I've been a nurse since 2010 and graduated from University of Portland, Oregon. I worked in mental health and with the red cross for a year before applying for the Navy. 13 mos later I found myself at Officer Development School and graduated this February. I'm stationed at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth now and living in Norfolk. I wanted to offer myself as a resource to any of these topics since I felt like I was at a loss for information prior to coming in. Feel free to ask anything about the nursing, the Navy, the application process, duty stations, ODS, Norfolk, etc. Good luck to you and thank you for considering service in the US military.
Dear enoell, sorry to hear that your package won't make it in. Yes, I would turn in your package as soon as they allow. I'm sure that applications turned in by August have better chance than one's submitted later. Being fit is very important for the Navy. One of the quickest ways to get fired is not passing the height/weight or PRT. I highly recommend being very ready for an active lifestyle to keep yourself within regs at all times.
When I did my application I had to have it completed and dated within six months of being sent. This was particularly tricky with letters of recommendations. If your package is being sent August 1st you can't have your LORs dated prior to March. Once the security clearance application is completed I think it is good for a while as long as there are no changes.
Keep building your resume in the meantime and make yourself competitive. Active lifestyle like sport clubs would be a good idea or volunteering for the American Red Cross. Keep these things in mind and be pushing yourself to have the most stunning package they have ever seen. Good luck.
1. When I went to ODS I received everything: 2 Khaki's, dress blues, service whites, dress whites, 2 NWUs. I have heard that now they will not issue you dress whites unless you are at ODS in the summer. I have also heard that they are no longer issuing NWUs because trying to get all the names stitched in 6 weeks is too much. Khaki's and dress blues will continue to be issued regularly.
2. Your initial PT test, the one at ODS, is unofficially unofficial. There is NO reason you should fail this. You should arrive ready to complete it as you swore in to serve. When you arrive to your command, PRTs are done in April and October and if you fail it twice you are 'fired' from the Navy.
3. Memorized? Are you referring to things like the Sailors Creed, Articles of the Code of Conduct, etc.? Yes you will have time-any and all free time you have will be spent doing this. It will behove you to work on it before.
4. Much of ODS is in a classroom learning regulations and traditions. I would say at least 4-6 hours a day for about 4 weeks. You are not tested on this material but the online courses do test you as you complete them.
Good luck! Let me know if you have anymore questions!
Good work to the both! newRennene and enoell! We want good people in the Navy! Feel free to private message me. I'm happy to keep in tough throughout your process and share any knowledge I can! Good luck! I was there! Took me 2.5 years to come into the military. I'm there for you!
Wanted to know if you know when the flight tickets to ODS are issued. It's Thursday and I haven't received it. Do they wait to the last minute to give out plane tickets?
I am applying DA for fiscal year 2014. I was aiming to do NCP about a year and a half ago but I wasn't able to finish my kit in time for the boards last year and my recruiter switched me over to DA route. My recruiter is a a nurse recruiter from San Diego. I've finished my kit and am now just waiting for the first selection board which I am told will be held in Oct/Nov. How likely is it for a new grad to get picked up and get commissioned? I just graduated and will be taking nclex next month. Throughout this whole time my recruiter has made it seem like I will get picked up due to how early it is and my strong statement/letters of recommendation. I just don't want to get my hopes up. This is truly what I want to do and it's been a long road to get this far. Any thoughts guys?
No reason not to have your hopes up but keep applying elsewhere as well. If you don't get in this year and work a year you could get in the next. I know several Navy nurses that were new graduates. Good luck and keep us posted!
newRnnene
51 Posts
Hi, wanted to know
1.how many uniforms are is
sued in ODS
2. What happens if you fail your initial Physical test
3. If you have not memorized items before arriving there will you have time to when you get there.
4. How much time do you spend in the classrooms? How often do you test on materials learned in classrooms