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sTUPID qUESTIONS aBOUT ocs

Another stupid question about the COP form/background check. The more I read, the more I'm beginning to understand when people talk about being frustrated with Navy bureaucracy.

The way it was framed to me, you can be questioned / it is "bad" to answer yes to any of the questions on the COP form. One of these questions is "Have you given your current employer notice of your shipping date to enter the Navy?"

When should I tell my employer about my naval ship date to delay having to answer yes to this on the COP form while not letting them be surprised if/when someone calls for the background check.

I have accepted an offer for SWO with an August 2026 ship date, if that impacts the timeline.
 
weeabooskum said:
Another stupid question about the COP form/background check. The more I read, the more I'm beginning to understand when people talk about being frustrated with Navy bureaucracy.

The way it was framed to me, you can be questioned / it is "bad" to answer yes to any of the questions on the COP form. One of these questions is "Have you given your current employer notice of your shipping date to enter the Navy?"

When should I tell my employer about my naval ship date to delay having to answer yes to this on the COP form while not letting them be surprised if/when someone calls for the background check.

I have accepted an offer for SWO with an August 2026 ship date, if that impacts the timeline.
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Finally, something I can actually speak to lol

I would HIGHLY recommend reading up on your USERRA rights, particularly the section on “Right to be free from discrimination and retaliation” and “advanced notice”.

www.dol.gov

Know Your Rights

www.dol.gov www.dol.gov

www.dol.gov

USERRA

www.dol.gov www.dol.gov

Under the “advance notice” section, you’re technically required to let your employer know about your service with some exceptions.

That being said, as someone currently applying to be a member of the uniformed services, you’re protected under this law. They cannot discriminate or retaliate against you in your current position (to include hiring, promotion, termination, and benefits) based on the fact that you have accepted a SWO contract and will be leaving in the future.

I was a construction inspector in my previous position, and the USERRA rights poster was required on every bulletin board at every job site I was at. It just so happened that I was also covered by it since I was applying to be an SNA at the time.

Lmk if you have any questions about it!
 
weeabooskum said:
When should I tell my employer about my naval ship date to delay having to answer yes to this on the COP form while not letting them be surprised if/when someone calls for the background check.
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To answer your question, you should probably tell them whenever you have a chance per the USERRA “advance notice” section of the law. You don’t have to be the one to tell them, but you can also request something from your recruiter in case they want something official. My recruiter gave me an official letter from his office that was basically a get-out-of-jail-free card; I used the same letter to get out of my lease when I needed to leave home for Newport.

Again, I would recommend reading up on USERRA and the rights afforded to you as an applicant for the armed forces.
 
elariosa95 said:
To answer your question, you should probably tell them whenever you have a chance per the USERRA “advance notice” section of the law. You don’t have to be the one to tell them, but you can also request something from your recruiter in case they want something official. My recruiter gave me an official letter from his office that was basically a get-out-of-jail-free card; I used the same letter to get out of my lease when I needed to leave home for Newport.

Again, I would recommend reading up on USERRA and the rights afforded to you as an applicant for the armed forces.
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I appreciate the detailed response! I'm not worried about my employer taking adverse action when I tell them. I'm actually worried about the Navy taking adverse action against me for telling them.

Specifically, the COP says/infers that I should not tell my employer about my ship date. However, I'd rather my employer hear from me than be surprised when someone calls for a security clearance.

I guess my specific question is when should I expect someone to call my employer to ask questions for my security clearance so I can tell them in advance while answering "yes" to the COP question as late as possible.
 
weeabooskum said:
I appreciate the detailed response! I'm not worried about my employer taking adverse action when I tell them. I'm actually worried about the Navy taking adverse action against me for telling them.

Specifically, the COP says/infers that I should not tell my employer about my ship date. However, I'd rather my employer hear from me than be surprised when someone calls for a security clearance.

I guess my specific question is when should I expect someone to call my employer to ask questions for my security clearance so I can tell them in advance while answering "yes" to the COP question as late as possible.
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I don’t see a reason why the Navy would retaliate against someone who’s already signed a SWO contract, especially since it’s in their best interest and you’re protected by law. That might be a question for your recruiter or even a JAG if you can find one.

What exactly does the COP form say about this? I don’t think the intent of that question is to get you to delay telling your employer, it may just be for their reference in case you haven’t told them. Also, per USERRA, you need to tell them anyway if you haven’t already.

Your employer can get a call at any time I think. My friends were contacted shortly after my interview so I’d say within a few days maybe.
 
elariosa95 said:
I don’t see a reason why the Navy would retaliate against someone who’s already signed a SWO contract, especially since it’s in their best interest and you’re protected by law. That might be a question for your recruiter or even a JAG if you can find one.

What exactly does the COP form say about this? I don’t think the intent of that question is to get you to delay telling your employer, it may just be for their reference in case you haven’t told them. Also, per USERRA, you need to tell them anyway if you haven’t already.

Your employer can get a call at any time I think. My friends were contacted shortly after my interview so I’d say within a few days maybe.
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The COP has a series of yes-no questions and the way they've been explained is that, answering yes is like a demerit that likely won't but could impact your FINSEL. One of those questions is whether you've told your employer your ship date.

I also haven't been personally interviewed yet for my background check. I'll probably just tell my employer and bite the bullet on the COP form. Just wanted to see if anyone had any alternative input.

Thanks though!
 
weeabooskum said:
The COP has a series of yes-no questions and the way they've been explained is that, answering yes is like a demerit that likely won't but could impact your FINSEL. One of those questions is whether you've told your employer your ship date.

I also haven't been personally interviewed yet for my background check. I'll probably just tell my employer and bite the bullet on the COP form. Just wanted to see if anyone had any alternative input.

Thanks though!
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When do we get interviewed?
 
spalclark3 said:
When do we get interviewed?
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I've heard mixed things. My understanding is the interviews (at least for you yourself) are more clarifying than informative - basically, if there's something the person running the background is worried/concerned about, they'll come talk to you. This also means there's a chance you never get interviewed. So basically, you can be interviewed at any point from when they start the background check (normally after you receive your Pro-Rec-Y) to never. I think I've heard of some people even being interviewed after they've started OCS.

I believe there are some roles, such as Intel, where you receive higher clearance and an interview is mandatory, but I'm not sure what those positions are.

Someone can correct me if any of this is wrong though and I'd love a more concise / clear answer - my understanding above is basically a consolidation of a bunch of different comments I've read about people's experiences.
 
weeabooskum said:
I've heard mixed things. My understanding is the interviews (at least for you yourself) are more clarifying than informative - basically, if there's something the person running the background is worried/concerned about, they'll come talk to you. This also means there's a chance you never get interviewed. So basically, you can be interviewed at any point from when they start the background check (normally after you receive your Pro-Rec-Y) to never. I think I've heard of some people even being interviewed after they've started OCS.

I believe there are some roles, such as Intel, where you receive higher clearance and an interview is mandatory, but I'm not sure what those positions are.

Someone can correct me if any of this is wrong though and I'd love a more concise / clear answer - my understanding above is basically a consolidation of a bunch of different comments I've read about people's experiences.
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I had no idea. I've been pro-rec-y, FINSEL, and contract signed for 5 months now and haven't been talked to.
 
spalclark3 said:
I had to do it because I'm still in college. I couldn't get a FINSEL without passing the PRT. What class in August are you going?
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The one right after yours - 23AUG2026. I'm also a SWO select so maybe its a bit different? My recruiter told me I wouldn't get a FINSEL until 45 days or less prior to shipping after I passed the PRT.
 
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