I’ve seen a lot of anxiety on this forum as it relates to DQ'ing and OCS student pool.
There’s not a lot of information and things change a lot in good ole Newport, RI, however, I’m happy to talk about it as a recent experience to alleviate any nerves.
Despite promises of a new medical screening at OCS for aviators, I strongly believe student pool will continue to exist in some capacity as some aviator’s medicals are complicated. I really hope I’m wrong and OCS student pool is a thing of the past.
1. First off, what causes someone to end up in Student Pool?
Unfortunately, there is no simply answer to this question. The short answer is that your medical didn’t clear in time by graduation. Some of the common hold ups are NPQIs (see 6.), DQs who are waiting to redesignate, additional medical appointments ect. Student pool is not exclusively for aviators; however, it is a very large percentage of the pool.
2. How long will I be in Student Pool?
Depends. I saw folks stay for 2 hours or multiple months. It’s a case by case basis depending on what they need.
3. Am I allowed off base liberty/ overnight liberty?
Yes. As of *very* recently, they have permitted off base liberty and overnight liberty on the weekends. It’s awesome and student pool is way more fun for it (well as fun as it can be). I hope to god if some of you reading this check into the pool, that it never gets taken away.
4. But…. I graduated OCS, so at least I’ll be a commissioned officer…. right?
No. You’ll remain at a paygrade of an E-5 and you won’t commission until you’re medically cleared. Your commissioning date could be days or months after your original class graduated.
5. DQ’ed from aviation. Have to pick SWO or nothing at all…..?
AS OF EARLY 2022, SWO IS NOT THE ONLY OPTION. However, this is subject to change with needs of the navy. I did not see a single person redes to SWO during my time in student pool. I saw people offered IP, CRYPTO, INTEL, SEAL and AMDO.
6. What is an NPQI – Not Physically Qualified Incomplete?
Your medical was submitted to NAMI, but it was either missing paperwork or they want to see something additional. THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE DQ'ED OR PQ'ED FOR AVIATION. Paperwork is fixed/ collected and you’re resubmitted to NAMI for processing. These were unfortunately more common than one might think. There was never any discussion of them before candio phase nor any mention on this forum.
7. Will this change my OHARP?
Yes, every day you spend in Student Pool subtracts from your OHARP. Your check in date for Pensacola will remain the same. When you leave Student pool and go on OHARP, you get whatever remaining days you had left.
There’s not a lot of information and things change a lot in good ole Newport, RI, however, I’m happy to talk about it as a recent experience to alleviate any nerves.
Despite promises of a new medical screening at OCS for aviators, I strongly believe student pool will continue to exist in some capacity as some aviator’s medicals are complicated. I really hope I’m wrong and OCS student pool is a thing of the past.
1. First off, what causes someone to end up in Student Pool?
Unfortunately, there is no simply answer to this question. The short answer is that your medical didn’t clear in time by graduation. Some of the common hold ups are NPQIs (see 6.), DQs who are waiting to redesignate, additional medical appointments ect. Student pool is not exclusively for aviators; however, it is a very large percentage of the pool.
2. How long will I be in Student Pool?
Depends. I saw folks stay for 2 hours or multiple months. It’s a case by case basis depending on what they need.
3. Am I allowed off base liberty/ overnight liberty?
Yes. As of *very* recently, they have permitted off base liberty and overnight liberty on the weekends. It’s awesome and student pool is way more fun for it (well as fun as it can be). I hope to god if some of you reading this check into the pool, that it never gets taken away.
4. But…. I graduated OCS, so at least I’ll be a commissioned officer…. right?
No. You’ll remain at a paygrade of an E-5 and you won’t commission until you’re medically cleared. Your commissioning date could be days or months after your original class graduated.
5. DQ’ed from aviation. Have to pick SWO or nothing at all…..?
AS OF EARLY 2022, SWO IS NOT THE ONLY OPTION. However, this is subject to change with needs of the navy. I did not see a single person redes to SWO during my time in student pool. I saw people offered IP, CRYPTO, INTEL, SEAL and AMDO.
6. What is an NPQI – Not Physically Qualified Incomplete?
Your medical was submitted to NAMI, but it was either missing paperwork or they want to see something additional. THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE DQ'ED OR PQ'ED FOR AVIATION. Paperwork is fixed/ collected and you’re resubmitted to NAMI for processing. These were unfortunately more common than one might think. There was never any discussion of them before candio phase nor any mention on this forum.
7. Will this change my OHARP?
Yes, every day you spend in Student Pool subtracts from your OHARP. Your check in date for Pensacola will remain the same. When you leave Student pool and go on OHARP, you get whatever remaining days you had left.
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