Senior Plan

[fusu]

I’m putting together a plan for my senior year of college in the BDCP Intel program. I torn on a couple of points and am hopping that someone can give me a piece or two of advice from the navy’s perspective. Right now my options are:

Summer and fall semester in China, Beijing University studying (go figure) Chinese.

Summer in China, Fall semester at the Newberry Library in Chicago working as a fellow on an undergraduate thesis.

Summer in China, fall semester back on campus running xc.

Any comments on which of these options has the most relevance (if any) to a future in the navy?

Thanks
Fusu

 

[FLYTPAY]

I’m putting together a plan for my senior year of college in the BDCP Intel program. I torn on a couple of points and am hopping that someone can give me a piece or two of advice from the navy’s perspective. Right now my options are:

Summer and fall semester in China, Beijing University studying (go figure) Chinese.

Summer in China, Fall semester at the Newberry Library in Chicago working as a fellow on an undergraduate thesis.

Summer in China, fall semester back on campus running xc.

Any comments on which of these options has the most relevance (if any) to a future in the navy?

Thanks
Fusu

I would say first of all.....have fun on getting a clearance.

 

[HH-60H]

I would say first of all.....have fun on getting a clearance.

Good point... Spending time in China as a civilian is going to make getting your clearance a major PITA. Frankly, it's possible that spending too long there may prevent you from getting a clearance for a certain length of time.

Beyond that, I don't see any huge difference in any of the plans. Though I admit that I don't know alot about BDCP.

As far as relevance to the Navy.... do what is fun and interesting to you. The Navy will give you all the training necessary to make you "relevant."

 

[Nose]

I would say first of all.....have fun on getting a clearance.

If he is BDCP, then he's not a civilian, right? Call NCIS (a.k.a. The Barney Fife brigade) and talk to them about it. I think if you "get permission" you can do that stuff without clearance issues in the future.

 

[HH-60H]

If he is BDCP, then he's not a civilian, right? Call NCIS (a.k.a. The Barney Fife brigade) and talk to them about it. I think if you "get permission" you can do that stuff without clearance issues in the future.

Good point, but I can still see extended periods of time being an issue.

 

[fusu]

thanks nose ill give it a shot, and you're right i am an active duty e-3

 

[Red_]

I just went to Beijing in March for a study abroad tour (mine was only a week). Are you sure you want to spend 2 semesters in Beijing? I was ready to go at the end of the week. I visited Beijing International Studies University, which I am assuming is where you will be going. You might be in for a shock if you are staying in their dorms. As far as clearances, I am active duty and had to jump through some hoops, wasn't too hard, but I only went for a week.

 

[Thisguy]

As far as relevance to the Navy.... do what is fun and interesting to you. The Navy will give you all the training necessary to make you "relevant."

Concur with this. You already got selected BDCP. All the Navy wants to see you do now is graduate (and not commit a felony).

 

[fusu]

red,

well 7 months, but yes your point is taken. The ACC Beijing progam suggests 6-7 months to attain fluency (based on my current level). i think im just going for the summer, if nothing else than for the sake of my lungs.

fusu

 

[BackOrdered]

I got your pm fusu and I would be glad to weigh in.

Academically, like Thisguy said, there is nothing more I can do other than graduate. But there are creative alternatives. I've spent my time taking up some leadership related projects such as starting my own care package drive, club presidency, rebuilding the student senate, and acting as a student body representative. The most eye opening and supply related was probably the student senate position where I actually assisted in allocating funds for several clubs on campus for the year. The reasoning behind doing these things is to test out my leadership abilities, improve my multitasking, do them well under a fair amount of external and non-related pressure, and uncover weaknesses. No it isn't the Navy, but it is dealing with people (the key phrase) and solving problems. To me, it would only help to get a look at myself in leadership roles and fine tune my abilities at managing and leading others in a safe environment before OCS. And I won't lie, I have fun every now and then.

That's pretty much how I'm preparing. Once winter break starts it's Big 4 memorization, and PTing like crazy for June. You'll see or read more about it as my turn gets closer and closer.

 

[HH-60H]

As far as clearances, I am active duty and had to jump through some hoops, wasn't too hard, but I only went for a week.

Yeah, but he is BDCP Intel, a different situation.