I am currently 23 (24 in May), and I am at least two and a half years away from graduating college with a degree in Mathematics. I haven't had a steady job over the last 5 years and mostly worked for family businesses and doing construction work which means no real work history. My cumulative GPA will be around a 2.8 when I graduate with a 3.3 GPA if you replace F's with A's from retakes like my college does. I haven't ever really participated in clubs or other organizations over the years, so nothing there either.

I would like to get an SNA spot upon graduation, but I know damn well that my package will not be very competitive. I have hope, but I also know when odds are not in my favor. Now, if I graduate at the age of 26, I will have very little time to send in my package and get accepted to OCS before I hit the age cutoff.

Now that my information is out of the way, I would like to know if you all think that I would be better suited enlisting and finishing college in the Navy to be eligible for a prior service waiver when I apply giving me two more years to apply and be accepted than I would normally have if I were not enlisted.

I know that my idea of enlisting sounds selfish and like I am enlisting for the wrong reasons, but I plan on applying to OCS for NFO or IW if I am not accepted for SNA. The Navy is definitely in my future .

Ultimately though, SNA is first and foremost my first pick and I am willing to do damn near anything to get into the program. All replys and help are more than appreciated. Thank You.

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 (especially the ones who presented themselves well as a person) 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. No clubs or orgs? Well, then you're just going to have to show them somehow that this is something you're passionate about.

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? Give it a shot!

The Navy has/had a good program for math/physics/engineering majors to get them into the nuke program.

Typically, they are interested in students who have already completed their first two years and would like to be supported during their last two, then shuttled off to OCS or something. If memory serves, it was a pretty outstanding deal.

Check with an officer recruiter to see if they still have this program or something like it.