WOFT Board Dates Confusion

[redlightning54]

I was hoping someone could answer a question for me regarding board dates for my WOFT Street to Seat application.

I am in the final stages of putting my packet together, and was given a list of board dates from my recruiter showing OCS FY 18 board dates that occur monthly. Some board dates listed as 08 Jun 18, 06 July 18, 10 Aug 18, and 07 Sep 18. I've also seen the board dates listed on the USAREC website which are much different, showing board dates of 23-27 Jul 18 and 24-28 Sep 18 (and which I assumed were the ones I should be following). I brought this to the attention of the recruiter saying the board dates were different on the USAREC website from what he gave me, but he said WOFT applicants go to these boards too, so I'm a bit confused. I challenged him on it, and he said to not worry and that the boards are the same. It's his first WOFT applicant he's put through the system, so I'm just wanting to double check and make sure we are both correct on this.

Has anyone else had this happen to them?

[Wolf359]

The confusion is the word "board" referring to two different events. There is the battalion board, which is when you meet with three officers who go over your packet, interview you, and then submit their recommendation for your selection to WOFT. Then there is the national board, which is when your complete packet is reviewed and you are selected or rejected.

 

I am 99% confident that the OCS board dates your recruiter provided you are the battalion board dates. My recruiting battalion had me do my WOFT board during one of the OCS boards- apparently it is a similar enough process that they combine them.

 

The dates on USAREC refer to the national board dates. That is when, after your packet is submitted, the panel will go over your information and make their choice. As an example, my battalion board was in October, and my packet was selected during the January (pushed back to February) national board.

 

Hope this helps!

 

-Jon

[redlightning54]

That makes a lot more sense, and what I was expecting. So along the same topic, even if I'm given the ok by the Battallion board, I'll still be waiting for the one of the National board dates before I get a go ahead right?

 

If that's the case, I'd love to meet the 18 May 18 deadline so my packet can be seen during the July National Board. My flight physical is scheduled for the 17th of May (next week), and I would assume even if all is perfect, I probably wouldn't meet that deadline correct? I thought I read somewhere that you could go to the Battallion Board without a flight physical, but obviously you can't believe everything you read on the internet.

 

I appreciate the help!

[peterserendenskyjr]

That makes a lot more sense, and what I was expecting. So along the same topic, even if I'm given the ok by the Battallion board, I'll still be waiting for the one of the National board dates before I get a go ahead right?

 

If that's the case, I'd love to meet the 18 May 18 deadline so my packet can be seen during the July National Board. My flight physical is scheduled for the 17th of May (next week), and I would assume even if all is perfect, I probably wouldn't meet that deadline correct? I thought I read somewhere that you could go to the Battallion Board without a flight physical, but obviously you can't believe everything you read on the internet.

 

I appreciate the help!

Yes you can got to a battalion board before a flight physical. If your recruiter is good it is possible to get on the july board if all your letters of recommendations and your "why I want to be an aviator" letter is squared away. The only issue I see possibly arising is the flight physical. An army physician will conduct your physical but after it is sent to Fort Rucker for final approval. This is what takes long. I had to personally call the office at Fort Stewart where I took it to get them to call rucker to get it back to me stamped. Other than that it's smooth sailing. Good luck!