Prior Army Ranger, horrible GPA

[holliday06877]

You all are going to laugh at me but I just thought I would throw this out there. Well I figure I have no shot at SNA, I graduated in '02 from Clemson Univ in SC with a 2.02 in Business Management, had a job while in school and was on the Crew team. Since then I have been enlisted in the Army. I am an E-5 Sergeant in a scout platoon. I am a graduate of Ranger school, airborne, primary leadership course, and EMT. I have won a soldier of the month board a while back. I'm on my second tour in Afghanistan and have been leading my team for months now. I have earned the Army commendation with Valor device and Purple Heart while over here. I have over 4 years in, and am 28 right now. I have had PRK surgery and eyes are good. Oh yeah I got in trouble a little over a year ago, Driving while ability impaired then the army slapped me with an artical 15 "drunk on duty" or something. Any way just thought I would let you guys tear me up for even thinking about trying to put a packet in to the Navy or Marine Corps for aviation. Is there anything that can help my cause or should I just stick to civilian life once I get out this summer? Let 'er rip

 

[Schnugg]

Why not try for an Army commissioning program?

For one thing...you are going to have problems with your age for SNA/SNFO....amongst other "issues."

 

[wink]

Not gunna rip a guy with a Purple Heart and comm medal w/ V. As for the Navy schnugg is right, age is a show stopper for aviation. I'd look at an Army program or Reserve/National Guard. If you wanted to coninue for a full 20 years request a recall to active duty.

 

[holliday06877]

age

well I thought about putting a WO packet in for Army helos but I really have had enough with the Army. I know they have age waivers but I guess I am getting a bit old to start to learn how to fly. You guys think my Army schools and awards mean anything to the selection board? I thought it would at least show leadership experience. I may try to put a packet together anyway if I can find a recruiter who won't laugh me out of the building.

 

[snake020]

I guess I am getting a bit old to start to learn how to fly.

Ok I'm a bit lost, I thought you just said you wanted to go into aviation for the Navy or Marines?

You guys think my Army schools and awards mean anything to the selection board? I thought it would at least show leadership experience.

Yes, but having an Article 15 so recently is going to hurt a lot. If you're lucky, your awards and leadership time will help to mitigate that.

I may try to put a packet together anyway.

Doesn't hurt to apply. Worst they can say is no. Plus, your prior service time will give you an opportunity for an age waiver.

 

[wink]

well I thought about putting a WO packet in for Army helos but I really have had enough with the Army. I know they have age waivers but I guess I am getting a bit old to start to learn how to fly. You guys think my Army schools and awards mean anything to the selection board? I thought it would at least show leadership experience. I may try to put a packet together anyway if I can find a recruiter who won't laugh me out of the building.

The Army schools, experience and decorations will mean a whole lot. The Art. 15 will hurt, no doubt about it. Before you invest too much effort a recruiter should be able to call the Supply Corp (your best option) program mangers and fill them in on your resume (have a real hard copy resume with all the schools, billets, leadership and awards you have had on it). They won't promise anything, of course. But if they say let's look at him. then give it a shot. You will have to do real well on the astb to make up for your GPA. That probably means hitting the books to get current on math and some basic physics. Before any recruiter sends you packing ask them to make the call. It won't hurt.

 

[HAL Pilot]

I've been retired to long to know what your chances are with the Navy & Marines but I just want to say thanks for your service. 2 combat tours as a grunt in Afghanistan would mean a lot to me if I was on the selection board. That's hard duty. Thank you.

Concerning Army aviation WO in the National Guard - the Guard is a lot different from the regular Army. Less of the bullshit, more fun. There is a Army helo guy on here named bobbybrock that I think is now Guard. You can send him a pm or maybe he'll see this thread.

 

[Stearmann4]

Holiday,

I didn't get accepted into Army flight school until I was 30. Oddly enough, I went the other way...Navy to Army.

 

[holliday06877]

The Army schools, experience and decorations will mean a whole lot. The Art. 15 will hurt, no doubt about it. Before you invest too much effort a recruiter should be able to call the Supply Corp (your best option) program mangers and fill them in on your resume (have a real hard copy resume with all the schools, billets, leadership and awards you have had on it). They won't promise anything, of course. But if they say let's look at him. then give it a shot. You will have to do real well on the astb to make up for your GPA. That probably means hitting the books to get current on math and some basic physics. Before any recruiter sends you packing ask them to make the call. It won't hurt.

Before you invest too much effort a recruiter should be able to call the Supply Corp (your best option) program mangers and fill them in on your resume (have a real hard copy resume with all the schools, billets, leadership and awards you have had on it).

Well I have nothing against support side but have been on the "combat" side so long I could not see myself being support. But thank you for the suggestion, it gives me an idea as to where I stand.

 

[HeyJoe]

The Army schools, experience and decorations will mean a whole lot. The Art. 15 will hurt, no doubt about it. Before you invest too much effort a recruiter should be able to call the Supply Corp (your best option) program mangers and fill them in on your resume (have a real hard copy resume with all the schools, billets, leadership and awards you have had on it). They won't promise anything, of course. But if they say let's look at him. then give it a shot. You will have to do real well on the astb to make up for your GPA. That probably means hitting the books to get current on math and some basic physics. Before any recruiter sends you packing ask them to make the call. It won't hurt.

If I were reviewing your package I'd want to see a letter of recommendation form someone in your immediate chain of command (who was obviously aware of your Article 15 issue) who had effusive praise of your good points. In other words, I'd want to know if this was a "there but for the grace of God, go so many of us" and you learned your lesson or if it is a persistent issue that has only been documented once.

 

[holliday06877]

If I were reviewing your package I'd want to see a letter of recommendation form someone in your immediate chain of command (who was obviously aware of your Article 15 issue) who had effusive praise of your good points. In other words, I'd want to know if this was a "there but for the grace of God, go so many of us" and you learned your lesson or if it is a persistent issue that has only been documented once.

Thanks for the idea, I know my platoon leader who is now a captain (O-3) already told me he would write me a letter of rec. I am not sure I can get one from my Battalion Commander (O-5) as I don't work with him everyday and he is not very personable. I know my Command Sergeant Major (E-9) and I may be able to get a letter from him, do you think letters from Enlisted leaders matter as much as from officers, I would think they wouldn't. Just to put it out there but that was the only time I ever got introuble in or out of the army. Thanks again for the input

 

[JZAB]

The more letters the better, any former Company Comander's? I still try to stay in touch with my former CO's now, Majors XO's. The smaj's rec will be a benifit it should not matter if he is not and O.

 

[HeyJoe]

Thanks for the idea, I know my platoon leader who is now a captain (O-3) already told me he would write me a letter of rec. I am not sure I can get one from my Battalion Commander (O-5) as I don't work with him everyday and he is not very personable. I know my Command Sergeant Major (E-9) and I may be able to get a letter from him, do you think letters from Enlisted leaders matter as much as from officers, I would think they wouldn't. Just to put it out there but that was the only time I ever got introuble in or out of the army. Thanks again for the input

I think a Command Sergeant Major carries some clout. They'll look at who the person is or was in your chain of command and what they say. In your circumstance, I think it would help even more as he would have to have personal knowledge of your performance/issues and whether you're on top of them.