Am I wasting my time?

[A2Boy]

I am in the process of putting together my packet for OCS and was hoping to submit it for Nov. Boards.

I am 22, have a BS from Presbyterian College with a double major in Math and Accounting, didn't enjoy the jobs I was working and I am in what I would consider excellent physical shape working towards what is recommended for BUD/S training cause I like to set my goals for the best.

My GPA wasn't the greatest (2.72) but I did have a job, have several volunteer experiences, leadership experiences, played collegiate athletics and so on and so on.

My preferences were going to be SWO and Aviator with a 3rd yet to be determined. I really want to be an officer in the Navy because I believe it would be the perfect lifestyle that I would need. I constantly am looking for challenges and wouldn't be comfortable without being a leader.

Am I wasting my time trying to get into OCS? What would be a good 3rd preference that would increase my chances since I don't mind really doing anything. If I get accepted I will take what they give me and I won't quit no matter what. Any additional advice is also welcome. Thank you ahead of time.

 

[HeyJoe]

i am in the process of putting together my packet for ocs and was hoping to submit it for nov. Boards.

I am 22, have a bs from presbyterian college with a double major in math and accounting, didn't enjoy the jobs i was working and i am in what i would consider excellent physical shape working towards what is recommended for bud/s training cause i like to set my goals for the best.

My gpa wasn't the greatest (2.72) but i did have a job, have several volunteer experiences, leadership experiences, played collegiate athletics and so on and so on.

My preferences were going to be swo and aviator with a 3rd yet to be determined. I really want to be an officer in the navy because i believe it would be the perfect lifestyle that i would need. I constantly am looking for challenges and wouldn't be comfortable without being a leader.

Am i wasting my time trying to get into ocs? what would be a good 3rd preference that would increase my chances since i don't mind really doing anything. If i get accepted i will take what they give me and i won't quit no matter what. Any additional advice is also welcome. Thank you ahead of time.

SNFO would be in line with your current choices

 

[C420sailor]

Gotta be in it to win it, brother. For what it's worth, I had a 2.71 or something equally heinous.

 

[UserName]

My GPA wasn't the greatest (2.72)

My GPA wasn't much better than that either. Just try to do your best on everything that you can control from here moving forward. Prepare for the ASTB and knock it out of the park. I think a good ASTB can help overshadow a bad GPA.

but I did have a job, have several volunteer experiences, leadership experiences, played collegiate athletics ...

There are other threads on here about motivational statements but my OR told me to address why my GPA was so low. If you put that kind of stuff in there it might help but you have to be careful it doesn't sound like just an excuse.

 

[bunk22]

You know what happens if you don't try?











Nothing.

 

[red_ryder]

I had an even worse GPA. I'd say you got a shot...BUT: it's going to be a ton of work, a life-changing commitment, and on average will take a great deal more effort than your desk job. It's not for everybody, no harm/no foul if you want a less stressful job...

To point: it's worth applying, but only if you're really serious about this.

 

[A2Boy]

I'm definitely going to try, and thanks for the replies so far.

Yes, I"m serious about doing it and I like having stress in my jobs. That's what was wrong with my other jobs, not enough structure and nobody really cared what was going on.

Anyone else have any suggestions for 3rd preference?

 

[Rass]

I'm definitely going to try, and thanks for the replies so far.

Yes, I"m serious about doing it and I like having stress in my jobs. That's what was wrong with my other jobs, not enough structure and nobody really cared what was going on.

Anyone else have any suggestions for 3rd preference?

Take Heyjoes's advice. NFO (Naval Flight Officer) seems to be a good 3rd choice.

NFO's are officers in planes who do not pilot the plane. Commonly associated with the guys in the back seat of tactical jets handling the weaponry and navigating, but certainly not limited to just tactical jet.

 

[UserName]

SNFO would be in line with your current choices

I don't think anyone else has said anything about your third choice because NFO seems to make the most sense just like Joe said.

I don't know many people who put down SNA without SNFO(or vice versa). I have heard of people putting just SNA with no second or third choices because that is the only job they wanted to do. But that doesn't fall in line with what you were saying so just put down NFO.

 

[SynixMan]

Just a thought, you don't need to put 3 preferences if you don't want to. I only put SNA, as I was dead set on that career path. Put what you're interested it doing career wise, not what you think looks good to the board. You can't and won't know what they're thinking.

From my understanding, the boards for each designator look at your packet individually. The preferences you put just tell them which board to send it to. Someone feel free to correct me if I'm off base there.

And echo what others have said about not trying getting you jack squat. I didn't honestly think I was competitive until I took the ASTB. Do your best and let things fall where they may.

 

[Uncle Fester]

Other than GPA, you don't seem to be any better or worse than any other candidate. And as you can see, plenty have got in with as-bad-or-worse GPAs. Just do what you can do be as competitive as possible and shore up that weak point with strong points...if the GPA sucked, clobber the ASTB and become a PT animal. Shoot for scoring an Outstanding High on the PRT; the pullups and swimming in the pre-BUD/S workouts are good, but first priority is maxing out the situps, pushups and run you will have to do during your first week at OCS. You only need to be a comfortable swimmer for OCS and aviation training, not a marine mammal.

 

[MidWestEwo]

If you don't really care what you do, try looking at what you are NOT willing to do and narrow down your choices from there. I talked to someone who was trying to put together a package before and he put down SNA for his first choice. He just wanted to be a Naval Officer, and he was inspired oddly enough by watching a ton of StarTrek as a kid. I asked him what he pictured he would like to be doing in the Navy and nothing he described fell in line with being a pilot. He was also scared of heights, and he gets sick on almost any roller coaster he is on. He is even afraid of closed in spaces. I didn't even have to say anything and he said, "on second thought, I don't think I could be a pilot!" He is submitting a package soon for SWO, Supply, and Intel I think.

 

[Uncle Fester]

He is submitting a package soon for SWO, Supply, and Intel I think.

He gets motion sickness and hates closed spaces. Perhaps the Navy isn't the right place for him. Sounds like he mostly wants to wear a uniform and have people address him by rank, just like Star Trek! I hear Civil Air Patrol is a lot of fun. :icon_tong

 

[MidWestEwo]

He gets motion sickness and hates closed spaces. Perhaps the Navy isn't the right place for him. Sounds like he mostly wants to wear a uniform and have people address him by rank, just like Star Trek! I hear Civil Air Patrol is a lot of fun. :icon_tong

Haha yeah probably. He makes a good leader though, and the reasons he was inspired by watching Star Trek as a kid seem legitimate. At least he doesn't go to conventions dressed as a Klingon. He seems like he really wants to be on the bridge of a DDG or something. He wants to be a black shoe...

 

[Viashino684]

I am in the process of putting together my packet for OCS and was hoping to submit it for Nov. Boards.

I am 22, have a BS from Presbyterian College with a double major in Math and Accounting, didn't enjoy the jobs I was working and I am in what I would consider excellent physical shape working towards what is recommended for BUD/S training cause I like to set my goals for the best.

My GPA wasn't the greatest (2.72) but I did have a job, have several volunteer experiences, leadership experiences, played collegiate athletics and so on and so on.

My preferences were going to be SWO and Aviator with a 3rd yet to be determined. I really want to be an officer in the Navy because I believe it would be the perfect lifestyle that I would need. I constantly am looking for challenges and wouldn't be comfortable without being a leader.

Am I wasting my time trying to get into OCS? What would be a good 3rd preference that would increase my chances since I don't mind really doing anything. If I get accepted I will take what they give me and I won't quit no matter what. Any additional advice is also welcome. Thank you ahead of time.

My GPA on my package was only a 2.81, with no real jjobs to list. I think my letters of recommendation were my backbone. I went sna/nfo/swo and was picked up by all three in august boards but only taking sna of course. Just put together a good application and write a hell of a motivation statement and you should have a shot like everyone else.