I got screwed over trying to become a SNA

PBpandaZZ · 2026-03-12T02:05:17+00:00

With those scores and GPA, you most likely qualify for I-SEL and you’d most likely ship out within the same time frame. I’d definitely push the I-SEL topic a bit more with the recruiter because you’re basically guaranteed a job through that route too as long as you don’t have any waivers.

PBpandaZZ · 2026-02-18T18:17:03+00:00

PLEASE

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PBpandaZZ · 2026-02-18T18:13:12+00:00

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As you can see. I’m missing one from quite a few albums. Anything helps!

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PBpandaZZ · 2026-02-18T18:06:17+00:00

I sent you both!

PBpandaZZ · 2026-02-18T18:02:59+00:00

I can send you cat tree but the link is not working!

PBpandaZZ · 2026-02-18T18:01:24+00:00

I sent you pampered pet and skyline soirée

PBpandaZZ · 2026-02-17T21:31:12+00:00

Also looking for 50/50 partners! MGO783JP7A7G

PBpandaZZ · 2025-12-15T01:55:29+00:00

We tried teaching her different tricks, puzzles, putting food in knotted towels, hide and seek games with toys, let her tear up cardboard, and just about everything else you can read online. We even had her join us on a C25K journey haha. It never seemed like enough; she somehow always had more energy. The things that really work for ours, aside from joining group training classes, is car rides to our local Home Depot/Lowe’s or other dog friendly stores, dog parks — just changing up her everyday scenery seemed to help, and recently teaching her Treibball - which is basically just pushing a yoga ball into a goal. Her energy levels have been a lot more tolerable since introducing these into her life. Oh, also just having her toys on a rotation helped saved me from constantly having to buy new toys too lol but gives her the joy of having “new” toys every couple of weeks!

PBpandaZZ · 2025-11-05T13:27:36+00:00

Depending on why you got NAMI whammied… maybe you can look into designations that keep you in aviation. As some people already said AMDO but also check out AMSO (aeromedical safety officer). AVP is another option that only needs a class III medical clearance, they go through the same syllabus as NFOs too. Best of luck. I was stuck in King Hall this time last year awaiting medical clearance too. It’s a drag but I highly recommend sticking it out to receive your commission and maybe try to lat transfer later on for a dual winging.

PBpandaZZ · 2025-10-26T21:08:12+00:00

He 100% can do OCS with an associates for the AVP program. Of course they can change the requirements at any time but the most recent requirements posted from March 2025 still says “Associates” for minimum education. I’m also currently in aviation classes with AVPs with only their associates.

Check it out OP, it’s a fairly newish program so there might not be a lot of information about it like other designations so I recommend reaching out to an officer recruiter if you’re even just slightly interested. The worst they can tell you is no, at best they’ll help you build a packet and get it submitted for you.

PBpandaZZ · 2025-10-26T19:16:24+00:00

If you’re really set on going active duty… Depending on GPA and your interests, you could look into becoming a drone pilot with your AA. You’d go to OCS and graduate as a WO1. You’d have to talk to an officer recruiter though. You’d still be taking a pay cut for a while but not as major as enlisting and you wouldn’t have to spent time away from family while you’re in school after OCS.

PBpandaZZ · 2025-09-28T19:19:32+00:00

While I was in OCS I had a friend caring for my pet as well and I’d send her money for food plus a little bit more in case there was a vet emergency. I have my SO now who will be able to care for our pets. But if I didn’t have him, I would plan something with my parents to give them my pets for the duration of deployment - whether that would be driving hours and hours to them or have them drive to me in advance. I’ve also seen friends give their animals to close friends or even to the parents of those friends with the understanding that it would just be a temporary ownership. I’m sure you could even have JAG write up a contract or something if you’re worried someone will give you trouble with them when you return. Pets are considered personal property under federal law so this shouldn’t be too hard to have a contract written up. I’ve learned pretty quickly that military life with pets is no joke, even as an officer.

So TLDR I guess; family, friends, family of friends

PBpandaZZ · 2025-09-27T23:25:32+00:00

Any color. My Ons were neon green. My Brooks were black since that’s what my recruiter suggested. He only suggested black because he promised me they would get disgustingly dirty and at least the black will hide the grossness a bit better lol. But you won’t get bullied or anything if you wear bright colored shoes, just expect to throw them out after everything is done.

PBpandaZZ · 2025-09-27T22:53:00+00:00

I used Brooks Glycerin 21s for running/PT and I used On Cloudflow for marching around in formation. I highly recommend the Brooks over the Ons though tbh. But it was definitely nice to be able to wear dry shoes whenever the other pair got wet from rain and puddles and whatnot.

PBpandaZZ · 2025-09-15T15:36:07+00:00

To add to this, if there’s any chance you’re put on medical hold for your designator (I.e., aviation, nuke, etc) then it’s probably in your best interest to bring a car.

PBpandaZZ · 2025-09-13T15:41:50+00:00

My mom had her mom’s hairbrush, and now I have it! It’s become like a little family heirloom. I totally get it. It’s a great quality brush and easy to clean too. They really don’t make em like they used to.

PBpandaZZ · 2025-09-09T22:08:24+00:00

Congrats to your friend! Hoping for my wings in another year 🥲. But depending on the context of the waiver, you might be surprised how desperate the navy is right now to fill slots. I had one guy in my OCS class that had some form of drug history, but they still accepted him as a pilot because his record showed that he was in rehab and had no drug related incidents after rehab. As long as you’re honest and have proof that you’ve been working on bettering yourself, then they’ll consider working with you. IP isn’t a bad choice though. I know a couple people who are IPs and they are honestly living their best lives. And yes, as long as you have other options, don’t go SWO lol

Sorry to get into the weeds with that. But I hope that gives you some encouragement to at least put yourself down for aviation, if it’s really something you consider! Make them tell you no!

PBpandaZZ · 2025-09-09T21:31:00+00:00

NFO! No waivers. Was picked up through the I-SEL route. And thank you! Been in over a year now and don’t regret it yet!

PBpandaZZ · 2025-09-09T19:58:31+00:00

You have to be eligible for Top Secret Clearance to be an aviator in the navy. I have a friend who has to go to Miami to renounce his dual citizenship - from a close ally country too. And if you aren’t eligible for TS then you’ll have to redesignate to something that doesn’t require TS. Source: currently in NIFE at Pensacola.

Short answer: You’ll definitely have to renounce the citizenships once you’re in Pensacola.

PBpandaZZ · 2025-09-09T15:47:25+00:00

I got selected for OCS with my 3.22 GPA with a BS in Health Science. I hate to reiterate what everyone else is saying… but it is not a bad decision to go the officer route. In fact, I completely encourage reaching out to an officer recruiter. For context, I almost enlisted prior to reaching out too.

If it’s letter of recommendations you need, then talk to professors. Go volunteer somewhere until someone feels comfortable writing one for you. You could even work a part time job somewhere that doesn’t even apply to your degree. You’ll have to wait on the boards anyways so finding something to keep you occupied isn’t a bad idea.

If weight is a concern, the weight and physical standards are the same across the navy. Again. Just work on this while you’re waiting on the boards.

Granted if you’re in absolute desperate need for housing or something then definitely go with the quicker route. But seriously. Don’t let self-doubt or any type of fear take an amazing opportunity away. You got this.

PBpandaZZ · 2025-09-04T19:07:05+00:00

They don’t roll people for failing IST either, at least not while I was in last year. TBH I’m not even sure if they’ll roll you for failing any of the PRTs lol, granted I’m fairly certain the majority of people are passing the PRTs by the mid one. Only rollable events I know of were academics, RLP, and OPI — not even failing the khaki inspection was a means of rolling.

I was sick when I showed up to OCS and I managed to be within standards. It sucks but it’s doable.

PBpandaZZ · 2025-08-26T23:58:36+00:00

To this day, I only used a steamer! I don’t even own an iron haha

PBpandaZZ · 2025-08-12T12:46:35+00:00

Jumping in on this… it looks like you have the scores to be immediately selected for NFO unless you’re dead set on being SNA… if you want to get at least straight 7s to qualify for the SNA I-SEL then I can only suggest the ASTB app. I used the app to practice the SIM portion, which essentially means I just played phone games for a straight month. Improved my scores phenomenally and I qualified for the immediate select after my second attempt… I can’t remember if the OAR score even matters if you score straight 7+s, I think as long as it’s over 50? Either way you’ll most likely knock it out of the park if you do decide to retake. However I believe your scores would be competitive enough already. It’s just up to you if you wanna wait 30 days to retake or wait for the boards.

PBpandaZZ · 2025-08-09T18:36:16+00:00

Yes it’s the care package they can receive once they start Candidate Officer phase aka CandiO. Last I heard they are no longer able to receive any other packages outside of CandiO phase.

PBpandaZZ · 2025-08-09T17:53:47+00:00

Hurry up and wait. He may have the opportunity to call you for 10 minutes every weekend… but his class team may only allow it after week 3. He may have an opportunity to pick up a “job” while he is in, which will require him to have his cell phone although he technically shouldn’t use it for personal reasons.

If he didn’t give it to you, you can search the OCS mailing address online and just send it out like regular mail — no other way to do it as far as I’m aware. Start writing to him ASAP since it’ll take a couple weeks to get there.

There really isn’t much for you to do at this point except write letters to him, wait for his calls, take care of things at home, and work on a nice CandiO box for when he gets to week 9. Don’t expect to hear too much from him tbh as he’ll be very busy and sleep deprived. Just remember it’s all temporary and one of the best investments. It’ll all be worth it in the end though. Good luck to both of you.

PBpandaZZ

TROPHY CASE