Just remember to breathe and be confident.
For the 3 interviews I started with an LT I worked with a little and asked if he would be willing to help me with a package. He seemed very eager and was adamant that he was going to help me or at least find one of his colleagues if he was too busy. Just ask around and towards the end of the interviews ask if they have anyone else in mind who they know that might be able to help. And the totally understood the whole rank thing and helped me grab the attention of my higher ups for interviews. I was surprised by how time consuming the process was as well but also found out that everyone wants you to succeed and while they wont hold your hand, if they see the determination and smartness about how you go along your package they are usually willing to add their 2 cents, it all helps.
I got a Pilot, NFO and AMDO for interviews and each time asked if they knew anyone else in their respective communities, went through a few interviews and selected the best. When applying for multiple designations make sure you area able to articulate why you want to be in each community because they are vouching for you to enter their community and in fact replace them one day so they want to know where your head is at and only have a short time to get to know you.
The one major common factor between the three interviews and CO's interview is that they want to know you are in this for the right reasons. They want to see that you are driven to get a commission and lead Sailors in a larger capacity than you already are. Not that you just want to be a pilot or SWO and this is the only way since you already have a Bachelors and cant do STA-21 or too little time for LDO. They will ask you tough questions like if their are no Pilot spots would you go SWO or are you here to just fly. Like Sharkbait said make sure you know about the job you are applying for and the pipeline of training, they can tell if you've done your research. Prove to them that you deserve a commission because you've already displayed outstanding leadership in your shop or with a command collateral duty. These interviews and most importantly CO's rec weigh heavy and can speak volumes about your package. Dress sharp, follow up, ask questions of your interviewer; "How did you get your commission? Whats been a major turning point in your career? What are you end goals and where do you see yourself in 5 years?". If you're married they will probably ask if your family is supportive of your choice.
Draft your interview for the CO. Try and see if any of the wardroom at your command went through OCS or STA-21 and still has a copy of theirs so you can get and idea of what one should look like. It seems counter intuitive because it is supposed to be the "CO's recommendation" but in actuality its like a giant eval, you gotta talk twice as much about yourself and fill in the gaps because even though you work for him he doesn't see you every day. Route it up your chain with the rest of your package so it is the last thing that gets done. This lets your CO view your whole package before he signs off on it.
It will get kicked back a handful of times, this process will be frustrating and you will get bad gouge from people along your way. No one will hold you hand and one of the best places you can come to find out what you need to do is right here on these forums.
Best of Luck
