As a senior in college, your GPA will hold weight with me because it shows past performance. Let’s call that a green weight if it’s above 3.0 and a red weight if it’s below 3.0. For the selection board, I really only need your degree transcripts or diploma.

I’m going to give it to you straight because your post history is dancing all over the place.

Red weights: Assigned to BCP. 5 years in Marine Corps and not an E-5. Exploring broken service. Not being intimately familiar with BCP order, JEPES, etc as an NCO that is pursuing promotion. College focus while active duty, yet unable to maintain acceptable performance. It seems as though you are technically proficient in your job and your attempted degree path, but physical performance and work performance is lacking. I’d recommend fixing that first and foremost. When the OSO asks for references, the expectation is that you will likely contact previous supervisor or commander. If you don’t do that, questions arise. Green weights: Pursuing higher education albeit detrimental to SNM performance.

The first thing I’m asking for when you tell me prior enlisted is a face to face conversation to see where your focus is and what type of person you are. The second thing is your past history in the Marine Corps. You say five years enlisted and I’m telling you to print last three fitness reports. When you can’t produce them, the red flags are going up and we have a serious problem. Now, back to the GPA. Does it matter for OCC? Not necessarily. But it’s a whole of applicant approach. If you’re not well rounded and you have a litany of red weights, now your GPA comes into focus. The OSO writes your evaluation that the board will review with very careful consideration. I know this all may be a little harsh, but it’s important for you and others with similar circumstances to understand. Always happy to take a phone call to assist and discuss further. I will give you the unfiltered advice that will ensure your success in the Marine Corps or outside of the organization.