My Story: Desperately want to fly Navy, but have issues? Need advice.

[LET73]

Keep trying. ORs are super-busy, but showing the motivation to actually get through to one is kind of like Step One of the application process... they don't really have time for people who aren't committed, and the way to show your commitment is to do everything you can to get a hold of someone and start the mountain of paperwork.

EDIT: CUPike11 beat me to it.

 

[arianjalali]

Yes, CUpike11.. I like your style and I'm with you 100%! I have already requested my official transcript and it's on its way. I bought the ARCO, Barron's, GMAT prep, and nugget61 (thanks again) suggested I gain access to that DOD library site.. So you can bet I'm studying every chance I get. I've already asked my store manager from a previous job I worked for 3.5 years to write a LOR and he finished that for me over the weekend so I'll be on my way to pick that up tomorrow. I'm gonna talk to my high school principal and see if he can help me out with another one. I hate that his LOR will only realistically depict who I was in his eyes four years ago.. But I feel as though (for the most part) my heart is in the same place as it was then, so hopefully he can write something that will carry its weight. The thing I hated about college was, since I commuted, I never really had a chance to get close to any faculty members. There is a teacher I had this past spring who I think I can get an LOR from (she always thought I had potential haha).. But will getting one from a teacher really matter too much in the eyes of the board? Lastly, I plan on asking my flight instructor for one a couple of months down the road when he sees how much I'm applying myself to get my PPL. Are there any threads on this site dedicated to how they want LORs formatted? I assume I will need to obtain dated, signed paper copies from each of these sources.. But is there anything else I need to do with them? Thanks again, guys.. And I'm sorry for writing so much. It's like my fingers have so much to say and you guys are the only ones (for now) who can provide me with the best answer. What would I do without you all!

 

[CUPike11]

Sounds like you're off to an awesome start then. Keep it up! There will be SEVERAL times during this process where you will be anxious, want answers, frustrated, pissed off, tired, etc. But in the end it is all worth it.....

If you go into the 1001 questions about the ASTB thread, I believe its on page 36, myself and DukeAndrewJ both posted all the materials we used to study for the ASTB. Take advantage of that as well. We were both Pro-Rec'd in August together.

The status of the person doesn't matter much, I mean it does, but in the grand scheme of things it doesnt. What matters is you get someone who KNOWS YOU and speak about your different qualities that you possess and why that is going to make you a stud if the board choose to accept you to become an officer.

I had my Fraternity's International President and CEO, My Graduate School Advisor/Former Astronaut & Professor, A friend of mine who's known me for 14 years, a skydiving friend of mine who is also a lawyer, my Fraternity's Regional President, & my cousin who is in the Air Force. All of those combined spoke about something different, from leadership, to people skills, to management skills, to work ethic and physical attributes, etc.

The point is, they all knew me well enough to write about me and tell the board why I'd be an asset. Lastly, I also did an interview with my NRD's OPO who is a former NFO along with our CO. That's not necessary but it also doesn't hurt. I had been going through this process since last February, so when August rolled around, everyone in the office knows who I am.

Anyways, get your LORs from whomever you feel qualified to speak on your behalf about YOU. Your high school principle isn't a bad idea, but unless you live next door to them, I'd say go for someone else if you can. But if you have no other ideas or people to do it, then use it. Just keep trudging bro and working at this piece by piece. You'll need that spirit, drive, and motivation when you get to do MEPS and start filling out the SF-86

 

[arianjalali]

Thank you so much, man! It might sound crazy.. But your inspiration fuels my motivation. About the SF-86, this morning I actually had a SPIN (special interview) with an investigator from one of the companies that does security clearances for the government. They requested this SPIN to be done because of my three misdemeanor charges (I guess they can be done for other reasons such as foreign travel, bad credit, etc.). I basically gave her a run-down of all three incidents, assuring her relentlessly that in no way would I be a threat to national security if one were to try to blackmail me with these charges. After it was all said and done, she said she saw no reason why I would not be getting the 'secret' security clearance I need for the enlisted rating I have. So I wonder how that's gonna affect things on the OR side when it comes to security as I've already filled out the SF-86 form. Hmm..

And your list of LOR givers is outstanding.. Just hearing the kind people you described almost made my mouth drop. That's quite the set of reputable sources and mine doesn't even hold a candle to it lol. But oh well, I'm just a small-town WV boy who's doing what he can! I will dig a little deeper to see who I know that can really write something phenomenal for me, encompassing all my good qualities that I would want to convey to the board as possible characteristics that a Navy Officer would possess.

Lastly, thanks for referencing the exact page that study guide info is on.. That thread is monumental and I have only glanced at the first few pages lol.

P.S. Brian Fantana was my favorite member of the gang from 'Anchorman' haha.

 

[HeyJoe]

SF-86 is a SF-86 regardless of who you are or program you are trying to access.

 

[arianjalali]

SF-86 is a SF-86 regardless of who you are or program you are trying to access.

Excellent. So that most likely means that if I get a clearance, then it will be applicable to both the officer and enlisted side?


GUYS, I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!! Today I started calling the numbers I had scribbled down on a post-it note in order to get in touch with an OR. Well it turns out that 'Charleston, WV' falls into a regional toss-up between NRD Pittsburgh and NRD Columbus. I talked to the PO1 in Morgantown, WV for several minutes and he was a very helpful resource. I actually learned a couple of new things about this whole "trying to become an officer while enlisted in the DEP" experience. So he calls his NRD and figures out what region I'm in and unfortunately I fall into the Columbus NRD. I would have loved working with this guy as he was very motivational and proactively helpful. He tells me that a new officer recruiter has actually emerged in the Charleston area. This is the second one they've ever opened up in the state. I get the number, and lo and behold.. It's the guy whose desk is right beside my enlisted recruiter! He was made an OR a mere TWO weeks ago. What are the odds of that? Now I can work with someone who's only 30 minutes away.. I am ecstatic!!

 

[HeyJoe]

Excellent. So that most likely means that if I get a clearance, then it will be applicable to both the officer and enlisted side?

It's the same form and process for military officer and enlisted as well as civil servants and contractors. As long as it's current, you can transition from one to the other. It's one thing they have actually improved over the years in terms of ajudication and visit requests via JPass. Once upon a time, you actually typed or filled out SF-86 in black ink and reinvestigations were a bear to keep all your data and reenter it.

 

[arianjalali]

It's the same form and process for military officer and enlisted as well as civil servants and contractors. As long as it's current, you can transition from one to the other.

Thank goodness, that's a blessing right there. I am hesitant to start a new thread to ask this incase it's already been asked before.. But how much weight would an LOR from an NCO carry in the eyes of the board? Or would those even be allowed? I think I've heard or seen that we need three officer interviews conducted. I guess I'm just a little confused as to how we actually obtain those interviews if we're civilians and don't happen to know any Navy Officers. I finished my initial "blueprint" for the Officer Program last night and am getting the actual application sent to me today.

 

[HeyJoe]

Thank goodness, that's a blessing right there. I am hesitant to start a new thread to ask this incase it's already been asked before.. But how much weight would an LOR from an NCO carry in the eyes of the board? Or would those even be allowed? I think I've heard or seen that we need three officer interviews conducted.

First of, no LOR from anyone regardless of rank or whether they served30 years or not at all will carry any weight if it isn't well written and doesn't address the author's judgement of your character, motivation and potential to be an officer.

In other words, you question is too simplistic and can't be answered as asked. It could be the deciding piece of paper if author is very insightful and of a mature age and life experience (especially if he went on to success in another field and relate his position/experience to what he/she says about you). If the author is still young and relatively inexperienced, then it won't carry much weight at all.