What to do before application

[Ultimyke]

Hello all,

First off I would like to thank all those on this site who are currently serving, or are veterans.

I have dreamed of being a naval officer and aviator since I can remember, and I have begun to talk to an officer recruiter. He says I am too young to do anything for (I am 19 and a sophomore in college). I can start an application 6 months before graduation. I was wondering what I should be doing in the mean time.

I have been working out according the the Navy PFT
I have been studying a lot and have a 3.77 gpa in Aviation technology (with a high probability of a 4.0 this semester)
I just earned my private pilot's license
And I just applied to volunteer at my local VA medical center.

Is there anything else I could do to be a stronger candidate?

thank you

 

[BackOrdered]

I would recommend some leadership position to show aptitude.

 

[Ultimyke]

I got my Eagle Scout badge 2 years ago and have been contemplating Civil Air Patrol, but I don't want to take too much time away from my studies.

 

[AllYourBass]

If there's any sort of club or college organization you can assume a leadership role in, that would be a good strengthener for your package (which, at first glance, looks like it's off to a good start). Start thinking about who you will want letters of recommendation from. I got mine from a few bosses and a couple college advisers who I worked closely with.

Stay in shape, especially with your running/cardio stuff. Strength and muscles are nice, but for the Navy's purposes, they are practically useless. So don't be like me, Mr. Gym-6-Days-A-Week who can't run a good 1.5-mile to save my life Other than that, appreciate life as it is before you commit ~10-20 years of it to the United States Navy. Hug yo momma, kiss your lady, hang out with your friends and sleep in when you can.

EDIT: Just saw you added that you were an Eagle Scout. That's pretty awesome. Focus on your studies. To be honest, that's probably enough of a leadership aptitude–type thing for your application. If you find something on campus that you WANT to do, and it just so happens to offer a leadership-type roll, then by all means.

 

[BusyBee604]

...Is there anything else I could do to be a stronger candidate?

All of the above.. PLUS:

1. Avoid any involvement with illegal drugs/MJ.

2. Avoid any actions which might result in a Police arrest/conviction record. The most common of which are Alcohol Related Incidents (ARI).

Either of these is usually a show-stopper, regardless of the strength of the rest of the package.
BzB

 

[Ultimyke]

I am on my schools NIFA precision flight team, but I don't have a true leadership role yet. Next semester I'll throw my hat in the ring for captain/co-captain.

As for the workouts; what is the running like? Is it just the 1.5 mile run on the PRT, or will they make you run longer circuits? (3 mi, 10mi)

And for the pushups: I can do 60-65 in one run, but after that I have to shake the lactic acid from my arms to go any further. Can I stop and plank out for a little while during the 2 mins?

 

[AllYourBass]

I am on my schools NIFA precision flight team, but I don't have a true leadership role yet. Next semester I'll throw my hat in the ring for captain/co-captain.

As for the workouts; what is the running like? Is it just the 1.5 mile run on the PRT, or will they make you run longer circuits? (3 mi, 10mi)

And for the pushups: I can do 60-65 in one run, but after that I have to shake the lactic acid from my arms to go any further. Can I stop and plank out for a little while during the 2 mins?

We had three run types when I was there this year:

• 1.5-mile
• 30/60s (Sprint 30, Jog 60)...something like 15-20 minutes of that, I think
• 3-mile run

As for pushups, yeah, you can plank for a bit.