Hi, thanks for taking the time to read this, first post. I am interested in joining the Navy and have been talking to my recruiter about it. I have yet to decide to finish my degree or not but depending on your answers it may help me decide. I have a year and a half left in school and I planned on graduating in 3.5 years and cant decide if I want to pound it out and join or enlist now. My questions are as follows...

1. I have an average GPA of lets say 2.7 right now which I expect to raise..... My freshmen year didn't go so well..... But my grades have sig. improved I just dug a huge hole.

2. I took one of those fake AVSAB at the rec. station and got a 89? So does that translate to a B+ or something??? I feel like if I were to study I would do better.

3. With a college degree are you guaranteed OCS? And can you choose what you would want to do?

4. Just like every other red blooded male who doesn't want to fly a jet/be a navy seal.... but I currently wear contacts/glasses..... Would I have to get PRK ?? And if I did would that DQ me from the Navy? Also my recruiter keeps telling me they would pay for it/ let me get it done whenever, which I find difficult to believe, but is that true in some way shape or form?

5. I heard about this BDCP program which is uber competitive and I am not exactly the ideal candidate...would I stand any chance? Also my majors is English literature with a minor in Information systems... Not exactly super tech areas...... Also math isn't exactly my favorite subject, I can do it, but I have little interest in crunching numbers.... am I in the right branch?

6. Lets say magically I get to go to one school and its either not my thing or its BUDS and get destroyed and wash out, where do you go from there? Do you have any say or does the Navy put you where they want?

Well guys/gals I really appreciate you taking the time to read this. If you have any support/information for me feel free to leave it on this post or message me. Thanks again and god bless.

quote:

Originally posted by 19242168:


1. I have an average GPA of lets say 2.7 right now which I expect to raise..... My freshmen year didn't go so well..... But my grades have sig. improved I just dug a huge hole. too low. anything less than a 3.5 will be tough to sell to the Selection board unless it's in something like Nuclear Engineering.

2. I took one of those fake AVSAB at the rec. station and got a 89? So does that translate to a B+ or something??? I feel like if I were to study I would do better. no grade equivalent, just that you scored better than 89% of people who have also taken the test. It's a very respectable score and depending on your line scores will qualify you for pretty much any rating.

3. With a college degree are you guaranteed OCS? And can you choose what you would want to do? NO. lots of factors go into who is selected for OCS, and a degree is only a very small part of it..and depending on the degree, may be of zero help whatsoever.

4. Just like every other red blooded male who doesn't want to fly a jet/be a navy seal.... but I currently wear contacts/glasses..... Would I have to get PRK ?? And if I did would that DQ me from the Navy? Also my recruiter keeps telling me they would pay for it/ let me get it done whenever, which I find difficult to believe, but is that true in some way shape or form? One of the two is performed by the Navy, I don't remember which, but priority goes to those whose job needs the vision. getting it done BEFORE entering can be a PDQ though. Friend of ours, a Supply Officer actually had it done up in Bremerton.

5. I heard about this BDCP program which is uber competitive and I am not exactly the ideal candidate...would I stand any chance? Also my majors is English literature with a minor in Information systems... Not exactly super tech areas...... Also math isn't exactly my favorite subject, I can do it, but I have little interest in crunching numbers.... am I in the right branch? as a fellow English Lit major, I can tell you.. not very competitive for a commission at all, especially with the current GPA. I married a Math teacher cuz in the words of Jimmy "Math Sucks" as to whether you have even a slim chance, couldn't tell you. A friend of ours who DID get it was a Music Theory Major.... Not everyone has a degree in chemical engineering, in fact many Pilots are anything but engineers. But Aviation is EXTREMELY Hard to get into and in fact there are way too many who want to be that ever qualify or they have room for. NFO is slightly easier to get into. as for SEAL, O's get exactly ONE shot. period. Enlisted may attempt as often as they can get permission to do so.

6. Lets say magically I get to go to one school and its either not my thing or its BUDS and get destroyed and wash out, where do you go from there? Do you have any say or does the Navy put you where they want? Depends. needs of the Navy will always take precedence. they may offer you a choice, but It may only be between IWO and SWO. and if you'd rather be a SeaBee..well.... Plus.. you can't just get to SWO school and decide it ain't your cup of tea.. you still have your commitement and they won't necessarily allow you to Redesignate just because you don't like it.

quote:

Originally posted by 19242168:


1. I have an average GPA of lets say 2.7 right now which I expect to raise..... My freshmen year didn't go so well..... But my grades have sig. improved I just dug a huge hole. too low. anything less than a 3.5 will be tough to sell to the Selection board unless it's in something like Nuclear Engineering.

It's not competitive but it meets the minimum requirement, so don't give up on trying on account of a low GPA. If the Navy absolutely did not want people with 2.7 GPA's to be officers, they'd have made the minimum requirement a 2.71.

quote:

3. With a college degree are you guaranteed OCS? And can you choose what you would want to do?

As Mrsjvb said, a degree is definitely not a guaranteed for OCS. You provide a dream sheet for jobs, but the Navy has the ultimate say in what it will offer you.

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4. Just like every other red blooded male who doesn't want to fly a jet/be a navy seal.... but I currently wear contacts/glasses..... Would I have to get PRK ?? And if I did would that DQ me from the Navy? Also my recruiter keeps telling me they would pay for it/ let me get it done whenever, which I find difficult to believe, but is that true in some way shape or form?

So wait... Do you want to fly and/or be a SEAL? If not then you wouldn't need PRK. If you do, you may need PRK, however the rules on what can be waived pre-service and what the Navy will pay for and when keep changing. For some communities various forms of corrective surgery are disqualifying, but can be waived. The Navy will pay for PRK, but not for everyone and not immediately. It depends on your job and how essential it is that you have good vision without corrective lenses. For pilots, it's absolutely essential. For SWO's it's not essential, but is still of great benefit considering the amount of time you may spend with a gas mask or an SCBA on. Sure they make SCBA glasses that fit on under those, but those things can break or get lost and then you're F'ed if an actual casualty occurs. For intel types on shore duty though? Meh.

Anyways, just because the Navy might pay for it doesn't mean they will accept you into a program that requires 20/20 vision uncorrected if you don't have it prior to joining. I seem to recall that a couple years ago they were accepting NROTC Midshipmen (soon to be Ensigns) with 20/400 (maybe it was 20/200) or better vision into flight school and paying for PRK at some point during the pipeline training, but then that was a couple years ago and it was people who were guaranteed a commission already.

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5. I heard about this BDCP program which is uber competitive and I am not exactly the ideal candidate...would I stand any chance?

It doesn't matter what anyone here says. We could tell you you're the perfect candidate, we could tell you you're an idiot for even trying, but that has no bearing on what the Navy will tell you. In the end, that'sall that matters. Go talk to an officer recruiter and start an application to find out what Big N thinks. It can't hurt.

quote:

Originally posted by Mrsjvb:
Plus.. you can't just get to SWO school and decide it ain't your cup of tea..

SWO school? BAHAHAAHAHAHA!!! *deep breath* But seriously, what SWO school? Actually, there is a short SWO school again, so it's not really a joke anymore I guess. Regardless, it's not going to be SWOS or whatever they're calling the new school that will make you want to get out and run, it's what happens when you get to your ship that does that.

PRK and Lasik can be a a DQ for entry, as with any surgery. Let the Navy decide what they want to do with your eyes.

I am having a hard time telling if you do or don't want pilot, but be aware of the dangers of trying to enter and/or stay in overmanned communities. Pilot is totally overmanned.


Read through the posts by JGalus, He was a BDCP selectee and has some good insight. Says he didn't know anyone with less than a 3.0 in the program.

Thanks for the responses. I ment to put a question mark at the end of that sentece, so yes i ment for it say that i would want to do that. So i guess to add to my list, with a college degree i am not secured a spot as an officer? Does this happen to alot of people?

A piece of paper does not an Officer make.

There is much more that goes into the equation, and yes there are more than a few that have to enlist because they don't qualify for an Officer spot due to grades, degree type, lack of leadership potential, questionable marks on their history (drug charges, DUIs) etc. Many enlist hoping to improve their chances through a STELLAR enlisted career. Notice I said stellar, enlisted time ONLY helps if you excell at it.

Pilot and SEAL slots are even MORE competitive, as tons of people want them, more annually than can get it. For SEALS the top 1% of all applicants are allowed the chance to go through training. For pilots, well, again its overmanned and every kid wants to be a pilot for some reason, so they can be very picky, to the point that the Navy is throwing those who fail flight school out of the Navy (SWO is overmanned as well, so unless you qualify for something like Nuke Subs or CEC there's no reason to send you elsewhere).

Many enlisted get degrees while active and aren't able to go the Officer route due to the same factors, or they enjoy being enlisted.

Question: Why do you want to be an Officer?

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. My cousin is an intelligence officer in the Navy and said it is the best route to take. I didnt have an idea that most of this stuff was so competitive. The more i read these posts i feel like i only qualify for scrubbing dishes.... damn... So how does one make themselves more competitive? I mean other than being in shape and having a solid GPA?

Outside leadership ativities, drilling with an NROTC unit, etc. Talk to an Officer recruiter, not enlisted, he or she will be able to direct you the way you need to go to make your application the best it can be. He or She will have the best info regarding your chance and options. As was stated, no one here can difinatively tell you what you do or do not qualify for, just stating statistics.

It is a great route, but honestly so is enlisted (and I imagine you're more qualified than to just scrub pots ). If you can qualify for nuke via the ASAB, backround check wise and are willing to work, it's a great starting point towards an Officer career. My husband is technically a High school drop out that went nuke (long story) znd is now in STA-21 which is paying him full time, give 10k a year for school and garuntees him a comission in the end. He did have to prove he was worth the chance, but he did. As a former nuke, without a degree, I can land a very high paying job, and have a plant nearby asking me to drop of of school. I have other plans that require the degree though, and money isnt my driving force in life, so I am doing what I need to do to get there.

Be aware that being an Officer also means you shoudl have a willingness and desire to LEAD junior sailors.

Keep your options open, ask lots of questions, and work, and you can get to your goals no matter what. May have to work a bit, but you can do it. Having a goal in life is a good thing, and having the drive to get there is a great thing. Once you have a goal, do whatever you can to get there.

Edit: Dont forget to give thought to other communities as well. There's more in the Navy than just SEAL and pilot, that aren't as locked up (like NFO)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: catherine0830,

When I write this, I mean it in the nicest possible way.

You have almost no chance to become an EOD or SEAL Officer. There are only 15 slots for NROTC students and 1 for OCS. The only way you can get into these communities is to attempt it as an enlisted sailor.

I have personally recommended "rock stars" and they just can't compete.

Need 4.0 GPA, technical degree, near ironman triathlete fitness.

Sorry

quote:

Originally posted by 19242168:
Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. My cousin is an intelligence officer in the Navy and said it is the best route to take.

Phooey on INTEL. with a background in Information Systems look into IWO, or if they ever open up IP for initial entry that.

Johnny_b( the hubby) enlisted with a sub 3.0 GPA in Math. proved himself a stellar Squid and was accepted for a commission and reported to OCS 4 years to the day that he reported to Great Lakes. He puts on O4 as an IWO in April.....

quote:

Originally posted by catherine0830:
A piece of paper does not an Officer make.

There is much more that goes into the equation, and yes there are more than a few that have to enlist because they don't qualify for an Officer spot due to grades, degree type, lack of leadership potential, questionable marks on their history (drug charges, DUIs) etc. Many enlist hoping to improve their chances through a STELLAR enlisted career. Notice I said stellar, enlisted time ONLY helps if you excell at it.

Pilot and SEAL slots are even MORE competitive, as tons of people want them, more annually than can get it. For SEALS the top 1% of all applicants are allowed the chance to go through training. For pilots, well, again its overmanned and every kid wants to be a pilot for some reason, so they can be very picky, to the point that the Navy is throwing those who fail flight school out of the Navy (SWO is overmanned as well, so unless you qualify for something like Nuke Subs or CEC there's no reason to send you elsewhere).

Many enlisted get degrees while active and aren't able to go the Officer route due to the same factors, or they enjoy being enlisted.

Question: Why do you want to be an Officer?

Actually not necessarily true on the pilot's getting kicked out of the Navy thing. A guy who graduated from my ROTC unit last year recently washed out of flight school as a pilot and got redesignated (I don't know what as though).

quote:

Originally posted by AoiSonlee:

quote:

Originally posted by 19242168:


1. I have an average GPA of lets say 2.7 right now which I expect to raise..... My freshmen year didn't go so well..... But my grades have sig. improved I just dug a huge hole. too low. anything less than a 3.5 will be tough to sell to the Selection board unless it's in something like Nuclear Engineering.

It's not competitive but it meets the minimum requirement, so don't give up on trying on account of a low GPA. If the Navy absolutely did not want people with 2.7 GPA's to be officers, they'd have made the minimum requirement a 2.71.

There was some Navy Officer Program Officer (or whatever the Navy calls them) who used to come on these boards. There was a nice big post he had here (and it's now gone) and he said he was able to put people in with GPAs as "low" as 2.68.

Of course he didn't tell prospective candidates to shoot for a low GPA, but putting people in with less than 3.0 GPAs depended on a few things: how they presented themselves when they came into the office (i.e. their attire, their personality, their confidence); what they brought to the table (i.e. their involvement in work and the community). If I remember correctly he went "up to bat" for prospects who brought those things into the office because they help/count just as much as having a high GPA.

Again, don't give up because of your GPA. Yes, your GPA is not the most competitive like was already said, but it's not a show stopper either.

Former Navy Blue Angel and retired Air National Guard LtCol. Larry Packer once said, "I was not accepted into the Navy programs the first time I applied, but I wouldn't let them say, 'No.' So I kept coming back and applying until finally they said, 'Sure come on in!'"

How much do you want this? How much do you have to "bring to the table?" Give it a shot!

I agree with SgtLT, except: BDCP is much more competitive than OCS because of how much the program gives you. You may not be eligible for BDCP but be eligible for OCS in a few years.

REviewing your posts, you're not eligible for BDCP right now anyway. You have to be less than 2 years away from your graduation date.

Again, talk to an Officer recruiter and see what he or she thinks. Keep working towards your goals, and you will get there.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 19242168:
My cousin is an intelligence officer in the Navy and said it is the best route to take. QUOTE]

Just because it was the best path for him (or her) it may not be the best path for you. Take a look at both paths and ask a lot of questions. My advice for anyone looking to become an officer is to make sure you know what it means to be an officer - it is not just giving orders and telling people what to do. Take a look at the enlisted route as well. There can be a rewarding experience either way you go. Ask for advice here in this forum and do a lot of research. There are great people in this forum - many who have made sucessful careers and others who may have chosen a different path if they had to do it all over again.

In the end, the decision is yours.

quote:

Originally posted by BrianNY:
My advice for anyone looking to become an officer is to make sure you know what it means to be an officer - it is not just giving orders and telling people what to do.

+1

I couldn't have said it better!

I would highly recommend you checking out www.usnavyocs.com for more complete gouge on all of your officer questions.

It's been said here and on there many, many times that your GPA is not the deciding factor as to whether or not you get accepted into OCS. When they review your application, they are reviewing the whole person...not just the GPA.

Good extra-curriculars, the right degree, great LOR's(letters of rec.), no police record, awards, etc. These can help you.