29JUNE2026 IWC Board

[Background bear]

Maybe 9/13

 

[Smol Ed]

Ideally yes, unfortunately that isn't the case, there have been many circumstances where a person is declined and the recruiter will just ghost the applicant, I worked with a few people that were like that, I had some candidates reach out to me months after the results were released and they were just never told.

I did hear from my recruiter this morning. I did apply for the board and there were no “issues” with my application. The PM held onto it because they were not selecting for BDCP or “in college” people for the specific option I was going for. So, now I am being steered toward SWO due to the fact I would be a very quick select.

 

[nathan-]

I did hear from my recruiter this morning. I did apply for the board and there were no “issues” with my application. The PM held onto it because they were not selecting for BDCP or “in college” people for the specific option I was going for. So, now I am being steered toward SWO due to the fact I would be a very quick select.

Are they considering you for this board or are you stuck waiting until next year?

 

[Smol Ed]

Are they considering you for this board or are you stuck waiting until next year?

I am out of luck for the foreseeable future, as far as I am aware. I wasn’t looked at for this board, my application was put to the side.

I really want my “ticket to the dance” as my recruiter calls it, so I may bite the bullet and take the SWO option.

 

[Lamb]

I am out of luck for the foreseeable future, as far as I am aware. I wasn’t looked at for this board, my application was put to the side.

I really want my “ticket to the dance” as my recruiter calls it, so I may bite the bullet and take the SWO option.

Certainly not trying to talk you out of SWO, but I would really read the PA and do some research into what SWO entails because I wouldn't call it just "biting the bullet". I'd consider it a bigger commitment than that. If SWO ends up not being for you, and you want to lateral transfer, you have to meet the PA requirements: "All officers incur an 8-year service obligation (Title 10 U.S. Code section 651). This obligation may be served as a combination of active service and reserve service, with a minimum active service obligation of four years or two Division Officer tours, whichever is longer. Current Division Officer sequencing provides an average time in service to complete two tours at 5.25 years. Officers seeking lateral transfer prior to completion of a second Division Officer tour must have an approved minimum service waiver for eligibility."

Both officer communities have to be on board with the lateral transfer (my current DH is still a SWO because even though a different community was onboard with accepting her, the SWO community denied her request to transfer).

Again, I'm not trying to knock the community (I'm currently waiting for my OCS class to earn my commission as a SWO), but I do think people join with very high expectations of laterally transferring. At the very least, I wouldn't sign for SWO unless you are comfortable committing to the potentially 5.25 years, because that's likely your minimum commitment. Just my two cents.

 

[Smol Ed]

Certainly not trying to talk you out of SWO, but I would really read the PA and do some research into what SWO entails because I wouldn't call it just "biting the bullet". I'd consider it a bigger commitment than that. If SWO ends up not being for you, and you want to lateral transfer, you have to meet the PA requirements: "All officers incur an 8-year service obligation (Title 10 U.S. Code section 651). This obligation may be served as a combination of active service and reserve service, with a minimum active service obligation of four years or two Division Officer tours, whichever is longer. Current Division Officer sequencing provides an average time in service to complete two tours at 5.25 years. Officers seeking lateral transfer prior to completion of a second Division Officer tour must have an approved minimum service waiver for eligibility."

Both officer communities have to be on board with the lateral transfer (my current DH is still a SWO because even though a different community was onboard with accepting her, the SWO community denied her request to transfer).

Again, I'm not trying to knock the community (I'm currently waiting for my OCS class to earn my commission as a SWO), but I do think people join with very high expectations of laterally transferring. At the very least, I wouldn't sign for SWO unless you are comfortable committing to the potentially 5.25 years, because that's likely your minimum commitment. Just my two cents.

Yeah, I am generally aware of this. I saw many
examples of denied lateral transfers in my research. My recruiter brought up that I could always lat transfer later and I was like “mhmm”. I do know that it is far from guaranteed.

I at the end of the day, I do just really want to be an officer. And, yeah, I will dig into the PA and any other information I can find.

 

[LB_865]

Yeah, I am generally aware of this. I saw many
examples of denied lateral transfers in my research. My recruiter brought up that I could always lat transfer later and I was like “mhmm”. I do know that it is far from guaranteed.

I at the end of the day, I do just really want to be an officer. And, yeah, I will dig into the PA and any other information I can find.

The SWO lifestyle can be demanding, with significant sea duty and an eight‑year commitment. I understand where you’re coming from, I’m prior‑service Army myself, and if I receive a ‘Not Selected’ for CW, I plan to submit my packet to the 02NOV SWO board. I served almost seven years before, and the time does go quickly. Still, if you’re hesitant about extended sea duty rotations and the long commitment, and no guarantee of a lateral transfer, it’s worth carefully weighing your options.

 

[Bobby454]

Brooooo this wait is crazy