OCS Which one is better for a lateral transfer to MCWO? CWO or IPO?

[A001]

I recently received a call from my recruiter informing me that I’ve been accepted as both a Cryptologic Warfare Officer (CWO) and an Information Professional Officer (IPO).

Originally, I chose CWO as my first option because I wanted to pursue cyber missions. However, since CWO will no longer be involved with cyber operations, I am now seriously considering a lateral transfer to become a Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer (MCWO).

My recruiter mentioned that I can only enter OCS as a CWO since it was my first choice. However, I’ve heard from others that their recruiters allowed them to choose their designator for OCS, regardless of whether it was their first or third choice. Can someone confirm who is right here?

If I do have the option to choose, which designator—CWO or IPO—would give me a better chance of being accepted into the MCWO program?

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

I recently received a call from my recruiter informing me that I’ve been accepted as both a Cryptologic Warfare Officer (CWO) and an Information Professional Officer (IPO).

Originally, I chose CWO as my first option because I wanted to pursue cyber missions. However, since CWO will no longer be involved with cyber operations, I am now seriously considering a lateral transfer to become a Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer (MCWO).

My recruiter mentioned that I can only enter OCS as a CWO since it was my first choice. However, I’ve heard from others that their recruiters allowed them to choose their designator for OCS, regardless of whether it was their first or third choice. Can someone clarify which is correct?

If I do have the option to choose, which designator—CWO or IPO—would give me a better chance of being accepted into the MCWO program?

Unless something has changed, which I haven't heard or seen... if you are selected for your highest preference that is what you will ship to OCS as.
If you're selected with one of your secondary choices first, you can elect to withdraw your initial preference and ship to OCS under the program you were selected for first.
I have heard or seen of some anomalies in which there may have been a closed program, but the entire point of submitting preferences in your application is really to help streamline the process.
Your lateral transfer question has been asked and answered... two months ago.

OCS - Is it possible to go from Cryptologic Warfare Officer (CWO) to Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer (MCWO)?

I am wondering if it is possible to go from CWO to MCWO. If so, what is the process supposed to be? Do I have to retake OCS as well? If not, can I eventually transfer to a place where I can do cyber operations in the Navy? If so, where? What is the process?

www.airwarriors.com

 

[A001]

Unless something has changed, which I haven't heard or seen... if you are selected for your highest preference that is what you will ship to OCS as.
If you're selected with one of your secondary choices first, you can elect to withdraw your initial preference and ship to OCS under the program you were selected for first.
I have heard or seen of some anomalies in which there may have been a closed program, but the entire point of submitting preferences in your application is really to help streamline the process.
Your lateral transfer question has been asked and answered... two months ago.

OCS - Is it possible to go from Cryptologic Warfare Officer (CWO) to Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer (MCWO)?

I am wondering if it is possible to go from CWO to MCWO. If so, what is the process supposed to be? Do I have to retake OCS as well? If not, can I eventually transfer to a place where I can do cyber operations in the Navy? If so, where? What is the process?

www.airwarriors.com

Thank you for the clarification. Since I now know I can only go with my first choice—CWO—I’ll focus on the steps you’ve outlined.

"I would focus in on the OCS program at the moment, that is the closest alligator to the boat by the way and once you are in your first assignment/tour, can start planning + eyeing the lateral transfer process."

 

[number9]

I would go CWO.

 

[A001]

I would go CWO.

I was thinking the same thing when I applied as CWO for OCS. However, people on Reddit were saying IPO was better for transferring into MCWO, which made me a bit confused.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I was thinking the same thing when I applied as CWO for OCS. However, people on Reddit were saying IPO was better for transferring into MCWO, which made me a bit confused.

What is true now may not be what is true later, it is important for you to be happy in the job you are going to OCS for.

 

[number9]

I was thinking the same thing when I applied as CWO for OCS. However, people on Reddit were saying IPO was better for transferring into MCWO, which made me a bit confused.

I'm not an IP or a CWO, but I know a handful of dudes in each designator. My gut instinct is that CWO is much closer to MCWO than IP is..

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

For OP, you can see the facts for yourself. Linked below is the most recent lateral transfer results, focus more on the right hand side to see who/what is making the switch to MCWO:

https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Boards/Administrative/TransferRedesignation/2024-08_AUG_Lat_Xfer_Board_Results.pdf?ver=RT6RHYJOn1o43LajrDWTZg%3d%3d

 

[A001]

For OP, you can see the facts for yourself. Linked below is the most recent lateral transfer results, focus more on the right hand side to see who/what is making the switch to MCWO:

https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Boards/Administrative/TransferRedesignation/2024-08_AUG_Lat_Xfer_Board_Results.pdf?ver=RT6RHYJOn1o43LajrDWTZg%3d%3d

Thank you so much for the link! The percentage of acceptance for CWO is very similar to what I had in mind when I looked at the 2023 MCWO Selection Panel Recommendations when I was applying to CWO as my first choice.