Hi everyone. First I would like to thank all of you for the service you do.

I am 21 years old and I am going into my senior year of college. I am studying Mechanical Engineering. I am thinking of joining the Reserves, and would like to work as an engineer in the Navy Reserves. I have 3 more semesters left in school, and I am thinking of taking a co-op next spring, which would push my graduation date to May 2010. If I were to join, I would go to boot camp next summer. My GPA has hovered around a 2.6 my entire college career. Will I be able to get into OCS? Would I have to join as Enlisted, then apply for OCS the next year for my annual 2 week training?

I have read up a lot on the internet, but I think I may be able to get better answers from those with experience. Thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by fitz73chrgr:
Hi everyone. First I would like to thank all of you for the service you do.

I am 21 years old and I am going into my senior year of college. I am studying Mechanical Engineering. I am thinking of joining the Reserves, and would like to work as an engineer in the Navy Reserves. I have 3 more semesters left in school, and I am thinking of taking a co-op next spring, which would push my graduation date to May 2010. If I were to join, I would go to boot camp next summer. My GPA has hovered around a 2.6 my entire college career. Will I be able to get into OCS? Would I have to join as Enlisted, then apply for OCS the next year for my annual 2 week training?

I have read up a lot on the internet, but I think I may be able to get better answers from those with experience. Thank you.

- If you enlist, you will have to attend boot camp and "A" School together, which can take roughly 4-6 months (or more), depending on the "A" School. You would be eligible for the Reserve GI Bill, which could help pay for school.

- OCS is an active duty program -- if you applied and were picked up, you would attend 13 weeks of OCS and then have an active duty commitment (at least 4 years, but depends on designator) once you were commissioned. The minimum GPA, I believe, is a 2.5. Leadership experience, ASTB Scores, and other factors also go into an OCS package.

- The Direct Commission Program (DCO) is a Reserve Component Program. Do a search on the military.com forums and you will find a lot of information from previous posts about the program.

Good luck in your endeavors!

ISC(sel)

To the OP

What motivates you to join the reserves, and what job/jobs would you be willing to do in the reserves?

There are advantages to both enlisting and trying to get a direct commission.

As for enlisting-as pointed out above, you could get some of your education paid for. A possible disdvantage is that you cannot limit yourself to wanting just one job when enlisting. What job/rating you get is based on your asvab score, the availablility of the job and other factors. Would you be willing to enlist and have a relating that is not directly related to engineering, if it came to that?

I recently enlisted in the reserves with the rating of HM (Hospital Corpsman)I am very pleased that I was able to get this rating.

As for getting a commission, you may have a decent chance. Mechanical engineering is a good major for someone who seeks to get a commission. My college major, which was pretty useless, was not.

Seeking a commission can be a time consuming process. If you are willing to put the time into it, it may be the best way to go, especially if that is what you really want.

quote:

Originally posted by AlabamaCrimson80:
Mechanical engineering is a good major for someone who seeks to get a commission.

Yes, but a 2.6 is not. OP needs to talk to an officer recruiter about his options (although, BDCP, NUPOC and BDCP/CECoption-some of the best options, are completely out right now).

OP-you need to look at what you want first. You can't just sign up now and get your schooling to fit over a summer. As was pointed out above, you must go to boot and A-school, which is longer than a summer. If they need you to deploy with your unit, school gets put on hold, you have a military obligation first. Why, exactly do you want to join? What do you want to gain? Are you ready to sacrifice things for service?

I want to join the reserves for several reasons. I want to serve my country and gain valuable experience, while still pursuing my career goals. I am interested in trying to become an officer in the engineering community because it is my college focus and one of my interests. I am willing to sacrifice things for the service. Serving this country is one of the most respectable things in my book.

I would really like to become an officer, as I do have leadership experience. I have always desired joining the Navy over other services, but if becoming a Naval Officer is out of reach, I may consider the Army.

My college does not have the Navy ROTC program, and looking back I realize I probably should have joined Army ROTC, but there is no point in worrying about the past.

I am planning on talking to an officer recruiter, but from what I have read, they have a long list of people who are interested in becoming Naval Officers and sometimes aren't much of a help.

quote:

Originally posted by fitz73chrgr:
I want to join the reserves for several reasons. I want to serve my country and gain valuable experience, while still pursuing my career goals. I am interested in trying to become an officer in the engineering community because it is my college focus and one of my interests. I am willing to sacrifice things for the service. Serving this country is one of the most respectable things in my book.

I would really like to become an officer, as I do have leadership experience. I have always desired joining the Navy over other services, but if becoming a Naval Officer is out of reach, I may consider the Army.

My college does not have the Navy ROTC program, and looking back I realize I probably should have joined Army ROTC, but there is no point in worrying about the past.

I am planning on talking to an officer recruiter, but from what I have read, they have a long list of people who are interested in becoming Naval Officers and sometimes aren't much of a help.

This is just my personal opinion. If being an officer is that important to you, then I would say to try to go for officer first and see what is available. You have a competative major, but as Catherine pointed out, your GPA is not that competative. However, the selection board will look at your whole package (leadership experience, gpa, major, letters of recommendation, test scores etc...) in rendering a decision.

There are plenty of ratings and jobs that are related to engineering in some form or fashion that may interest you both on the officer and enlisted side.

There is nothing wrong with enlisting either, but as pointed out, it cannot be fit into one summer. For me to complete my initial training, it will take close to or over 6 months. I am planning my next year or so around it.

That is just my opinion, and that a 4.99 will get a you a coffee at starbucks, or maybe a gallon of gasoline. Best of luck in your endeavors, whatever you decide to do.

fitz-

First, thank you for considering how you might serve our country.

Worth confirming or looking into further is the accession pathway for Civil Engineering Corps officers. CEC officers serve primarily (solely?) with Seabee units and Public Works units, to the best of my knowledge. My understanding of CEC accession is very, very limited, but I believe it's different from line officer OCS accession. And the very name CEC is a bit misleading to civilians like me, inasmuch as mechanical, electrical, and other engineering degrees generally qualify one for CEC officer training and service. I would imagine CEC is the most likely way to a virtual guarantee of doing engineering/management/construction management work in the USNR.

Best of luck as you investigate your options.

HH

quote:

Originally posted by HoyHoy:
My understanding of CEC accession is very, very limited, but I believe it's different from line officer OCS accession.

CEC Officers go through OCS just like everyone else. There were a large number of them in my class. Also, CEC Officers have the ability to work in a number different billets outside of the common core of CEC billets, to include a number of jobs within NECC outside of the Naval Construction Division.

Fitz,

I think you should finish college and then consider joining, as catherine pointed out the Navy comes first. It is hard to balance school and the navy...good l*** & Can Do!

fitz,
I am in a reserve comp. as active, the call us FTS. My usual advise and the best way I know to do it is to get in touch with a command. Find which one you would like to be associated with, and just call their CCC, which can pretty much answer any question about military service you may have. If you would like to talk to one I would be more then happy to help you out, I'm not a CCC but mine is pretty good at her job and i'm sure she can help you.

accel04,
A unit CCC is not the point of contact for a non-prior service person interested in the reserves. Their are officer and enlisted recruiters who are responsible for this.