banjosquirrel
Well-Known Member
So I've scoured these SWO threads and I'm hoping to get answers to some questions. I know that Sailor Bob would be the best place for this, but it limits users to people who've already at least been accepted to OCS and I'm still waiting to hear back.
Anyway, I went from being a hopeful Intel or IW applicant to completely wanting to go SWO. This might sound crazy to some based on a lot of the information I've encountered, but it truly sounds exciting to me and something that I'm well-suited for. I'm waiting to hear back from next Monday's board but in the mean time I thought I'd see if I can get some questions answered.
From what I understand, after OCS all SWOs must go to BDOC within 6 months of commissioning, which takes place at either San Diego or VA Beach depending on where one is stationed. How long is BDOC, and what is it like? Also, how is it determined where you'll be stationed? Does the order of choice go based on class rank at OCS, as I've seen in some places? If so, what are the choices like? For example, I imagine that there are a ton of openings in Norfolk, but are there always slots for every other base? How likely is it that I would get my first or second choice, if that's even how it works? If I were to be accepted to OCS (fingers crossed), from what I know of my options, my top choice would be to be stationed in Everett, WA. Is this likely to happen right now?
Sorry for the barrage of questions. I'm just eager to learn as much as I can about my hopeful career path while I'm waiting to hear back from next week's SWO board. I'll make a Sailor Bob account if, God willing, I'm accepted, but I really enjoy AW and I'm glad that there's a SWO forum here.
Anyway, I went from being a hopeful Intel or IW applicant to completely wanting to go SWO. This might sound crazy to some based on a lot of the information I've encountered, but it truly sounds exciting to me and something that I'm well-suited for. I'm waiting to hear back from next Monday's board but in the mean time I thought I'd see if I can get some questions answered.
From what I understand, after OCS all SWOs must go to BDOC within 6 months of commissioning, which takes place at either San Diego or VA Beach depending on where one is stationed. How long is BDOC, and what is it like? Also, how is it determined where you'll be stationed? Does the order of choice go based on class rank at OCS, as I've seen in some places? If so, what are the choices like? For example, I imagine that there are a ton of openings in Norfolk, but are there always slots for every other base? How likely is it that I would get my first or second choice, if that's even how it works? If I were to be accepted to OCS (fingers crossed), from what I know of my options, my top choice would be to be stationed in Everett, WA. Is this likely to happen right now?
Sorry for the barrage of questions. I'm just eager to learn as much as I can about my hopeful career path while I'm waiting to hear back from next week's SWO board. I'll make a Sailor Bob account if, God willing, I'm accepted, but I really enjoy AW and I'm glad that there's a SWO forum here.