Still more questions about BDCP

[AirHawaii]

I am currently a freshman persuing a BS in Bus. Admin with a concentration in Corporate Communication. I am looking at my options for PLC and BDCP. I want to be an NA and I would prefer BDCP because it has a better benefit package and I know the Navy.

Are these things helpful?
-I'm a prior Navy FC2.
-I will soon have my private pilots license. (about 8 hrs.)

Without a tech major, will I get in?

What GPA and ASTB scores do I need to be competitive?

Business degree requirements are fairly easy on the math and sciences, are there any course requirements for the program that I may need in addition to my degree?

As a prior E-5, will I go into the program as E-5? What if I stay affiliated with the reserves as an E-5?

Can I get in with an NJP that happened three and a half years before separation?

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Kycntryboy]

1)Are these things helpful?
-I'm a prior Navy FC2.
-I will soon have my private pilots license. (about 8 hrs.)

2) Without a tech major, will I get in?

3) What GPA and ASTB scores do I need to be competitive?

4) Business degree requirements are fairly easy on the math and sciences, are there any course requirements for the program that I may need in addition to my degree?

5) As a prior E-5, will I go into the program as E-5? What if I stay affiliated with the reserves as an E-5?

6) Can I get in with an NJP that happened three and a half years before separation?

Any help would be much appreciated.

1) Anything that will separate you from other people always helps, I myself don't have any flight time or was a prior, but sports was my kicker I believe.

2) Yes, you can get in there is a two fold benefit to having a tech degree though, one is that you can apply alot further in advance and the second is that it is more impressive.

3) With a non-tech degree (I'm speculating here with the current trend) I would say you diffenately need a 3.5 or higher. With OAR I would say around mid-50's or higher with 6 or 7's as you pilot/nav scores.

4) No

5 and 6) not sure best to ask an OSO about those.

 

[Godspeed]

To elaborate on KY Jelly here:

If you are shooting for 06-07 SNA, with that package, I would guess that you would want to have a 3.75 or higher, and at LEAST a 60 OAR and 8s across the board. The ppl will definitely help you. #4 is a no. #f)Not sure, but i know you can get promoted to E-5 if you refer a friend, and get deans list 2 semesters in a row.

With navy, you will have a lot better chance at selection with a tech degree, but it is not a requirement by any means. From what I know, the marines really don't care for the most part if you have a tech degree, and they are a LOT more lenient about the major. However, you will have to be a PT NAZI.

Hope this helps bud.

P.S. Ky was the captain of the dance team in high school, which makes you a shoe in for the bdcp program. Something to keep in mind.

 

[Purdue Jones]

I happen to know of a guy who is a NA flying Helos who was a MGMT grad from Colorado. So it does happen.

If you're a freshman though and have your heart set on flying I would try to minor in something math/science related. It may be more work but it would look a lot more impressive on your app. And as far as a math minor I would think statistics would be easiest for MGMT majors because there would probably be some overlap.

Also don't discount campus involvement. I was president of one of the major organizations on my campus which I feel really helped my chances.

Also remember that you will need 3 letters of recomendation.

If you work hard for it you will get it. Good luck.

 

[Kycntryboy]

P.S. Ky was the captain of the dance team in high school, which makes you a shoe in for the bdcp program. Something to keep in mind.

My routine can be found something to the effect that Will Farrel does on Old School, I sent in a tape with my package of me doing my routine in a Leatard (sp?) and the bottom line is they saw 'my package' along with some streamers to boot and the rest is history.

 

[Kycntryboy]

I would also look around at your school for "Technical Degrees", 10 hours of physics and 6 hours of Calculus counts as a tech. degree. Mine is Agricultural Biotechnology hard compared to Biology... easy as crap compared to. the engineering degrees. Just a thought.

 

[Godspeed]

I happen to know of a guy who is a NA flying Helos who was a MGMT grad from Colorado.

Well, undoubtedly yes, there are hundreds of naval aviators that got where they are by earning degrees such as sociology, english, etc and had mediocre GPAs. But being competitive for BDCP PROGRAM in modern times requires requires an extra high gpa and/or a technical degree.

 

[pineapplehead]

A tech degree doesn't require physics - at least, my computer science degree didn't.

 

[bigoaf]

I was BDCP, graduated with a degree in Sports Management(highly technical), and now I'm flying T45's. It doesnt matter...maintain a good gpa and dont do anything stupid....from what i hear, it's hard to get a pilot slot these days, so the PPL may help but I really think all they care about are your OAR/flight aptitude scores and your GPA.

Invest in one of those OAR study books and kick that thing's ass, keep in touch with your recruiter, and be persistent. BDCP benefits are WELL worth the effort, so I would highly recommend pursuing the program if youre interested in joining the navy.

 

[Kycntryboy]

A tech degree doesn't require physics - at least, my computer science degree didn't.

Thats what my OSO told me ... we had to "prove" to Millington that it was a tech degree (had to show it was equivilient to Biological Engineering) because it required those things. Yours probably made it up in calculus. don't know. Just going by my experience.

 

[pineapplehead]

Yeah, my degree was only one class short of a math minor, and almost all of it was calculus. Also, the fact that I only applied 18 months from graduation meant they didn't care anyways. I think it helped me get accepted, though.

 

[bch]

bottom line Air,
There is no one on this board who will be able to give you a definitive "Yes" or "No" as to if you are competitive. If your major is what you want to do, and you can do well in it, go for it. Try your best and make yourself as competitive as possible. Big thing here too.... even if you fall short of everyone's idea of what is needed to get into the program, APPLY anyway! I say this becuase if you do not apply, I can tell you with 100% certainty that you will not get in.

Everyone always claims that this month you need this ________ to get accepted... Well every day there are people looking at their peers wondering how in the world they got accepted with (in their mind) such a sh!tty package, when their "much stronger" package was denied.

Anyway I am rambling... try your best and at least you will no that if you did not get it, it was not for lack of effort.

 

[AirHawaii]

Thanks for all the info. I will apply as soon as I am eligible. BTW, does anyone know when the boards convene? I'm shooting for FY '08. With 24 months, when should I apply? Since I'm a little far off from eligibility, the OSO seemed a little cautious, especially since the only time I talked to him face to face was at the campus career fair where he was parked right next to the reserve recruiter who is also trying to get me in. I think there is a little conflict of interest between the two.

BTW, how do they figure your GPA if you transferred some credits? I had a two bad grades from community college, but everything at the Uni is really good right now.

 

[Godspeed]

Thanks for all the info. I will apply as soon as I am eligible. BTW, does anyone know when the boards convene? I'm shooting for FY '08. With 24 months, when should I apply? Since I'm a little far off from eligibility, the OSO seemed a little cautious, especially since the only time I talked to him face to face was at the campus career fair where he was parked right next to the reserve recruiter who is also trying to get me in. I think there is a little conflict of interest between the two.

BTW, how do they figure your GPA if you transferred some credits? I had a two bad grades from community college, but everything at the Uni is really good right now.

The recruiters know the board meeting dates. Sometimes they will volunteer the information, sometimes they won't. But it is usually once a month.

In your case, I would start the application 30 months out. Get your astb, EPSQ, academic plan, transcripts, app for comm, and LORs in when you are six months out to being eligible. Do your PRT a month or two out (since those expire after 6 months). Do MEPS a month out. The idea is that you want to MAXIMIZE the length of your BDCP contract. In an ideal situation, you would get selected 24 months out, hence allowing yourself to receive the most $$ possible.

This is advice that I wish I heeded. Just make sure you aren't losing $2500 a month over random paperwork that you could've done earlier.

Unfortunately, your community college class grades are figured in to your gpa. When you apply, you are required to submit transcripts from ALL colleges you have attended. The recruiters have a form that they use to determine cumulative GPA between all these classes and schools.

Don't let anyone elses "interest or conflict of interest," make one bit of difference as to what you want to do. Do not let any talk of competitiveness or chances of selection dictate your goals in life. Best of luck, and if I can be of any additional help, don't hesitate to IM or PM me.