Need some help if possible

[smm020]

New to the website, but have been working on my application for about a month or so. To be honest, I feel a little overwhelmed right now with everything I have to get ready and everything that I don't even know about. To cut to the chase, (and I feel from reading that the people on here are very helpful) I need some direction with my application. I have my three choices narrowed (11800, 11900, 16300) and have been working tremendously hard to get prepared. What are some things outside of studying for the ASTB and working out? I'm in the process of doing volunteer work and getting recommendations...anything else I should be looking out for? Also, a buddy of mine is contacting a 11800 officer so that I may talk to him. What should I try to take away from the phone conversation?

Any and all help is very much appreciated. My recruiter has me doing much of my stuff on my own, with little direction.

 

[CUPike11]

You should spell out what those designators are.....those of us who are Officers don't have those codes memorized. From there, we'll have a better idea of where to go.

 

[smm020]

My bad...Special Warfare, Special Operations and Military Intelligence.

 

[twobecrazy]

If that is the order you are putting on your application you are wasting a spot because you wouldn't get Intel if you put it 3rd. More than likely you wouldn't get SpecWar by putting it in any other position than 1 as well.

Second, you should check out this site. Read as many of the threads as you can as there is plent good information there.
http://www.usnavyocs.com/portal/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewforum&f=14

Good Luck!

 

[smm020]

I agree, which is another dilemma I've been having. What should I put first, should I even go Officer (what matters more to me, being an Officer or possibly a SEAL) and how can I make my application stand out more. I've been doing volunteer work, studying for the ASTB (which I'm taking 2nd week of February), trying to get recommendations and working out more then ever. I know there is plenty more for me to do, I just don't know what.

 

[GreenLantern330]

I agree, which is another dilemma I've been having. What should I put first, should I even go Officer (what matters more to me, being an Officer or possibly a SEAL) and how can I make my application stand out more. I've been doing volunteer work, studying for the ASTB (which I'm taking 2nd week of February), trying to get recommendations and working out more then ever. I know there is plenty more for me to do, I just don't know what.

Have you started working on your motivational statement? Maybe look into getting an officer interview as well.

 

[smm020]

Plus, plenty of people on here having outstanding applications. Its somewhat ridiculous some of the experience most of the applicants have out there.

Again, any and all help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[smm020]

I just now started to work on my motivational statement, and have asked my recruiter to possibly set up an interview with another officer....he hasn't said a word about it. What would be another route to go about doing that? I am calling an O-3 SEAL next week...what should I take away from the conversation?

 

[GreenLantern330]

Are you calling him up for an informational interview (for you to get more information about being an officer and a SEAL) or are you calling him up for an interview to be included in your package?

 

[twobecrazy]

should I even go Officer (what matters more to me, being an Officer or possibly a SEAL)

I think you need to answer this FIRST! We can help you out but you would be wasting our time giving you advice if you end up going the enlisted route to become a SEAL.

 

[smm020]

More of an informational interview...but I was hoping to get more than that in the phone conversation. Obviously, if I can get him to do an interview for my packet I definitely will.

 

[twobecrazy]

I just now started to work on my motivational statement, and have asked my recruiter to possibly set up an interview with another officer....he hasn't said a word about it. What would be another route to go about doing that? I am calling an O-3 SEAL next week...what should I take away from the conversation?

First, who is your OR (send it to me in a PM)? I've been working out of NRD STL. I'm actually in St. Charles County although my location says STL.

Second, are you trying to get this guy to be your SEAL advisor/mentor or something? I think you need to be extremely inquisitive, attentive, and formal (i.e. Yes sir... No Ma'am). If he/she is talking then listen maybe write things down.

 

[smm020]

I'll send a PM, but I don't want it to sound like the guy I'm working with hasn't been doing his job though. I feel like I'm talking behind his back to be honest....

Also, I'm not sure what this SEAL guy is going to give me but more than a few answers. My SEAL buddy give me his contact info. and told me it was cool to call him. I am hoping at the very least that he would put me in contact with a SEAL motivator or something like that.

 

[twobecrazy]

I'll send a PM, but I don't want it to sound like the guy I'm working with hasn't been doing his job though. I feel like I'm talking behind his back to be honest....

Don't worry about it. Your OR is the one that has actually be helping me out lately after my original OR was promoted and not able to give as much attention as needed to my package. Just so you know... Your OR is AWSOME! He has a wealth of knowledge. He was a prior enlisted guy that has made it through the ranks to be where he is today. Obviously ORs make mistakes like the rest of us but he hasn't directed me in any wrong direction since I began working with him back in July/August.

Half the things you need to do is network if you want to make your application stronger. So you might speak to him and if you make a good impression then you continue to talk with him. This will then lead to them helping you out later on.

 

[smm020]

Awesome, well its good to hear that. I have a meeting with him next week as well, and I'm hoping he can point me in the right direction. I'll be honest, I'm a little all over the place on deciding on what I want, can do and what I'm qualified for. Taking the PT and the ASTB will settle a few things for me. Thanks for the answers, btw. I'll probably have a lot more questions in the near future.