Accepted to OCS but can't accept right now. Can I get in again?

[livordie30]

Good morning all,

I got into OCS on the BDCP for NFO. I cannot accept at this time, but want to reapply in a year. There are a few factors involved, such as finishing my bachelors ahead of time and not being able to afford a spring semester like I orginally intended. It was smarter for me to finish out while I could and save the money. For context, I submitted my package prior to semester start and only heard back in the last week, so I had to make other plans when it came down to it. Additionally, I have to remain a full time student for the full year for a scholarship so I accepted an MBA program admission at the same school where I completed undergrad as a graduate assistant with a very good agreement to which my MBA will be free. I am in flight school right now (really into aviation but sight couldn't cut it for SNA.) so it would be cool to finish up my ratings in the mean time too. I know the Navy only requires an undergradate degree to commission and doesn't require me to be a licensed pilot, so I wouldn't necessarily be doing it to "strengthen my application", but just because I think it is a smart route to go and I love life in general aviation, too.

I want to take this next year to continue to strengthen my application in other ways, primarily my ASTB score. My GPA from undergrad is 3.8 and I was fairly close to a 6/6/6 to where I think with more commitment and a better understanding of the test I will be able to reach this for immediate selection. However, if I do not qualify for ISEL, will the board reconsider me at a different time? Or will me rejecting this put me in a sour spot later down the line?

TIA​

(Also have this posted on r/newtothenavy, so if you see this twice, hey!)

 

[Swanee]

If you want to be an NFO take the BDCP slot and don't look back. This opportunity may only come once.

You'll be able to get your MBA and your civilian ratings later in life.


No one sits in a cubicle when they're 40 and thinks, "I'm really glad I turned down the opportunity to be an NFO for this MBA."

At 40 no one will say," no shit, you wrote that spreadsheet?" If you turn it down. But they will say, "No shit, you flew off of aircraft carriers? What's that like?"

We all know those "I would have joined but..." people. We pay them no mind.

 

[taxi1]

I cannot accept at this time, but want to reapply in a year.

What would happen if you accepted at this time?

When you join the military, basically everyone has to hit the pause button on whatever it is you are doing. Google on USERRA. They can't screw you over on scholarships, etc.

 

[Uncle Fester]

From your post, to be blunt it sounds less like you can't accept your OCS spot now, and more like you just don't want to, in favor of some other things. If that's the case, that's perfectly fine - it's your life, man, live it how you want. But don't expect the Navy to give you another shot when you decide you're ready, and you're less likely to be offered another spot if you turn this one down. "Automatically selected" doesn't literally mean automatically - they'll still review your current package and they can choose not to accept you, it just means you don't have to go through a full board selection process.

Anyway - what @Swanee said. You can get an MBA later, in fact the Navy will probably pay you to go get one if you stay in long enough. Giving up the shot you have now isn't a great decision.

 

[Flash]

If you want to be an NFO take the BDCP slot and don't look back. This opportunity may only come once....We all know those "I would have joined but..." people. We pay them no mind.

This. You will find folks that do get accepted to a program a second time but it is by no means guaranteed, if you want to fly in the Navy take the chance now or it may never come again.

 

[taxi1]

I got into OCS on the BDCP for NFO...I want to take this next year to continue to strengthen my application

You realize this sounds nuts?

 

[exNavyOffRec]

The things you talk about doing to strengthen your application don't matter to the board, and yes this will be seen as a negative thing by the board. Since you have been selected if you decline you would need a waiver which would make you ineligible for ISEL.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

I’m confused here: You were selected but you need more time to “improve” your application?

Whats the move / reasoning with this?

It would be like applying to Harvard, getting selected and then you decline the offer because you wanted more time to improve your GPA, test score, experience, etc.

 

[mmandziak]

I agree with @FormerRecruitingGuru's statement on the matter. I'm not understanding what exactly you want to improve about your application. You got accepted...did you not? Not just a regular acceptance, but for BDCP...a very lucrative program that others would kill to be apart of. What is the need to strengthen your application AFTER you have already been accepted?? To be brutally honest, it doesn't sound like you can't accept...it seems like you got accepted and are getting cold feet.

 

[Scruff]

From someone who declined an SNFO spot to strengthen their package for a SNA spot. You will basically be blacklisted.

I was very very lucky to get my SNFO spot back after I declined it. Many stars had to align. Don't make the mistake I did, take it and dont look back.

Best of luck