MOC interviews coming up

ctkttww

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2013
Messages
47
My DS has been invited to his first set of MOC interviews. Advice on what types of questions he may be asked?
 
Wow, can't believe it's almost MOC interview time again...mine were ~10 months ago...a lot has happened since then. Anyway, there's usually a few standard questions that he could get, like:

Why do you want to attend a SA / be an officer?

Why this certain SA?

Why do you think you're ready for a SA / what makes you think you'll be able to handle the stress?

How do you think you could "repay" for the education and experience a SA will give you?

Give an experience of when you lead a group or initiated something?

What are your secondary plans if not accepted into USxA?

--Some other (odd) ones I got:

What is the most fun thing you have ever done?

What would you do if commanded to fire on a coastal house that may have WMD's in it, but not sure? Cannot evacuate occupants, who probably are civilians. Would you disobey?

How have you been training for your CFA? Or in my case, "Why didn't you do your CFA yet??? :unhappy:"



Practice some Q's with your BGO. He/she will have an idea of what to expect. Really, just practice interviewing, with good posture, speech, eye contact, body language. The interviewers can pick that up.

At my Senator interviews, there were 2 older people sitting behind a desk who interviewed me (I was sitting on other side of desk).

At my MOC interview, it was me at the end of a long table, with 3 on each side of table and one on the other end, so 7. Very intimidating. I felt like a limp fish when I left that interview, but they were the ones who nominated me. :cool:

Just practice, and good luck to everyone!!!!
 
a question that tripped up my son:

FFR's Question (USMA's BGO equivalent): What book have you read that you feel depicts the military?

He had, the past year, read: Black Hawk Down,The Things They Carried, We Were Soldiers Once, Flags of Our Fathers (Paperback) and Lincoln.

He panicked and replied "I watched Saving Private Ryan"


Uggghhhh-at least it wasn't "I watched Private Benjamin":rolleyes:
 
One that sometimes comes up in competitive districts/states:

"Would you accept a nomination to another SA?" [or they name a particular SA]

This is a toughie. If you would TRULY BE HAPPY (and I can't emphasize those words enough) at another SA, then say "yes" (qualifying if only certain SAs). However, if USNA (or whatever SA) is your clear first choice, stick with it and defend your decision in terms of why that is the nom you really want.

I say it's a tough question because there are many downsides to whatever answer you give. If you indicate you'd be happy w/a nom to another SA, you may very well get that nom and not one to your first choice whereas, if you'd stuck to your guns, you might have received your first choice nom. I've seen it happen several times -- multiple noms to the second choice and none to the first choice.

OTOH, if you say "no, I only want X SA," you might end up with no nom at all when in fact the second choice would be better to you than nothing. The MOC may consider you #11 on his/her list of 10 for the slate but still want to give you a nom to some SA. Also, some (hopefully, not most) MOC committees might question your overall desire to serve if you are only willing to accept a nom to one SA.

So, give this one some thought BEFORE you walk into the room. There's no "right" or "wrong" answer in general but probably is a better answer for each individual.
 
a question that tripped up my son:

FFR's Question (USMA's BGO equivalent): What book have you read that you feel depicts the military?

He had, the past year, read: Black Hawk Down,The Things They Carried, We Were Soldiers Once, Flags of Our Fathers (Paperback) and Lincoln.

He panicked and replied "I watched Saving Private Ryan"


Uggghhhh-at least it wasn't "I watched Private Benjamin":rolleyes:

Ooh, that's a tough one. I honestly wouldn't even know what to say, and of course all the war movies I've seen, well, are movies.
 
Back
Top