Enlisted Nuke looking for outsiders perspective

E

em3nuketype

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2009
Messages
18
First of all, having just found this forum, I've got to say, it rocks.

Second, I understand nobody here is going to look at what I have and be able to say anything for sure. However, I could really use an outsiders perspective because i can't compare my stats to the stats of a non-prior on this board, and my CoC likes blowing smoke up my... about the strength of my package.

So, would someone with some experience mind weighing in on my chances here?

I'm 22 years old, I turn 23 on July 9th, making me eligible for the class of 2014 by 8 days.

I'm a second time applicant

My ACT Scores are:
26 Verbal
27 Math
29 Composite

My last PFA was:
Overall: Excellent High (89)
Push ups: Outstanding High
Sit ups: Outstanding Medium
Run: Excellent Low

My CFA:
Pullups : 9
BB Throw : 67
Shuttle Run : 8.8 sec
Crunches : 95
Pushups : 75
1 mile Run : 6:42

My Military LOR's rated me top 1% of my peers in all categories, and the narratives both focused on my outstanding GPA at Prototype, as well as being in a leadership position.

My performance in the pipeline:
A School: Top half
Power School: 7 people out of top half (Family issues)
Prototype: 3/198 (2/89 in-rate, was beat out for 1st by .006)

High School:
Academically, I sucked. I was immature, made poor choices, and my grades reflect that. EA's: varsity debate and academic bowl 9-11 Varsity Ice hockey 9-12, team captain 11-12

College: Failed out after two semesters.

Both my high school and college shortcomings are addressed in my essay, which my DH from my time on hold after prototype critiqued and says was strong and reads well. Spoke heavily to my maturation since enlisting, and the sense of duty that draws me to the Academy.

Now the tricky part:

I was on hold for another commissioning program, during which time I completed the majority of my USNA package, knowing that my other package was in fact incomplete and would be rejected. After results came out and I wasn't selected, I was sent out to sea, lacking only a CO's endorsement. this was due to the whole 1420.1a section regarding the inability to transfer once a commissioning program package has been submitted.

I am not the FNG NUB on a fast boat out of Pearl, and I'm scheduled to interview with my new CO here right after stand down ends. Based on what I've seen on the standard CO's endorsement form enclosed in Appendix A-4 of OPNAVINST 1420.1a, I'm going to be getting a lot of NOB's on key rankings due to me being freshly reported to the boat and have no time in the saddle so to speak for the CO to base his recommendation on. The rest of my package intentionally focuses on my extraordinary performance at prototype, and I'm hoping I'll interview well and he'll give me the benefit of the doubt, but we'll see.

I understand that my ACT scores are weak, and I wish I could have done better, but there was only so much opportunity to study for the ACT's while going through the pipeline.

Q's:
Do I even stand a chance?

Will this being my last year of eligibility have any effect on anything other than not being eligible for NAPS?

Will my turn around performance from power school to prototype be enough?

Is there anything I can really do at this point to bolster my package, other than getting the Eng, and possibly XO to throw some of their weight behind me?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

v/r,
EM3
 
As you probably already know there are many different opinions out in the fleet about what is good, acceptable, your chances for commission, etc. etc. But just remember this, if you don't submit your package you stand no chance. And ultimately it will be USNA decision if you get in, not your LPO, LCPO, XO or CO, regardless of their endorsement of your package. Like you I was the new guy on a ship (been there 8 days) when I submitted my package. The endorsement from my CO simply stated "Petty Officer Soandso has a history of stellar performance and I am sure he will do well in his future endeavors". Short story; I got my commission. Remember, the only one who can stop you from getting your commission is you. Don't let anyone else tell you it can't be done. Best of luck.
 
EM3,

Also, do you have an E4 Eval with a decent/great trait average and block 43 comments? This might be an item you want to submit with your package.

Best of luck!
 
jadler03 said:
EM3,

Also, do you have an E4 Eval with a decent/great trait average and block 43 comments? This might be an item you want to submit with your package.

Best of luck!
Click to expand...



I have my EP eval from prototype, but haven't been at a real command long enough to have a real Eval to speak of.

How would I go about including it? Attaching it as an enclosure to the CO's endorsement seems a bit out of place.
 
You could send it in as an addition to your candidate file (i.e. mail a copy of it in).
 
There is someone at USNA Candidate Guidance is specifically tasked with handling candidates from the fleet. If you've not yet contacted this person, I strongly suggest you do so. He/she is probably the best person to advise you.
 
USNA Admissions Fleet Coordinator

usna1985 said:
There is someone at USNA Candidate Guidance is specifically tasked with handling candidates from the fleet. If you've not yet contacted this person, I strongly suggest you do so. He/she is probably the best person to advise you.
Click to expand...

That's BMC Ashwood, Fleet Coordinator, USNA Admissions, 410-293-1839. General Admissions is 410-293-4361. You should feel relieved that you've got a Navy chief at the other end of the phone who will understand your situation. Persevere and good luck!

And Happy New Year...
 
And I just really enjoyed seeing fellow posters rally to advise and assist to lend a shipmate a hand.
:thumb::thumb::thumb:
 
i was in the same boat.

hey man,

im 4/C Grewal. Ill try to make this short. I had the exact same profile as you i'd say. my grades were decent in high school. i was on the USS Harry S Truman. I was an EM3 and thought i didn't stand a chance at all. my ACT scores were exactly like yours. exactly. im not sure if i got lucky but this is my advice: please don't give up. i think admissions will notice that this is your second time and that you're persistent. also don't go so hard on yourself. i understand where you're coming from with the whole "CoC blowing smoke up your ass" thing but i think it's actually true. i think you stand a good chance. trust me i thought people would be really smart here. nope. not really. i mean there are like ingenious people but i think the academy cares more about how well rounded a person is. also, if you're worried about how you're going to do here, well i was out of nuke school for a year and out of like other academics for 3.5 years and i am doing pretty good here. so yeah. anyways, please feel free to ask me any other questions. i feel you're in the same boat i was in a year ago and i don't want you to sell yourself short.
 
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