Just Starting OCS Process

[LawlessNavyman]

Hello Everyone,
I have been looking around the site for some time and finally jumping into posting some questions I have for you guys. I am currently an enlisted AT1 stationed Keesler AFB, MS. I am 26 and married and have been in for almost 7 years. Im finally getting of my butt and puting together a Pilot/NFO package next year. I have several questions so far that I haven't gotten some straight answers from. First, is there a time limit as to how far out documents can be submitted, for example i know you have to have an HIV test within the last 2 years, so as long as you got one within two years of your package submittion your fine. The stuff im worried about is like your Letter of Recommendations and your Interviews, if i got an interview, in Oct 2013, and didnt submit my OCS package til October the following years is that two far out or would the interview be expired? My second question is has anyone gone and got interviews and recommendation letters done with other branches of service, Air Force or Marines, I'm stationed on an AF base and have a small command with only 3 officers. I have more interaction with Air Force and Marine officers than my own really. Also would it look better for my package if i had Navy Officers instead of other branches. We have the Air Force Hurricane Hunters stationed here and if i could get some interviews or LoR from them that would help. Third, who do i talk to about submitting and age waiver to, i will be 27 next June and wont be turning in a package til after that and may not even finish OCS until after my 28th birthday and i know Pilot is at a cutoff of 29 with waivers. Ill keep this first post to these first few questions as I have many more but these are the ones that I am worried about now. Thanks everyone for the help and i apologize ahead of time if these questions have been answered before in older posts, im just hopin for a new set of eyes to give me a little guidance.

 

[ABF2]

I think that having officers in other branches can be a good thing. you just have to explain to them why you may not have Naval officers in your package... you should not have to do a waiver for your age unless you will be past your date upon commissioning. if I was you I would get hot on your package so you can have time between your age and the cut off age for the program you are applying for.

 

[Kchsload]

Currently finishing up an application for pilot. I'm a prior AF reserve loadmaster and have a letter from my old squadron Chief, a pilot and a retired Army officer who was the directer of a tank tank I interned at and a grad-school professor. No Navy letters at all.

 

[JoJoGoHard]

Hello Everyone,
I have been looking around the site for some time and finally jumping into posting some questions I have for you guys. I am currently an enlisted AT1 stationed Keesler AFB, MS. I am 26 and married and have been in for almost 7 years. Im finally getting of my butt and puting together a Pilot/NFO package next year. I have several questions so far that I haven't gotten some straight answers from. First, is there a time limit as to how far out documents can be submitted, for example i know you have to have an HIV test within the last 2 years, so as long as you got one within two years of your package submittion your fine. The stuff im worried about is like your Letter of Recommendations and your Interviews, if i got an interview, in Oct 2013, and didnt submit my OCS package til October the following years is that two far out or would the interview be expired? My second question is has anyone gone and got interviews and recommendation letters done with other branches of service, Air Force or Marines, I'm stationed on an AF base and have a small command with only 3 officers. I have more interaction with Air Force and Marine officers than my own really. Also would it look better for my package if i had Navy Officers instead of other branches. We have the Air Force Hurricane Hunters stationed here and if i could get some interviews or LoR from them that would help. Third, who do i talk to about submitting and age waiver to, i will be 27 next June and wont be turning in a package til after that and may not even finish OCS until after my 28th birthday and i know Pilot is at a cutoff of 29 with waivers. Ill keep this first post to these first few questions as I have many more but these are the ones that I am worried about now. Thanks everyone for the help and i apologize ahead of time if these questions have been answered before in older posts, im just hopin for a new set of eyes to give me a little guidance.

Hopefully I can give you insight and guidance on some of the questions you posted in this thread. My situation is very similar to yours, 8 years of AD service ET2 (SW)/IDW) and I just submitted my OCS package on the 17th of October for the upcoming December 2nd Information Dominance Corps board. As far as documents, the only documents which have an "expiration" (for lack of a better word) would be the medical forms DD2807-1 and DD2808. The most current instruction calls for these documents to be within 90 days old, however do not fret if they are older than 90 days. Submitting your medical portion of your OCS package will be a separate entity from the 1420.1B application itself. The OCS fleet processors request you send two separate PDF's (neither to exceed 10MB) once your package is finalized and ready for submission. In other words, if your medical portion has exceeded the prescribed 90 days, don't be overly concerned because the medical portion does not become a major factor until after being PRO-REC Y, or selected; and if that is the case, you currently being AD makes it very easy to complete another commissioning physical. Oh, forgot to mention, HIV will be a separate print out other than your DD2807-1 and DD2808. When you go to medical tell them you need a HIV result printout for and OCS package and they "should" know what you are requesting. Moving on, I had the same issue with my appraisal sheets being dated near a year back. There is no instruction on the periodicity of the 1131/5 or Interviewer's Appraisal Sheet. In fact I submitted a total of seven appraisal sheets (three of which have to be within the designator(s) applying for) four of which were 10-12 months old and three current. My CO recommend I do this because for one I had them, and two it establishes a baseline/timeline for the board members and conveys to them my persistence and desire to become a Naval Officer. Not for certain about submitting appraisal sheets from Officers from other branches. If I was in your shoes, I would stick solely with Naval Officers, simply a recommendation. Oh, for clarity, LOR's are more so for civilian personal submitting packages for OCS; for instance teachers, supervisors, retired military; since you are AD you should be utilizing 1131/5 Interviewer's Appraisal Sheet for your package. Just dawned upon me, perhaps you can use LOR's from Officer's in other branches and use the Appraisal sheet strictly for Naval Officers, again simply my opinion. Moving on, Ah the age waiver. Age waiver's are procured via the OCM (Officer Community Manager) located in Millington TN. Website http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/officer/communitymanagers/Pages/default.aspx list all the OCM's for your desired designators. Age cutoff for SNA/Pilot is 27 yrs old, however waiver-able up to 24 months or age 29. So if you can get your package in withing the next 6-12 months, you should be fine. I recommend calling first, then emailing the OCM for a waiver request. Within your email state your request, some amplifying information about yourself and that you respectfully request an age waiver. Once they respond via email, simply print the email out and add to your package, that will be used as your actual age waiver. Good luck with this venture, it is tough and arduous but definitely achievable. If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact me, I am here to help. Trust me, I was in your very same shoes not very long ago...