<p>So I went to another senatorial interview this morning--not a big deal--to my relief, most of questions were recycled. However, there was one question in particular that struck my thoughts. It wasn't a difficult question, but still something worth considering when applying to the academy. This is how it went:</p>
<p>"So you want to be an engineer?"
-"Yes, sir."
"What if you were to be told that the Navy doesn't need you as an engineer? That you are needed to work with the intelligence instead?"</p>
<p>It hasn't occured to me that my ability to speak three languages indeed makes me more attractive for one role than the other, despite my personal prefrence. While I do realize that the contract entitles the military to make most of the decisions for me, isn't my job something that I get to choose?</p>
<p>The questioner may have been exploring your flexibility and focus...is your great passion to become a mechanical (or other sub-species:confused:) engineer or a military officer and public servant via the USNA. 2nd he may have been introducing you to the primary means of service appointment (vs. selection) which is always ...needs of the Navy/USMC. This overrides all personal desires. 3rd it may have been an inkled exploration and/or introduction to the escalating notion that more engineer/science types are preferred and being called for @ USNA. It's a governmental mandate. I doubt this, but who knows? The questioner, of course.</p>
<p>My own read is that the question has nothing to do @ present with trying to guide officers into intelligence field. Unless you've a med problem. My understanding is that traditionally intelligence community assignments made to newly commissioned officers were a function of physical, medical or some other restriction. In other words, you may be determined to be color blind; and therefore you are unqualified to serve in one of the 3 traditonal lines of USN service. (btw, in most instances, absent a med waiver, these conditions recognized in advance of a USNA appointment would DQ a candidate.)</p>
<p>What do others think?</p>
<p>btw, what are you doing messing around on this @ 2:18 a.m. Or do you live in Hawaii? :cool: Get to bed!</p>
<p>I believe the person interviewing you was trying to get at your desire to be an engineer, or your desire to be an officer of the US Navy....</p>
<p>in the end the "job" shouldn't matter as much as the motivation "to serve"... meaning, "wherever they need me, Sir"....</p>
<p>BGO's know full well that there is a good possiblity the major you desire now may not be the one you end up with later- just too many variables... just as there is for service selection. And while those questions do get asked, it is more to inform a candidate looking to go to medical school, or law school, that the odds are slim.... just as there are other service selections that are restricted for various reasons, including intelligence... or ones where the supply of those "ready, willing and able" exceeds the demand....</p>
<p>I say tomato, you say "toe-mah-toe",I write potato, you write potatoe...</p>
<p>My comment ... </p>
<p>
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...The questioner may have been exploring your flexibility and focus...is your great passion to become a mechanical (or other sub-species) engineer or a military officer and public servant via the USNA..
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<p>Yours ...</p>
<p>
[quote]
I have a different take on things-</p>
<p>I believe the person interviewing you was trying to get at your desire to be an engineer, or your desire to be an officer of the US Navy...
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</p>
<p>Seems to me, ketchup is catsup and we're singing from the same hymnal, at least on the 1st point. Same tune, same message. Can you help me grasp your point? You know me, slow to get it. Can you please 'splain, Loosie? :confused:</p>
<p>While I agree that the interviewer was probably just trying to see your motives, it is important to understand that "the needs of the Navy" always come first. From my understanding, right now a lot of firsties at the academy are being volun"told" to go into the nuke programs because they need more officers in that area. Several firsties in my company who have had their hearts set on Naval Aviation since they were young are now going Subs.</p>
<p>In addition, its probably unlikely that they would ever force you into Intelligence because that is a restricted line- Whistle Pig is completely right. Except for Med Corps, you can't choose any restricted line out of the academy unless you have a Medical Problem (which is typically color blindness that they discover on I-day or that you got a waiver for). If you want to simply be an engineer (not just get a degree in it)- I believe that is a restricted line job as well.</p>
<p>I agree with both of the above :) that the question went toward your "flexibility" and your willingness to put the Navy and your country ahead of yourself. What the questionner was doing -- and, BTW, I think it's a great question -- was introducing you to the concept that, in the military, things don't often turn out the way you wanted, expected or deserved and that, in most cases, there's not much you can do about that in the sort term (in the long term, you can leave the military). </p>
<p>For example, in my day if you finished first in your class at training school (pilot, intel, etc.), you were "guaranteed" first choice of available assignments for that class. However, for both me and a close acquaintance, it didn't happen. Needs of the Navy. Sometimes a minor deal: I was stationed somewhere I didn't want to be but ended up with a really good job. Sometimes a major deal: my firend wanted to fly jets off carriers but was told he'd have to fly an OV-10 surveillance plane because the USMC decided they wanted to ensure some of the top pilots went OV-10, a platform pilots didn't often choose at the time. Changed his entire career.</p>
<p>Also, it may not even be the Navy's "fault." While I was at USNA, one of the football players wanted nothing more than to be a pilot. Wrecked his knee in a game and was DQ'ed for pilot. He was absolutely crushed. Still had to serve. Went USMC ground. </p>
<p>BTW, you have to be a bit careful in how you answer this. Simply saying, "I don't care what I end up doing as long as I'm in the . . . USN, USMC, etc." comes across as specious and simplistic. In most cases, you're disappointed (which is normal) but do your best to make the best of the situation. It's understanding that, in the military, you no longer control all (or even most) of the shots.</p>
<p>As I wrote in my SWO post, I am CICO. There were 4 officers (including myself) who arrived at the ship (overseas) at the same time. Four billets were open (DCA, 1stLt, EWO, CICO). The XO and CO sat down and decided where to put us all; we had no input. This is how a lot of the military works. The collaterals I obtained were not because I chose them. </p>
<p>The interviewer was trying to make the point that sometimes you will have to sacrifice and even though you didn't get what you wanted, you still will have to learn and perform the job with 110% enthusiasm. </p>
<p>This is why I think at USNA, Company Officers and the Senior Enlisted Leaders should choose their company staff (and something similar at Battalion and Regiment level, less Honor/Character type billets at these levels), thus no MIDN has a say and you are forced to perform the job, though you might not like it! This is where we would see those who are committed to serving. If all of the jobs are going to "qualified" people for those positions, then no one is really learning anything. Putting someone who might need a little work would be better off. I'd say this would be good training.</p>
<p>
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i say tomato, you say "toe-mah-toe",I write potato, you write potatoe...
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<p>well i would offer to say that "great minds think alike," just can't seem to bring myself to do it! ;)</p>
<p>and anyway, New Yorkers don't say "toe-mah-toe".... it's "toe-may-toe." And we eat them red, not green, and never fried, preferably well ripened and vine-picked....from the farms on the east end if at all possible- none of that half-chemical-semi-ripe-hard-as-a-rock-wannabee!</p>
<p>Yep Volun"told" anyone in the process of applying make sure you are comfortable with the concept as it will happen through your entire USNA career and there ain't a thing you can do about it! It will screw you over, happen at the worst possible time, big test next day - study plan in place and poof your on a bus to NJ for a sprint football game for the day... It's life!</p>
<p>Last year there were those voluntold for Subs, heard happening again this year. You are never "forced" just very strongly "suggested" i.e. you are still volunteering however the message was received!</p>
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...well i would offer to say that "great minds think alike," just can't seem to bring myself to do it!
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<p>Understood. Your humility is overwhelming. ;) Now, spell "spud." :eek:</p>
<p>More to the point: Can someone answer the question ...</p>
<p>Is anyone ever required to serve subs when they do not wish to do so? I understand that one can exit that line anytime they request. "Strongly encouraged" doesn't hack it.</p>
<p>Assuming that you are qualified and there are positions avaliable, shouldn't you be guaranteed your first-choice assignment? That's what I was trying to get to. I perfectly understand the implications of the question presented to me; this was more of a on-the-side-note discussion that I thought would be inappropriate to talk about with my interviewers.</p>
<p>You've nailed the point. And the answer is "no." And it can come as a surprise to novice learners that one's preferred "service selection" is always secondary to the USN/USMC needs and priorities. </p>
<p>That sounds extreme and in practice, it often/usually is not so. As one noted, the better one's position relative to his/her fellow mates, the greater the possibility that one's desires will coincide with the Navy's needs. But not always. </p>
<p>Remember ...#1 is always "needs of the Navy." That's the lone guarantee, i.e. that your assignment will align with this.</p>
<p>Allegedly, 75 Mids have been selected for interviews re: potential sub service assignment prior to 19 Nov. Apparently few among this group included submarining among their preferances. A critical case of claustrophobia might be in order?</p>
<p>One lesson here might include ... "Study hard."</p>
<p>I believe it was $17,000 last year. The $30,000 is approx. the second class loan depending on the financial institution. (This fall USAA offered $30,000, rumor is Navy Federal will be $32,000 this spring)</p>
<p>the same is true for selecting your majors at the Academy. the mids put in their choices (I think 1-5) and then are told what their major will be. service selection is no different.</p>