Navy Officer Recruitment - Early 2025

[Zenfuzz]

Can any Navy officer recruiters say so far this year what the lowest GPA's have been allowed with a waiver for rates in need or based on decent OAR scores? I was told since the Navy met requirements for last year that they are going back to the restrictions about selecting people (strict on GPAs, OAR scores, etc.). I sort of got the feeling that they were less interested in helping me put anything together however, I know that our initial meeting was more for me to gather "next steps" if any could be taken. To be blunt, I know my GPA sucks (2.3) and I can get it up with taking a few more classes easily (I have already graduated from college) but it seemed like he didn't even want to talk about IF my GPA would get accepted. I was told that low GPA's get signed off on all the time and even the CO would sign off on it but then the higher ups would kick it back and just straight up refuse next steps. Does this sound like I'm being pushed out the door or does this sound about right and I need to go ahead and just get signed up for a few classes to get my GPA up. *Side note - I haven't taken the OAR either since this was our first meeting. I am trying to gather all the information I can to streamline this instead of going the enlisted route like he suggested. I got the feeling of being blown off a little but I know I could be wrong. Also should note that when I mentioned that if I had to take more classes that would push my time back to closer to the end of 2025, the general officer recruited mentioned to talk to another guy that has been helping me because he will no longer be there, which gave me the vibes that he doesn't care to meet any sort of quota so why put the work in to help me.

Thanks in advance for any answers/help.

 

[villo0692]

Don’t enlist

 

[Framer]

Enlisting will not help you here.

Fleet applicants (active duty sailors) still need a good GPA to be picked up for OCS, you won’t change that by enlisting, and they won’t look at your package any better if you are an ET2 or some random college kid.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

When they had trouble meeting quotas for a few designators and even at that time they still didn't budge much on standards, NRC made the choice to still decline people at board rather than make goal.

What you are talking about for signing off on low GPA's is that essentially NRC will rubber stamp any waiver but then the board will decline them, the thought is that NRC would rather have the board so no than them say no.

Most designators have a minimum waiverable limit and you are below it, even if you get it to that waiverable limit the odds are you won't be selected due to GPA, the other issue you have is your age. Just based on your profile it says 33, that is outside the waiverable limits for most designators, the ones that it isn't have high standards for GPA.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Can any Navy officer recruiters say so far this year what the lowest GPA's have been allowed with a waiver for rates in need or based on decent OAR scores? I was told since the Navy met requirements for last year that they are going back to the restrictions about selecting people (strict on GPAs, OAR scores, etc.). I sort of got the feeling that they were less interested in helping me put anything together however, I know that our initial meeting was more for me to gather "next steps" if any could be taken. To be blunt, I know my GPA sucks (2.3) and I can get it up with taking a few more classes easily (I have already graduated from college) but it seemed like he didn't even want to talk about IF my GPA would get accepted. I was told that low GPA's get signed off on all the time and even the CO would sign off on it but then the higher ups would kick it back and just straight up refuse next steps. Does this sound like I'm being pushed out the door or does this sound about right and I need to go ahead and just get signed up for a few classes to get my GPA up. *Side note - I haven't taken the OAR either since this was our first meeting. I am trying to gather all the information I can to streamline this instead of going the enlisted route like he suggested. I got the feeling of being blown off a little but I know I could be wrong. Also should note that when I mentioned that if I had to take more classes that would push my time back to closer to the end of 2025, the general officer recruited mentioned to talk to another guy that has been helping me because he will no longer be there, which gave me the vibes that he doesn't care to meet any sort of quota so why put the work in to help me.

Thanks in advance for any answers/help.

Assuming you're 33, you're not even eligible for OCS programs. Either check out the other services (Army?), or go to grad school and earn a masters. A masters degree GPA will supercede the UG one.

 

[Zenfuzz]

So I know a few of you are saying 33 is too old for OCS but according to the website, research, other recruiters, and other people who are current officers all say that 37 is the age that is pushing it but they allow up to 42 (42 probably being prior enlisted and a good bit of experience). I was told that 37 is the cutoff (and was shown the formal document that confirms this) at least for a few rates and supply (my interest) was one of them. I meet the B in the math portion but was told just to get my GPA up to at least a 2.5 but the sheet says at least 2.7 These GPAs aren't out of reach for about a full semester or 2 and wouldn't add more than a year to the process but I am just looking really to see if others feel if after hearing my interaction that I was being sort of blown off or if this is a legit strict process like he is claiming. Other officers I know are telling me to talk to his chief, to follow through with as much of the process as possible or to look into other avenues to getting to OCS. I am trying to avoid enlisting and I know my age (33) isn't QUITE an issue yet but is closely becoming concerning in the next coming years. I just am curious to know if any officer recruiters out there can tell me the lowest GPA they got a waiver for got accepted so far in 2025.

 

[Zenfuzz]

When they had trouble meeting quotas for a few designators and even at that time they still didn't budge much on standards, NRC made the choice to still decline people at board rather than make goal.

What you are talking about for signing off on low GPA's is that essentially NRC will rubber stamp any waiver but then the board will decline them, the thought is that NRC would rather have the board so no than them say no.

Most designators have a minimum waiverable limit and you are below it, even if you get it to that waiverable limit the odds are you won't be selected due to GPA, the other issue you have is your age. Just based on your profile it says 33, that is outside the waiverable limits for most designators, the ones that it isn't have high standards for GPA.

The recruiter showed me and sent me the documentation that shows that 33 isn't too old and that doesn't need a waiver for the age as they go to 37+ for quite a few of the officer rates. It is on the higher end, I understand but not necessarily too old to commission.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

So I know a few of you are saying 33 is too old for OCS but according to the website, research, other recruiters, and other people who are current officers all say that 37 is the age that is pushing it but they allow up to 42 (42 probably being prior enlisted and a good bit of experience). I was told that 37 is the cutoff (and was shown the formal document that confirms this) at least for a few rates and supply (my interest) was one of them. I meet the B in the math portion but was told just to get my GPA up to at least a 2.5 but the sheet says at least 2.7 These GPAs aren't out of reach for about a full semester or 2 and wouldn't add more than a year to the process but I am just looking really to see if others feel if after hearing my interaction that I was being sort of blown off or if this is a legit strict process like he is claiming. Other officers I know are telling me to talk to his chief, to follow through with as much of the process as possible or to look into other avenues to getting to OCS. I am trying to avoid enlisting and I know my age (33) isn't QUITE an issue yet but is closely becoming concerning in the next coming years. I just am curious to know if any officer recruiters out there can tell me the lowest GPA they got a waiver for got accepted so far in 2025.

Some designators have high age limits, those are the designators that are generally smaller and technical, those are also the ones that look for high GPA's and discount low GPA's. Supply will go up to 37 but it is more of a tough designator to get into, they have been known in the past to not even consider people with waivers, or in several cases anyone with a GPA less than 3.0 was rejected without being reviewed.

The designators that will often go for lower GPA's are SWO and aviation but even then it is very rare for anyone to be accepted less than 2.8, the lowest I ever saw a person picked up for Supply was 2.89 and she had several years of civilian work in supply chain management, the other person I had picked up at that board had a 3.9, that board had a 50% selection rate too so it was a good amount of people. Supply has been know to not use their allocated number of selection spots in the past if the quality isn't there. I think there was someone on this site who was selected with a sub 2.8 GPA and I believe it was an active duy person with a 2.7

What was described to you was accurate, everyone could sign off on the waiver and then the board would reject/not consider it, that is standard operating procedure for NRC.

The other Officer Recruiter probably is blowing you off, he or she is under no obligation to work with you unless you meet all the requirements in the PA. The OR is better off putting his or her efforts into those that meet the current requirements as that will benefit the OR.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

So I know a few of you are saying 33 is too old for OCS but according to the website, research, other recruiters, and other people who are current officers all say that 37 is the age that is pushing it but they allow up to 42 (42 probably being prior enlisted and a good bit of experience). I was told that 37 is the cutoff (and was shown the formal document that confirms this) at least for a few rates and supply (my interest) was one of them. I meet the B in the math portion but was told just to get my GPA up to at least a 2.5 but the sheet says at least 2.7 These GPAs aren't out of reach for about a full semester or 2 and wouldn't add more than a year to the process but I am just looking really to see if others feel if after hearing my interaction that I was being sort of blown off or if this is a legit strict process like he is claiming. Other officers I know are telling me to talk to his chief, to follow through with as much of the process as possible or to look into other avenues to getting to OCS. I am trying to avoid enlisting and I know my age (33) isn't QUITE an issue yet but is closely becoming concerning in the next coming years. I just am curious to know if any officer recruiters out there can tell me the lowest GPA they got a waiver for got accepted so far in 2025.

Aviation is the only OCS program that doesn’t have a GPA requirement and the age cut off for that is 32.

The other programs require 2.5 or higher and are more competitive than aviation.

If you read the program authorization, candidates needing waivers may be selected if they have exceptional skillsets or qualifications. You don’t have either of those.

Your options are check out the Army or go to grad school.

 

[Zenfuzz]

Some designators have high age limits, those are the designators that are generally smaller and technical, those are also the ones that look for high GPA's and discount low GPA's. Supply will go up to 37 but it is more of a tough designator to get into, they have been known in the past to not even consider people with waivers, or in several cases anyone with a GPA less than 3.0 was rejected without being reviewed.

The designators that will often go for lower GPA's are SWO and aviation but even then it is very rare for anyone to be accepted less than 2.8, the lowest I ever saw a person picked up for Supply was 2.89 and she had several years of civilian work in supply chain management, the other person I had picked up at that board had a 3.9, that board had a 50% selection rate too so it was a good amount of people. Supply has been know to not use their allocated number of selection spots in the past if the quality isn't there. I think there was someone on this site who was selected with a sub 2.8 GPA and I believe it was an active duy person with a 2.7

What was described to you was accurate, everyone could sign off on the waiver and then the board would reject/not consider it, that is standard operating procedure for NRC.

The other Officer Recruiter probably is blowing you off, he or she is under no obligation to work with you unless you meet all the requirements in the PA. The OR is better off putting his or her efforts into those that meet the current requirements as that will benefit the OR.

This was a helpful response! Thank you for the time!

 

[Zenfuzz]

Aviation is the only OCS program that doesn’t have a GPA requirement and the age cut off for that is 32.

The other programs require 2.5 or higher and are more competitive than aviation.

If you read the program authorization, candidates needing waivers may be selected if they have exceptional skillsets or qualifications. You don’t have either of those.

Your options are check out the Army or go to grad school.

From what I have seen, the Army cutoff age is 29. You don't think getting my GPA up would help at all? Master's education isn't out of the question but I would still be a little older in age to be considered without prior enlisted experience by the time I finished a master's degree.

Either way, thank you for your response. You have been helpful!

 

[FreddiePham]

From what I have seen, the Army cutoff age is 29. You don't think getting my GPA up would help at all? Master's education isn't out of the question but I would still be a little older in age to be considered without prior enlisted experience by the time I finished a master's degree.

Either way, thank you for your response. You have been helpful!

The Army cutoff age for Federal OCS is 33 years and 364 days old. For the National Guard OCS, it’s 41 years and 364 days old. They may give age waiver depending on the needs of the MOSs. From my experience, they always look for Quartermaster Officers (equivalent of Navy Supply Corps Officers), so you may have a much better chance with them than the Navy.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

From what I have seen, the Army cutoff age is 29. You don't think getting my GPA up would help at all? Master's education isn't out of the question but I would still be a little older in age to be considered without prior enlisted experience by the time I finished a master's degree.

Either way, thank you for your response. You have been helpful!

Have you actually spoken to an army officer recruiter to verify the age requirements?

Your GPA is incredibly low and it’s going to take years to even get that to within min requirements (2.8 or 3.0).

 

[Framer]

From what I have seen, the Army cutoff age is 29. You don't think getting my GPA up would help at all? Master's education isn't out of the question but I would still be a little older in age to be considered without prior enlisted experience by the time I finished a master's degree.

Either way, thank you for your response. You have been helpful!

Have you looked at USCG?

Why are you adamant to go enlisted? There is no avenue where that helps you, and if you wanted it so badly, you could pursue a masters and commission while being a reservist. Active duty is a huge time commitment.

 

[ea6bflyr]

In no scenario will Enlisted service fix your extremely low gpa to help you get into a commissioning program. As others have said above, your low gpa and age are non-starters.

Time to find another career path. Best of luck.