Appreciate the feedback. All I can do now is prepare better for my next interview. What you provided is great. Thank you.
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USN FY 25 IWC DCO Reserve Board
Interesting. Maybe it really just depends on who you get? I have had the same person the last couple of times and he is an Intel Officer. Although I have heard that he is or has moved on. At the very least I should have been better prepared and understood better about what that community does. Definitely shot myself in the foot, but I will be better prepared moving forward incase that comes up during the discussion again.
DogTrap
Semper
Kicking off the conversation for the September board!!
I had my panel interview yesterday and two out of the three verbally told me they were going to recommend me and give me high marks. I was the last one of the day so we had extra time after to chat. The third gentlemen had to drop but we had a good conversation because we were both early to dial in. Just working to prepare me for my OIC interview!
I am applying for MCWO and Intel.
Background
Looking forward to the discussion!
I had my panel interview yesterday and two out of the three verbally told me they were going to recommend me and give me high marks. I was the last one of the day so we had extra time after to chat. The third gentlemen had to drop but we had a good conversation because we were both early to dial in. Just working to prepare me for my OIC interview!
I am applying for MCWO and Intel.
Background
- Five years AD in the USMC within the SIGINT field including NCOIC
- Nearly one year in the USMC Reserves
- Day job - Cyber engineer at a Prime contractor
- Education - BS & MS in cyber from UMGC, working on my next masters from TAMU in Masters of Engineering in Technical Management (METM) basically MBA+engineering
- Certs - Security+, CySA+, and AWS CCP
Looking forward to the discussion!
I am applying to MCWO as well. My recruiter said she submitted the package on 6/9. I haven’t heard anything. How quickly after your package was submitted did you get the panel interview?
I’m applying to MCWO and IS. Located in NC.
Background
- Not prior service
- 39 years old
- 20 year progressive experience in the cyber field (including Blue Team, Engineering, and GRC), latest is serving as SVP, Head of Cybersecurity Architecture and Engineering
- Masters in IT Security from VT
- Multiple certs including CISSP, ISSAP, SSCP, CCISO
DogTrap
Semper
Did she tell you when you’re scheduled for an interview? I scheduled the interview with my recruiter over the phone as he submitted my package and that was last week.
My recruiter said she doesn’t schedule the interviews and someone would reach out to me and to let her know if I don’t hear anything by end of July. I missed the March board cut off in December for submittal because she didn’t understand the dates so I’m really concerned about you already having yours done!
DogTrap
Semper
Sorry, man! To be fair, this was one of the "early" rounds. Idk what the calculus is on who gets notified on those days. Most of the times are occuring in July because the package has to be 100% complete with panel and OIC interview by the end of July (per my recruiter). Also, I got the email from the Navy folks only two days before the meeting but I already knew the date and time. Check your spam for an email with the subject "DCO Panel ICO [Your Name]". That email will have the date, time, panel member, and member's designators.
Thanks. I’m going to reach out to the recruiter this week too.
Are there any ongoing/extraordinary delays with all of the processing?
Things have been steadily progressing since the board convened, but I've heard things like people selected from the FY25 board won't actually be gained by commands until October due to a longer-than-usual backlog while others have said these timelines are totally normal.
My timeline so far:
Any information to help me plan and manage my own expectations would be helpful, as I've received some conflicting information and need to plan my civilian work/life schedule accordingly. Even any insight on when I can expect to get through DEERS so that I can start hunting for uniforms and such would be appreciated. All I've gotten thus far is "We have to wait on paperwork and that'll take as long as it takes."
Things have been steadily progressing since the board convened, but I've heard things like people selected from the FY25 board won't actually be gained by commands until October due to a longer-than-usual backlog while others have said these timelines are totally normal.
My timeline so far:
- End of March - Informed of my selection by the board by my recruiter
- Mid April - Received an email from a local NRC indicating I've been selected
- Late May - Selection letter received
- Mid June - Oath taken
Any information to help me plan and manage my own expectations would be helpful, as I've received some conflicting information and need to plan my civilian work/life schedule accordingly. Even any insight on when I can expect to get through DEERS so that I can start hunting for uniforms and such would be appreciated. All I've gotten thus far is "We have to wait on paperwork and that'll take as long as it takes."
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Dang wow, ok. I thought that was pretty long, surprising to hear that's normal.
Are there any expectations of what you should be during that time? Or just standing by to stand by?
Also whenever you DO get gained - how quickly are you expected to show up to drill? Is it "Surprise, it's Thursday, you've been gained, be present to drill at 0700 Saturday morning"? Or is there lead time and/or leeway?
Brownjamin505
Active Member
So the interviews are scheduled by the NIFR redcen you are within region for. The recruiter submits your APSR, LORs, etc to that command's admin point of contact who then directly calls or emails you to arrange the interview. This is somewhat disjointed as you have to rely on the recruiter to have competently submitted your stuff, and then for the yeoman on that end to contact you.
Stand by to stand by is pretty much it. Apart from staying in shape, there's not really much you can do.
Your first drill weekend will likely be at your NRC, and not your actual unit. In theory, they should be flexible if they give you little notice and you can't make it.
I'm not defending it, but there's a lot of waiting in the Reserves. You'll get used to it, I promise...
FormerRecruitingGuru
Making Recruiting Great Again
You should have an assigned reserve unit and I'm assuming they're in contact with you. At the very least, they can give you the NRC drill schedule, you can use that to tentatively plan drill weekends, particularly drill indoc.
Depending on the NRC, some provide ample notice, others not so much. But the latter above can help you plan. I would also ensure your unit CoC is in the know and supporting with the gain process.