Applying to Jan board 2013

[LFCFan]

I did the color dots thing but I didn't do a "colored lights coming out of a box on the other side of the room" test at MEPS.

Ok, so the Ishihara plates can test for both red/green (the most common) and blue/yellow color deficiencies, and the FALANT can only test red/green. It is possible that you passed the r/g plates but not the b/y plates, hence the lack of FALANT. Or MEPS just screwed up. They nearly didn't give me the FALANT until they looked down and went "oh wait you are going navy, hang on we've got another test for you."

26/M/Non-prior
Currently in a Chemistry Ph.D program at the University of California, Santa Barbara

Hey, looks like I'm not the only one trying to escape academia!

 

[afwx]

Not to derail the thread or contradict anything NavyOffRec said, but what color test did you do? If you failed the Ishihara (reading numbers in a blurb of dots) but then passed the FALANT (ID-ing colored lights coming out of a box on the other side of the room) you're ok for color vision. You just have to pass one of them for SNA/SNFO, so I couldn't imagine SWO being stricter on that.

I did both and failed both. I failed the dot test getting 13/14 and failed the white/red on the FALANT. We do the dot test in the USAF but that is getting phased out and we do a computer based one that tells you how bad you are (and it is a hard test). According to the USAF I have a very mild red/green deficiency. I have always either just passed or just failed the dot test. The last time I took a FALANT was in 2003 at MEPS and I didn't have to sit on the other side of the room. I put my face on a black machine and was shown white, red, and green at the same time and passed that at that time. According to USAF standards I am good on color vision because of this new test we have, but it isn't USN.....

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

 

[LFCFan]

I did both and failed both. I failed the dot test getting 13/14 and failed the white/red on the FALANT. We do the dot test in the USAF but that is getting phased out and we do a computer based one that tells you how bad you are (and it is a hard test). According to the USAF I have a very mild red/green deficiency. I have always either just passed or just failed the dot test. The last time I took a FALANT was in 2003 at MEPS and I didn't have to sit on the other side of the room. I put my face on a black machine and was shown white, red, and green at the same time and passed that at that time. According to USAF standards I am good on color vision because of this new test we have, but it isn't USN.....

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

That's odd, because I'm also applying for AF OTS**, failed the Ishihara at MEPS but passed the FALANT, and my MEPS papers said nothing about the Ishihara. I did a bit of research and found out that I'd be DQed at an AF flight physical since they don't do the FALANT. There is a whole thread on baseops where people are in the same boat and they say "join the navy" and another on here about AF folks trying to lateral transfer because of it.

The Cone Contrast Test (CCT) that you are talking about is supposed to be even harder, so I'm surprised that you can pass that but not the Ishihara. It does seem like the CCT is better at identifying why you have a certain color deficiency (which cones are missing). Maybe this means that if OCS doesn't work out that I'd have a chance at OTS, I had basically given up on that since they are so inflexible WRT color vision for pilots.

**Going to go Navy OCS if they take me though!

 

[exNavyOffRec]

It makes me very curious as to exactly how many spots need to be filled in the January class, or even how many SWO's the Navy wants through OCS through the next year. IS there anywhere to find the exact program quotas for FY13 and FY14?

FY14 quotas won't be released until late summer next year generally around August or so, sometimes they are already in the FY when they are released (the official ones)
FY13 they need about 90 more pilot pro rec's to make goal, and about 40 more SWO pro rec's, now they always over select since there are people that do change their mind or become not physically qualified.

They put about 50 per class, and if you look at the timeline to get paperwork done it is essentially impossible for anyone to get to the Jan 6th class, if they indeed did move the board to this Monday, and then they would have to push through the FS letter, and a few other things would have to align.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

That's odd, because I'm also applying for AF OTS**, failed the Ishihara at MEPS but passed the FALANT, and my MEPS papers said nothing about the Ishihara. I did a bit of research and found out that I'd be DQed at an AF flight physical since they don't do the FALANT. There is a whole thread on baseops where people are in the same boat and they say "join the navy" and another on here about AF folks trying to lateral transfer because of it.

The Cone Contrast Test (CCT) that you are talking about is supposed to be even harder, so I'm surprised that you can pass that but not the Ishihara. It does seem like the CCT is better at identifying why you have a certain color deficiency (which cones are missing). Maybe this means that if OCS doesn't work out that I'd have a chance at OTS, I had basically given up on that since they are so inflexible WRT color vision for pilots.

**Going to go Navy OCS if they take me though!

Some techs only mark down which test you passed, some indicate the results of both, the big thing is that you passed one.

 

[McHale's Navy]

FY14 quotas won't be released until late summer next year generally around August or so, sometimes they are already in the FY when they are released (the official ones)
FY13 they need about 90 more pilot pro rec's to make goal, and about 40 more SWO pro rec's, now they always over select since there are people that do change their mind or become not physically qualified.

They put about 50 per class, and if you look at the timeline to get paperwork done it is essentially impossible for anyone to get to the Jan 6th class, if they indeed did move the board to this Monday, and then they would have to push through the FS letter, and a few other things would have to align.

NavyOffRec,

I understand that the board can set their own standards, but can you give us a rundown on how they work? Is there any kind of order involved, or are they literally just starting at the top of a stack of applicants? Do they prescreen for certain standards? After reviewing an applicant will they go back and change their decision if they find a better applicant? I'm just trying to get a better understanding of what I'm up against.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

NavyOffRec,

I understand that the board can set their own standards, but can you give us a rundown on how they work? Is there any kind of order involved, or are they literally just starting at the top of a stack of applicants? Do they prescreen for certain standards? After reviewing an applicant will they go back and change their decision if they find a better applicant? I'm just trying to get a better understanding of what I'm up against.

It really depends on the designator and what the senior board member wants, some designators such as IW or IP list not having a year of calc and physics a significant negative factor, so that could the be first cutdown for those designators. A quick and easy way they cutdown is law violations, specifically drug charges, with pilot and NFO ASTB is a big factor, but basically (from what was passed from one senior member) they stack them after scoring them, then make the cutoff. The wild cards for non aviation is LOR's and motivational statement since that is how each board member reads it.

It seems that the new "quality" and "not quality" is to make it easier for the board by doing the pre screen thing.

 

[afwx]

That's odd, because I'm also applying for AF OTS**, failed the Ishihara at MEPS but passed the FALANT, and my MEPS papers said nothing about the Ishihara. I did a bit of research and found out that I'd be DQed at an AF flight physical since they don't do the FALANT. There is a whole thread on baseops where people are in the same boat and they say "join the navy" and another on here about AF folks trying to lateral transfer because of it.

The Cone Contrast Test (CCT) that you are talking about is supposed to be even harder, so I'm surprised that you can pass that but not the Ishihara. It does seem like the CCT is better at identifying why you have a certain color deficiency (which cones are missing). Maybe this means that if OCS doesn't work out that I'd have a chance at OTS, I had basically given up on that since they are so inflexible WRT color vision for pilots.

**Going to go Navy OCS if they take me though!

Maybe it is different because I am already in, and I took the cone contrast test for a jump physical for an airborne weather position at Ft Bragg a while ago and my deficiency was okay for that. I'm sure if it were for pilot it would have been a no go. The cone contrast test was really tough but a way better test than the Ishihara in my opinion.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

 

[LFCFan]

Maybe it is different because I am already in, and I took the cone contrast test for a jump physical for an airborne weather position at Ft Bragg a while ago and my deficiency was okay for that. I'm sure if it were for pilot it would have been a no go. The cone contrast test was really tough but a way better test than the Ishihara in my opinion.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

The Ishihara is about 100 years old (literally), and probably due for retirement. One problem I see with it is that on some items you have two numbers, and get no credit for being able to read one of them. It was originally used in Japan, and the patient just had to read a single Japanese character.

The Army, Navy/MC/CG, and FAA all accept the FALANT for pilots. Only the AF (and NASA, I think) don't accept it. Silly since it actually tests the sort of thing that they are trying to guard against, unlike the Ishihara. Another poster pointed out that NV goggles basically render the entire thing pointless anyway but I'm still glad they test for it.

 

[dvolfan2003]

What is the difference between a PROBOARD and DCO board? I am currently enlisted and plan on applying for Supply, Intelligence, and SWO. It was recommended to me to look at when the board dates are to help me determine which one I want to rank 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. So does anyone have a schedule for these designators? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

What is the difference between a PROBOARD and DCO board? I am currently enlisted and plan on applying for Supply, Intelligence, and SWO. It was recommended to me to look at when the board dates are to help me determine which one I want to rank 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. So does anyone have a schedule for these designators? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Pro board is what the board say after they are done, either Y or N, sometimes X if a person wasn't qualified to submit. DCO is for people going reserves.

Some tips, in general Intel and Supply only pick people that put that designator 1st, don't know why but that is just what happens most of the time.

Intel tends to pick those with very high GPA's, and 60% of their selections are tech degrees (Intel is closed for FY13, they met goal)

Supply tends to pick those with business degrees and high GPA's

SWO is generally open most of the time, they look for decent GPA's and real good LOR's

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/publications/NOTICES/FY13 BOARDSKED By Community - Encl 4 - 17Oct13 Rev.pdf

 

[dvolfan2003]

Pro board is what the board say after they are done, either Y or N, sometimes X if a person wasn't qualified to submit. DCO is for people going reserves.

Some tips, in general Intel and Supply only pick people that put that designator 1st, don't know why but that is just what happens most of the time.

Intel tends to pick those with very high GPA's, and 60% of their selections are tech degrees (Intel is closed for FY13, they met goal)

Supply tends to pick those with business degrees and high GPA's

SWO is generally open most of the time, they look for decent GPA's and real good LOR's

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/publications/NOTICES/FY13 BOARDSKED By Community - Encl 4 - 17Oct13 Rev.pdf

 

[dvolfan2003]

What are the quotas like for Supply for the January and March boards? How about SWO? Also, is the deadline for the applications set in stone. What I mean by that is if I get it to them on December 10th and everything is good to go will they make me wait until March? Thanks!

 

[exNavyOffRec]

What are the quotas like for Supply for the January and March boards? How about SWO? Also, is the deadline for the applications set in stone. What I mean by that is if I get it to them on December 10th and everything is good to go will they make me wait until March? Thanks!

There are no quotas for each board, the pick the best applicants, so in theory, they could pick a large number of applicants and then cancel boards, oh wait, it isn't "in theory" because they have done exactly that before!

yes, if it is one day past the deadline it will get round filed, not just pushed, it has to be submitted during the application window for the board you are applying.

 

[MK91]

If you apply to the January board for Intel, can you still apply in February for the Pilot board?