How do I respectfully run a request up the chain of command?

2015-12-25T13:20:51-05:00

I am new to the Navy and to RallyPoint. I have seen a lot of great questions poised and insightful answers/advice given. I thought I would present a situation and see if anyone with experience and knowledge might be able to assist.

I had a chief right out of RTC who on a couple of occasions in chief's calls said something to the effect of not taking no for an answer until you see it in black and white. I've heard similar remarks from Petty Officers as well because often people will just say something but it isn't according to the written regulations. Ironically that chief denied a couple of my requests to see my wife when she was in pregnant and in then in labor with our first child that I later learned he didn't have the authority to deny and should have run a recommendation to deny up the chain of command (he only had the authority to approve but projected what he thought the chain of command might say by not even allowing me to even submit my request).

I currently have a career conundrum. I set an appointment with a recruiter in January of 2015 to discuss the options of joining the Navy as an Information Professional Officer as I have a Masters in Information Systems and that is what Navy.com says at http://www.navy.com/careers/information-and-technology/information-professional.html?#ft-qualifications-&-requirements that the Navy is looking for. My recruiter was an E-5 and the supervisor in the office was an E-6. As I was discussing a career with the recruiter the supervisor came over and made a suggestion that seemed reasonable (and later I vetted with E-7's, O-3's, and an O-4). He said that because the process to become an officer is long (which it is, as it is almost a year and I am still working on it and I have heard of others taking even longer) that it is normal/standard/acceptable (I don't remember how he phrased it exactly) to have the applicant go through the MEPS process as a Reservist. This way I would be screened medically and wouldn't find out way down the road that I am medically disqualified and waste a lot of time. Then he said he would put my ship date out far enough so that I could complete the officer package and cancel the Reserve contract (as I understood at the time it is easy to cancel a Reserve contract when going full-time, particularly if that was your stated plan from the beginning, such as it is for me). After I swore in as an E-3 Navy Reservist I was then told that I couldn't be an officer until my wife became a US citizen (that piece of information was somehow overlooked). At that time we weren't expecting her process to be completed any earlier than October 2015 so I knew at that point I was en route for RTC since I had a ship date in July 2015. While I was in DEP preparing for RTC I was assigned a Chief who worked with officer recruitment. He transferred me to a different regional officer recruitment office (which is at my NOSC) where I worked with a LCDR for a short time until he retired and was replaced by the LT that is working with me now.

My wife's citizenship process went faster than expected and while I was at RTC she swore in as a US citizen. Since then I have completed everything in the packet except two things. I need a signature on a Conditional Release form that allows one to leave whatever service or branch he or she is in to join another. Then I need a Commanding Officer's recommendation letter. These two items I didn't need initially when I came to the recruitment office since I was a civilian but now that I am enlisted I need to have these items. Everyone I have spoken with at my current command has either deferred me to the Career Counselor Office or just laughed at me for thinking I could be an officer and somehow go from a Seaman Nothing to out rank them. I spoke with the Career Counselor's Office and they said in no uncertain terms that there is no way that I am competitive to be an officer and that if they wanted to put in an officer package they would be chosen before me since they have years of Navy experience. I have only been mocked and put down at my current command everytime I try to figure out how I can get the needed signatures. I have been told it is against their policy and to wait until I return back to my NOSC after A school. The reason for this, as I have been told, is that I don't belong to anyone aka I don't technically have a command while I am in student status, which doesn't make sense since I have to have permission from my command to live off base, go on leave, etc. Also, I have not seen this in writing and the next review board meets while I am still in A school. Since I am older and coming against age limitations I really need to get my application in for the next review board. The deadline for my packet submission is 29 January 2016. The board meets in March and I understand that I would probably get an answer in April around the time that I will be completing my A school. The timing for everything would perfectly come together if I can get the last two signatures. If I don't then I will have to go back to the drawing board and figure out what I am going to do when I graduate from A school so I can support my family since working one weekend a month as a reservist obviously isn't going to cut it.

My current recruiter is doing a great job helping me to assemble my package. As an officer he has said that I am very competitive. I have a masters degree, I tested well on the OAR, I have fantastic referrals, etc. He has been working hard from my perspective but seems to be at just as much of a loss as I am on how to proceed. I believe he is a new recruiter (he took this specific command in about April when the LCDR turned over to him) and apparently I have a unique case with no precedent and no one wants to create a new precedent by allowing him to push me through even though no one has any written regulation opposing me from being a Naval Officer.

Thank you in advance for any assistance and/or advice.

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Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 25 at 2015 1:29 PM

2015-12-25T13:29:19-05:00

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member You can run a request chit. I'd walk it, personally. But first, I'd start by visiting the Command Master Chief, and asking him to help you. If he's a good one, he will.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 25 at 2015 1:32 PM

2015-12-25T13:32:56-05:00

1. Coming in as a Reservist sounds like it has risks.
2. You need to be superman: PT test, demeanor, energy etc.
3. Work on the answer too: Why do you want to be a Navy Officer.

Good luck

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 25 at 2015 5:54 PM

2015-12-25T17:54:28-05:00

As CPT Toby Forbes said, Request Mast. This is exactly what that is for. But if you're going to "Pop Red Smoke" be right, and have your ducks in a line. However... the second you say the words "Request Mast" you are jumping chain, and there are folks who may not take kindly to that. You also tie some hands, in that they may not be able to resolve things "informally."

First talk to your LPO/CPO and lay out your dilemma first. Make sure they understand everything you have, and have them "double check you math." By having these guys informed first, you change an impediment into a potential ally when you go to see the old man.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2015 9:42 AM

2015-12-26T09:42:09-05:00

You might be stuck in no-mans land right now. Until you finish training and get assigned to a 'real' unit, the NOSC is probably your official chain of command but you need a CO who knows you well enough to sign something saying, "I think he will be a good officer." That isn't just a piece of routine admin. I wouldn't sign it for you until I knew you since it also reflects on me who I am recommending. I hate to say it, but I think the recruiters led you down a bad path. You don't sign an enlisted recruitment to pre-screen medical/admin things for an officer package. They also had no guarantee that you would be picked up for the officer billet once you had signed to commit to the enlisted side.

Response by LT Michael Cavaggioni made Dec 26 at 2015 5:04 PM

2015-12-26T17:04:48-05:00

Ok, you are definitely stuck in a conundrum in this situation as you cannot apply for a commission while still in "A" school. I am coming up on 14 years in the Navy, served as a recruiter when I was enlisted, and served as the Educational Services Officer at my last command. I have seen many officer applications and have dealt with similar situations like this in the past. While it is difficult to get a conditional release from the USNR, it's not impossible. When you complete "A" school and report to your first command, I recommend that you tell your chain of command your situation and your intentions. I would be happy to take a look at your application and give you an interview for an appraisal of you need another (After 1 February when I promote). Either way, I think you can be competitive and should continue to press forward on your application. Best of luck!

Response by GySgt John O'Donnell made Dec 26 at 2015 7:41 PM

2015-12-26T19:41:42-05:00

I concur with Capt Forbes. You need to "Request Mast" because there are specific timeframes associated the this act. Also treat every step as part of the Officer interview process, have you paper trail available and your talking points clearly thought out.

Response by CPO Earl Jones made Jun 30 at 2016 3:11 PM

2016-06-30T15:11:21-04:00

I would reach out to your Command Master Chief and explain your situation to him. i'm willing to bet that he will be able to resolve your issues. Always solve problems at the lowest level possible.

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2020-11-14T10:26:17-05:00

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