Posted on Feb 29, 2016
PO2 Information Systems Technician
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I tend to be really bad with public speaking and blank out about things during presentations or boards. Trying to find suggestions to calm my nerves when I go up for oral boards.
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Responses: 12
CPO Frank Coluccio
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Edited 8 y ago
Keep your answers short and to the point, if you reached the oral boards you KNOW the material. My Chief gave me this bit of advice when I was an E-4 going for my ESWS qual; Think of the question as shovel handed to you, the longer you keep talking, the deeper the hole gets. His meaning was; the longer you talk, the better the chance of saying something wrong.
LISTEN to each question, and the best advice...BREATHE!!!
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PO1 James Mason
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Get a walk through with your board members if possible. It will help you to be prepared for the type of questions that you'll be asked. Being prepared goes a long way to calming nerves.
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SCPO Joshua I
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Don't think of it as public speaking. It's an exam where you don't have to do any writing.

Answer the question that's asked, don't go further. Talk to your board members before hand and ask them to pre-board you to make sure you're ready. If you don't feel ready, study some more - you shouldn't be under the gun for time.
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
8 y
You had that opportunity? I knew no one on my boards or where they came from, but I would give credit to Navy Instructor Training, following current events along with being an avid reader for my success with the boards.
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SCPO Joshua I
SCPO Joshua I
8 y
Yes, in general. I think for my ESWS I didn't so much, I only knew a couple of the people on my board, but I was sort of grandfathered into EXW(first group to get it), EAWS and EIDW I spent a lot of time learning the material from the people who did my boards -- there aren't too many people who can actually sign off either one, so they tend to be the ones on the boards.
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CPO Steelworker
CPO (Join to see)
8 y
I like SCPO's answers. I would also suggest knowing and understanding your board members if you know where they are coming from and their specialties you will have an understanding of what direction the board and questions will go. I don't know why you would not have a PR board are pin requires you to do a PR board before you can move on to the actual board. Try not to over explain you answers and do not leave open end answers leaves room fro them to get in and drill down. Good luck and answer as you would do the job...
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