fieldrat
Fully Qualified 1815
If you haven't already done so, make sure your resume explicitly states that you are DOD 8570 compliant. Don't make the board look for the information. Guide them to the right answer up front.
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FY 19 IWC DCO BOARD
- Thread starter Hail_HYDRA!
- Start date
If you haven't already done so, make sure your resume explicitly states that you are DOD 8570 compliant. Don't make the board look for the information. Guide them to the right answer up front.
Ryan1229
New Member
Thanks for the tip. I will be sure to do that.
Good afternoon all. I will be applying this fiscal year and want to wish everyone else the best of luck. Quick question for those who have processed through in the DC area: any recommendations or short pitfalls to watch out for in getting all of the paperwork lined up (esp from a prior service perspective)? I've read over some frustrations with medical processing in particular.
WAMI
New Member
Are you working with LT. Ag?
I'm also in the process of working on my packet - biggest setback will be my weight I'm sure. Meanwhile, I'm going to keep losing the pounds until I'm scheduled to go to Walter Reed. I was always a steady 180 at 5"11", unfortunately, after returning from 7 years in Afghanistan, I took up homebrewing and cooking lots of ethnic foods and ended up increasing to 235lbs (im sure taking on an office job did this too). Last week I was successful in losing 8lb (227 now) - this actually occurred in 4 days time. My 1.5 mile is still within standards - adding some running in with a 900 calorie a day diet should get me to at least 205 - 210; which should help me at least pass the measurements. Other open is the 7-day water fast. I have never been a snacker, don't like sweets and honesty never consume more than 1900 calories a day. The issue has simply been beer and no activity.
No clue when the physical is though... Running against that clock! All I can do I try right?!?! If I don't beat the clock, then ill have 2 more tries before i'm 41 (max age).
As for what they look for...? A really good friend of mine at the NGA (where I work) is a CDR (1835) who went through the DCO process years ago, he's also conducted many DCO interviews and has sat in on 4 DCO boards. His only recommendation was to try to keep the resume under 2 pages, try not to use too many boilerplate statements, and show impacts e.g. results of leadership, saved % of the budget... He insisted that all they're interested in is your professional outcomes: leadership experience, impacts... and not to spend too much time addressing: I worked on this system, I used this tool, I worked on this project... His claim is that we have all worked with FalconView, ESRI, Remoteview, DCGS, Linux, some level of programming, have acquisition certifications from DAU etc. What makes you better than anyone else - if you wanted the director of the agency to hire you and you only had 20sec in the elevator, what makes you better than the other thousands already working here.
Do you have your masters? Per LT Ag, there is so much competition (great talent) that this is the last remaining key to standing out. I personally do not have a masters but am half way through mine with Penn State (majoring in GIS). Other than that, I can only hope that all my impacts, years working in the IC, Agile and engineering certifications will help. I just hope it works out, really want to get back to drilling, finish up the small amount of time I have remaining, and deploy again!!! We have few deployment options with my agency but they're hard to get as an Enterprise Architect/ Engineer, most of them go to the Imagery Analysts and Source guys.
If I cant get back into the uniform - at least I'm still serving my country in another way.
Honestly miss the sea time too - if reservists get any!
I'm working through LT Fondale actually, he's been quite helpful so far.
Beer can definitely set you back a few pounds. I essentially cut it out a while back when I was active in the Army. Keep at it though and you can certainly lose the weight. Grit and determination go a long way in these matters. I'd recommend a book call The Spectrum, by Dr. Ornish. There's a lot of information on proper nutritional intake and the program is federally recommended, if a bit... hippie. I'm 6'2" and 200lbs, which is more than I like but well within tolerance, and I can kick out a PT test to Army standards so we'll see how all of that goes. Still, I plan on getting a little more lean for this. These forums seem to be littered with medical processing horror stories.
I appreciate the input on selection criteria! My resume went up to the community manager last night, so we'll see what they say. I do not currently have a masters but am in the process at George Washington University, Elliot School of International Affairs (Space Policy Institute)
Best of luck to you WAMI, I'll pass along anything I learn and keep us posted on your progress.
Ryan1229
New Member
WAMI,
If I recall, I think the max age is 42, and you can we waived further for each year of prior service.
I've been an enlisted reservist for 5 years now, and I can tell you it's almost impossible to get sea time as a reservist. It's easy to mobilize to somewhere in the Middle East or Africa though, because they are always looking for volunteers.
D
Deleted member 67144 scul
Guest
That's a bummer to hear but in my limited scope the only reservists I've heard of getting sea time got sent to Bahrain.
Good luck, re, sea time. I've seen SWO's and some IWC types (Enlisted) able to get the odd MOB to a USNS ship (e.g., a Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF)) but that's about it.
The reality is that the Navy is not agile enough to integrate Reservists into sea-based mobilizations.
Besides, if the Navy allowed Reservists to mobilize to ships or submarines, people would catch on the the waste and abuse of the current mobilization machine.
The reality is that the Navy is not agile enough to integrate Reservists into sea-based mobilizations.
Besides, if the Navy allowed Reservists to mobilize to ships or submarines, people would catch on the the waste and abuse of the current mobilization machine.
WAMI
New Member
Are you in NOVA or MD? I’m not aware if there’s another OR in my area (Alexandria). Do you have any links for the med processing, I haven’t heard anything about that phase other than I’m going to Walter reed.
D
Deleted member 67144 scul
Guest
Could you please elaborate on this? What exactly is the "waste and abuse of the current mobilization machine"?
WAMI
New Member
Community manager??? I feel like I’m missing out some where. LT Ag simply read my resume and replied “extreamly competative”. Which was honestly a great reply after he initially said to not bother, selection rate is less than 1% - during the initial hello phone call.
He now appears to be interested, but very slow in the process. He’s reviewed my resume, sent me the checklist and had me sign a Walter reed visitors form. I’m assuming he’s waiting for med clear before he does anything else. Oh. He also did schedule a dry run with him for the interviews early May and said he’d be scheduling the official interviews after my physical.
Speaking of interviews... it appears I was able to select a CMD 1825 that I work with at my agency. He seemed like a great choice because he’s actually sat in on serveral DCO boards. Hoping he’ll give me some good tips.
As for master. I’m only 2 classes in at penn state, focusing on GIS and remote sensing. Seemed like a sensible thing since it’s work related and the IC covers 100% of it.
Yes. In the Reserve IWC, each designator (183X/Intel, 182X/IP, 181X/CW, 180X/METOC) has an O6-level Community Manager for their respective community. if you are not "up to snuff" in their eyes, you will be a "no go."
The IP's (yes, I am one) are the worst in my opinion in trying to make the community look like more than what it is, followed by Intel.
IP leaders may tell you that you need certifications and STEM degrees. The reality is that you need nothing of the sort to succeed as a Reserve IP.
Intel leaders may tell you they want people who speak multiple languages, have fancy degrees, etc. The reality is that you need neither, and will never use your language abilities as a Reserve Intel. At least, when I was in Intel, I never saw it.
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WAMI
New Member
This is good. I WOULD LOVE TO RETURN TO CENTCOM!!! I lived in the UAE for a few years out on the town - and ended up volunteering to go to IRQ and AFG for many years following that. I truly miss it there and if I had my way, I’d be there now. Unfortunately there just aren’t enough billets there with my employer today, or at least in my current career field.
If the DCO package doesn’t pan out, ill more than likely try to reenlist. My only question is, would the Navy insist on bringing me back as an AMH or could I move into a rate my career more closely traces to e.g. IS or IT?
I’ve now worked in the IC for over a decade, currently serving as a requirements engineer, certified enterprise architect, acquisition officer… I left Aviation sector over 11 years ago, and all of my experience today revolves around engineering, IT and IS.
If tech school is an option and mandatory, I am more than willing to do that route to stay away from AMH.
Ryan1229
New Member
RE: Age. Yeah I was reading in the forums a few boards ago where there were guys applying in their late 40s early 50s with a prior service age waiver. Good info here: https://www.airwarriors.com/communi...imit-s-for-dco-application.32472/#post-572626
As far as re-enlisting, you would just tell a reserves recruiter that you only want IT or IS (Any CT rate would be good too) based on your experience, if they can't get you that, don't re-enlist. Simple as that.