Posted on May 22, 2019
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original post below
update:
It's been around 1 year, making a update on request and personal obligation. I opted not to pursue joining the airforce after the few month of passing tests and the signing date at MEPs. If you are like me and viewed this post for insight, here's what I learned after not doing it nearly a year or so ago:
- you can't just decide after a few months or a year that you don't like the direction things are headed
- if you find you just want to try a new lifestyle, trust me, you can get fit and do so more easily while free
- enlisting before you potentially go to OCS is 'not' honorable, a way to gain experience, etc., instead many finish enlistment and then applied successfully to OCS as civilian; you can talk and/or look up frequency of this happening online, and find thru the years it is actually what happens.
- enlistment to OCS is a trick or based on not really knowing: you will in most cases be used for the duration of contract, and then realize the above, so it's not some temporary/experience gain transition
- joining any military branch is not a great option for what I wanted and where I was, OCS looked great, air-force good way to help them out and improve fitness, but you'll find the government and people are all the same; if you feel people slow you down, disagree with leadership, ever felt you were too efficient, faster, smarter, and that sort of thing actually happened in the real world, guess what, whatever you have will likely get worse in the military, you should not join just for that reason.
- fitness, comradery, new sense of purpose, was what I was looking for: again, it's easier without joining any outdated lock-in contract that you can't get out of.. once you start one, the other stuff comes, then you find you either don't want it, or whatever
- if you are anything like I was, trust me, emotions and feelings are temporary. you'll get started somewhere. being considered as a possible candidate that can get a slot at OCS, going in, seems great, but it's for different type of people. give it time, restart your fitness routine, etc.. the military is not going to buff you or make you better than you can by your own, especially if you are/were like me, disapproving of professors, disapproving of general education, do stuff in 1 day then free time for long time, and other factors

and finally, don't let it dissuade you if you are joining, but if you have managed to get STEM, you've already shown you make adult decisions, work hard temporarily for better gains later on, and passed through the first wave of bad things thrown at you.

As for the rest of my experience (opinion/optional):
if you haven't experienced the suck (as infantry say), then you should probably think out what you'll be doing in the military. try running with 40lbs for a mile, it's not as easy as it sounds whether you can do it the first time or not. maybe you went to the DMV and had a bad experience. try going to MEPs. half an hour late due to traffic? need to take some '1990s entry tests? too bad, the slots are available, but go home and reschedule. On the big 'shipout' day: you can be early to arrive as I was, not the first to start any stations, finish it all early, then sit around and wait around 2-3 hours for the rest of them (mainly tricked highschool kids probably in for a ride if they do join) and doctor to arrive, and it was almost like a joke experience. You start to realize it's all the same. You can encounter a highly efficient group, but just because it's under the government label, it doesn't mean you'll find great people and great efficiency all around you; more likely you'll have some weird experiences, just like at a DMV or any other brief exposure with the government. I am sure they can get their act together, and not have someone waiting around for hours for a posture test, but wow, the highlight of many hours wasted at MEPs that morning was that the airforce Lt. was smoking hot and the instructor Sgt was cute. ASVAB is designed for like right out of highschool, scoring high on it and being applauded is just a joke to feel good. Realize you're still going to be doing what that sales major or highschool whatever next to you is doing. If you are at all like me, where even going to college seemed somewhat of a childish experience at times, and never challenged me much, trust me, same people and same things will happen in the military, but you can't just 'walk away' from the nonsense once you are in. Note that I am not 18, deciding if military will be a benefit, far less experienced, a bit brainwashed about what the military will be like the reinforced idea you grow up with about the government being highly efficient and military being like the videos; obviously that is mostly a scam. If you're a vet you know this, or you cover it up with an idea of honor so you don't even joke about it. When you actually get there, I won't underestimate you, you will realize how it is, even at the beginning/entry stages.. be ready for a strict-highschool type of environment. Even if you've become good at what you do, faster, efficient, specialized, you are just another meatslab for the government, military, agency, that's putting you through processing: you're simply to be on time at all times and do things that are dangerous, inefficient, slow, and ridiculous, because you are told to do so. I had a perfect attendance one year - in highschool, probably didn't matter at all. I dislike offices, the idea of being managed, and in general, avoid anyone who tries to impose that the arrival time is somehow related to your performance .. it all seems like some childish thing you used to adhere to in highschool or before. thus, you'll find more time than not, even OCS has a lot of 'rich parent' types who chose to major in generic business or sales. there's lots of enlisted people from highschool, wish them the best & hope they use the resources in the military to better themselves. yet, rather than the idea of like hiring STEM engineers, getting pilots, mixing in some good leaders with the cocky ones etc.. the same problems in the real world are present in the military and anywhere else you go. No shadowy government efficiency there, it's mainly just people following protocol. the problem of some individuals just trying harder and working more for no reason vs some real skills flying under the radar, is a problem of the western style recruitment model. So, it's their loss if they get someone who seems to be have good work ethic, but is 3x slower, and suggest the model works 'most of the time' and/or get all bitter and pissy about skillful people not caring being a real thing. If you have STEM, I would say weigh your options before you even go into OCS, and then don't waste their time either, be certain 100% you are going to want to do it before you even call and potentially get a slot to begin the process. I was just in a tough time, bored, a lot of other emotions and other crap last year, so, again, if any of this sounds like you, think it out first. Maybe you'll start a career or something will happen a week later that starts you on a different path.
If you've worked with things you disagree with, just read this and realize, it's not all just a bunch of pretty girls and easy time. There's felons, jocks, tryhards, same types of people anyway, but obviously more physical roles.

original post:
I am currently 25 w/ a STEM degree in the Computer Sciences. I guess I'm yet another one of those people who are unsure what they want to do in their life moving forward. I am going through the enlistment process (air force); if I don't want to go, I just won't join DEPs or I won't go on the shipping date, but that's my last choice. I am a bit worried about committing when I get mixed input about enlistment not being for college grads and others saying I'll probably have fun and get away from life for a bit.

Anyway, I was wondering if someone can tell me more about the OCS from civilian process. The recruiter told me that I should contact him in a few months.

Do you think it would be worth it for me to even try with only a 4 year degree, and is anyone w/ experience able to talk about the applicant process?

I've been living as a civilian too long and so far my experiences with getting the requirements for enlistment done have involved mostly 18 yr olds going into service (and a few others of all age-groups). It does feel a bit fun, like fun I haven't had in a couple of years, but it feels a bit like I am going backwards, and I should maybe just "get a life" again in the civilian world (which is kinda hard to me imo, after working a year 9 to 5 jobs and just leaving recently).

I'd rather be treated with a bit more respect and get a bit of credit for doing what I've alredy done, so OCS seems like a route I'd be interested in. If I were 18, thinking in this way, I'd just do the opposite and enlist.

I have heard it's going to take 1 to 2 years to even get considered with all the applicants who are interested. So if I were to enlist in the mean time, it seems like it's true that I might not gain anything from it, other than some physical fitness perks which I might end up not liking anyway. I have 90 in the Asvab and I got my physical done, but I failed the duck-walk (lol).. I am considering contacting my recruiter again and rescheduling to get it done. I'll only have a month or maybe 5 weeks at best to decide to enlist, if or after I swear in to DEPs (as I mentioned).

So is OCS a viable route from the civilian world, or is it too competitive, and is it worth enlisting in a branch like the Navy or Airforce to I guess just "have some fun", even knowing OCS might never contact you? (Personally, I am not really thinking of joining just to have some extra $ so..)

From what you see I might be too lazy to be in the military and be pushed around about what clothes I am wearing and all the other rules. (lol, did that in highschool already so..) Doing some research it seems that telling people to enlist to do OCS because it'll take like so many years is probably a recruitment scam, because most would want to go into OCS if they pre-qualify, and you can enlist first to help pay for the college degree anyway (but I already have that).


Edit:
I didn't get a lot of direct Y/N answers for the main question, but I've determined enlisting first overall does not really help an individual's chances. You will need approval from your NCOs once enlisted. So even if you can get through the forms, recommendations, and even get accepted after that (which might not even happen at all), it just seems that you will be much busier and unable to focus much on applying to OCS; and then you might not even get accepted. Based on what I've already talked about and researched, I've noticed a lot of people who chose to go that route end up finishing up their contract and then re-applying as an officer (as a civilian). Very few seem to actually get pulled into OCS while they're still finishing their enlistment contract.

It is ideal to think you can enlist and then be sent off to officer school after 2 or 3 years, gaining the experience, and so on, then transitioning into the program. It also seems more honorable, will help you gain experience, and become a better leader. Although after seeing some of how the govt actually functions, I think it's a high chance the whole process would just end up being inefficient, and those in charge would just follow the existing rules and milk the contract time out. I am still considering both options, but I am a bit less interested in enlisting at the moment. Going to make sure I have the tests all done, and then consider it. I am not sure enlisting is for me even though it's always an option on the table. Thanks for the other insight and responses.
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MAJ Patrick Hairston CISSP, AWS Certified Cloud Architect
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"I'd rather be treated with a bit more respect and get a bit of credit for doing what I've alredy done"
You are already failing with this statement. Respect is earned in the military. Your degree will get you none. Humility is a huge trait in being an officer and learning to be a leader. In the military, you start at the bottom in everything and work your way up. You don't just come in barking orders at privates and walking around like you are in charge. You have to learn to obey commands and understand why you have to obey them. You also have to understand Rank doesn't imply authority. Ask any LT who tried to give orders to an E8. It's hilarious.
My recommendation? Yes, go enlisted, Army of course, but any of the other services are fine, try for one of the computer MOS's you would be interested in. Get a Top Secret Clearance. Get to the Rank of E5 and possibly E6. Then you will have some experience. Then apply to OCS. Then and only then, you may be possibly ready/worthy to command and lead soldiers. Good luck.
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MAJ Patrick Hairston CISSP, AWS Certified Cloud Architect
MAJ Patrick Hairston CISSP, AWS Certified Cloud Architect
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I didnt say I didnt like the system. I didn't tell you not to try. I'm just giving you the benefit of 20+ years of military experience where I have experience that's going to give you a better chance of success. I've done what you are trying to do. I know the way, I've already walked the path for you. I was just letting you see the footsteps behind me. I had soldiers in my command like you. I know how you think. It was my job to. I commanded three times, one in combat, one an AIT company full of young people, just like you. I know what makes a successful soldier. I believe in telling the truth. Most of the time, the person entering thinks they know everything already. I was just letting you know that sentence you said puts up red flags as to motivation. An E1 with a Master's degree gets no more respect than an E1 with a BA.
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MAJ Operations Research/Systems Analysis (Orsa)
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So, I feel like your original post had a very aristocratic feel to it and I think that is what MAJ Hairston is keying on. My original response was going to be a lot less eloquent and much more pointed than his, so I’m glad I refrained. You seem to have a few erronious impressions. One big one is that the enlisted corps is a haven for the less than college educated and those with advanced degrees would get nothing from it. You also seem to imply the enlisted corps is a place to “have some fun.” In the American military, we professionalize our enlisted corps. I enlisted with two college degrees. At my last posting (I do Operations Research), the Staff Sergeant who worked with me had a PhD in aerospace engineering. A former First Sergeant of mine had a masters in cyber security. The enlisted side is not where you go to “have fun.” You will gain valuable experience there just as MAJ Hairston said. Whether you are enlisted, warrant, or commissioned, the expectations and breadth of possible experiences are the same in frequency, just different in the type of experiences. Given what I have read here, I second the notion that you might be an individual who would benefit the most from experience as an enlisted member prior to entry as an officer. I think you need to really experience that perspective first. Also, the wearing of the uniform and the rules aren’t just trivial. It’s a matter of pride in yourself, your nation, and the people you serve. It’s not really comparable to wearing uniforms and rules in private school. So, if you are truly interested in investing yourself in this process, I would recommend some enlisted time first. You are only two years older than I was when I did it 17 years ago, so your wealth of experience from the civilian world is probably about on par with what I had. No, your prior experience won’t gain you that immediate advantage whether you go enlisted or officer, at least initially. As you move along you will see where those skills will fit in and give you a “leg up” though.
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MAJ (Join to see) -
Thanks. No I don't mean to say that enlisted is not a specialized career path. In fact there are people who go enlisted when they can be officers just because they want the job, as you said. I would be more open to enlisting if there was something like a '2 year commitment rather than a minimum of 4 years. Some countries that have mandatory service only have a 2 year commitment which seems to work pretty good for its citizens. Not sure why there's not a 2 and optional 2 type of commitment yet in the US.
I have noticed in some way, a lot of people in the military like to imply that recruits or newcomers are wrong.. I wasn't trying to say enlistment isn't useful or that you must choose either the college route or enlistment route; which probably fully pay for college later, or in my case, could even finance a masters while learning some other skill. In fact enlistees who use the GI Bill probably end up better than most. Not writing a book to cover each rule/case doesn't mean that I hadn't thought of it.
Thanks for the advice tho, I am consideringit if I can get the jobs I want.
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MAJ Operations Research/Systems Analysis (Orsa)
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So the reason why the US does that isn’t apparent now, but if you ever have an assignment like NATO or something where you get a lot of exposure to foreign militaries, you quickly see the differences. Also, we tend to be highly specialized. Two years in a lot of cases won’t cover AIT. Like my AIT was 2.5 years long. The military deserves to get its investment out of you after that. (Join to see)
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
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Depends on what the AFOQT says would be your best career choices, and yes with a STEM degree I am steering you to the Air Force. If the career fields you qualify for interest you, talk to an AF recruiter and go the OCS route. Sorry Army and Marines, but if you went into those services as enlisted you would be bored to death.
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LTC Kevin B.
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You need to correct your last name if you want to post on the boards. We do not allow members to use fake names or only initials as a means of hiding their identity.

http://support.rallypoint.com/customer/en/portal/articles/1311927-how-do-i-change-my-name-?b_id=4766
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Your name is Kevin B tho, lol
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LTC Kevin B.
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(Join to see) - That's because you have an unverified civilian account. Go into the military, establish a service member account, and get verified. Then you will see my last name. Unverified members don't have access to the full set of other members' information.
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K. Thanks.
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Is it a good or bad idea to enlist with a STEM degree, rather than waiting for OCS?
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I was enlisted for 7 years before commissioning. I had a math degree while enlisted. The degree might get some folks to nod their heads or compliment you for being smart, but respect is earned (and that's the way it should be). While the enlisted folks might respect the rank you wear if you go the O route, they will only respect you if you earn it.

I don't regret my enlisted time, but if you have the chance to go to come in as an officer, do it.
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1LT(P) Infantry Officer
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Nobody cares what you've done in the past if you decide to go the OCS route. The military cares about what you can do and not so much about what you have done. Why not Army OCS?
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LTC Hardware Test Engineer
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they care about what slots they need filled. I have BS degrees in chemistry and physics and an MS in Chemical Engineering. The Army made me a freaking MP. go figure.
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LTC Orlando Illi
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OCS is a crucible. You ARE NOT guarenteed to graduate. You earn respect - it is not given just because you have a STEM degree. As an aside - I was a College OP in OCS and I was behind the proverbial 8 ball from day 1. But I watched and learned and perservered and am now in the OCS Hall of Fame (Class of 2019). If you think you are ready - then go for it. But remember one thing "... duty is the absence of self..." If you do not understand this - then you will not make it through OCS
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Capt Daniel Goodman
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And remember, I assure tiu, I've been virtually everywhere you wanna go, I've been through it all, up, dkwn, left, right, upside down, inside out, and sideways...if it walks, crawls, talks, or flies, I've applied for it, interviewed for it, worked with it, served with it...and you need to realize, you wouldn't just be under active duty, you'd be under civil service also, I was you would be also, you'll also have additional.duties, charity drives, Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol (CAP), I got tapped to look into a car accident about a junior enlisted guy once, I found it wasn't his fault, I was the rep for my unit to the Company Grade Officers Council (CGOC).I had to spend a day with my base commander, I once sat with my unit CO after he gave me a plaque for helping with a good IG ratjng, he basically had me under a microscope for a solid hour exploring my motivations, I left the room a limp dishrag, he's been awarded a SEC and flew.400+ combat missions in Vietnam...I've met two Apollo astronauts, had to help with suggesting stuff for my semiannual ratings, you would also, I assure you...my next younger brother was USMMMA Kings Point, I commissioned him USNR...I've had family and friends in all svcs, my best friend in USAF was VMI, I've been around, OK? That's why the more specifics you give me, the more I might be able to help you...you need to understand that, in a svc, you don't control life, life controls you, OK? you can't plan it, and even when you try, it takes on a .life all.it's own, I assure you...so, reflect on that, and give me the detail I ask fkr, and ill try to help you...doing this takes time, care, planning, and even then, it rarely turns out the way you exlect, I'm not saying to not do it, I recognize your ambition, I can't begin to tell you how many times I screwed up, how many times I was screamed at, how many all nighters I pulled running software in my office, only to be called an idiot the next morning...that's reality as an EE.or VS in a svc, I know, I did it all, OK? So, trust me, and lemme help you the right way, as I said, OK?
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Capt Daniel Goodman
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Edited 6 y ago
I've been exactly where you wanna go, I was Army ROTC, couldn't finish, managed to get USAF OTS, if I hadnt, I'd have gone Navy nuc enlisted the next day, and tried for Navy OCS and NUPOC once in...here's the thing, OK?.you need to elaborate, first of all, specific course titles, not generalities, grades, GPAS, externships, internships, civilian relared work you've done, so far as you can explain, hobbies, reading tastes, interests, sports esp martial arts if any...I've seems Dna applied for just about everything, and you have many misconceptions, I think, which are typical....go into if you've considered grad level, cause the moment you go warrant or commissioned, you're expected to do a master's part time, as well as prof mil Eric (PME) coursework from day one, trust me, been there, done that (BTDT)...tell me about operating systems, compilers, data structures, solid state, numerical methods, algorithm design, I don't wanna hear about Microsoft or other certifications, I wanna hear about you prepping for the FE/EIT exam for the PE license, eventually, cause that's real, that counts...now, at the same time, so you want cyber stuff? would you want Navy warrant cyber? Army direct commission cyber? USCG direct commission engineer, CS might be suitable for that...how much specific math has you done? Calc differential and integral? do you recall it all verbatim? Differential equations? Linear algebra? Complex variables? Modern algebra? Group theory? Switching and automata theory? Which programming langjages, though I do NOT focus on those, it's just help to know, OK? Python? Ruby on Rails? MATLAB? Java? FORTRAN, yeah it's still used...C? C++? C#? Assembly languages? Microcontroller aspects? Voice me hard specifics, and I can suggest stuff for you...have you published? Have you been involved with IEEE and/or ACM student chapters at all! worked summer's at engineering groups? If so, what level? Any supervisory stuff at all? There the kind of stuff I need...and stop thinking about money for now...did you put in for assistanstships? Fellowships? did you take the FEE fell and/or subject tests yet? If so, what are scores and/or percentiles? What level.of recommends have you gotten this far? Any ROTC exposure this far?.if so, which svc? What level or years? Do is you look at USMC platoon leaders course (PLC), less well known than ROTCs? Would you want to do an ROTC or USMC PLC at grad level? What flight interests do you have as either pilot or navigator at all? Which svcs have you looked at seriously, incl NOAA Corps.and USPHS, the latter does use CS and IT, though less so than clinical fjelds, look at USPHS Jr and Sr COSTEP, OK? If you're not in yet, I'd definitely do minimum masters first, PhD possibly, if you can, esp if your GPA could get you an assistantship or fellowship, possibly also Rhodes scholar, look at it as well...read about USAF A FIT and Naval Postgrad School (NPS), all warrants and commissioned can apply, as well as senior NCOs, few look at them, regardless of which svc you're in...look at the flight test engineer (FTE) and flight test navigator (FTN) programs, not just test pilot...you're not looking at the right things, there's nowhere you wanna go I haven't been, I was elec engrg (EE) 4 yrs active, in totally the wrong slot, precisely because I was impulsive, jumped.at the first chance, and totally collided it all up...I was at three companies as an WE 7 yrs more after that, then went back and did more grad school, I have a BSEE, BS(Math), MSEE, MS(Physics), MS(Math), clinical allied health doctorate, seven yrs of residency of which I finished six before having to go total perm disabled, I have an inactive PE.license and allied health doctoral license, also inactive...I've seen and done just about everything you could possibly seek to do or be exposed to, give me enough details, and I'll suggest stuff for you, OK? My object isn't to overwhelm, I have an interest in career/educ stuff, my object is to teach you the right way to go about this, so, help me help you by giving me the level.of detail I need, get as technical as you can, specifics, OK? The more you give me, as well as others on here, the more we can all help you, OK? I'm here if you wanna yak, no rush, whenever you want, so a really detailed, thorough biosketch, take your time, and don't rush, OK? I'm here whenever you'd wanna chat, as I'd said, OK?
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I read all 3 replies and I'm familiar with some of it, other than the military and other impressive things you mentioned; haven't seen even half of those opportunities. For the tech stuff, I either passed it, saw it, or had self-taught most of it before. I acquired some cheap online certifications such as MSCE and A+ ; although both have expired recently (3 years), I keep it on my resume for civilian jobs because the employer just wants to know you can do that stuff and taking the tests again takes a bit too much effort on my part (the certs also just want your $ and time to redo the same thing if they expire). Then studied for some of the stuff I didn't know like physics, math, etc. to get a college degree;such as Calculus (3d), Differentials, Physics, and other stuff you mentioned, etc.. I liked to try to study a few hours and then go take the exam. Some of the engineering courses had a model where there's only 2 exams and thus I had a lot of time. Sometimes preferred this because they don't waste too much of your time either, and let you just take the test for the majority of the score. I already wish I had done ROTC, or enlisted in reserves a few years ago, or done something too that would have given benefits to me as well. I squeaked by but I feel I also would have had time to do some service, but I guess I just had a different mindset, probably thought I was smart, and never looked to join because I never liked the idea of being told what to do especially in colleges. I ended up getting really good but erratic grades to give an idea, my engineering GPA (only engineering courses, not pre-engineering or others) displayed 3.4, while my overall one is still low at 2.8; I am a bit proud of that because I had no idea that I could do something like that without too much effort. I am sort of happy too that I don't have a 4.0 even tho I might try much harder in the future w/ daily scheduling and applying myself. I am thinking of joining the military to serve and help others, but also it would give a clear path to advance and pay for a master's or Phd (it is not entirely selfish, I just like to think about what I will gain or lose, or find something to do while doing some other task instead of idling). Thanks for the reply(s) and information.
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Capt Daniel Goodman
Capt Daniel Goodman
6 y
I cleaned up that long answer, sorry there were a good many typos, I'm on a PC on the website at the moment, I was on an Android tablet when I typed that originally, it's quite clumsy, I'm afraid, lemme read what you sent here, I'll try to send more in a cpl of mins, re-read what I'd sent, it should be considerably clearer now without all the errors, obviously....
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Capt Daniel Goodman
Capt Daniel Goodman
6 y
OK, I saw the GPAs, the stuff about the certifications, what you'd said about grad stuff...I only had a 2.88 on my initial BSEE, basically because I was an idiot and totally overdid the number of credits, pretty stupidly at one point, taking 21, that I had to drop to 17 when I was sophomore, which bollixed my GPA up pretty badly, and caused me no end of aggravation back then. That being said, I need to know specifically, did you do externships and/or internships yet, have you done company civilian work yet, as either engineering aide, student, or tech, in any fashion? If so, on what, and at what level, you don't need to get into where or on what projects, just give me general areas, signal processing, server related, specific aspects of hardware like analog, digital, RF, comm systems, radar, general broadbrush topic classes of that sort, OK? Being CS, you "should" be able to sit for the Fundamentals of Engrg (FE) exam, also called the Engr in Training (EIT) exam, needed to eventually sit later for the Profsnl Engrg (PE) exam, once you'd been through grad school, which gives a certain period of credit, a year or two, as well as worked at companies and/or while on active duty for the rest...there are other things I've also learned of, like the U.S. Patent and Trademark Ofc. (USPTO) exam, that can let anyone in science qualify to assist patent attorneys or handle patent claims to a limited extent, however, that exam is pretty rough, I mention it here only to make you aware of it, any serious science grad in any serious field can apply to USPTO to take it, I never knew it existed till after my total perm disability, I'm afraid. Next, do you, as I'd asked, have any flight interests? Would you want to submit for pilot/aviator, and/or navigator/weapon systems ofcr (WSO)/naval flight ofcr (NFO), at all? Might you possibly want to submit to Army WOCS for rotary wing flight, either pilot or nav/WSO, I'm unsure if Army uses navs/WSOs in helicopters, it's just that Army WOCS only needs high school mininum, which you'd certainly have a possible chance for with a BSCS, I should think, you know? Would you want Navy warrant one (WO1) cyber? Army direct commission cyber? USCG direct commission for engrng, which CS "might" well possibly satisfy? Might NOAA Corps interest you, incl their 5-yr flight program (though I gather they're pretty selective)? And, what about USPHS COSTEP or USMC PLC, as well, might they interest you at all? Discuss more your grad school inclinations...did you take the GRE genl and/or subj tests yet? If you want to, when would you? And, did you actually ASK your school about grad, research, and/or teaching assistantships (GAs, RAs, and/or TAs) thus far? TAs are typically departmentally decided...RAs are typically decided by indiv faculty for specific research topics...GAs are purely admin spots helping with admin/phone stuff in given depts, OK? Give me more on all that...next, would you want to consider going Guard, esp if you did grad level at at a state school, since Guard, whether Army or Air, is normally hooked into tuition remission at state schools at all? Look also at AGR, as well as Guard Tech, and also Reserve Tech, become familiar with those as well, OK? Give me more of your thoughts, and I'll try to suggest more...I'm assuming by cald 3, you're referring to vector calc, which, if you did it, is certainly good...I'm speaking of the gradient, curl, and divergence operators, needed for partial differential equations later on...and, did you do diff eq yet, simple linear stuff, partial differential stuff...and, did you do any modern physics, not just simple first year classical physics? I'm speaking of quantum mechanics (QM), statistical mechanics, solid state physics, lasers, electro-optics, optical pumping, population-inversion theory, all of which I did, or a good deal of it, as an undergrad...did you also do any control system theory, as well as signal processing, any analog, digital, and/or RF electronics? Give me more on all of that, and, how much chem have you done, first year with lab, all of it? Any organic, analysitical, phys chem in lieu of modern physics, that sort of thing also, OK? Remember, the more specific you are, the more I can suggest for you...and, aside from the ASVAB, have you done any of the OCS related exams recruiters might still give at all? Does your school have ROTC or ?USMC PLC? If ROTC, which svc or svcs? That's the kind of serious stuff I need to know to really help you, OK? No rush, whenever you're able...if you can, list every single STEM course, actual title and grade, any sociology, economics, psychology, and remember, BE SPECIFIC, OK? I'm here if you wanna chat more...and, which svcs have you specifically looked at yet, and how seriously for each, as well, so far as you might be able to explain, OK?
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Capt Daniel Goodman
Capt Daniel Goodman
6 y
Just remember, the more distractions you heap on yourself before you'd get grad school done, incl civilian work, the harder it's gonna be to get to masters level...I did it the hard way, the wrong way...if you can get it done now, and can get a GA/RA/TA, for God's sake, take it, and do at least the masters...schools often, though not always like students to switch on doing a PhD, though it's not mandatory, of course...explain more about how far you've taken the whole grad-level thing, also, what year are you now? I figure sophoomore, maybe junior...elaborate on that as well, OK?
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MSG Chief Executive Officer (Ceo)
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Don't enlist. Apply for OCS right out of the gate. Do not wait or you will end up like me!
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Potential Recruit
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6 y
Lol, you seem to be doing just fine.
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You could go to ROTC under the national scholarship and get your masters degree or enlist in the NG and them go SMP to get your masters degree. I would talk to the local universities ROO.
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