Nav,
You are officially a candidate because you now have what they call in the AF a drop dead date. This is the newest tweak. Everything else should be starting to open now for you
~ The way I am reading it is that Nov 1st. deadline from last year is not this years system. It is now when they classify you as a candidate the clock starts ticking.
In the know (poster) can give you insight if Flieger and CC don't answer. He posted how the letters/notification are being sent out this year on a different thread.
I would stand by that Nov. date as a MUST submit the CFA, Essays, transcripts, Recs.
~ DoDMERB is different. You can't do it until they request it.
~ ~ My guess is DoDMERB will be done before that Nov. date.