OCS 11AUG25 IWC BOARD // Nerd Thunderdome 2025

[Ben86GN]

It was probably a combination of your age and GPA that did you in.

I imagine you're right. But I have done IRONMAN twice and just did a 50k two weeks ago.
Weird how GPA is relevant 20 years later. You'd think 20 years of being a CEO 3 or 4 times over would matter a little bit.
But still...the competition was fierce, and I know all you young punks are top notch. I'll be celebrating you the whole way!

 

[Splashx]

PRO-REC N

• Age: 42 (age waiver granted)
• OAR: 63
• GPA: 2.9 (GPA waiver granted)
• Degree field: Film + Computer Science
• No military experience. Just 20 years of leading my own businesses.
• 6 x LOR's - 1) USN O6, 2) USN O5, 3) USAF O5, 4) Civillian Fortune 500 Director, 5) ex-NFL athlete & college professor, 6) Raytheon quantum cryptology PhD

Just rec'd the call this morning from NTAG, not recommended. But final nonetheless.
He mentioned 149 applicants. 83 Yes, 66 No.

Congrats to all you guys & ladies that made it! Give 'em hell.

I'm sorry man.
And 55.7% that's actually pretty good I'd say.

 

[Splashx]

I imagine you're right. But I have done IRONMAN twice and just did a 50k two weeks ago.
Weird how GPA is relevant 20 years later. You'd think 20 years of being a CEO 3 or 4 times over would matter a little bit.
But still...the competition was fierce, and I know all you young punks are top notch. I'll be celebrating you the whole way!

You're a beast man were you going Spec Warfare?

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I imagine you're right. But I have done IRONMAN twice and just did a 50k two weeks ago.
Weird how GPA is relevant 20 years later. You'd think 20 years of being a CEO 3 or 4 times over would matter a little bit.
But still...the competition was fierce, and I know all you young punks are top notch. I'll be celebrating you the whole way!

If you were going for DCO then the GPA becomes less relevant, when it comes to IWC OCS programs they look at what they can compare from each applicant which is GPA, degree, OAR and LOR's.

The fact that you are doing IRONMANs at 42 is very impressive but not relevant to an OCS application.

 

[Ben86GN]

You're a beast man were you going Spec Warfare?

I would have liked to be embedded with a SEAL team, yes. But my dream was to be on a carrier and watch the jets. I'm a bit obsessed with fighter jets.

 

[Ben86GN]

If you were going for DCO then the GPA becomes less relevant, when it comes to IWC OCS programs they look at what they can compare from each applicant which is GPA, degree, OAR and LOR's.

The fact that you are doing IRONMANs at 42 is very impressive but not relevant to an OCS application.

I agree IRONMAN isn't particularly relevant, even when discussing age. I was told by an O6 @ ONI: if you're qualified, age doesn't matter.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I agree IRONMAN isn't particularly relevant, even when discussing age. I was told by an O6 @ ONI: if you're qualified, age doesn't matter.

To a point yes I agree with his statement, however mandatory retirement age is 62 and since you are already 42 you would not be able to complete 20 years of service. I am not sure if you were 41 when you applied or not, but when a person is this close to the max age they do consider it, same with those that have prior service that could retire after just 10 years.

 

[Ben86GN]

To a point yes I agree with his statement, however mandatory retirement age is 62 and since you are already 42 you would not be able to complete 20 years of service. I am not sure if you were 41 when you applied or not, but when a person is this close to the max age they do consider it, same with those that have prior service that could retire after just 10 years.

I applied at 41 & 9 months. Would have gone 20! But now you guys will take the torch and do your best I will support and cheer you on happily from the sidelines.

 

[Ben86GN]

I applied at 41 & 9 months. Would have gone 20! But now you guys will take the torch and do your best I will support and cheer you on happily from the sidelines.

Do you think there is a DCO option for me?

 

[Infamous]

So I thought that I was just told no for my second option which was CW but I guess that I was just pushed to a further board cuz my OR said he’s still waiting for a response for that so… Idk I was lost I thought I was down and out for both, can anyone clarify if possible?

 

[WhiteShiningTin]

So I thought that I was just told no for my second option which was CW but I guess that I was just pushed to a further board cuz my OR said he’s still waiting for a response for that so… Idk I was lost I thought I was down and out for both, can anyone clarify if possible?

My OR told me he did not submit MEPS docs yet (mine expired this Oct 1st) and that we’re still waiting on results. I found out my name was not on the list for the 2nd designator I applied for the Aug board.

You might want to ask your OR for clarification. I’m just going to assume the worst case and keep on working on my academics.

It’s kinda funny that my package was submitted “too early” this year before my graduate degree was conferred.

I graduated from an intense graduate program in CS/AI three month after my kit was sent out, and I ended up completing 24 credit hours up to this point. Might qualify for an ISEL if I choose to retry, but if I am lucky to get picked this cycle, good for me. LoL.

I’m just abusing my tuition benefits at work to take extra grad level courses I find interesting.