Am I competitive for SWO?

[kimmer1013]

I took the OAR for the first time today and scored a 46 after studying for two weeks. My GPA is not very good (2.8) but my recruiter mentioned that the score should be fine and said my application is still competitive. I still have my personal statement and medical exam coming up, but I was wondering how competitive my overall application might be. Was seriously considering retaking the OAR before the upcoming April board.

 

[parin365]

The way the SWO board has been selecting applicants in the previous boards is that if you have a degree, a passing OAR score, and GPA above the minimum (which you do), then you should be fine. Take a look at this spreadsheet to see how your stats compare:

SWO Boards

docs.google.com

 

[kimmer1013]

What designator are you going for?

I have no idea. I just said SWO the recruiter just helped me with the paperwork afterwards.

 

[JustChilling]

I've got a 46 OAR and a 3.2 GPA and I think I'll be fine (won't know until the board results come out though). SWO applicants have been all over the place, but you should be fine as well. SWO is pretty much the only designator you'll be competitive, but if there are others you're interested in, as long as you get past the GPA/OAR requirements, you should look into.

 

[parin365]

There's always an option for lateral transfer once you're in, but mind you, you'll need to complete a few years/tours as SWO if you decide to take it.

 

[JustChilling]

How hard is laterally transferring? I'm not likely to do it, but always willing to explore options.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

There's always an option for lateral transfer once you're in, but mind you, you'll need to complete a few years/tours as SWO if you decide to take it.

How hard is laterally transferring? I'm not likely to do it, but always willing to explore options.

Laterals are a crapshoot, it depends on timing and what is available. A person should only submit for a designator the would want to do for the entire time they are in, to do anything else could set you up for disappointed.

 

[JustChilling]

Laterals are a crapshoot, it depends on timing and what is available. A person should only submit for a designator the would want to do for the entire time they are in, to do anything else could set you up for disappointed.

Yeah, talked with my recruiter and a program manager for another designator about this before I committed to SWO, they said the same thing you are saying about submitting for a designator. Not looking to laterally transfer on my first contract and will be content with SWO the entire time, but not going to lie and say I haven't thought of the possibility of laterally transferring.