I applied Aug 20th. I have done aptitude and physical. Waiting for security check to come back to be able to schedule medical and interview with officer board. This opportunity to schedule should happen in the next day or two.
Here is a little chuckle. After doing my aptitude testing and handing in all my paperwork for OF infantry, I received a call from the recruiter, two days later, telling me that there was a snag in my paper work. It seems my University transcripts, although listing all the courses I took and the marks, did not actually indicate that I had been conferred a degree (as it had been originally printed off prior to graduation). Thus I could not proceed with the PT testing. Fine I said and had the degree couriered up overnight from the parent‘s house, took 1/2 day off work and brought it in to the recruiting center and had them make an official copy of this degree. "Can I now schedule my PT test", yes came the reply. That being done, a week later I took another 1/2 day off work to do the PT test. Passed. Two days later I get another call from the recruiter, there has been another snag. Seems that although an official, signed copy of my degree lay beside my transcripts in my file, the transcripts, not actually saying that I had been conferred a degree, was now causing my file to be delayed again for the security check. "But", I said, "you know I have a degree because you can see it right there in the files." The recruiter paused, "yesss...I see that", but we still need the proper transcripts and we can‘t proceed until this happens. "BUT...", then I shut my mouth, smiled into the phone and said. "Of course I understand perfectly". Took another full day off work to drive to the university get my transcripts, drive to the recruiting center and wait for an appointment to hand them in. "Can my file now be processed onward" I asked. "Yes" came the reply...of course I‘m skeptical and I will be phoning them everyday from now until I‘m able to schedule my medical. The moral of the story? a) If everything in the recruiting process seems to be going along fine, something is wrong, so check. b) be persistent, If they tell you that you will be contacted, ask them when you can contact them and do so. c) In the face of mind-boggling beauracy that seems asine, remember that in essence, it‘s your fault for not following the instructions to the letter, or in reverse, following them to the letter, either way nothing will be accomplished by blustering, just smile and say yes sir/ma‘m. You can‘t fight the man, he‘s too strong
. See I‘m not even a CF member yet and I have already experienced my first brush with red-tape. The bastards haven‘t got me down yet!
PS - Anyone know how long it takes the Officer board to make a decision. I hope to be able to sign on the dotted line in mid-Nov so that I can take a short vacation in advance of Jan 2002 BOTC
B.
