Timeline for Applicaton

[wahoo_shoe]

So I'm new to here and it's hard for me to understand a lot of the lingo, so bear with me as I try to get my feet on the ground in this awesome community. Upfront, thanks for the help, I appreciate it, even if you give me the "search!" answer just guide me what to search for, is all I ask
I'm a rising fourth year/senior graduating next May. I've wanted to become a Navy officer for as long as a I can remember (although in my early early years I wanted Air Force...some say I've come over to the light side ) but small medical and personal reasons kept me out of USNA and NROTC. Now, I'm 21, and ready to make the grade post-grad.
I'm hoping a few of the seasoned people can help me out with the timeline of things. When should I start applying? I've already begun conditioning, as I'm in pretty good shape now, but I'm trying to keep it going and get to a great level and maintain it, but I'll need to start taking the PFT soon I assume. Also, the military aptitude test needs to be thrown in. But, when are good times to start all of this, other than ASAP? Or do I need to graduate before I can even apply?

Thank you guys again for your time and patience. Once I start getting everything compiled, I don't mind sharing my notes on here for future people like me with a somewhat dazed and "what the heck am I supposed to be doing?" face on.

 

[Lobster]

Search is your friend like you said...but, you can get going now, the sooner you get going on your app the better, call an officer recruiter and start to get after it, good luck.

 

[blarged]

Call an Officer Recruiter and do a search on BDCP. You might still have time if you work quickly.

 

[wahoo_shoe]

Apply before the end of the semester. That way if you get rejected you can reapply in January assuming your GPA goes up. Without improvement in scores you can apply every 6 months, so even if your GPA or test scores don't improve you will be able to apply twice before you graduate.

You can only reapply every 6 months?
And thank you for your answers so far, I'm getting a bit better at searching, but this forum seems small. Time to dig, huh :icon_tong I've contacted my NROTC branch at my university about taking ASTB, but I suppose taking it through my local recruiter would be easier. I'm in a weird limbo because I don't want to get established with a recruiter near my home, but I'm not at school for the summer so I can't really meet face to face with the recruiter at my school.

 

[wahoo_shoe]

Uva

 

[wahoo_shoe]

Ok so I've searched a bit deeper with "BDCP", seems to giving me great stuff. Thanks! But, what does that all stand for? (See, just needed a kick in the right direction, but I still have no idea what all the acronyms are :icon_tong)

Thanks a ton guys

 

[Lobster]

Thanks! But, what does that all stand for?

You're kidding right?

 

[NTXRockr]

If you're a college senior then you might not get into the BDCP (baccalaureate degree completion program) which pays you as an E-3 while in school until you graduate, and then go to OCS. BUT you can apply for DC OCS (direct commision) up to a year out so if you're in your final year starting September then you should be good to go for a summer OCS date.

The first thing you need to do is call (800-492-4841) and find out the nearest OFFICER RECRUITER in your area, not enlisted or you possibly could be saluting us in a couple years after they "mistakingly" enlist you. They will setup everything usually through email first and then sitdown meetings when the time comes. I was in communication with my first OR for over a year and a half by email and person, and then my most recent OR since OCT08, and I've just been pro-rec'd (professionally recommended) into the BDCP this past month. I've heard of people doing everything through email except MEPS, PRT (physical readiness test, like the AF's PFT) and some other personal stuff.

Once you get in contact with them and start working on an application, security clearance, PRT and MEPS physical, you'll be applying for a board of your community of choice (SNA - naval aviator, NFO - naval flight officer, SWO - surface warfare, IW - information warfare, Supply, Intel, etc.) which meet at a specific date each month - some on every 15th and some only every two months, they're all different. The board then reviews each candidate and their applications and pro-rec's those they believe are the best choices, just like a job app and you get a call back for a second interview. At that point you complete any outstanding items like PRT and MEPS (if you didn't do them before) and your security clearance process begins, and then get reviewed again for FS (final select), which after that point if you are selected you get sent orders, you swear in with your OR and receive an OCS date to report to Newport, and the rest is further down the road than you need to know at this point.....if you're BDCP then you get your orders and swear in, but you get to hang around whichever school you still attend for up to two years (or three if you're a technical major like engineering) and start enjoying nice paychecks every month until you grad and go to OCS.

Like everyone has said, the "search" function is your friend, and almost everything has been covered on here before (just make sure you change the range on it to further than the past 30 days or it does look like this forum is small lol...thousands of posts you're probably missing out on). But if you still can't find something, the only dumb question is the one not asked, so feel free to put it out there - there will be those who auto post "search" or give you flak about it, but they're just testing the thickness of your skin and your overall attitude towards becoming a naval officer lol. But first thing to do now is call and get in contact with an OR, and they should be able to answer all your questions and get you on track asap.

Good luck with your endeavors, and I hope to see you in the fleet in the near future.

 

[blarged]

good words

+1 That post should be required reading before people make their first post.

 

[wahoo_shoe]

Great post NTX, thanks a ton. I'm off and running now.
Also, I extended the search by two years, definitely opened up tons of threads, so I'm good to go now

 

[NTXRockr]

Great post NTX, thanks a ton. I'm off and running now.
Also, I extended the search by two years, definitely opened up tons of threads, so I'm good to go now

Yeah, after reading your post about the forum being small I kinda figured you pulled the same move I did...it took me almost a month to figure out where everyone was dredging up these old threads lol. Let us know if you've got any new questions, as this process is always ongoing and we're all learning as we go.