15 SEP2025 SNA/SNFO BOARD

[mpesposito]

If you have the means, the steam app tbas study pro definitely helped me with multitasking. It allows you to do the listening and emergency procedures during the joystick part with your hotas but I never really bothered with the emergency procedures just write them down when it’s given to you on the test. Good Luck!

Actually just got steam on my new laptop now that I switched to windows but struggling to get it set up properly to be honest haha. The updated version of the jantzen sim does have the emergency procedures though as well! Sometimes I’ll even have the dichotic listening playing on the side from the ASTB prep app since the sim has even/odd backwards compared to the real test

 

[ATom87]

I’m currently a reservist(mobilized) applying under I-SEL. I was surprised when my recruiter said I didn’t have to go through my chain of command. Just had to route my conditional release through them. Just waiting on PERS to release me. Any idea how long that might take? (The community manager said he would release me once he had the form)

My conditional release was a little different because of my community. I needed a few extra endorsements which took a while. The regular DD 368 conditional release should be almost immediate once PERS has it. I think my recruiter might have the wrong info. I'm pretty sure (and have been told by everyone) that reservists are supposed to apply through an officer recruiter and only their conditional release has to go through their command. He might just be a bit confused, don't let my ramblings worry you.

 

[BurntChips]

Somebody in this thread said their recruiter said it could get cancelled. But I haven’t seen anything about it

Like FormerRecruitingGuru said, any board is subject to change/cancellation. My recruiter said the board schedule changes constantly in all communities depending on what's going on in the Navy. All we can do is sit and enjoy the silence. My application got pushed to the next SNA/SNFO board since it didn't even get reviewed in the May board. I've been waiting since late December/January so I know how the wait sucks haha.

 

[Anthracis]

Just added my info to help with the excel sheet tracking! So far I’m the only who’s listed as going with I-select as I was recommended to by my recruiter as I met the standards and am happy listing NFO only. Looking at the sheet and other people’s data, it seems many qualify for SNA I-select but are seemingly not going for that route?

 

[Dy1anLR]

Just added my info to help with the excel sheet tracking! So far I’m the only who’s listed as going with I-select as I was recommended to by my recruiter as I met the standards and am happy listing NFO only. Looking at the sheet and other people’s data, it seems many qualify for SNA I-select but are seemingly not going for that route?

I’m going for BDCP which explains why I can’t do I-select so that may be the case for some of the others.

 

[spalclark3]

Just added my info to help with the excel sheet tracking! So far I’m the only who’s listed as going with I-select as I was recommended to by my recruiter as I met the standards and am happy listing NFO only. Looking at the sheet and other people’s data, it seems many qualify for SNA I-select but are seemingly not going for that route?

I only qualify I-SEL for SNFO and I don’t want to put that down if I only qualified for one. I’m also going BDCP, I don’t know if that changes anything

 

[mpesposito]

Just took my first ASTB attempt this morning! Here's how it went, my thoughts, and how I studied

OAR: 59
AQR: 8
PFAR: 8
FOFAR: 7
LCAC: 62

Math: Studied this part of the OAR the most by far. I studied logs, matrices, exponents, algebra, geometry, different types of DRT and work rate time, probability, etc. I got a couple probability questions, tons of algebra, some exponents, but no logs matrices or DRT/WRT. No idea what that meant. Got kicked out with 5' to spare.

Reading: Only studied a little bit on the ASTB prep app. Felt like the questions were similar except there wasn't a question prompt. You just read the statement and guess which answer choice is true based on the passage.

Mechanical: Only math I did was converting celsius to fahrenheit. Everything else was concept based. Studied simple machines, circuits, mechanical advantage, bernoulis and pascals principles, conservation of energy, newtons laws. Wasn't too hard but glad I studied these concepts.
ANIT: Studied this one as much as math and had some carryover from taking the air force officer qualifying test a few years back. If you know the forces of flight and control surfaces, that will take you far. But also had some basic ship terminology and stuff about communications with ATC such as when radio isn't working. Also studied airport markings and airspace but didn't have many questions about that. Did ask a few about some instruments in the cockpit and their functions.

I got kicked out of every section with a few minutes left so I was hopeful that meant I was doing well. the NATFI section definitely had me second guessing myself and like others said it can make you feel terrible about yourself. The test emphasized that choosing something negative doesn't mean you'd actually carry out that behavior or it describes you.

PBM: Updated jantzen sim and prep app made me feel completely prepared here. The dichotic listening matches that of the prep app, the jantzen sim is opposite. I highly recommend getting a HOTAS as I bought the X52 which my site uses so it felt the same as always. The tracking difficulty had a range as the target's speed shifted throughout. I practiced daily from medium all the way to hard difficulty. I did NOT use deadzones on my stick and neither does the test.

I was elated to see these scores and can't wait to see what's next! Onto medical now

 

[aeroengineer]

Applying for this board.

Programs applying for: SNA/NFO

ASTB: 47 6/6/5

Non prior service

Age: 28

Sex: Male

Degrees:
1) Bachelor of Science Aerospace Engineering
2) Master of Science Aerospace Engineering

GPA: 3.3/3.4

6+ years of proven experience in defense/aerospace. Turbine engine design/engine testing/rapid prototyping

65 civilian flight hours

6 LORs:
1 Retired USSF Colonel (O-6).
1 Active Duty Lt. Col. (O-5), Commander of 445th Airlift Wing, USAF.
1 Retired Lt. Col. (O-5), USMC Helicopter pilot, former selection board member.
1 Retired Major (O-4), USAF F-16 pilot/flight instructor.
1 Program Manager within organization (Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, Senior Director, F100 program).
1 Direct Supervisor (Pratt & Whitney Military Engines).

No waivers.

Medically cleared N33 and stereopsis depth perception (40 arc seconds)

Good luck to all. see you on the other side!

 

[JDillon]

How do LOR’s work? My recruiter said that the committee doesn’t take into account or even accept LOR’s but everywhere else i see otherwise?

 

[aeroengineer]

How do LOR’s work? My recruiter said that the committee doesn’t take into account or even accept LOR’s but everywhere else i see otherwise?

Not all recruiters are the same. Get some letters of recommendation. Do not be a sitting duck with this.

How the hell is the board supposed to know who you are, if you don't get LORs from people who know you/worked with you??

Ask and you shall receive. Find individuals in your life that can attest to your professional/technical/personal acumen, and politely request them to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

Sounds like your recruiter is full of shit (theyre not all the same, but many do not give a crap)

 

[mpesposito]

I have 4. A lifelong friend who’s former active duty now Marine reservist E6. A former active duty army Blackhawk crew chief now Air Force reservist E5, former civilian job requiring Yankee white clearance, a former coworker who I worked on several projects with, and a congressman. I am also prepared to reach out to current coworkers as they’re mostly aware of my aspirations. I got I-SEL scores but my thoughts are hoping more that they help in waiver approval

 

[mpesposito]

How do LOR’s work? My recruiter said that the committee doesn’t take into account or even accept LOR’s but everywhere else i see otherwise?

There are official LOR forms you can ask your recruiter for

 

[DarthTator]

Just added my info to help with the excel sheet tracking! So far I’m the only who’s listed as going with I-select as I was recommended to by my recruiter as I met the standards and am happy listing NFO only. Looking at the sheet and other people’s data, it seems many qualify for SNA I-select but are seemingly not going for that route?

Hi! I just submitted I-SEL and was curious what your, or any other I-SEL applicants timeline looked like. I've heard once you submit it can be anywhere from 1-8 weeks to hear back with a yea or nay. Also, If applicable, how long did or does it take you to get your OCS dates after you submit the I-SEL packet.

I've read some posts with many of them having conflicting info and was curious what the latest news on it was. Thanks!

 

[exNavyOffRec]

How do LOR’s work? My recruiter said that the committee doesn’t take into account or even accept LOR’s but everywhere else i see otherwise?

I suspect he was talking specifically about aviation and that is correct.

Not all recruiters are the same. Get some letters of recommendation. Do not be a sitting duck with this.

How the hell is the board supposed to know who you are, if you don't get LORs from people who know you/worked with you??

Ask and you shall receive. Find individuals in your life that can attest to your professional/technical/personal acumen, and politely request them to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

Sounds like your recruiter is full of shit (theyre not all the same, but many do not give a crap)

The board is interested in your academic background and potential to get through flight school for SNA/SNFO.

How a person feels about you has no bearing on your aptitude for aviation that is why they don't read them. If you are talking about IWC, CEC, or Supply then yes they will and they want ones from those that have supervised you. Ones from family, friends, or people that haven't know you in a professional setting for say a year are not worth anything.

If his recruiter is speaking about aviation then his recruiter is 100% right if the person has no non-medical waivers.

They take like maybe a minute for each application.

I have 4. A lifelong friend who’s former active duty now Marine reservist E6. A former active duty army Blackhawk crew chief now Air Force reservist E5, former civilian job requiring Yankee white clearance, a former coworker who I worked on several projects with, and a congressman. I am also prepared to reach out to current coworkers as they’re mostly aware of my aspirations. I got I-SEL scores but my thoughts are hoping more that they help in waiver approval

If you have a waiver you are ineligible for I-SEL, if the waiver is medical they only review info from medical professionals. Depending on the non-medical waiver issue they may review them.

 

[aeroengineer]

There are official LOR forms you can ask your recruiter for

You are referring to DD 370. That must be annexed with the LOR.