New Member Question

[misterbensin]

Before I get to the question let me introduce myself:
I'm in a DEP contract as a nuke. My ship date is November.
I'm 22, have a B.A. in English with a weak GPA (2.83). It was not lack of ability or disrespect, disinterest or lack of learning the material that left me with my GPA. Frankly, I was not concerned with grades. I went to school with the wrong goals in mind and have learned the myopia of my ways. I did not take calculus of calculus based physics in university. I have background in these subjects through personal exploration.
I'm interested in becoming an officer. I know that my academic background is not great, and that the Navy these days has a sort of embarrassment of riches as far a excellent candidates go. I'm pretty sure I could CLEP Calc, get into higher calc and calc based physics courses this summer (two classes both sessions would conceivably do it), and either submit to OCS directly or to the NUPOC and get a B.S. or possibly M.S. I'm not sure how that would go down, what I could qualify for.
Obviously I'm not banking on this contingent and am very excited about joining as enlisted. I will likely go in in the buddy system with my childhood best friend if I do. Also, I tend to be good with the drinking from a fire hose method of learning. I took a two winter courses (3 week semesters basically) simultaneously, and did better in them than I had done since my freshman year.
Basically I want to know what I should realistically expect or hope for (obviously there is no guarantee; I've been lucky enough to get a recruiter who told me that up front). I'll try for more either way, but I like to keep my feet at least near the ground while my head is in the clouds.
Also, I'm not terribly interested in other fields; I briefly considered intelligence or aviation but I want to transition from the arts to the sciences, and at meps I found out that in the past two years my vision in my left eye has degraded.

[Gamecock]

Before I get to the question let me introduce myself:
I'm in a DEP contract as a nuke. My ship date is November.
I'm 22, have a B.A. in English with a weak GPA (2.83). It was not lack of ability or disrespect, disinterest or lack of learning the material that left me with my GPA. Frankly, I was not concerned with grades. I went to school with the wrong goals in mind and have learned the myopia of my ways. I did not take calculus of calculus based physics in university. I have background in these subjects through personal exploration.
I'm interested in becoming an officer. I know that my academic background is not great, and that the Navy these days has a sort of embarrassment of riches as far a excellent candidates go. I'm pretty sure I could CLEP Calc, get into higher calc and calc based physics courses this summer (two classes both sessions would conceivably do it), and either submit to OCS directly or to the NUPOC and get a B.S. or possibly M.S. I'm not sure how that would go down, what I could qualify for.
Obviously I'm not banking on this contingent and am very excited about joining as enlisted. I will likely go in in the buddy system with my childhood best friend if I do. Also, I tend to be good with the drinking from a fire hose method of learning. I took a two winter courses (3 week semesters basically) simultaneously, and did better in them than I had done since my freshman year.
Basically I want to know what I should realistically expect or hope for (obviously there is no guarantee; I've been lucky enough to get a recruiter who told me that up front). I'll try for more either way, but I like to keep my feet at least near the ground while my head is in the clouds.
Also, I'm not terribly interested in other fields; I briefly considered intelligence or aviation but I want to transition from the arts to the sciences, and at meps I found out that in the past two years my vision in my left eye has degraded.

If you have the time, and the money, I'd take the calculus classes and the calc-based physics classes.  This could potentially open up the door for you, especially if you get A's in those classes.

Cheers,
GC

[Harley Rider]

I believe that if you go in and do your best in everything from bootcamp through prototype that the doors will open up for you. Your degree, regardless of the type or your grades, will still carry weight when being considered for Officer programs. That combined with sustained superior performance in your studies and duties will work out well for you. Good luck !!

[still_in]

I would definitely take those Calc and Physics classes before you ship for boot.  Once in, you won't be allowed to take college courses until you finish prototype.  Taking those classes will only increase your value to the Navy with regards to officer packages.  Plus, if you get good grades in those courses it will show the Navy that you have changed your ways with regards to academics.
Good Luck

[misterbensin]

Thank you all for your answers, encouragement and most of all for your service.

BK

[misterbensin]

If you have the time, and the money.

As it turns out I do not have the money, at least not for the physics classes. Calc I can take at the community college. But the CC has no Phy openings. But I guess I might as well get done what I can.