Has anyone seen a WOFT packet receive a waiver for the federal service limit? Does anyone know someone with a similar story?

2018-12-22T13:20:29-05:00

Good afternoon all,
I have recently been doing quite a bit of research into the Army WOFT program and have submitted a conditional release (ePar1306 to get a DD368 approved by my command). I am nearly certain that I will be able to pass all requirements of the program and am an exceptional candidate with the exception of one thing. The Army recruiting manual states that applicants who have 9 years of federal service must be carefully processed to ensure they do not exceed the 10 year federal service limit prior to commissioning. If my 1306 (and therefor my 368 conditional release) is denied a sufficient number of times, I will leave the Navy at 9 years 8 months. I'm guessing I will be required to attend BCT followed by WOCS prior to commissioning and that this would take about 6 months. My question is: has anyone seen a packet in a similar situation receive a waiver for this? Or does anyone know someone with a similar story?
Thanks,
Josh

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2018 10:18 AM

2018-12-23T10:18:33-05:00

Josh,

It depends on the requirements determined by the MOS proponent. Most Warrant branches will accept a TIS waiver, but you're going to have to do the research via the Warrant Officer recruiting page to find out. You should also be able to contact the proponent officer for the branch you're looking at to apply for.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2018 12:23 PM

2018-12-23T12:23:25-05:00

My roommate at WOCS was a MSG at 16 years of AFS who went flight so I know it’s possible. I also received an AFS waiver for my MOS. I’m pretty sure I have the memo somewhere if you want to take a look at it.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 6:31 AM

2018-12-27T06:31:34-05:00

Hello, work with a recruiter and find the Aviation Proponent Warrant officer. That person will have an impact on you being accepted and can help you through the processes. Remember, everything you say and everything you say you will do is part of the interview. For example, if you're supposed to email a PDF of your DD214 today, don't send it the next day as a jpg.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2019 1:49 AM

2019-01-23T01:49:26-05:00

Off topic because the active fed service does not apply to me, but did you submit your 1306 and subsequently your 368 only to your command? I built the full packet and when it came to the 368 my CCC sent it up to pers where they in turn totally denied it. Citing NAVADMIN 288/17. Have you maybe found a loophole? Or maybe did I go about submitting the conditional release the wrong way and the only way the Navy will accept a conditional release is if I had proof I was accepted into WOFT? Thanks in advance.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2019 3:38 PM

2019-02-07T15:38:20-05:00

I'm not sure if this will help or not, but I'll give you my 2 cents. I transferred from the AF to the Army back at the beginning of 2018. The DD 368 being approved doesn't mean that you will separate from the Navy. It is just a pending personnel action until you get selected at the board, because your separation is completely contingent on appointment. So if you don't get a contract with the Army, the Navy shouldn't release you and your career should continue unimpeded. To be sure, I would read into the Navy regulations pertaining to separations, specifically ones that deal with separations prior to your established ETS. You also have to have a minimum of 1 year (used to be 2) left on your enlistment contract at the time of the board, so a reenlistment/extension may be necessary to meet that requirement. I didn't have enough time left on my contract for the board I was aiming for and had to reenlist in order to submit my packet. Once I was selected, I received an "Official Notification for Transfer" then went through the process to have my DOS rolled back to match my enlistment date to coincide with my basic training report date in order to avoid having an overlap or break in service.

You can submit an AFS waiver to the proponent when you submit your packet. If you're close to the AFS requirement, draft the waiver. All waivers are sent up with your packet, they won't approve a waiver ahead of time. There are plenty of folks who have more than 10 years AFS who go on to become a warrant. I went to WOCS with an E-8 that had 16 years AFS. The chances of a waiver being granted vary from board to board, they depend on the requirements of that MOS and for that board at that time. Some boards grant more waivers than others, so if you get denied for one board, it doesn't mean you'll necessarily get denied the next time. My suggestion is if this is something you really want to do, put your packet together with any waivers you need, and submit it. The worst thing they can do is tell you no.

As for basic training, all personnel transferring from the Navy and AF without documented special forces training and all personnel with more than a 3 year break in service are required to complete basic training. It's a blanket policy for anyone from the AF and Navy, regardless of TIS, or break in service. That's all laid out in the Statement of Understanding that you sign and submit with your packet. Basic training isn't bad going through as an NCO. Every unit is different, but it's a cake walk. Anyway, I hope this helps, and good luck!