MECP woes

[mosinmo]

As the deadline for the MECP packages looms ever nearer (it is now 9 days away), I find myself struggling. Not so much that I am not prepared, I have done everything that I can to ensure a strong package, but I find myself struggling with the lack of control I have over my own destiny. I am currently waiting on 2 things: 1)my interview appraisal sheets from the board members and 2)my CO's endorsement. While it would seem that I could have my CO do my endorsement without the appraisal sheets, he is adamant about not even looking at my package until he has the completed package in his hands. I have worked very hard on my package and it is frustrating that I can't speed things up. How do I as an E-6 approach an O-6 and tell her "excuse me maam, but could you hurry up?" Gathering the requirements for MECP is not so much difficult, as it is a test of organization and patience. Oh and attention to detail. I have been striving for this moment for going on 4 years since I first learned of the program. If I don't make it this time, I will put in next year, and the year after until they either get sick of me or retire me in my current rate. Even if that eventuality occurs, I will still go to school and get my nursing degree because THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO DO! If any of you have any reccomendations on what I should do I would be very grateful. A little background on myself:

I am a 11 year Missile Technician (yes bubblehead) 1st class currently stationed at Bangor, Wa. My wife and I just had our first child (a girl) and that was such a memorable experience. We spent 30 days in the hospital as she went into pre-term labor, and she still came 6 weeks early. But she is doing better than all expectations. The nursing staff and NICU was great where she was delivered. I have been going to school off and on for over 4 years slowly plugging away at nursing pre-reqs. I started some volunteer work with the Red cross at the Bremerton Naval hospital, but I had an altercation with the lead Red Cross Rep at the hospital and left. My package is in my opinion, strong, but I do feel I could have more clinical experience. I don't have a letter of reccomendation from a Nurse Corps nurse, and that weighs heavy on my mind a bit (especially since I have a friend who used to be an MT and is now a navy nurse who won't write me one...conflict of interest and all that), but I do have 2 glowing letters from an O-6 and a proffessor of one of my classes. I feel in my heart of hearts that this is what I was made to do, and that it would benefit the Navy to select me. Thank you any of you who took the time to read this, I appreciate any and all input.

Very Respectfully,

MT1

[woknblues]

As the deadline for the MECP packages looms ever nearer (it is now 9 days away), I find myself struggling. Not so much that I am not prepared, I have done everything that I can to ensure a strong package, but I find myself struggling with the lack of control I have over my own destiny. I am currently waiting on 2 things: 1)my interview appraisal sheets from the board members and 2)my CO's endorsement. While it would seem that I could have my CO do my endorsement without the appraisal sheets, he is adamant about not even looking at my package until he has the completed package in his hands. I have worked very hard on my package and it is frustrating that I can't speed things up. How do I as an E-6 approach an O-6 and tell her "excuse me maam, but could you hurry up?" Gathering the requirements for MECP is not so much difficult, as it is a test of organization and patience. Oh and attention to detail. I have been striving for this moment for going on 4 years since I first learned of the program. If I don't make it this time, I will put in next year, and the year after until they either get sick of me or retire me in my current rate. Even if that eventuality occurs, I will still go to school and get my nursing degree because THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO DO! If any of you have any reccomendations on what I should do I would be very grateful. A little background on myself:

I am a 11 year Missile Technician (yes bubblehead) 1st class currently stationed at Bangor, Wa. My wife and I just had our first child (a girl) and that was such a memorable experience. We spent 30 days in the hospital as she went into pre-term labor, and she still came 6 weeks early. But she is doing better than all expectations. The nursing staff and NICU was great where she was delivered. I have been going to school off and on for over 4 years slowly plugging away at nursing pre-reqs. I started some volunteer work with the Red cross at the Bremerton Naval hospital, but I had an altercation with the lead Red Cross Rep at the hospital and left. My package is in my opinion, strong, but I do feel I could have more clinical experience. I don't have a letter of reccomendation from a Nurse Corps nurse, and that weighs heavy on my mind a bit (especially since I have a friend who used to be an MT and is now a navy nurse who won't write me one...conflict of interest and all that), but I do have 2 glowing letters from an O-6 and a proffessor of one of my classes. I feel in my heart of hearts that this is what I was made to do, and that it would benefit the Navy to select me. Thank you any of you who took the time to read this, I appreciate any and all input.

Very Respectfully,

MT1

Well, look at it this way. There are probably lots of people going into the Navy nurse Corps who have a) no prior military experience, b) perhaps no nursing/medical experience, and c) not a single work related reference. I would say you are ahead of many other applicants. As I have learned about the program, you go to OCS, then do an orientation of several months, do your duty in some area, then get to specialize after some time in. I cannot see how your situation is not improved with what you have accomplished thus far.

Best of luck.