Creative route to becoming an officer special ops at the age of 31....Info PLZ

[mklotz78]

Hey everyone...I just found this page a few days ago and I learned a wealth of information....thanks....

OK, here's my deal. I am a 31 year old female, turning 32 in August. I have a BA in Forensic Psychology and Police Science with a GPA on 3.2( graduated in 2006). I am extremely active, biking, hiking, swimming, running, weight training, Thai boxing, triathlons, ect...... I worked in many areas of the real estate industry for about six years, did corporate sales in Manhattan for a year, then traveled the world on and off for three years. I have always wanted to join the military but it was no pushed in my family and I think I just wasn't ready for it yet.

So here I am now, after year long of soul searching to really figure out what my purpose in life is and what I will really enjoy........and It's the military....then law enforcement for a government agency after. Since childhood, i always wanted to do criminal investigative work for the government and maybe join the military after university. So really I'm going full circle, going back to what I always wanted to do, but I think I needed to have the experiences I had to truly be ready for it.

I have researched the various branches like my life was depended on it, and I guess it is because it will be my entire life for the next 4+ years and will determine my path for the rest of my life. After doing the research I decided the Navy would be my first choice. I really would like to do OCS training to become a Diver, Surface Warfare or EOD. I am the type of person that needs for me both mentally and physically challenged to keep my interest. I can not do a desk/computer job, this is the reason why Intel is not the top of my list (but it is still an interest). So I met with an OR yesterday and he advised me that I'm too old for any of the programs I want (all "acion" type programs) the only one I can apply that has my interest and for experience/education background is Intel, but there is a huge influx of applicants for OCS in general, but especially Intel. One out of five are being board approved. He also mentions IW, but that is like being the IT of the Navy, which I would hate doing.

So, I decided to think of a creative route, as I do with most routes and major decisions I make in my life : ), I saw a form I found online and that OR had that one can get a wavier up to their 35th birthday for special ops (1195), which is an officer special ops position, but only will be considered if they have active or previous active duty enlisted that possess exceptional qualifications. My OR said that I can try to go in as enlisted because they are more liberal with giving age waivers for "action" type jobs, but make sure I check what the "lock in" time if for that position (2 or 3 years) then try to apply for enlisted to commissioning officer before my 35th birthday. He said this is possible as long term plan but i would have to ensure I follow through with every step and that politics and other bullshit (sorry for being blunt) don't get in my way.

So, after my long..............story of my situation, I need some advise in a bad way. I have not talked to an enlisted recruiter yet. What are my chances of this actually playing out the way I would like it to? I am a very persistent, driven, enthusiastic individual.....when I want something, I make sure I get it. From what I hear, you military career greatly depends on how proactive you are at getting what you want. Or do you think that all the politics and bull shit will play a big part and keep this from playing out? Should I just apply for OCS? Does anyone know of a way I can get an age wavier for an "action" type officer job? I have not taken the ASTB or the ASVAB yet, but I have been studying and I know will rock both. I really appreciate any information, advise or any experiences anyone have to offer.

thank you soooo much for spending the time to read this long posting and responding...

Melissa

 

[HH-60H]

I had a hard time following your lengthy post. However, I think you are asking if you should enlist in order to become an officer, amongst some other questions. The common wisdom here on AW is that you should not enlist for the sole purpose of becoming an officer.

 

[twobecrazy]

I agree with HH-60H. If you went the enlisted route there is nothing that will guarantee you a chance of becoming an officer. Plus if it is not something you truly want you may become miserable and hurt your chances further of becoming an officer. However, if you are REALLY wanting an active type of career than your OR is right because at your current age the enlisted route maybe the only way you can go. I realize you like the Navy and that is great but maybe one of the other branches will allow you to be active and may end up giving you the waiver. The chances of getting an age waiver is less likely to happen unless you were prior or active but non-priors have gotten them in the past. I read just last week of an individual that was Pro-Rec and got an age waiver because he was going to be too old when he graduated OCS. Granted he would be young enough when he started and he obtained the waiver just a few months ago. You should also try usnavyocs.com and post this question on there as someone may have/had a similar situation and could be able to help a little more. Good LUCK!

 

[SteveG75]

First of all, the only reference I would use from online is the official Navy Recruiting Command directives:

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/publications/directives.htm

CNRCINST 1131.2D w/CH-1 is the Navy Officer Recruiting Manual.
http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/publications/1131.2D.htm

That document leads me to the official Program Authorization.
http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/publications/PAs/PA_100_11650_11850_11950.PDF

C. Age: Applicants must be at least 19 years old and of such an age that they will not have passed their 29th birthday at time of commissioning. Maximum age limit may be adjusted upward for prior active service on a month-for-month basis up to twenty-four (24) months. For 1185/1195, month-for-month waivers beyond twenty-four (24) months will be considered only for active or previous active duty enlisted personnel who possess particularly exceptional qualifications, provided they can be commissioned prior to their thirty-fifth (35) birthday.

Ok, so what does this mean.

Have to be less that 29 at commissioning. An enlisted sailor who has 12 months enlisted time would have to be less than 30 at commisioning. So, he would have to be in the Navy prior to age 29. The exceptional qual waiver beyond 24 months is aimed at enlisted EOD/SEAL personnel looking to become officers in their communities. Once again, it is a month for month waiver.

So, if you enlist and do two years enlisted, you get two years worth of waiver. For an exceptional EOD/SEAL enlisted member, we would give up to six years waiver but it would be month-for-month based on their enlisted time.

You cannot join the Navy as an enlist EOD (since SEAL is not available to females), serve 2 years (24 months), and get 4 years (48 months) worth of waiver.

Waiver are, have always been, and will probably continue to be month-for-month. There is no "liberal" waiver.

Since you are already 31, you are basically out of luck.

Sorry, but that is they way I read the rules.

 

[SteveG75]

I agree with HH-60H. If you went the enlisted route there is nothing that will guarantee you a chance of becoming an officer. Plus if it is not something you truly want you may become miserable and hurt your chances further of becoming an officer. However, if you are REALLY wanting an active type of career than your OR is right because at your current age the enlisted route maybe the only way you can go. I realize you like the Navy and that is great but maybe one of the other branches will allow you to be active and may end up giving you the waiver. The chances of getting an age waiver is less likely to happen unless you were prior or active but non-priors have gotten them in the past. I read just last week of an individual that was Pro-Rec and got an age waiver because he was going to be too old when he graduated OCS. Granted he would be young enough when he started and he obtained the waiver just a few months ago. You should also try usnavyocs.com and post this question on there as someone may have/had a similar situation and could be able to help a little more. Good LUCK!

Here is the thread on that:
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146577

One guy got the waiver, one didn't. Not great odds. Also, they were talking about a matter of months. OPS is talking about 3 years.

 

[Uncle Fester]

Have to agree. Age waivers are mostly a way for communities to get their exceptional E's who are just over the age limit into an officer program. It's not a back way around for someone off the street. Your chances of becoming an EOD officer are pretty much nil at this point. Not to say impossible - one thing I've learned about the Navy is, no matter how weird it sounds, somebody knows somebody who pulled it off. But for all practical purposes, you waited too long. Not knocking you; you traveled the world and did your thing and more power to you, but it does mean some doors are now closed to you.

 

[phrogpilot73]

He also mentions IW, but that is like being the IT of the Navy, which I would hate doing.

Not even close. IP is like the IT of the Navy. IW is a whole 'nother ball of wax, most of which can't be discussed in an open forum.

Put it this way - the secret sneaker shit that most people think they're getting into when they're going intel is more of what the IW guys do. IW is SIGINT, cyberwarfare, linguistics, etc...

 

[twobecrazy]

I understand SteveG75.... Should have been more upfront with the info but I didn't have the link as you provided. Thanks for the clarification.....

 

[HeyJoe]

Why not try DCO route into Intel community and strive to be assigned to the SPECOPS community?

 

[bubblehead]

Why not try DCO route into Intel community and strive to be assigned to the SPECOPS community?

mklotz78, there is a reserve Intel unit in Washington, DC that does this, however, there is a waiting list to get into that unit (ask me how I know ). The unit provides direct support to the SEAL teams and forward deploys people to work with the SEALs.

I've also seen a couple of female EOD officers in my area, however, your age will preclude you.

Your best bet is to apply DCO Intel and work your way into a unit that is more high speed.