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What's the Deal with the DCO Recruiters?

FormerRecruitingGuru

Making Recruiting Great Again
Age can be a big issue when it comes to non-medical DCO, I personally can't remember a non-medical DCO applicant that was accepted by the board, it doesn't mean it hasn't happened though or it couldn't happen.

Do you have in front of a camera experience? If so that should be a plus.

I’ve had two, CW and Supply, get selected but both were prior service.
 

3onaMatch

Member
Age can be a big issue when it comes to non-medical DCO, I personally can't remember a non-medical DCO applicant that was accepted by the board, it doesn't mean it hasn't happened though or it couldn't happen.

Do you have in front of a camera experience? If so that should be a plus.
Indeed, I do have camera experience. I've anchored radio and video news broadcasts. I've also taken photos. My primary wheelhouse is writing, however.

Incidentally, my weighted age (if I am understanding this term correctly) is 37. I'm 43 with 6 years prior service.
 

exNavyOffRec

Well-Known Member
Indeed, I do have camera experience. I've anchored radio and video news broadcasts. I've also taken photos. My primary wheelhouse is writing, however.

Incidentally, my weighted age (if I am understanding this term correctly) is 37. I'm 43 with 6 years prior service.
They don't count the age like that, you are either over or you aren't, if you are prior the board can consider the waiver NRC gave. They also only let people in with waivers in limited numbers.

The one thing only the board will know is how you stack up against the others at board and with waivers. You could very well be the person they think is the second best of the entire group, but if that first person has a waiver as well and the waiver limit is "1", then you will not get in.

The board is very tough on waivers and more so with age waivers.
 

3onaMatch

Member
They don't count the age like that, you are either over or you aren't, if you are prior the board can consider the waiver NRC gave. They also only let people in with waivers in limited numbers.

The one thing only the board will know is how you stack up against the others at board and with waivers. You could very well be the person they think is the second best of the entire group, but if that first person has a waiver as well and the waiver limit is "1", then you will not get in.

The board is very tough on waivers and more so with age waivers.
Okay, thank you for the info. I was unaware of how much weight is placed on applicant's age. It seems a bit more strict than the Air Force (my prior branch). There, your adjusted age is Go or No Go. I will bring this up to my recruiter when I speak with them some day.

Thanks again!
 

3onaMatch

Member
Update: My recruiter has apologized for not offering a good level of customer service and is now transferring me to another recruiter. I have yet to hear from the new recruiter. Still no forward movement on the app. and the deadline has now shrunk from 6 months out to 7 weeks out.

So, this really had nothing to do with me and everything to do with the recruiter. But this will also be my 5th recruiter now. Clearly, there is a systemic issue at play. Maybe it's because I'm trying for PAO and that career field is deprioritized, or maybe it's because packages are due in early November (after turn of FY). I'm not sure, but this is just unsat.

I am still going to attempt to get my package complete and submitted on-time, but I have my doubts. And, given my age, this was likely my last shot at it.... Sucks.
 

TheClyde

Well-Known Member
Tough love coming:
Yes, I'm sure there is something wrong systemically. This is the US Navy after all. Yes, it is frustrating. BUT...

This is your package. As I said earlier, nobody cares more about your package than YOU. You need to take the initiative. You just said you are waiting to hear from the new recruiter. With seven weeks until the deadline, why are you WAITING for anything? Call the recruiter ASAP. If you do not get a response within 48 hrs, try again then move it up the chain.

Complaining about the Navy is a tried and true practice, it is well deserved in many cases. But it is not going to get you commissioned.
 

3onaMatch

Member
Tough love coming:
Yes, I'm sure there is something wrong systemically. This is the US Navy after all. Yes, it is frustrating. BUT...

This is your package. As I said earlier, nobody cares more about your package than YOU. You need to take the initiative. You just said you are waiting to hear from the new recruiter. With seven weeks until the deadline, why are you WAITING for anything? Call the recruiter ASAP. If you do not get a response within 48 hrs, try again then move it up the chain.

Complaining about the Navy is a tried and true practice, it is well deserved in many cases. But it is not going to get you commissioned.
You're not wrong, and I am totally being proactive. Like, extremely. Just needed a moment to vent, and where else to do it but here?
Incidentally, amid all this late-hour scrambling, I can't ignore the feeling that it is all for naught. A rushed application for an extremely competitive position isn't a good plan for success. Feeling pretty darn demotivated.
 

Hair Warrior

Well-Known Member
Contributor
Negative. Far too distant.

However, he did call me yesterday, shortly after being assigned to me. He seems to be a fast mover -- he'll need to be if we are going to make the deadline. Fingers crossed.
Have you done MEPS yet? Have you sat for the interview panel yet?
 

3onaMatch

Member
Have you done MEPS yet? Have you sat for the interview panel yet?
I did indeed go to MEPS, but back in the fall of 2022. Expiration date is, no kidding, 2 days after the package submission deadline. As of an hour ago, recruiter states that they will look into how to proceed. Again, still at this point, I am getting reports of action that is going to occur, not that any actual progress has been made. Same thing on the interviews. I have not been scheduled for them. That is supposed to take place any day now. "Stand by to stand by." Meanwhile, the deadline approaches.

I'm spiritually depleted, nearing exhaustion.
 
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Hair Warrior

Well-Known Member
Contributor
I did indeed go to MEPS, but back in the fall of 2022. Expiration date is, no kidding, 2 days after the package submission deadline. As of an hour ago, recruiter states that they will look into how to proceed. Again, still at this point, I am getting reports of action that is going to occur, not that any actual progress has been made. Same thing on the interviews. I have not been scheduled for them. That is supposed to take place any day now. "Stand by to stand by." Meanwhile, the deadline approaches.

I'm nearing exhaustion.
For your awareness, it’s a DIY USNR. If you’re exhausted now - on your first DIRCOM application - you will no doubt be exhausted when (insert NRC admin snafu) happens and you’re bending over backwards to rectify it before next DWE.

Today in the middle of my civilian work week I shaved, put on my NWUs, drove 30 min to renew my CAC at the DEERS office, just so I can get into my FlankSpeed email in case Skipper/XO/etc send me something I have to turn around quickly. I have several other Navy things I’m juggling too, averaging 8-12 hours weekly between DWEs, that I won’t bore you with the details, but as an officer it’s on you to self-manage. A day before I was due to fly out, I have had to tell my family and employer that the month-long training course I put on their calendars may or may not happen because I was still waiting on orders and DTS.

TL;DR: The Navy Reserve will keep you exhausted in a number of very inventive ways until you separate or retire. Prepare for a long haul.

P.S. It’s ok to be a little salty, but don’t publicly blame and shame the DCO recruiters who are equally task-saturated and under the gun to help many more applicants than just you.
 

3onaMatch

Member
For your awareness, it’s a DIY USNR. If you’re exhausted now - on your first DIRCOM application - you will no doubt be exhausted when (insert NRC admin snafu) happens and you’re bending over backwards to rectify it before next DWE.

Today in the middle of my civilian work week I shaved, put on my NWUs, drove 30 min to renew my CAC at the DEERS office, just so I can get into my FlankSpeed email in case Skipper/XO/etc send me something I have to turn around quickly. I have several other Navy things I’m juggling too, averaging 8-12 hours weekly between DWEs, that I won’t bore you with the details, but as an officer it’s on you to self-manage. A day before I was due to fly out, I have had to tell my family and employer that the month-long training course I put on their calendars may or may not happen because I was still waiting on orders and DTS.

TL;DR: The Navy Reserve will keep you exhausted in a number of very inventive ways until you separate or retire. Prepare for a long haul.

P.S. It’s ok to be a little salty, but don’t publicly blame and shame the DCO recruiters who are equally task-saturated and under the gun to help many more applicants than just you.
As a former active duty, and current national guard, I totally get what you're saying.... But the level of systemic disfunction I'm experiencing here is, wowza. I mean, for me, the greatest barrier to entry has been the recruiters themselves. I don't know how to express that in a more flattering way. I'm not trying to publicly shame the DCO recruiters. I'm more looking for guidance or at least commiseration. But I'll stop sharing my frustrations on here because, you're right, it's turning into a bitchfest.
 
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