Trying to get commissioned after OCS

[BlueBird]

I have a particularly unusual problem: I applied for OCS in October '04 and then received the news that some of my transfer credits allowed me to graduate early (this past May). I told my OSO and he didn't want me to reapply for OCC and lose my spot at going to Quantico in the summer, so we sat on it (including my flight physical), and I graduated from OCS in August. So, although I already have my college degree and have finished OCS, I still can't get my commission unitl some time from now. In addition, I just got LASEK done to make the switch from NFO to Pilot, and now I'm hearing a bunch of differing word as to when I can get my commission, a waiver, etc. etc. As far as I can see, I have everything needed to get my commission, yet I'm hearing I have to wait 3 months for the surgery waiver, and up to 6 months after that for BUMED and my RFA to go through. If anyone has any advice on what I could do to possibly get my commission now and wait on all this waiver stuff while I'm a 2nd Lt and not a Corporal, I would appreciate it.

 

[T-man]

Well, I don't have an answer to your immediate question, but umm... did you get LASIK or PRK? If you got LASIK, you're screwed.... PRK is waiverable, LASIK is flat DQ. Might want to verify what you got, and make sure you don't mis-inform your OSO or whomever is processing your waiver.

 

[Scamahmrd]

I think there is a difference b/w LASIK and LASEK (one is waiverable and one is not.) As far as being commissioned early, I'm not sure that it would matter. It's my understanding that those who aren't already AD don't get paid until they report to TBS. Good luck with everything.

 

[BlueBird]

I got LASEK, which is advanced PRK, so I'm cool on that. And the whole not getting paid thing I understand, but doesn't your linear score / promotion get determined partly by when you were commissioned?

 

[corpsocgmu]

And the whole not getting paid thing I understand, but doesn't your linear score / promotion get determined partly by when you were commissioned?

I had been told that linear score had more to do with how you did at TBS. Is that true?

 

[nocal80]

I have a particularly unusual problem: I applied for OCS in October '04 and then received the news that some of my transfer credits allowed me to graduate early (this past May). I told my OSO and he didn't want me to reapply for OCC and lose my spot at going to Quantico in the summer, so we sat on it (including my flight physical), and I graduated from OCS in August. So, although I already have my college degree and have finished OCS, I still can't get my commission unitl some time from now. In addition, I just got LASEK done to make the switch from NFO to Pilot, and now I'm hearing a bunch of differing word as to when I can get my commission, a waiver, etc. etc. As far as I can see, I have everything needed to get my commission, yet I'm hearing I have to wait 3 months for the surgery waiver, and up to 6 months after that for BUMED and my RFA to go through. If anyone has any advice on what I could do to possibly get my commission now and wait on all this waiver stuff while I'm a 2nd Lt and not a Corporal, I would appreciate it.

You could commission as a ground officer and switch to pilot when your waiver gets approved. I was in a similar situation, no waiver, but NOMI lost my flight physical and my OSO didn't deem it neccessary to inform me until 3 days before I got commissioned. I would have taken a ground slot if I had been NPQ'd, and I knew they were short on pilots and long on ground O's so I didn't have a problem taking the ground commission when he assured me I would be switched as soon as my flight physical was found and approved. I know, kind of a leap of faith, but it all worked out. I would recommend that rather than taking the NFO commission and then trying to get the waiver to switch to pilot. As far as I know NFO's are still in high demand and I wouldn't count on them letting you out of that one. As far as promotions go you will get promoted to 1st LT automatically two years after your commissioning date. I'm not positive, but I think the date you pin on Capt and above is determined by your TBS lineal standing after the selection board has selected you for that rank.

 

[jamnww]

I had been told that linear score had more to do with how you did at TBS. Is that true?

Both...it is based on linear score COMPARED to those who were commissioned at during the same time period as you were...

As far as being commissioned early, I'm not sure that it would matter. It's my understanding that those who aren't already AD don't get paid until they report to TBS. Good luck with everything.

This is 100% correct, regardless of when they commission they will not be on AD or get paid until they report to TBS...

As far as I know NFO's are still in high demand and I wouldn't count on them letting you out of that one.

NFOs are NOT being allowed to switch to a pilot contract at all right now...