Blue to Green Officer Transition

SWO3245

Verified Military
Joined
Mar 29, 2015
Messages
7
Ladies and Gents,

I am looking to see if anyone had anymore information regarding the Blue to Green Officer program.

I have reviewed the MILPERSMAN 1300-081 and the SECNAV Instruction 1000.7F regarding inter-service transfer of commissioned officers from AD Navy service. Since I have not completed my OBLISERV requirement (5 years AD Navy service) from my Academy education, it states I "may be denied" for inter-service transfer for the BTG program. I am looking seriously about trying to transfer and compete for an SF billet.

Has anyone had any experience with this process and can shed some light as to the success of waivers for this requirement? Or is there another governing document that I can review for myself? The Army Regulation 614–120 manual just states I will need to adhere to the Navy's transfer instruction.

I have emailed the SORB that is responsible for Japan (Schofield Barracks, HI) and have requested more information from the BTG website, but have not heard anything back.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

V/R

SWO3245
 
Ladies and Gents,

A little update for future IST candidates, I just received an email from the SF Officer Accessions manager and he has provided some insight on the IST process.

MILPER Message Number 14-052 governs the Army IST process, as of FEB14 IST is not available for all 0fficers grade of O1 and O2 and more specifically, not available for SF due to current strength and training pipeline requirements.

Looks like its back to the drawing board for myself. I am now looking into the possibility of resigning my commission to re-enlist with a Navy EOD contract. I know there was a post in 2013 by a Navy LT that was looking to do the same thing but I believe the process may have changed. (http://www.shadowspear.com/vb/threa...er-resigning-commission-to-apply-to-sf.18007/). It looks like he was near the end of his OBLISERV and was putting on O3.

I have contacted the Navy EOD OCM on specifics, if its even possible, but if there is any0ne on here who may have some insight it would be greatly appreciated. I still have 3 years OBLISERV remaining as a SWO, I am scouring all the MILPERSMAN messages but have yet to find one that really describes my current situation (Almost all deal with resigning a commission upon completion of OBLISERV). The Navy EOD OCM has stated that my YG is still overmanned, and unless some of my classmates fail TECH school (which most have completed or are in the final phases), it doesn't look very promising. I will only have at the most 2 looks for NSW, next year and possibly the next, for transfer but meeting career timelines as a LTJG is difficult and is not looked highly upon.

I am now looking into MARSOC, however it does look like its going to fall into the same category as NSW.

I know a few on this forum have experience with resigning a commission to re-enlist so any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

V/R

SWO3245
 
Well I guess my story is long so bear with me. I first enlisted in the Navy because I always had a very strong connection with what the military represented. It represented a sense of duty, honor, and character that I found lacking in my younger years. Military members were always held in high regard and respected for their sacrifices.

My background was far from these values, I grew up in a troubled household filled with Alcohol and Drug abuse and I saw the military as an avenue to unleash any potential I had. I made a promise to myself when I was younger that I wouldn't allow myself to fall into the path in which I was brought up in. When I was finally 17 I had the opportunity to enlist (with my fathers consent) and I scored well enough on the ASVAB to receive a NUKE billet in the Navy. The recruiter told me that I had potential to pass the hardest technical school the Navy had to offer, so I decided on the NUKE program. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do anything I set my mind to, to prove everyone that I would amount to something in my life. So off to boot camp I went. After arriving at "A" school I quickly found out that I had the ability to concentrate my mind and overcome the challenges that the Navy presented me. The unique academic rigor of NUKE school showed me that I had the aptitude to excel in Academics and luckily I was able to hold a few leadership positions while in "A" and Power School. I had always been an outgoing individual from playing various sports and participating in leadership opportunities in HS so I guess taking charge came somewhat naturally to me in the Navy.

During our INDOC for Power School they gave a brief about the career opportunities in the Navy for NUKE's, especially those desiring to take on more responsibility and difficult jobs. Those briefs included how the NUKE pipeline allows for individuals to apply for a commissioning program to become an officer. Up to that point I had never really considered it but the challenge of leading sailors was something I was interested in. So I applied for STA-21 and USNA and was lucky enough to get accepted to USNA in 2009. It was during my time at "Canoe U" that I really found what it meant to be an Officer. Up to that point I wasnt really sure what community that I wanted to become a part of. I just knew that I didnt want to become a Sub Officer or Surface NUKE officer. Two main points that made that decision for me was that my best friend from NUKE school shot himself while at the school house, as well as 3 others who attempted suicide (NUKE school has a bad track record for that) while I was there. Also that my personality was polar opposite to most of the NUKEs that I served with (ie physical fitness, outgoing personality). So I began to explore other options at the Academy. It wasnt until the end of my Plebe year that I truly knew where I wanted to be, and I would be willing to sacrifice everything I had to get there.

During the Spring semester of my Plebe year I had a revelation so brute it might as well been a kick to the stomach. One of my best friends from boot camp was a Corpsman who I actually flew out from my DEP station with. As I went off to NUKE school he went FMF with the Marines and deployed to Iraq. It was when I was at Bethesda Medical Center getting an MRI for a torn ACL (played Rugby and Boxed at USNA) that I ran back into him. Though he wasn't an attending Corpsman, he was in the Wounded Warrior Ward recovering from an RKG3 Grenade IED that struck his HUMVEE on a patrol. It was at this point that I knew where I belonged. I knew that I had the physical and mental capacity to become an EOD Tech. I watched him suffer and recover from his wounds, an after countless surgeries and hardships later, he finally had his leg amputated below the knew. I watched him come to grips with the fact that he wouldn't return to AD service, that he wouldn't become a SEAL Corpsman, that he would have to change his plans for his life. I thought to myself, if I have the mental and physical capacity to prevent great sailors like him from having to give up their dreams and aspirations then I am going to do it. I made a promise to him that I would sacrifice everything to become an EOD Tech.

From then on not a day has passed that I haven't thought about that promise, not a day goes by that I don't think about being a Tech. Now I don't want to sound like I know 100% certain that I would pass Dive School, Tech School, and all the follow on training that is required to be Navy EOD. I can just tell you that I am willing to sacrifice everything I have to be a Tech. I did my research at USNA, I completed the screening process, I spent time with the EOD units, and I put myself through the most difficult academic and physical training I could find to prepare.

Being a Naval Officer is a humbling experience, I've learned a lot about who I am and what I am capable of. As a SWO I find it very rewarding to be leading Sailors and Marines at such a young age. However, at the same time I want to contribute and give back more to the service that has given me so much. I want to be broken down and rebuilt so I can face the challenges that other are not able to. If giving up my commission allows me to truly contribute to the troops downrange then I find that to be worth the risk. I love being a Naval Officer but at the end of the day, a career spent as an enlisted EOD Tech, in my eyes, is ten fold over 5 years as a SWO.

Sorry that this was so long, I guess I can get long winded when I talk about my passions. Thank you for reading and I appreciate all the help!

Please let me know if you would like to know anything else!

V/R

SWO3245
 
Sir, why did you go to the Naval Academy if you did not want to be an officer in the Navy? That's the tip of the iceberg. We'll dig deeper after this is answered.

I won't speak for the OP, but I thought I knew what being an officer meant and that wasn't the case. "Toxic leadership."
 
@SWO3245 ... Sir, I understand the passion, I too have spent time at WRNMMC Bldg 10 and Bldg 62 caring for a brother gravely injured by an IED. Fuck the bomb hiders with a rusty pizzacutter, and then start making them hurt, is my philosophy there.

BUT, if there was a way to turn that obvious passion to the time you are obligated to serve as an officer through your attendance at the USNA, you could do as much good as becoming an EOD tech. Solid, caring, no-bullshit officers are true diamonds in any branch of the military - but it is true that they gravitate toward SOF and less conventional billets (EOD, TACP and the like). You did sign on the dotted line and swear to serve your time after graduation from the USNA, so you are a bit stuck there if you can't branch transfer. You are Navy Rescue Swimmer qualified, correct? What about branch transferring to the CG and taking on a billet as a Commander of a Rescue squad? It's not EOD, but the branch transfer might be easier and the ability to rescue people is there.

Now that I understand your reasoning behind this, and the over population of your OYG, your goals are much better understood. But, again, you do have a commitment to repay your USNA education (I have held off on the Rocket Scientist jokes, notice that?) in service as an officer.

You appear to be damned by your choices versus your desires at this point.
 
Thanks for your input xSFmed, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

I am putting forth my best effort as a SWO as I do take my oath seriously, which is why I have been pursing multiple COA to transfer as an O into the SOF community. I am a rescue swimmer, however to my knowledge, the CG SAR program is limited (main aviation SAR is run by Aviation Squadrons and CG Aviators who are billeted to be CO's). I have no problem in finishing my commitment as an officer and going back enlisted as EOD after my OBLISERV but I was just looking at all of my options to expedite the process.

As appealing as trying to go CG SAR (whatever route that may be), its not just the ability to save people that have drawn me to EOD. I am naturally a extremely physical person. From playing Collegiate Rugby and being on the Boxing team at West Point and USNA I found that I am not a person who enjoys being on the receiving end of offensive violence. I have learned that the only way to victory is being the one delivering the blows, I am a true believer in Offensive defense as some call it. EOD is a path to do both, to punish the "Wolves" of this world and protect the "Sheep" at the same time (by "sheep" I mean the general population and not the SOF which EOD deploys with which are "sheep dogs"). In that manner CG SAR, in which I have the utmost respect, does not appeal to me.

Now back to my EOD pursuits, with the military downsizing, the need for JO in the Navy is declining. Many of my classmates whom have failed their initial pipeline training or have non-attained their initial warfare qualification are being let out of their contract to become civilians. In this respect, I believe that if I submit a waiver request for my OBLISERV to serve as an enlisted EOD Tech it may have a chance of being processed. Of course there will be push back as no one likes when an individual parts from the status quo nor do many feel the need to entertain the idea of such requests, however, I have never lived my life by the status quo. I have always forged my own path from the information that I have at hand. Navy EOD Techs are undermanned at the moment, at roughly 93% as of FEB, and they have waived the requirements for many previous disqualifying milestones.

Thanks again for the input xSFmed!

V/R

SWO3245
 
Brother. It sounds like your heart and mind are made up. It also sounds like if there's a way over there, you're going to find it. Be it transfers or just waiting out your time. You're a smart man and I truely wish you the best in all this. I look forward to hearing more updates.

I'd also like to thank you for all the in depth information you posted about these options and paths. No matter how crazy the situation is, somewhere, sometime, maybe years down the road, someone's going to Google their crazy situation thinking there's no way anyone's tried this, much less posted anything helpful. Then they will pull this thread up and be able to see the path you took and what you found.
 
Sir, have you spoken with your Career Counselor on board about any of this? He/she may have more access to the requirements involving what you seek. It's obvious you've done your fair share of digging, maybe it's time to use another resource if you haven't already. That's their sole purpose in life.
 
Hey thanks for the responses,

Unfortunately our CC billet is gapped at the moment, we will gain our new one in a few months. Until then its just up to me to do the research and digging but most of it is just hearsay from many different resources. I havent spoken directly with the COC about this yet, they know and support my LAT transfer but I'm not sure how they will feel about resignation, I want to have all my ducks in a line before attempting something as unorthodox as this. I know there is going to be a ton of blow back as people get anxious when you change the status quo.

I think my best bet is to contact the EOD ECM / ADMIN board manager from NAVPERS and talk about it. I emailed a few of my JAG classmates from college about the legal process of it and I get the feeling if anything is wrong with my paperwork Im going to get a metaphorical shotgun blast to the face . Hopefully they will be able to produce something more tangible than myself just running around trying to McGuyver together a COA.

I actually have spoken with a JAG beforehand about this process, as I tried to decline my commission and go back enlisted EOD at the end of my time at USNA. (USNA would not allow me to graduate with a diploma and decline a commission, makes enough sense). So I know there is a way forward, but I think its just going to take grunt leg work that is going to bring forth the best COA.

Not sure if anyone has any experience or knows of anyone who have dealt with officer resignation or separations for reasons other than ADMIN or qualified resignations, as they call it. There is nothing on the Navy Personnel Command website about it.

Ill let you know all know what I find out, hopefully it doesn't require me flying a magic carpet to to find some mystical being somewhere who will grant me amnesty for my life choices and bless me with an EOD billet. Though if that is the case, Ill ensure to re-watch Aladdin and throw on my parachute pants, on that note, does anyone have a monkey I can borrow? Looks like there is an adventure a brewing...

Thanks for the input everyone!

V/R

SWO3245
 
Hey everyone I know its been a few months since I've posted on here. I just returned from our second patrol in 7th Fleet and had a blast. To all the SOF guys we interacted with during our last two floats, thanks for all the tips and tricks that you gave my team. I've learned a ton from you guys and will ensure that all the lessons I've learned I will take with me through any future obstacles I will face.

As an update, looks like I will have my package for NSW in for next years board so I am going to make myself as competitive as possible for that. If not I am shooting for a Riverine billet, (though one of the SBU guys told me to shoot for an AOPS billet at one of the SBU) for my next tour so hopefully that comes through so I can continue to build my skill set for when my time comes to finish my commitment and re-enter into the Navy with an EOD/NSW enlisted billet, although its going to take a ton of waivers.

For any of those members out there who have been discouraged by any red tape, don't loose focus. I was told by a mentor of mind this last float that all the hard work you put in will be worth it in the end. So keep those workouts going and stay focused. Ill keep you all informed as to the path I have forged on my way to the SOF communities. If anyone has any questions about lateral transfer/inter service transfer please feel free to contact me and I will give you all the information that I have compiled throughout my career.

Again thanks for all the help from the Raiders and SBU guys, hope to see you back out there in the future!

Stay Frosty Gents,

SWO3245
 
Back
Top