Earlier I asked about enlisting in the Reserves as a nonprior. Here's another question: what about direct commissions in the Reserve? 1) Are reserve officers GI Bill eligible? 2) What chance does a philosophy graduate (from a top ten university) with Russian language and some poli sci background have at an intel direct commission? The recruiters are hard to pin down on specifics. Does anybody know any USNR direct officers who can speak to their experiences? Any guidance is appreciated.
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Reserve Direct Commissions
- Thread starter room5047
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you should call the DCO office in Pensacola. they even have a website up there with good Q & A's. I worked as a stash there at the DCO office and I know the officers there will answer your questions more accurately due to them all being DCO's. I wish i could tell you the phone number but most likely a quick search of the NAS Pensacola website will take you straight there.
You might have a chance for a DIRCOM in intel. For DIRCOMs though they really look to work experience too. Tough to just come out of college with a good GPA and get bars pinned on your collar. Just a heads up. The RIPO (Reserve Intel Program Office) is full of jerks. They treat the reserve intel program like some kind of closed fraternity. They are a tough nut to crack. You have to stay on top of them. The good news is that the intel field in the reserves is a good deal and has some real good people in it. The RIPO folks are just plain A**holes. I have had dealings with them since 1984. The vast majority of them simply act like they don't want you in their navy. Keep at them and you will find the real reserve intel guys are ok.
sailorgloom
Registered User
1) Yes. Reserve Officers can get and use the GI Bill.
2) Very good chances. However, you may also want to consider Cryptology officer as well since that community handles the linguistic missions. Being a cryppie or intel weenie means you have to have a clean background.
The reason why recruiters are hard to pin down on specifics is that it is much harder to place someone in those 1635/15 communities due to the stringent procedures. It is much easier to process a chop, JAG, or doctor.
What area of the country do you live? That will determine who you work with.
-SG
2) Very good chances. However, you may also want to consider Cryptology officer as well since that community handles the linguistic missions. Being a cryppie or intel weenie means you have to have a clean background.
The reason why recruiters are hard to pin down on specifics is that it is much harder to place someone in those 1635/15 communities due to the stringent procedures. It is much easier to process a chop, JAG, or doctor.
What area of the country do you live? That will determine who you work with.
-SG
sailorgloom
Registered User
BTW, I was an IT2 via APG (pre-NPSAC) before getting selected.
-SG
As a enlisted reserve Intel weenie (thanks for the term sailorgloom), I can let you know that I drill with SEVERAL people working on DIRCOM packages. I've never heard of a bigger group of enlisted people with degrees (some with advanced degrees). Great bunch of people - mostly highly motivated and intelligent (no pun intended).
With that said, I would think most DIRCOMs come from enlisted Reserves. I know of one person in the Intel training pipeline that was told if he wanted Intel as an officer he would be better off to enlist as an Intelligence Specialist (IS) and then submit the DIRCOM package (this was from an officer recruiter in Millington, not enlisted recruiter) The last numbers I saw on a DIRCOM website was 500 applications were looked at to fill 50 slots. It didn't break down the percentage of applications from enlisted or civilian.
Something to keep in mind if you think about the enlisted route. For Intel you have 8 months of weekend training before you start drilling with your unit. Being enlisted means you need your CO's approval to apply - this will take some time for them to "get to know you". If you are not prior service you will have boot camp and NPSAC classes as well. I would plan about 1 year before you are able to apply. (also figure in your security clearance - it's a help if you have that completed also - 12-18 months from enlisting)
But, enlisting as an IS will give you a leg up with the RIPO jerks... And give you a feel for what Intel does.
With that said, I would think most DIRCOMs come from enlisted Reserves. I know of one person in the Intel training pipeline that was told if he wanted Intel as an officer he would be better off to enlist as an Intelligence Specialist (IS) and then submit the DIRCOM package (this was from an officer recruiter in Millington, not enlisted recruiter) The last numbers I saw on a DIRCOM website was 500 applications were looked at to fill 50 slots. It didn't break down the percentage of applications from enlisted or civilian.
Something to keep in mind if you think about the enlisted route. For Intel you have 8 months of weekend training before you start drilling with your unit. Being enlisted means you need your CO's approval to apply - this will take some time for them to "get to know you". If you are not prior service you will have boot camp and NPSAC classes as well. I would plan about 1 year before you are able to apply. (also figure in your security clearance - it's a help if you have that completed also - 12-18 months from enlisting)
But, enlisting as an IS will give you a leg up with the RIPO jerks... And give you a feel for what Intel does.
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