How can I make my Navy OCS packet more competitive (have a 2.77 GPA)?

I was hoping to go into Intel work but when I was doing research it said I had to have a 2.8. I have been looking into Surface Warfare, Submarine, Aviation and others but I am still wondering if the 2.8 is absolute or if there are other items that I can use to show that I am capable.
My GPA was brought down by two years of Mandarin Chinese. I also have held a steady job for the last nine years. I have not taken the ASTB but am studying for it at the moment as well as the ASVAB which I last took years ago and not officially. PT is something I do already as I have to keep in excellent shape to work on a horse farm other than those two would you have any other suggestions.

Thank you for your help, its much appreciated.

yea intel would have been great route consiering your language background but your GPA disqualifies you.
Subs are another one where GPA (and degree for that matter--big on natural sciences and math) is everything. I'd put that puppy to rest too.
SWO's are getting increasingly competitive. Every swo i went to OCS with had GPA's in the low to mid 3's. If you were to nail your OAR though....im talking mid 60's and up.....then it's possible...
Your best bet would be flight. They lean heavily on that ASTB to see your likelihood of getting through the program so theyr'e a tad more forgiving to a lower GPA if your ASATB scores are high. If your eyes are good and you knock the test out of the park then you have a good shot. I'm here in flight school now and have a few guys here who left college with GPA's in the 2.6 range, to be saved by high ASTB scores. If you pull off 7's across the board, everything else in your packet looks good your recommend letters, motivational statement etc then i'd say you have a good chance. As of this moment right now (it changes all the time) the push is for pilots. A month ago it was for NFO's (co-pilots). If you move along in your packet feel free to contact me and ask what is most needed as the needs of the Navy will give you your best shot to getting in. That is of course if you don't have a preference between the two.
If you don't score so high on the test...no sweat. You can re take it. I don't condone this behavior but you're going to hear of this eventually anyways. It's not unheard of for people to get in through flight and either DOR (drop out) or fail out and get re designated to Surface Warfare or Intel.


Have you considered any other branches?