DanDaMan said:
Hello, I will be graduating with an engineering degree in May of 2008. I am seriously considering going into the DEO program after I finish school. I would like to know the deadline to make that decision so that I can begin training as soon as possible after I graduate. When do I need to submit my application, and if I submit it early and get accepted, can I defer until after graduation?
I know how you feel on this one. Although I'm two years behind you, and still not close to being sure I want to join the military, this is something that I have thought about. I'm not the type of person who likes to start a job, have them spend money training you and count on you to help them, just to quit a few months later. That's why the 9 year officer commitment doesn't really bother me much, I want a steady job, not to jump around when I see a bit more cash available somewhere else. Also, if you're in the process of applying, you probably won't want to move to a new city to get a job, probably want to avoid buying a house, and just the not knowing would be a bit annoying. Basically, even if training doesn't start for a little while, it would be nice to know one way or the other if you will have a military career or not.
But ... I guess that is not always possible. However, I
think I read on the recruiting site somewhere that you are able to apply once you are in the last year of your degree. Personally, some things I hope to do in the next couple of years to improve my chances and hopefully speed up the process:
- I hope to work at the CSE for a co-op term (key word: hope, and I planned to do this even without military plans), and they grant you the top security clearance before a job offer, so that may help on the security process
- maybe a year before seeing the recruiter, I'll go to my doctor and get a physical or at least ask about maybe getting some bloodwork and basic checks (blood pressure, etc.) to get any obvious problems out of the way nice and early
- look for any leadership, volunteer, fitness, etc. activities that I could get involved with in school or anywhere else
- talk to the recruiter early (beginning of last year of university) - even if I can't complete my application, it never hurts to at least see if you can get some of it out of the way early.
That's my basic plan (I tend to plan ahead), hopefully it works out well. But I still have a few years, so time will tell what happens.
