Navy Reserves MCWO Help

[thelaff2]

Hello everyone!


I’m looking for any advice, opinions, thoughts, or critiques regarding my interest in applying for the Reserves MCWO direct commission.


My Background:

• 24 years old (turning 25).
• I have a master’s degree in cybersecurity from WGU (which means my GPA would be 3.0; my bachelor’s was also from WGU).
• Three years of experience in cybersecurity, specifically in offensive security, penetration testing, and red teaming.
• I likely have around 20 IT and cybersecurity certifications, though many are probably inactive (e.g., Security+ and CEH are currently inactive—would I need to renew them?).
• My major active certifications include OSCP (along with two other OffSec certs), CASP+, and other offensive security/pentesting certifications that may be less widely known.

I previously enlisted in the Army National Guard two years ago but was separated during basic training under an EPTS discharge with an RE-3 reenlistment code. It wasn’t due to a significant medical condition—X-rays showed disc degeneration, but doctors I consulted afterward said it was nothing serious. I’m now in good physical shape, lifting and training MMA five times a week.


My Concerns About Applying:

1. Only 3 years of experience
2. The RE-3 reenlistment code and the need for a waiver.
3. My WGU degree, which results in a lower 3.0 GPA.

Would I be a strong candidate for this program, or would applying be a waste of time?


I’m in the Northern Virginia area but haven’t been able to get in touch with a Reserve officer recruiter. Any advice, thoughts, or critiques are welcome!


Let me know your thoughts—should I apply, wait and gain more experience, or take a different approach? Any input is appreciated!

 

[thelaff2]

From the research I’ve done and what I’ve seen online and here, it looks like MCWO is EXTREMELY competitive usually selecting 1-2 people at a time.

I only have 3 years of experience so I doubt I’ll have a high chance but I figured why not try. But if there’s a hard requirement I wouldn’t want to waste my time. (Actually I would still waste my time just to try)

 

[exNavyOffRec]

You have many things going against you, lack of work experience as DCO looks for people with many years of experience in the field, your GPA it is going to look low compared to others, your degrees are all from an online school and won't look the best when stacked up against others.

The one thing that will probably sink you is your medical issue, you were diagnosed with disc degeneration, the fact you were discharged due to it indicates you were not fit to continue service. This is a condition that never gets better it only gets worse over time, it is nothing serious now but it will be in the future and that will be an issue for the USN.

 

[snake020]

Hello everyone!


I’m looking for any advice, opinions, thoughts, or critiques regarding my interest in applying for the Reserves MCWO direct commission.


My Background:

• 24 years old (turning 25).
• I have a master’s degree in cybersecurity from WGU (which means my GPA would be 3.0; my bachelor’s was also from WGU).
• Three years of experience in cybersecurity, specifically in offensive security, penetration testing, and red teaming.
• I likely have around 20 IT and cybersecurity certifications, though many are probably inactive (e.g., Security+ and CEH are currently inactive—would I need to renew them?).
• My major active certifications include OSCP (along with two other OffSec certs), CASP+, and other offensive security/pentesting certifications that may be less widely known.

I previously enlisted in the Army National Guard two years ago but was separated during basic training under an EPTS discharge with an RE-3 reenlistment code. It wasn’t due to a significant medical condition—X-rays showed disc degeneration, but doctors I consulted afterward said it was nothing serious. I’m now in good physical shape, lifting and training MMA five times a week.


My Concerns About Applying:

1. Only 3 years of experience
2. The RE-3 reenlistment code and the need for a waiver.
3. My WGU degree, which results in a lower 3.0 GPA.

Would I be a strong candidate for this program, or would applying be a waste of time?


I’m in the Northern Virginia area but haven’t been able to get in touch with a Reserve officer recruiter. Any advice, thoughts, or critiques are welcome!


Let me know your thoughts—should I apply, wait and gain more experience, or take a different approach? Any input is appreciated!

I participated as a recorder in a DCO board a few years ago, but my advice should be taken as opinion, not gospel.

That you have 20 certifications is not going to be meaningful. Speaking from how IP candidates were looked at in 2020, generally CISSP will be looked at most favorably, but if you don't have the experience for that, then Security+ is fine, and OSCP should be as well. I would expect MCWO to be similar.

Getting a meaningful letter of recommendation from a supervisor in your current cyber security role or recent roles attesting to observed performance will be a significant factor.

GPA is a factor, and having an advanced technical degree is a positive.

I can't speak to your reenlistment code issue, but you'll need to clear MEPS to move forward, and a recruiter can offer better answers on that issue.

Finally, make sure you're tracking this now, and as it's updated in the future.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Hello everyone!


I’m looking for any advice, opinions, thoughts, or critiques regarding my interest in applying for the Reserves MCWO direct commission.


My Background:

• 24 years old (turning 25).
• I have a master’s degree in cybersecurity from WGU (which means my GPA would be 3.0; my bachelor’s was also from WGU).
• Three years of experience in cybersecurity, specifically in offensive security, penetration testing, and red teaming.
• I likely have around 20 IT and cybersecurity certifications, though many are probably inactive (e.g., Security+ and CEH are currently inactive—would I need to renew them?).
• My major active certifications include OSCP (along with two other OffSec certs), CASP+, and other offensive security/pentesting certifications that may be less widely known.

I previously enlisted in the Army National Guard two years ago but was separated during basic training under an EPTS discharge with an RE-3 reenlistment code. It wasn’t due to a significant medical condition—X-rays showed disc degeneration, but doctors I consulted afterward said it was nothing serious. I’m now in good physical shape, lifting and training MMA five times a week.


My Concerns About Applying:

1. Only 3 years of experience
2. The RE-3 reenlistment code and the need for a waiver.
3. My WGU degree, which results in a lower 3.0 GPA.

Would I be a strong candidate for this program, or would applying be a waste of time?


I’m in the Northern Virginia area but haven’t been able to get in touch with a Reserve officer recruiter. Any advice, thoughts, or critiques are welcome!


Let me know your thoughts—should I apply, wait and gain more experience, or take a different approach? Any input is appreciated!

You’re not competitive and I would argue not even eligible due to not having 5+ years of work experience.

DCO isn’t intended for someone who just graduated college.