OCS Apps: Scores, Essays, etc.

[kevoGTO]

I'm new to posting in this forum, although I've been reading it for a while. I'm submitting an aviation package to the OCS selection boards for March '07 review, and I had a couple questions that I figured you guys could answer more honestly than a recruiter.

I'm almost 23, 5'10", 165 lbs, in decent shape. 20/20 vision (need a PRK waiver), with a mechanical engineering degree and a 3.45 GPA. I took the ASTB last week, and scored 8/8/8 - 68. 1 traffic ticket (disregarding a stop sign), no legal trouble, no drug use. 21 hours flight time towards VFR, about 3 of them solo. Good extracurriculars, one club sport in college. So:

1. My recruiter keeps "reminding" me how competitive the application process is for SNA. He said getting a waiver for my vision would be the biggest hurdle...can anyone comment on how much of a problem this actually will be? Based on my package, how competitive of an applicant am I?

2. I've been looking around all over here for the thread with people's application essays. That's the only part of my application that's incomplete, and I wanted to get a look at some other people's essays for ideas before I wrote mine. Anyone have a link to that thread, or their essay that they want to post?

3. How soon could I potentially be classed up at OCS, if I (hopefully) get picked up by the boards? I'm working full time right now and trying to get into PRT shape, but I plan to quit 4-6 weeks before leaving to focus on PT and getting everything in order to leave the civilian lifestyle. I'd take the first available class date, but what's the average wait between pro rec/final select/classing up?

4. Lastly, anyone that went to OCS and felt like they were in pretty good shape...would you mind posting your workout program that you used before you headed to OCS? Thanks.

 

[tiger84]

1. Your scores look pretty good, but you'll never know until you actually apply.

2. I don't think there's a single thread with statements. It may alos be beneficial to write yours without looking at others. It's supposed to be from the heart and about you specifically. Right what your real motivations are and the board will see it.

3. I submitted my package mid-October and after a few delays I class up March 3rd. My process has gone pretty quickly too, so my best guess is the shortest wait you'd possibly expect is 4 months give or take a month. The waiver will likely extend that though.

4. Haven't been yet so I couldn't tell you. I've been running 20-25 miles a week along with heavy weight lifting, lots of pushups and lots of core work.

 

[taproot2779]

I'm new to posting in this forum, although I've been reading it for a while. I'm submitting an aviation package to the OCS selection boards for March '07 review, and I had a couple questions that I figured you guys could answer more honestly than a recruiter.

I'm almost 23, 5'10", 165 lbs, in decent shape. 20/20 vision (need a PRK waiver), with a mechanical engineering degree and a 3.45 GPA. I took the ASTB last week, and scored 8/8/8 - 68. 1 traffic ticket (disregarding a stop sign), no legal trouble, no drug use. 21 hours flight time towards VFR, about 3 of them solo. Good extracurriculars, one club sport in college. So:

1. My recruiter keeps "reminding" me how competitive the application process is for SNA. He said getting a waiver for my vision would be the biggest hurdle...can anyone comment on how much of a problem this actually will be? Based on my package, how competitive of an applicant am I?

2. I've been looking around all over here for the thread with people's application essays. That's the only part of my application that's incomplete, and I wanted to get a look at some other people's essays for ideas before I wrote mine. Anyone have a link to that thread, or their essay that they want to post?

3. How soon could I potentially be classed up at OCS, if I (hopefully) get picked up by the boards? I'm working full time right now and trying to get into PRT shape, but I plan to quit 4-6 weeks before leaving to focus on PT and getting everything in order to leave the civilian lifestyle. I'd take the first available class date, but what's the average wait between pro rec/final select/classing up?

4. Lastly, anyone that went to OCS and felt like they were in pretty good shape...would you mind posting your workout program that you used before you headed to OCS? Thanks.

1. Scores are good, I didn't need any waivers but sounds like yours won't be too hard to get (cross fingers anyway though)

2. For the essay: my OSO told me to basically tell the board what the Navy could do for me and I what I could contribute to the Navy. Plus I threw in few personal motivations. Don't fake it though, be real in your sentiments.

3. What came first, the chicken or the egg? Seriously though, it's all speculation and you won't know until word comes straight from the machine. Be prepared for a lot of waiting. The idea behind that fat paycheck they give twice a month (which still boggles me but I'm not complaining!) is so candidates won't need to work so they can focus on prepping for OCS. It's a solid amound of cash (E-3 pay plus BAH/BAS) so quitting your job to prepare shouldn't be an issue.

4. I haven't been, but there's all kinds of info out there. Look around here and the Navy OCS website.

Good Luck!

 

[Thisguy]

3. The idea behind that fat paycheck they give twice a month (which still boggles me but I'm not complaining!) is so candidates won't need to work so they can focus on prepping for OCS. It's a solid amound of cash (E-3 pay plus BAH/BAS) so quitting your job to prepare shouldn't be an issue.

It looks like the originally poster is applying to OCS after completing his degree, in which case he'll receive 2 things from the Navy while waiting for his OCS date: Jack and Shit. And Jack just left town.

Just want to clarify that you're describing BDCP, not off-the-street OCS.

And let's not kid ourselves, that money isn't so BDCPers won't have to work, it's to entice them to sign on the dotted line.

 

[taproot2779]

It looks like the originally poster is applying to OCS after completing his degree, in which case he'll receive 2 things from the Navy while waiting for his OCS date: Jack and Shit. And Jack just left town.

Just want to clarify that you're describing BDCP, not off-the-street OCS.

And let's not kid ourselves, that money isn't so BDCPers won't have to work, it's to entice them to sign on the dotted line.

ah, my bad.

As far as signing that dotted line...worked for me!

 

[Kickflip89]

For the essay: my OSO told me to basically tell the board what the Navy could do for me and I what I could contribute to the Navy. Plus I threw in few personal motivations. Don't fake it though, be real in your sentiments.

I think that is the best advice for the essay. Looking at other people's may give you some ideas about how to structure it or something, but as far as content, answer those two questions using your own personal experiences.

 

[wink]

Bdcp

And let's not kid ourselves, that money isn't so BDCPers won't have to work, it's to entice them to sign on the dotted line.

Slight thread jack for clarification. I was recruiting when BDCP was formulated in the mid 80's. The intent was so that students didn't have to work and they could keep their grades up. Be that as it may, from a practical standpoint the money is a prime motivator whether the guy is running out of money or wants to by a crotch rocket and go to HI on spring break. In the end though, a BDCP collegiate is an active duty sailor and it is his job to get outstanding grades. If a BDCPer is working 30 hours a week, playing intramural sports and his grades are dropping I guarantee you that he will be told to quit the job and get the grades up. He can live a student's life off what he is getting from the Navy. Keep the grades up and the Navy doesn't care if you work 40 hours a week, party three nights a week, get 4 hours of sleep a day and spend all day Sunday in church.

 

[FUPaladin]

2. For the essay: my OSO told me to basically tell the board what the Navy could do for me and I what I could contribute to the Navy. Plus I threw in few personal motivations. Don't fake it though, be real in your sentiments.

I just finished the first draft of my application, and that's not the approach I took at all. Since the section was titled, "Motivational Statement," and asked why I was seeking a commission, I spent basically the whole essay (if you can call 400 words an essay) on my personal motivations. I figured they already have a pretty good idea of what they can do for me, and they can look at the rest of my application package to get an idea of what I can contribute to the Navy. I think that kept the tone of the essay more humble and sincere than it probably would have been if I had tried to tell them how great I was. :icon_roll

I've only sent the first draft to my recruiter for him to proofread before I print and sign the final copy, so it's not too late to change it if you guys think I should. If anyone's interested in reading what I wrote, PM me.

 

[Kickflip89]

I think that kept the tone of the essay more young and idealistic than it probably would have been if I had tried to tell them how great I was.

Fixed (kidding, of course)

 

[FUPaladin]

But not far off the mark.

 

[Recidivist]

Here are some things that helped me:
don't restate the application (it looks like you have a good grasp on that)
Do tell the Navy why you want to commission, and what characteristics about becoming a Navy officer are appealing to you.
Talk about service.
Don't say some crap you don't mean. Your motivational should be what you feel, not what somebody else says you need to feel.

It looks like you already took most of those ideas to heart. you can PM me if you want feedback.

 

[jride200]

It looks like the originally poster is applying to OCS after completing his degree, in which case he'll receive 2 things from the Navy while waiting for his OCS date: Jack and Shit. And Jack just left town.

Below is my crazy version of Jack and Shit while waiting to class up at OCS.

I've gotten a summer job as a pipefitter apprentice. I give incredible credit to the true men I work with; they keep the industrial cogs of America in motion. The work is brutal: hot (from welding) and ungodly heavy (I only weigh 140#). I am so F-----G terrified I am going to catch something under my safety glasses, ruin my eyes with so much welding occuring in my peripheral vision, or get hurt in some other way. Anymore, I'm so exhausted I can hardly even think about exercising in preparation for OCS. The MEPS employee fingerprinting me had to consult his supervisor because my fingers were so cut up and calloused and because I had a blood blister.

I work additionally as a late night bar-back on the weekends. This job's surely gonna ruin my healthy lungs with all the second-hand smoke . . .