TmqWard Posted April 8, 2012 Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 I decided in college that I wanted to become a military aviator. I wanted to fly helicopters and provide close air support, so my choices were Army and Marines. I started both Army WOFT and USMC OCS application processes, being completely honest with my recruiters. Eventually I had to choose one and I chose the Marines. After my third try I was selected to attend OCS and shipped down to Quantico VA. Unfortunately, I was not as mentally prepared for OCS as I had thought I was and was sent home on the week 7 boards for failure to adapt. I was told I had more heart and determination than most candidates but I lacked the confidence and command presence required to serve as a Marine Officer. I am still committed to my dream of becoming a military aviator. Despite this failure I know I have what it takes. I decided I would be more likely to achieve my goals with the Army than trying again with the Marines. I went to see an Army recruiter and he seemed willing to help me apply for WOFT but then I was transferred to a different recruiter in the same office. He is telling me that the office commander (I forgot the exact billet title) is saying that I can’t. He says to enlist and apply as an enlisted Soldier. My problem with that is that I read in an article that civilians have a 69% selection rate versus only 21% for in service due to a higher volume of applicants to compete against. Should I push the issue or is it true that I would never be selected having just failed USMC OCS? Should I try another recruiter? My WOFT application is still almost complete from before so it would require minimal work now. How do I know I wouldn’t enlist into the Army, serve a while, go to apply again and be told, “well you failed USMC OCS, so, no”? I am especially concerned considering how competitive in service selection is. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBuzzkill Posted April 8, 2012 Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 (edited) They're feeding you crap. Go to a different office that is willing to work with you. I got told by my local office that I wasn't going to make it but "that we'll put a packet together if you really want." I drove an hour and a half away to a motivated recruiter and two months later I was accepted. Edited April 8, 2012 by SBuzzkill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akscott60 Posted April 8, 2012 Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 Your station commander is full of sh*t. I'd like to tell him that in person, too. Alas, I have better things to do. I know of three guys here that either left OCS or TBS that are selected active WO1s in flight training. Get a better recruiter. Especially if you packet is mostly complete. Just refresh those LORs and get on with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TmqWard Posted April 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 Thanks for the replies. I feel like the USMC thing hurts my chances but doesn't make me an automatic no go and my recruiter is just being lazy. I learned from my mistakes and have improved and am still determined and commited and I know that counts for something. If I am not selected I am willing to enlist, but I want to at least try first. Like they say you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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