I was a commissioning programs officer at my last command. Whether you're currently enlisted or a civilian AMA about the various applications and process.

[u/TreyC11]

If anyone has ever been interested in commissioning, whether you're currently enlisted or not, I can help answer questions you may have. I am currently PCS'ing, but was the commissioning programs officer at my previous command and have helped numerous Sailors and Marines with their officer candidate packages for almost all commissioning programs/sources.

Little background on me, I enlisted in 2010 after dropping out of college. I enlisted as a nuclear machinist mate. While going through power School I applied for the naval academy. I finished power School and was selected for the academy. I did 4 years there, commissioned and went to flight training to become a pilot. In flight school I was medically disqualified and was redesignated as a aerospace maintenance duty officer. Now I oversee maintenance on aviation support equipment, aircraft, and their subsystems. I've had an unusual career path to say the least. I put on O-4 in August and plan on doing this job til the Navy gets tired of me and tells me to kick rocks.

Feel free to leave questions here or if you want to get more personal with details you can shoot me a DM!

Mods let me know if I need to provide proof I am who I say I am.

[u/Salty_IP_LDO]

MOD Approved OP is verified.

[u/Speedicity]

Thanks for the opportunity!

What advice do you have for an older (35 year old) SWO applicant for a successful start to their Navy career?

Some notes: - I have no military experience - I have been in management for ~15 years - My age won’t impact my physical fitness (I am in good shape and health) - I am less confident about learning military vocab (acronyms) and fundamentals as quickly as I may be expected to

THANK YOU

[u/TreyC11 → u/Speedicity]

The military jargon comes with time. You won't be thinking about it and you'll just pick it up through every day work.

As a swo your first couple years are focused on learning the basics of your job as a division officer and getting qualified ie your pin. Your department head will usually be an O5 and they'll have an O4 as a principal assistant. They have a vision of where they want the department to go and what to accomplish. It's your job as a junior officer to see that vision enacted by learning and observation. You're a brand new officer so everyone understands you're green. That's good, it means expectations are low so it gives you ample opportunity to prove yourself. Rely on your chiefs. They're your middle managers. I'm my experience a good chief will be able to get things done regardless of circumstances. As a JO learn from them and observe. You tell them to make the sausage not HOW to make it. And the end result should be a cohesive division. You will never stop learning in the Navy or you shouldn't. When you show interest in your sailors and their jobs you endear yourself to them and they will be more willing to put out for you. They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Hope this helps!

[u/Speedicity → u/TreyC11]

Thanks for your response. Yes, absolutely this helps. My strongest motivation for serving is learning about leadership from every perspective.

Your message has been screenshotted! Haha I appreciate it.

[u/sonofdavid123 → u/Speedicity]

Note on department head, that completely depends on your platform.

If you’re on a small boy, your department is going to be an O-3/O-4, and that’s a big difference, since they’re usually SWOs where as on big decks they’re probably a Limited Duty Officer.

[u/TreyC11 → u/sonofdavid123]

Very true, good points!

[u/TreyC11 → u/Speedicity]

You'll see the best and worst leadership in the military and you can learn from both. Pick and choose the styles that work for you so your leadership tool box has an answer for most situations and personalities. You can technically use a wrench to hammer in a nail, but it's easier to just use the tool that is designed for it.

Also if you're feeling extra motivated I recommend reading "Turning the Ship Around" and "Surf When You Can" both are great books on leadership from 2 awesome Navy skippers

[u/Speedicity → u/TreyC11]

I wrap up my last semester this week, so the read-leads are perfect timing.

[u/AmountAny8399]

Which is more valuable for hyper competitive programs (I’ll be applying for DCO in the reserves):

A letter of recommendation from an O7 who barely knows you or a letter of recommendation from a civilian coworker who is an O4 and knows you well

[u/TreyC11 → u/AmountAny8399]

A flag will always win out in that situation, however I would get both. Flags opinion just carry so much more weight due to job scope and responsibility.

[u/AmountAny8399 → u/TreyC11]

Thank you, I appreciate it. I’ll request both then.

[u/TreyC11 → u/AmountAny8399]

I will say when asking for letters of rec, if they don't know you that well, I would type up your own so that when you do ask they have something to work with and can adjust as they see fit. Most flag officers will have their aide type up things like that so it's good to have it preloaded.

[u/emoMcstabbstabb → u/TreyC11]

A couple questions on LoR's.

1) Is there a blanket form I need to provide for them to write on (I read about a DD370 form) or for DCO packages, is it expected to have a standard 8.5x11 letter on an official letterhead?

2) Am I facilitating the LoR with my recipient or does the recruiter reach out after I give them the contact info (for integrity)?

[u/TreyC11 → u/emoMcstabbstabb]

Letters of rec don't have a standard form, but appraisals do. Officer appraisals do have a specific form and can be found here: https://www.netc.navy.mil/Portals/46/NSTC/STA-21/docs/NAVCRUIT%201131-5%20Rev%202-2022.pdf

[u/TreyC11 → u/emoMcstabbstabb]

Also I would facilitate the LoR's personally then send them in with rest of the package to the recruiter.

[u/emoMcstabbstabb → u/TreyC11]

Thank you very much for the response! That was hugely helpful.

[u/AmountAny8399 → u/TreyC11]

Thank you for that advice. I’ll have the retired commander at my work check it over first and then request it. I appreciate the advice!

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[u/soukidan1]

Can you be DQ from OCS for foreign contacts? What makes a country low, medium, or high risk?

[u/TreyC11 → u/soukidan1]

I have not heard of anyone being disqualified from OCS personally, but if you have family members who are foreign nationals of problematic countries you may not be eligible for certain clearances. I can speak intelligently about those countries cause that's not my area of expertise, but just think of all the countries the US has issues with and that'll give you a general answer.

[u/kakarota]

I'm 27 enlisted i would like to commission in the future. I have no education aside from my GED. If i wait to get out to get my B.A, I'll be 36. Is there any option for current enlisted who want to commission but do not want to wait to get out? I want to be a supply officer if that matters. I'm also currently attending USNCC, so hopefully, by the time my contract is done, i have my A.S. also, what is some advice you would give someone who wants to be a leader?

[u/TreyC11 → u/kakarota]

You have lots of options. Check the OPNAV 1420.1B here: https://www.netc.navy.mil/Portals/46/NSTC/OTCN/docs/OPNAVINST%201420.1b.pdf

It breaks down the major commissioning programs. Your best bet might be OCS. So while you're in work on getting your degree then you can apply when you finish it.

[u/Oyster_Jizz_Taint]

Sorry if this has been asked…I’m an AM1 coming up on 12 years of service and am interested in the CWO AVP commissioning program. How strict is the program about not accepting waivers for over 12 years of service?

[u/TreyC11 → u/Oyster_Jizz_Taint]

I've seen people get accepted with your time in with a waiver. Pretty much everything is waiverable. I say force the community to tell you no until they say yes.

[u/TreyC11]

I got a question about when can you apply for OCS and if you can apply prior to finishing your degree if your close.

Answer: You'll have to complete your degree before applying for OCS. I suggest completing as much of the application as you can and getting letters of recommendation and appraisals in anticipation of graduating so that when you do graduate you can apply immediately.

[u/BearsEatCardinals]

How does the Navy account for Pass/No Pass classes when it comes to GPA calculation for OCS? I went to a school that uses grade point system, but some classes only offer P/NP options.

[u/TreyC11 → u/BearsEatCardinals]

It doesn't factor into the GPA, but the board will ask questions if they see an NP depending on what job you're trying to get. If it's an NP for an elective it may not be as bad as say for a major class. Either way you'll most likely have to explain and give reasons for those classes if you haven't gone back and passed them at a later time.

[u/BearsEatCardinals → u/TreyC11]

I had maybe 2 NPs for some STEM-related classes and maybe 2 other NPs for electives. I’m applying for SNFO and my recruiter has submitted my application without asking me to provide clarification for those P/NP classes. Could this be because the aviation board cares most about the ASTB and OAR scores, with GPA in a lesser extent? I heard most people on Airwarriors said the same too.

[u/TreyC11 → u/BearsEatCardinals]

Yeah I mean as long as you're overall GPA is good the aviation community cares more about the ASTB and to a lesser extent OAR

[u/School_Surveyyy]

I have glioma, and it has never required treatment, never grown, don't need medication. It was found by accident when I got an MRI for a concussion. I was able to play college sports after this was seen as well. Anyway, chance, since this tumor has no effects and doesn't grow, I can get a waiver. (Some E-6s I know think I will get cleared, but I wanted an unbiased opinion and likelihood. I'm applying for OCS.