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NFO or INTEL?
- Thread starter jmsbnd71
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I notice you said "sparked" the flying bug. You also said you like your current job very much. Bear in mind this is only my opinion, and those are like **sholes, everybody's got one.
I would first recommend you talk to some NFOs, and some of the Intel officers you already work with. See what the work sounds like, what are the post-military options, etc. If you still like what you hear about intel, the choice may be clear. If you can honestly say something in your past strongly drives you toward the NFO route, be true to yourself. Just make sure your make your decision based on all the info, not because you were forced by a recruiter to make a hasty decision. For one thing, the boards are going to look for your motives. As a current MSC officer, I've had the good fortune to help several sailors on the path toward commissions in the medical field. The boards always want to see that the commission helps you toward some kind of long term personal goal, i.e "I always wanted to be a nurse, but I enlisted as a corpsman because I couldn't afford school, but still got to work in the medical field". We had one guy who applied to a different commissioning program each year and sometimes couldn't even define what he would do as an officer in that field, and another corpsman who said she should be an officer because she deserved more money. While I don't disagree she's underpaid, I don't think her statement had the desired effect. Look at it this way, if you have to sell your desire for the program, and your potential value to the Navy as an officer, for which program could you give the stronger sales pitch, Intel or NFO?
If you really want to fly, but feel drawn to intel, make use of your Navy flying club, the prices are awesome, and you'll get more stick time than you would as an NFO! Sorry for the length of this, hope it helped.
LTJG G.
I would first recommend you talk to some NFOs, and some of the Intel officers you already work with. See what the work sounds like, what are the post-military options, etc. If you still like what you hear about intel, the choice may be clear. If you can honestly say something in your past strongly drives you toward the NFO route, be true to yourself. Just make sure your make your decision based on all the info, not because you were forced by a recruiter to make a hasty decision. For one thing, the boards are going to look for your motives. As a current MSC officer, I've had the good fortune to help several sailors on the path toward commissions in the medical field. The boards always want to see that the commission helps you toward some kind of long term personal goal, i.e "I always wanted to be a nurse, but I enlisted as a corpsman because I couldn't afford school, but still got to work in the medical field". We had one guy who applied to a different commissioning program each year and sometimes couldn't even define what he would do as an officer in that field, and another corpsman who said she should be an officer because she deserved more money. While I don't disagree she's underpaid, I don't think her statement had the desired effect. Look at it this way, if you have to sell your desire for the program, and your potential value to the Navy as an officer, for which program could you give the stronger sales pitch, Intel or NFO?
If you really want to fly, but feel drawn to intel, make use of your Navy flying club, the prices are awesome, and you'll get more stick time than you would as an NFO! Sorry for the length of this, hope it helped.
LTJG G.
otbrefugee
Registered User
GO INTEL! I am an NFO and will tell you that it stands for "No Future Outside". The intel community is only growing in size and importance, not just in the navy but throughout the government as well. There isn't an agency in the federal government that wouldn't hire an expierenced naval intelligence officer. On the flip side, the NFO community is only shrinking. Planes are disappearing as are NFOs. Right now in the training pipeline, drastic reductions in manpower are being undertaken. If you attrite from flight school, you are seperated from the Navy! You have intel expierence and that should help getting the officer slot. Go for what you know.
I'm in the same boat (enlisted reserves IS2). I have one shot at NFO, then I'll be too old.
I'm going to list NFO first, Intel second. If the board or officer interviewers ask about my choices, my first love is aviation (former AE3). If I have any chance for NFO, I'd like to take it. If not, Intel will get 100% from me. If I don't make it the first time around, I'll reapply with Intel as first (I'll be past the age limit for NFO).
After re-reading Penguin's post, it sounds like good advice. I originally enlisted in the aviation field for college benefits. Applied for a NROTC Scholarship in '93 (Pilot option). I was a non-select for the program, so I decided to get out and go to school. After 1 year of school I became side tracked by life, and it took several years to get back in school. Now 10 years later I'm finishing school and pushing the age limit on some of the programs I wanted (too old for pilot and can make NFO with the active duty age waver). I reenlisted in the reserves as an IS to get my foot back in the door and get a feel for the Intel Community. I think I can make the sale either way, so that's why I'm listing both.
This may be more info than you wanted, but I thought someone else's situation might let you compare your own.
Good Luck!
I'm going to list NFO first, Intel second. If the board or officer interviewers ask about my choices, my first love is aviation (former AE3). If I have any chance for NFO, I'd like to take it. If not, Intel will get 100% from me. If I don't make it the first time around, I'll reapply with Intel as first (I'll be past the age limit for NFO).
After re-reading Penguin's post, it sounds like good advice. I originally enlisted in the aviation field for college benefits. Applied for a NROTC Scholarship in '93 (Pilot option). I was a non-select for the program, so I decided to get out and go to school. After 1 year of school I became side tracked by life, and it took several years to get back in school. Now 10 years later I'm finishing school and pushing the age limit on some of the programs I wanted (too old for pilot and can make NFO with the active duty age waver). I reenlisted in the reserves as an IS to get my foot back in the door and get a feel for the Intel Community. I think I can make the sale either way, so that's why I'm listing both.
This may be more info than you wanted, but I thought someone else's situation might let you compare your own.
Good Luck!
EA-6B1
PLC Jrs 1st Inc. Kilo-3
I'd like for you to expand on your quote about NFO standing for "No Future Outside." This topic has been highly discussed on this board, and I've been lead to believe that it's all about what you make out of it whether you can use your NFO skills on the outside. Wink, you might want to chime in here. Thanks.
Got to love the Navy...'if you attrite from NFO school you're separated.'
As for Jmsbnd71's situation...by all means put NFO first if that's what you want. No risk/No reward. I'd be willing to bet that you're experience as an Intel Analyst would help overcome any bad feelings an Intel board would have on you putting Intel 2nd.
As for Jmsbnd71's situation...by all means put NFO first if that's what you want. No risk/No reward. I'd be willing to bet that you're experience as an Intel Analyst would help overcome any bad feelings an Intel board would have on you putting Intel 2nd.
Sorry I have been away for awhile or I would have jumped all over otbrefugee sooner. Thanks for the intro EA-6b1. Present debate aside for a minute, what makes you think you can't get a job after being an NFO? Are we a little narrow minded here? Because you don't find NFOs flying in the civilian world there are no jobs your experience as an NFO would qualify you for? What a crock. So a SWO can only be a merchant seaman a pilot a pilot a submariner a...what, civilian submariner? Why sub guys must be lined up around the corner at the unemployment office. As an NFO you are a systems specialist with demonstrated leadership experience having worked in a highly stressful environment where decisions must be made in a time critical period that affect life and limb. As an NFO you may have been responsible for the planning and leading of combat missions at 26 years old. Give me a f*cking break. You think those experiences and skills are not marketable? Who do you think goes to work for all those defense contractors, think tanks, and systems integrators. You think an NFO isn't qualified to make simple business decisions for American Express? By the way, you too can play intel analyst when you get out having been an NFO. Who better knows the order of battle, tactics and training of our enemies then someone whos life depended on knowing those things. As to jmsbnd71's question, go with what you know. If you absolutely love your current work pursue Intel. One good thing is that for the foreseeable future Intel will get lots of money. That means opportunity within the Navy.
Hope everyone had a good holiday season. Thanks to all for the replies to this forum. I thought long and hard and given that I enjoy my work, I decided to put Intel first. Also, my scores for an aviation career were not competitive enough per what I read in some of the other forums and what they say about current requirements. My application is in the works right now and I should know within the next few weeks if I've been selected. If selected I will definitely try to work for a squadron and maybe get some air time. Thanks again, and as soon as I get more info I will pass it on.
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