SNA Age Waiver for Non-Prior

[Sclay]

I am in an ugly situation and could use this community's advice.

I received the Pro Rec for SNA back in August (as a non-prior) at age 26.5 years. My 27th birthday is in February. There have been an inordinate number of delays in the final selection of my package due to 3-4 processing errors by the recruiting command. My recruiter began telling me in September that final selection "is about a week away". I have been insisting on urgency since October but the recruiter had insisted age is no longer a factor "since you are in the system". Lo and behold, the final select letter was finally written last week and the CDR at CNRC won't sign because "applicant will turn 27 during OCS". NOW, the regional NRD is finally rushing this up the flagpole and having the regional CO (an O-5) endorse the age waiver I just submitted. (For those of you wondering, the waiver template, which is addressed to: Commander, Navy Personnel Command, PERS-435A is clearly designed for priors under the exception we all know.... but it is being used in my case). The recruiting command says they've never done this before but they rushed to put this waiver application together because the system so clearly failed here.

I have been very polite and professional throughout but I am absolutely furious as you can probably imagine: my candidacy could realistically be terminated due to mistakes that lurked beneath a vail of avowed "slow but sure progress". However I honestly do remain optimistic because I believe I control my destiny and in a frustratingly perverse way, this falls back on my shoulders. And take my word: I will make this happen.

The story goes on but I will stop myself here. I would really appreciate any constructive advice. Please refrain from the "Dude, that sucks" posts. I found one guy who got an age waiver while he was in H-Class at OCS but no one in my exact position thus far. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

 

[FLYTPAY]

It is your career. Remain professional yet be proactive DAILY. If you get a "we will call you back next week" find a sneaky way to keep the comms going DAILY. YOu know you do not have time to waste.....don;t let someone waste more time.

 

[2ndGen]

I thought that you only needed an age waiver if you are going to commission after 27.5 years old? Different in the Navy vs. Marines?

 

[Sclay]

Right- the Navy rule states that the maximum age by commissioning is 27. Marines' threshold is 27.5 but I'm unclear if that's also for the commissioning date. If that's the case I would still need a waiver due to OCC start dates, but apparently these waivers are more readily granted by the Marines. Looks like I could be spending 9 months in Quantico instead of 3 in Newport....

 

[icedls01]

I'm in the same boat as Sclay. Got pro req'ed in Jan, and have had a few delays. I was given an OCS date for 27 SEP, which was changed, still waiting for a FS, and worried about my age.

Scaly did you ever get that waver?

 

[Sclay]

I'm in the same boat as Sclay. Got pro req'ed in Jan, and have had a few delays. I was given an OCS date for 27 SEP, which was changed, still waiting for a FS, and worried about my age.

Scaly did you ever get that waver?

Nope- formally denied by a letter from the CNRC people in Millington back in January/February. I would have raised hell and gotten that decision reversed somehow but I discovered flying opportunities in the Guard (age limit 30) soon thereafter. Was lucky to get picked up by a great unit that's probably a better fit for me anyway.

 

[getawaydriver]

There are a lot of us from the August 2009 boards that are in the same position.

I am 26 and change with a January birthday and currently awaiting a FS for either NA or FO.

We are all chomping at the bit to get in needless to say.

If anyone has any advice or information regarding the current atmosphere with attempting to get a waiver (non-prior and I know that the official stance is negative), it would be greatly appreciated.

I spoke with NAMI and they said that the age parameters are set by the actual avaition community and are based on the need for class I and class II flight billets. The flight surgeon couldn't offer any further information (he was a huge help regarding some additional questions regarding LASIK).

 

[wlawr005]

I wonder what the reasoning behind the age limit is?

Obviously 29 year olds can make it through flight school.

Why not just make the age for everyone 29?

 

[getawaydriver]

I wonder what the reasoning behind the age limit is?

Obviously 29 year olds can make it through flight school.

Why not just make the age for everyone 29?

I can't find the exact thread, but it was explained to me, and somewhat confirmed by the flight surgeon at NAMI I spoke with, that the age parameters are set by the aviation community to meet the need or lack of need for pilots and FOs.

It makes no sense to me either... I just want the chance to earn my wings.

 

[BACONATOR]

There's no age waivers for non-priors. By all means keep trying, but there is literally no document or regulation to quote to make a point for your case. You're not going to get it.

 

[getawaydriver]

There's no age waivers for non-priors. By all means keep trying, but there is literally no document or regulation to quote to make a point for your case. You're not going to get it.

I hear you. However, there is a first for everything but I understand what you are getting at.

There is so much conflicting information surrounding the FO age cut-offs, I am just going to ask, do you know what the age policy is for FO? I am extending this question to anyone.

My information comes from [various] documentation, current FOs and some stuff from my OR and every answer is different.

Thanks in advance.

 

[wlawr005]

27 for non-priors man...sorry

https://www.sta-21.navy.mil/options.html

 

[getawaydriver]

27 for non-priors man...sorry

https://www.sta-21.navy.mil/options.html

Yeh, I saw that. Thanks.

However, I also posted in the FO forum and there were two guys who posted that they went in after their 27th as non-priors.

Again, I am really not sure. Will just have to see what they get back to me/us with.

Thanks again to all.

 

[Sclay]

Yeh, I saw that. Thanks.

However, I also posted in the FO forum and there were two guys who posted that they went in after their 27th as non-priors.

Again, I am really not sure. Will just have to see what they get back to me/us with.

Thanks again to all.

It's definitely possible (although not easy) to get the waiver in your position which is the same position I was in - long delay between pro rec and orders for OCS. I spoke with a non-prior who did just that. You need to be aggressive and persistent.

 

[AGonxAV8R]

Persistence is key it seems. I have been extremely persistence about my case. I am also a 27 in January deal. I need to do a second medical check up per OOM as my MEPS is about 10 months old. So I am hoping next week goes well. And all my stuff gets to OOM and I hear something back. I do my medical tomorrow.

I did start the process in 2008 and the original recruiter lost my documents on a transfer. He never advised me of the transfer and after calls to the NRD I finally got a hold of someone and they found my kit a few weeks later. The system failed here due to one person. I was very disappointed with the initial recruiter. The new recruiter and the processor have been helping me a lot the second time around. I got Pro-Rec SNA/SNFO on August. Did my PRT the following week, then the SF-86 was messed up, and that got fixed in two days. Then that same week OOM says my medical is too old. I am very persistant about the situation and well see how it all goes. If I get in very soon, I can make it out of OCS in time. We shall see... Good luck to all those on the same boat....