate uniform. I wouldn't be impressed. And right off the bat, you'd be working your way out of a hole. Dress whites may very well be appropriate, but don't assumes it's so because you think it is or because a LT hasn't commented on your remark about it. Ask the question, and get the answer.

 

[deskwarfare]

Out of the 9, yes I said 9, IWs in my OCS class,

I take it that's alot of IW officers for an OCS class? When did you graduate from OCS? What command are you with in MD (if you can say of course)?

I guess I won't mind going to DC for a first tour. I've been herre for a year already so I know my way around. Just hoping for a little change in scenery. Norfolk's got VA Beach at least.

Oh, and Steve I sppeciate the comment but it's a little hard for me to get answers from people since I don't actually work with anyone. I'm in clearance limbo and my entire command works inside secure spaces so I'm not allowed to go see them. I can call but that's very hit or miss when you get to a certain level plus my chief and LPO are both on leave this week, my SC is never at his desk, ditto for the LT. Even for my interview I'm going to have to be escorted into a building whose layout I'm completely ignorant of and I therefore have no idea where the conference room is and I pray to god that the random person I get to escort me knows what the hell I'm talking about.

I'm planning on getting there there really, really early tomorrow morning.

 

[twidget]

Yes, 9 is a lot of IWs for one OCS class. Looking at the classes that came through before us (Jul 04), there were 1 or 2 IWs in some classes, and many others had none. I don't know why we had so many, or if they've continued to bunch us together like that at OCS since then.

Judging from your other comments, having been there, I'm pretty sure where you are, I was there for 7 months myself. PM me who your board is with and give me your low-side email address.

 

[deskwarfare]

just got done with my IW officer interview. It was definately more like a job interview than anything else.

Among the questions I was asked:
-What is your opinion of the recent London Bombings?
-If you could be CNO for a day what one thing would you change?
-What is the difference between a leader and a manager?
-Why do you think you'd be a good leader?
-What are you hobbies?
-What was the last film you saw?
-Do you have and role models and why are they your role models?
-What billets would you like to take on?


Thanks again for everyone's input, I felt very well prepared and comfortable answering almost all the questions, except for that last one since it's hard to get info on exactly what billets are available in this community without actually talking to a detailer.

My interviewers said that they felt I was very articulate and that they had thoroughly enjoyed the interview. I think it's because I used the phrases "technical acumen" and "increasing globalization" in a sentence. I are smart.

Hopefully this thread will help out other people going through the same thing. Although since they ARE my competition maybe I shouldn't be trying to help them... Just kidding, I'm not like that

 

[hlriver]

The first question I was asked was something like:

With the military "transformation" going on, how do you see the the military and yourself 10 years from now, and what role do you see yourself doing?

Totally took me off my feet since I was a little nervous, I struggled on that one since I was not expecting something like that to open the interview. After that I got into a rhythm and it was all good.