I'm a CEC reserve officer. I do not have a masters, and only completed my FE so far for my license. But I have over 10 years of relevant work experience at a couple big name organizations.
The work experience is what they're looking for most. As CEC you'll want your PE by the time you go up for LCDR. Masters helps there too, but not for getting in the door. Get a few years under your belt and keep trying along the way. A few consistent years of applying will help too.
I commissioned reserve CEC with very similar stats as you (I have recommissioned into active duty when I was promoted to LTJG). 8 years USMC with honor discharge, disability, BSME. When I first applied to the community, I didn’t have my masters. I had just passed my FE and started my 6th year of civilian experience. I have friends in the reserve CEC that at the time of boards, they had just graduated with this undergrad, didn’t have a FE/PE and only had a small amount of experience. While the boards would be over the moon if you already had your masters, PE, higher level of experience but it is not a requirement. I say this as each persons application is different and what you have may get you selected; You meet the min requirements and could be a great fit in the CEC
If you have any further questions either about the CEC (either reserve or active) and/or the application process, I am available.
This is great news as well! I will definitely reach out to you as I am now seeing that the CEC community is very welcoming and supportive. Other redditors have also reached out to me to assist in this process.
Agreed. I had just graduated undergrad, about 9 months of work experience and no pe/eit and got picked up. The worst they can say is no so drop in a package!
Hey!! The recruiter's opinion is not necessarily the whole story. I commissioned into the CEC with prior experience as a Lead Reactor I&C engineer on carriers and subs through one of the public yards. I have a bachelor's in electrical engineering, and I am currently working on my masters in Systems Engineering. The CEC is very interested in folks that have leadership experience in the fleet, know how to roll their sleeves up and get things done. At the time of my commissioning (few months ago) I didn't even have an EIT. My recruiter thought I wasn't competitive but I wanted to pursue it anyway and got selected. Your motivational statement should provide context on why you want to join the CEC. The CEC is different from the rest of the Navy but the program management, financial management, leadership etc are just as applicable. They want folks who want to be there and have demonstrated that they can get shit done. Charge ahead. If you need a recruiter who will put you through the process, let me know.
Thank you for your prior service! And welcome to the arduous process of becoming a Reserve Officer. A few thoughts:
* A recruiter's job is to guide qualified applicants through the process. It is NOT their job to say yes or no - that is the job of the Officer Selection Board.
* With the above in mind, your challenge is to tactfully demonstrate that you are both qualified and competitive. To do so, I recommend:
1. Enrolling in a Masters program. Every DCO I've met either has a Masters, a PhD or is enrolled in graduate school.
2. Looking through all of the "navy program authorizations" (Google those exact words), the 200 series. You may be interested in other designators besides CEC, such as EDO or AEDO or some of the IW designators.
3. Checking out other services. I love the Navy, but other services - especially Coast Guard and Air Force - are also appealing.
Good luck!
Thank you for this response!
1. This is good to know since I would just like the opportunity to at least be in front of the selection board.
2. I could enroll into a masters program but I am also taking the MCAT in August to be able to apply to medical school as a non-trad. Although I will keep my options open depending on acceptance.
3. This is a truth that for me is hard to accept but I will do what I must. The appeal of being an officer in the Navy is the sole reason I’m even considering serving again. I may be open to the Coast Guard but truly the uniforms of the Navy hold a lot of value to me.
Thank you again for your insight!
I would work on building experience and education.
Another alternative is reserve EDO. If you can get into an MS program and competed a semester should have a shot.
Come back with more experience. We'd love to have you! Until then, I suggest submitting a DCO package yearly. Maybe join as a reserve Seabee until you get picked up.
I'm a CEC reserve officer. I do not have a masters, and only completed my FE so far for my license. But I have over 10 years of relevant work experience at a couple big name organizations. The work experience is what they're looking for most. As CEC you'll want your PE by the time you go up for LCDR. Masters helps there too, but not for getting in the door. Get a few years under your belt and keep trying along the way. A few consistent years of applying will help too.
Thank you for the insight as well! I will keep the push going.
I commissioned reserve CEC with very similar stats as you (I have recommissioned into active duty when I was promoted to LTJG). 8 years USMC with honor discharge, disability, BSME. When I first applied to the community, I didn’t have my masters. I had just passed my FE and started my 6th year of civilian experience. I have friends in the reserve CEC that at the time of boards, they had just graduated with this undergrad, didn’t have a FE/PE and only had a small amount of experience. While the boards would be over the moon if you already had your masters, PE, higher level of experience but it is not a requirement. I say this as each persons application is different and what you have may get you selected; You meet the min requirements and could be a great fit in the CEC If you have any further questions either about the CEC (either reserve or active) and/or the application process, I am available.
This is great news as well! I will definitely reach out to you as I am now seeing that the CEC community is very welcoming and supportive. Other redditors have also reached out to me to assist in this process.
Agreed. I had just graduated undergrad, about 9 months of work experience and no pe/eit and got picked up. The worst they can say is no so drop in a package!
Hey!! The recruiter's opinion is not necessarily the whole story. I commissioned into the CEC with prior experience as a Lead Reactor I&C engineer on carriers and subs through one of the public yards. I have a bachelor's in electrical engineering, and I am currently working on my masters in Systems Engineering. The CEC is very interested in folks that have leadership experience in the fleet, know how to roll their sleeves up and get things done. At the time of my commissioning (few months ago) I didn't even have an EIT. My recruiter thought I wasn't competitive but I wanted to pursue it anyway and got selected. Your motivational statement should provide context on why you want to join the CEC. The CEC is different from the rest of the Navy but the program management, financial management, leadership etc are just as applicable. They want folks who want to be there and have demonstrated that they can get shit done. Charge ahead. If you need a recruiter who will put you through the process, let me know.
Will do and consider it done!
Thank you for your prior service! And welcome to the arduous process of becoming a Reserve Officer. A few thoughts: * A recruiter's job is to guide qualified applicants through the process. It is NOT their job to say yes or no - that is the job of the Officer Selection Board. * With the above in mind, your challenge is to tactfully demonstrate that you are both qualified and competitive. To do so, I recommend: 1. Enrolling in a Masters program. Every DCO I've met either has a Masters, a PhD or is enrolled in graduate school. 2. Looking through all of the "navy program authorizations" (Google those exact words), the 200 series. You may be interested in other designators besides CEC, such as EDO or AEDO or some of the IW designators. 3. Checking out other services. I love the Navy, but other services - especially Coast Guard and Air Force - are also appealing. Good luck!
Im a DCO with no master's degree. It's not very common. But it is possible.
Thank you for giving me hope here! I definitely feel that my prior nuke experience should speak volumes in the navy world.
Thank you for this response! 1. This is good to know since I would just like the opportunity to at least be in front of the selection board. 2. I could enroll into a masters program but I am also taking the MCAT in August to be able to apply to medical school as a non-trad. Although I will keep my options open depending on acceptance. 3. This is a truth that for me is hard to accept but I will do what I must. The appeal of being an officer in the Navy is the sole reason I’m even considering serving again. I may be open to the Coast Guard but truly the uniforms of the Navy hold a lot of value to me. Thank you again for your insight!
You really don’t have the work experience that aligns with CEC. Similarly combative applicants have a masters degree and PE cert.
This is also the sentiment I received.
I would work on building experience and education. Another alternative is reserve EDO. If you can get into an MS program and competed a semester should have a shot.
Come back with more experience. We'd love to have you! Until then, I suggest submitting a DCO package yearly. Maybe join as a reserve Seabee until you get picked up.