Current plebe. Does anyone have any advice on how to get IWC/Intel without being medically DQed? GPA recommendation? What are other major factors to put yourself in a good position to be selected into the RL community? If your son/daughter have done so, what did they do? Is lat transferring the best option? Thanks.
Getting selected into IWC/Intel or RL
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Old Navy BGO
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If you are a Plebe, the best place to get this information is to seek out a representative from that particular community in the Yard. I suspect that even the most senior officers in the Yard would be happy to talk with you about the community, and will be upfront on whether its even possible to get that billet if not NPQ. Reaching out to them also goes along way when Assignment time comes -- they will remember the Plebe that expressed interest early. Be prepared talk about why you are interested in their community instead of one of the more common mainstream warfare communities.
As for GPA -- If you have a 4.0 then GPA is never a negative . Seriously, always strive for the best you can achieve. Nobody here can tell you what GPA is required for a specific assignment.
A1Janitor
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100%.
My son had to sign an agreement to accept RL or USMC before he was inducted.
He loves CEC. But wishes he could have gone aviation or a few other URL.
And what he wanted plebe year changed multiple times.
Though SEAL might still be in play down the road with a lateral transfer.
Kierkegaard
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Academic advisors are often (though not always) civilian professors. Even if they’re an officer they most likely will not be privy to the service assignment process.
severn
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... so DS's Academic Advicer is a naval aviator... You know Top Gun...
Kierkegaard
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People I knew who got selected for an IW community despite being URL-qualified invariably had a very high GPA, heavily networked with officers from their desired community, and did IW-related internships in the summers.
My advice would be to pick a major that you’ll perform the best in. For some IW communities major selection is important (CWE must be either comp sci or comp eng, I believe) but don’t pick something solely because you think it’s what someone else wants to see. Pick something that interests you and that you’ll be good at, as strong academic performance is a must.
My advice would be to pick a major that you’ll perform the best in. For some IW communities major selection is important (CWE must be either comp sci or comp eng, I believe) but don’t pick something solely because you think it’s what someone else wants to see. Pick something that interests you and that you’ll be good at, as strong academic performance is a must.
severn
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... so I thought SEALS designated as URL due to mission requirements?
A1Janitor
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Yes.
His dq is colorblindness. And he has learned recently that there are colorblind waivers. I believe Brendan Looney was colorblind.
He is in CEC, and is training for the BUDS first test - for UDT.
severn
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... just a suggestion... If your son is starting BUD/s, you probably need to sign off from this forum (operational security) ... just saying.
A1Janitor
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He is training for the next two years to get into BUDs first part - while stationed in the carribean.
I think he maxes everything - except swimming. He has to work hard at swimming.
I don’t know what he tells me - so I am probably off. He wants to get into UDT.
Which one? Intel and METOC are kind of the odd ones out compared to the rest.
Major selection is important for CW/IP/CWE/MCWO. It's technically not a requirement, but I wouldn't play with technicalities when the quota numbers are this low.
Realistically if you don't enjoy CS/IT/EE/CE, you probably won't enjoy CW/IP/MCWO, and certainty won't enjoy being a CWE. There will be a lot of computer things as an IP or MCWO; there will be a lot of RF/signal things as a CW; and there will be lots of both as a CWE.
For example, new accession MCWOs are being sent to schools like JCAC, ION, and EA. Without a CS/IT background, you will eat the firehose and then the hydrant. Nuke school isn't the only hard school in the Navy.
IW internships, particularly with CYBERCOM/FCC and NSA. This again is where major selection is important, as some internships will look only for specific majors, and some internship programs are only open to certain departments.
Engagement. Get into the cyber and IW-related clubs on the Yard. Show up to community events and talks. The O-reps running those things might be the same officers sitting on the selection panels. And again, major comes into play here--a lot of IW officers instruct in the CS and engineering departments.
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Great posts by OldNavyBGO and nuensis. Some of these fields/communities are inherently technical…so a panel is going to want to ensure who they select has the competence and potential to succeed in their career. The panel is also going to want to see who is dedicated and committed…showing a genuine interest, investing time to learn about the technical field and community, and being proactive and engaged, are certainly ways to show that you have a sustained desire to be in one of these communities…not because it looks good to the panel, but because that is how you want to contribute to the Navy. Competence + commitment = increased chances.
This matches what I observed of my DD’s drive to earn one of 2-3 PQ Intel spots in CL2020.
1) DD established and maintained strong relationships with representatives of the Intel community at USNA. She sought them out, asked for direction and acted on it.
2) As a Plebe, DD was having great success in her sport/team. DD elected not to return to the team in her 3c year. She did this to free up time to do the other things that would demonstrate her interest, and the talent-set for USN Intel. I think this was the hardest choice I have seen her make.
3) With the time she’d free-d up she: a) got very involved with NAFC; b) joined one of two(?) USNA debate teams. c) Involved herself much more with “Company Leadership” d) looked for conferences, symposiums, briefings in the DC that were relevant to Naval Intel. Any learning opportunity she heard about from USNA Intel types; she jumped on.
4) Summer sessions/internships were, 3c DIA— 2c ONI—1c Special Warfare (Intel). She wasn’t going through the motions on these, took them very seriously (nice Ltrs of recommendation)
5) She was Poli Sci; I tried to talk her out of that one, but it was her call and she liked it. I know she wasn’t top 10%, because she's mentioned she wasn’t (I told her not to minor in Chinese
). She was “Top 20-25% ” I've heard that too in conversation……I haven’t asked and she never seemed to care about CL rank. Its not all about grades….but you gotta have grades.Note: You will hear from some folks that all Intel officers do is brief power points…..not true. DD has done some very cool stuff in the 2years she’s been in the fleet.
Good luck to you OP
BTW: does anybody know how many PQ Intel officers are coming out of CL2024? I understood that there were 6 in CL2023.
LKNBrawley
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We just had a conversation with my DS ( a plebe) this Thanksgiving. He mentioned he is considering not returning to his varsity sports as he wants more time to focus on his classes and more time to get involved with other clubs in the yard. I am glad that I see your posting today. He is considering the Intel Community as well. My advice to him is, to begin with, the end in mind. Then work backward to see what is required of him to reach his goal. We told him it was his choice. He is there to earn a degree and be an Officer! Not be a professional player for his sport!This matches what I observed of my DD’s drive to earn one of 2-3 PQ Intel spots in CL2020.
1) DD established and maintained strong relationships with representatives of the Intel community at USNA. She sought them out, asked for direction and acted on it.
2) As a Plebe, DD was having great success in her sport/team. DD elected not to return to the team in her 3c year. She did this to free up time to do the other things that would demonstrate her interest, and the talent-set for USN Intel. I think this was the hardest choice I have seen her make.
3) With the time she’d free-d up she: a) got very involved with NAFC; b) joined one of two(?) USNA debate teams. c) Involved herself much more with “Company Leadership” d) looked for conferences, symposiums, briefings in the DC that were relevant to Naval Intel. Any learning opportunity she heard about from USNA Intel types; she jumped on.
4) Summer sessions/internships were, 3c DIA— 2c ONI—1c Special Warfare (Intel). She wasn’t going through the motions on these, took them very seriously (nice Ltrs of recommendation)
5) She was Poli Sci; I tried to talk her out of that one, but it was her call and she liked it. I know she wasn’t top 10%, because she's mentioned she wasn’t (I told her not to minor in Chinese
Note: You will hear from some folks that all Intel officers do is brief power points…..not true. DD has done some very cool stuff in the 2years she’s been in the fleet.
Good luck to you OP
BTW: does anybody know how many PQ Intel officers are coming out of CL2024? I understood that there were 6 in CL2023.