OCS, enlisting, jobs...LOADED QUES!!

[Anonymous]

Im 24..will be 25 going in. OCS vs. enlistment. I will have 2 degrees in history and poli.sci when I graduate this fall... OCS then, right?! WELL I am nervous about that because I dont have the greatest cum.gpa 2.8 and Im sure the test is very competetive. Also, Im not HUGELY the leader type. I am better when I leading with those who are more of my level. I'm just wondering if its 'worth it' to enlist and put my officer package in ASAP and let those above me know that Im out there for it? My reasoning for going enlistment is to know/understand those who I may work with and lead someday.

I know the pay can be about $700 difference..yeah its a lot. Is going military worth its price in pay anyways? Will I warrant a better salary when I get out 4 yrs from now? Good question.

Can I have my hair cut short before I go in and avoid their 'stylists'? How is boot camp?

I havent a CLUE to what I want to do in the Navy. My recruiters.. Sam and Hawkins..nice guys.. say that they can get my ASVABs back and the jobs I would qualify for and we could go over them together so I wont feel 'pressured' at MEPS. Is this something that they normally dont do or they just making me feel good? LOL

Jen

JENatASU@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

Jen

You would best serve the Navy and yourself by going in an officer with your 2 degrees. The average age of a new enlistee is 18-19 years old and for the first year of service, they get to clean and work in the galley for most of the time. I do not think you went to college for this.

And while I applaude you for wanting to know how it is to be enlisted before you are commissioned, the idea of enlisting and then applying for a commission is not practical. First, the navy has just spent over $100,000 to train you in your speciality and they want to get that work out of you, Your first non-school command will want to see you prove yourself before they can give you that all important recommendation for OCS. It will be a few years down the line before you will have a successful chance of applying and then your age becomes a factor. There are age limits to becoming an officer, starting at 26 1/2. True, you can get some waivers for prior service, but even then, you might be pushing it. From the time you initially start the process, expect to wait even 6 months to a year before you hear an answer to your application.

It does not matter is you feel your GPA is not high. It is more than above minimum requirements for being an officer. It will, however, probably knock you out of the running to be an Intelligence or Cryptology Officer.

If you feel your leadership skills are lacking, so are those of most newly commissioned officers. You will learn to lead and follow during your OCS, your subsequent schooling, along with a lot of OJT training in the fleet.

Your recruiters are being nice guys, but keep in mind, they want you in their quota. They do not get any points if you go officer. They only get points for enlisted. Officer programs are a whole different recruiting command.

Elle

Aquitane13@aol.com

[Anonymous]

Hi, Jen~

Both Enlisted and Officers are honorable professions. I've been both, and I have the utmost respect for anyone who volunteers to serve at any level. I like to see people maximize their potential, and it sounds to me like you're reluctant to do so. Lack of enlisted service doesn't make one a poor officer-- lack of strength, compassion and foresight do. The fact that you care about this indicates to me that you'll be a good one.

Ultimately the choice is yours, of course, but since you're asking for opinions, I'll throw mine in. Elle's post was exceptional and I agree with her 100%. Here's a few more thoughts to add to them.

A new enlisted recruit doesn't have much experience when they go to the fleet, and so it would seem a logical place to start. HOWEVER.... a newly commissioned officer doesn't have much experience when they go to the fleet, either. You will NOT be behind the power curve if you sign up as an officer-- your life experience and maturity may well put you above it. The CO will rely on his or her officers to make wise decisions, and although not always the case, that oftentimes comes with age. That gives you a foot up. Also, you will probably not be left alone to sort everything out on your own. Senior enlisted personnel, especially Navy Chiefs, are there to help you. One of the primary jobs of a Navy Chief is to "Train Junior Officers". They will help you to succeed. And as far as your schooling & testing scores.... who cares. There are officers with degrees from Nuclear Engineering to Political Science to English, and test scores that vary as much as degree focuses. That's totally irrelevant to how well you'll be able to do your job. Education gives you a broad understanding of things, but the ability to apply that understanding is developed and can't be taught, imo. Confidence will come. For now, I think you ought to jump on in there as an Officer, where you can best put your training to use. It's natural to be nervous, we all are when we're doing something new, and the bigger the challenge, the scarier it is. Once you've done it, though, there's nothing like the feeling of accomplishment. Go for the biggest challenges. I suspect you will surprise yourself.

tracy_liz@geocities.com