Hello,
Thank you to those involved in operating this forum, and everyone who posts responding to people like me. I have been reading the stories and information here, and it is very informative. I am interested in opportunities as a Navy Nuke officer (particularly Power School Instructor) and since the body of readers has provided feedback on "special cases" I thought I might throw mine out for consideration.
Straight to the point- I got C's in my calculus and calculus-based physics class series in college. Also, I had one bad year for various reasons and failed a couple of classes as well. I turned it around and ended up graduating with an Interdisciplinary B.S. in Physics, Mathematics, and Behavioral Science with a GPA of about 3.2-3.3. I know those failures and the "C" grades are unacceptable, and I consider it a personal failure.
However, I have come a long way since my college mistakes and mediocrity. I entered the corporate world and earned a Master's Degree in Science Education (GPA ~3.75), partly on my company's dime. I advanced in my current company, and was given more responsibility over our technology portfolio, and was even sent by the company to live and work in Europe at a high profile research and technology center for a year on some key projects. I work now primarily with thermal and optical physics, straddling product development and technical marketing. (I would be leaving a fully vested job and take a pay cut to serve). I took the ASVAB and got a perfect score, and I am sure I can do well on the other required physics test at this point.
My humble questions to the experts are 1) will my college grades disqualify me right out? 2) Are post-bachelor's progress and work history taken into account in the selection process? 3) Is there a way to "demonstrate improvement"? I am considering taking a few advanced math and physics classes, or something like that, with the intention of getting good grades and proving that I have progressed from my youth.
My personal history is solid. I am physically fit, have no criminal record, have never done any illegal drugs, have great credit, and come from a line of veterans. My worst offense is a single speeding ticket I got in 2000. I am approaching the age cutoff, and I feel that if I do not do this I will always regret not having at least tried.
Thank you for your time and your service.
A.