USN FY 25 IWC DCO Reserve Board

[Brownjamin505]

Late to the party, but jumping in:

1835 applicant- 9.5 years experience with 6 years active duty as a CT, about one year as a DoD contractor, and around 3 years federal civilian gs13 0132. BA and MS under my belt, and some specialized experience.

Panel and OIC interview were on 11 July. Panel went great, OIC went okay. Both asked why I hadn't applied for 1815 instead-- and now I have a follow on interview with an 1815 with the date yet to be determined.

Hoping that this is a positive development, but it's a bit worrisome-- and I suppose it might mean I'm now an 1815 applicant instead?

Sounds like you are well qualified for both. As for being an applicant, I believe you'd need the most recent signed APSR to reflect each designator you are interested in, but there is certainly still time to do so.

 

[DCODefaultUsername]

Sounds like you are well qualified for both. As for being an applicant, I believe you'd need the most recent signed APSR to reflect each designator you are interested in, but there is certainly still time to do so.

That's great to hear, appreciate your perspective-- havent met any other applicants and this thread has been my only insight into the qualifications of other aspiring DCO 18 series.

Based on my initial panel and OIC interview, I'm inclined to add 1815 as a preference and even go as far as to put 1815 first and 1835 second. Wondering if this would look negative to the ultimate review board?

 

[Brownjamin505]

That's great to hear, appreciate your perspective-- havent met any other applicants and this thread has been my only insight into the qualifications of other aspiring DCO 18 series.

Based on my initial panel and OIC interview, I'm inclined to add 1815 as a preference and even go as far as to put 1815 first and 1835 second. Wondering if this would look negative to the ultimate review board?

I've heard mixed reviews on the implications of multiple designators, but ultimately it broadens your selectability. I am 1835/1815, and this will be my fourth board, third with CW as secondary. The thing is, CW is a much smaller community, so you truly would need to be qualified, and are likely competing with CWT/CTT types who may be current drilling reservists E6/E7's, I am ignorant to what type of civilians work in ELINT/SIGINT, that would be favorable viewed by the board as my applications are primarily centered around intel.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

That's great to hear, appreciate your perspective-- havent met any other applicants and this thread has been my only insight into the qualifications of other aspiring DCO 18 series.

Based on my initial panel and OIC interview, I'm inclined to add 1815 as a preference and even go as far as to put 1815 first and 1835 second. Wondering if this would look negative to the ultimate review board?

We only saw 1 designator for DCO's on each application, DCO is more specialized so often you don't see people qualified for several. It could be that question is to let you know they feel you are not the best qualified for 1835, and an "OK" OIC interview is not something you want. If I had heard that from the OIC we had doing interviews it meant you were going to be a non-select and should look at the other designators.

 

[DCODefaultUsername]

I've heard mixed reviews on the implications of multiple designators, but ultimately it broadens your selectability. I am 1835/1815, and this will be my fourth board, third with CW as secondary. The thing is, CW is a much smaller community, so you truly would need to be qualified, and are likely competing with CWT/CTT types who may be current drilling reservists E6/E7's, I am ignorant to what type of civilians work in ELINT/SIGINT, that would be favorable viewed by the board as my applications are primarily centered around intel.

Well, with that in mind maybe I'll add 1815 as a secondary and leave it at that.

Best of luck this time around!

We only saw 1 designator for DCO's on each application, DCO is more specialized so often you don't see people qualified for several. It could be that question is to let you know they feel you are not the best qualified for 1835, and an "OK" OIC interview is not something you want. If I had heard that from the OIC we had doing interviews it meant you were going to be a non-select and should look at the other designators.

Tough to read, but thank you for your insight.

Hoping that since I'm being afforded the chance to interview with an 1815 as well that I'm not a complete lost cause.

The interview was just "okay" from my perspective and when compared to my panel, but this is my first time through the process. For any future readers:
My panel and OIC interview ran an hour long each, panel interview I was able to clearly articulate everything I wanted about both myself, my perspectives on leadership, and future goals.
OIC interview was almost exactly the same questions, but I fumbled once or twice in conveying my experience and point of view-- specifically I spoke more about my experience rather than my growth from those experiences. Time will tell how I really did!

 

[Brownjamin505]

Well, with that in mind maybe I'll add 1815 as a secondary and leave it at that.

Best of luck this time around!

Tough to read, but thank you for your insight.

Hoping that since I'm being afforded the chance to interview with an 1815 as well that I'm not a complete lost cause.

The interview was just "okay" from my perspective and when compared to my panel, but this is my first time through the process. For any future readers:
My panel and OIC interview ran an hour long each, panel interview I was able to clearly articulate everything I wanted about both myself, my perspectives on leadership, and future goals.
OIC interview was almost exactly the same questions, but I fumbled once or twice in conveying my experience and point of view-- specifically I spoke more about my experience rather than my growth from those experiences. Time will tell how I really did!

This is true that the OIC interview is perhaps the most heavily weighted item in the package. I have generally been led to believe that you are basically screwed unless those appraisals are 9-10/10. As for you having a chance, well the interviews are just a piece of the package that goes to the board, and the interviewers really have no opinion or influence on selection beyond their appraisals.

Pehaps what is most complicated is what each individual board most heavily weights when reviewing the mass of applicants, given that we have no insight into these nuances, but everyone I have spoken with suggests interview appraisals carry some of the most significant weight, along with letters of recommendation if they are truly excellent.

 

[DogTrap]

Late to the party, but jumping in:

1835 applicant- 9.5 years experience with 6 years active duty as a CT, about one year as a DoD contractor, and around 3 years federal civilian gs13 0132. BA and MS under my belt, and some specialized experience.

Panel and OIC interview were on 11 July. Panel went great, OIC went okay. Both asked why I hadn't applied for 1815 instead-- and now I have a follow on interview with an 1815 with the date yet to be determined.

Hoping that this is a positive development, but it's a bit worrisome-- and I suppose it might mean I'm now an 1815 applicant instead?

1) Your name and signature should have been on the form where you selected your designators so you aren’t a different applicant, in my opinion.

2) Did you check the box to be chosen for other designators?

 

[DCODefaultUsername]

1) Your name and signature should have been on the form where you selected your designators so you aren’t a different applicant, in my opinion.

2) Did you check the box to be chosen for other designators?

Yes, in the LOU I signed I was interested in all 18 series and would accept another designator, however when reading over the 1815 sheet, to be selected you must have 1815 as a preference, and have an 1815 interview prior to selection-- so that's some of the origin for my stress and uncertainty

 

[Brownjamin505]

Yes, in the LOU I signed I was interested in all 18 series and would accept another designator, however when reading over the 1815 sheet, to be selected you must have 1815 as a preference, and have an 1815 interview prior to selection-- so that's some of the origin for my stress and uncertainty

The designators you are submitted for are only those identified on your APSR, which can still be modified after interviews, before final submission to the selection board by your recruiter.

 

[number9]

That's great to hear, appreciate your perspective-- havent met any other applicants and this thread has been my only insight into the qualifications of other aspiring DCO 18 series.

Based on my initial panel and OIC interview, I'm inclined to add 1815 as a preference and even go as far as to put 1815 first and 1835 second. Wondering if this would look negative to the ultimate review board?

I applied for 1815, 1825, and 1835 and it didn't seem to negatively impact me. So long as you can speak to the other designators (if asked) I think you're ok; if you were applying for, say, Supply and CWO it might be harder to justify to a board member.

 

[SaltyDawg]

Well, with that in mind maybe I'll add 1815 as a secondary and leave it at that.

FWIW, I applied for 1835. I also put 1825 as a secondary choice, because it was recommended that I put it on there by the OIC and my panel interviewers since that more closely aligns with my degree + civilian career. I did have to justify to them why I wanted 35 as opposed to 25, since they all said I might have a stronger shot at going 25 with my credentials.

At one point, one of the interviewers asked cursory questions about 25 to ensure that I actually knew what I was actually informed about what it is (as opposed to just shotgunning any applicable designator on my APSR).

It took me three tries, but I ended up getting selected on my third application for 1835.

 

[Souzou]

I had my panel interview on Monday the 14th and my OIC on Friday the 18th. I am supposed to be 1885 (MCWO) and 1825 (IP). One of the panelists on the 14th was MCWO (did most of the questioning). The OIC on Friday was from Intel (1835) and let me know that my package had 1885 and 1835 as the two choices.

From this thread and folks advice, it sounds like I have a chance to get that corrected on the ASPR before my package gets submitted so I’ve called and emailed my recruiter to try and get this mistake fixed.

However since I’m not trying for Intel and the OIC questioned why they were interviewing me if I wasn’t aligned to 1835, how badly did this screw me? Even if he gives me good marks, if the designator doesn’t align with who interviewed, is this going to be a problem? (Asking here since my recruiter didn’t get back to me on Friday and wondering if I should just leave it if it will screw my chances)

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

However since I’m not trying for Intel and the OIC questioned why they were interviewing me if I wasn’t aligned to 1835, how badly did this screw me? Even if he gives me good marks, if the designator doesn’t align with who interviewed, is this going to be a problem? (Asking here since my recruiter didn’t get back to me on Friday and wondering if I should just leave it if it will screw my chances)

All IWC DCO applicants go through the same panel and process. I am unsure what exactly you're asking for.

 

[Souzou]

All IWC DCO applicants go through the same panel and process. I am unsure what exactly you're asking for.

Well I heard back from my recruiter today. I have to do another OIC interview with someone from 1825. I had a LCDR from 1885 on my panel but since the LCDR for OIC was from 1835, they're going to have me do another OIC interview with someone from 1825. Doesn't seem to be that big of a deal other than fitting it in place before the end of the interview period.

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Well I heard back from my recruiter today. I have to do another OIC interview with someone from 1825. I had a LCDR from 1885 on my panel but since the LCDR for OIC was from 1835, they're going to have me do another OIC interview with someone from 1825. Doesn't seem to be that big of a deal other than fitting it in place before the end of the interview period.

Oh yeah, get it now. Yeah that should have been communicated on the front end.