DLAB & Contract

KDearing · 08-11-2014, 03:20 PM

My ASVAB and DLAB qualified me for CTI but was told by my recruiter (he's also a CTI) that they had to get me into MEPS (last week in fact) and into the system in a temporary rate. Then, when a CTI slot appeared, they will then DAR me into a new contract. I had some reservations as there were virtually no rartings to pick from that day but trusted them.

The PN1 at MEPS took me to their C.O. when I was concerned and he reiterated they could DAR me into CTI in November or December. However, the day before MEPS, my CTI rercruiter said it would be next month??? Big difference in windows.

I went into MEPS with 10 backup ratings and all they had was AV and it was not one of the ratings.

Anyhow, the main point of concern was feeling shot-gunned to pick a rate and then DAR later?

I understand the needs of the Navy and also understand my recruiter has a job and chain of command pressure so I trust that this is all the norm.

I can't see taking that second oath and ship-out as an AV on some sort of promise they can change it at basic.

Thank you for any comments and guidance. I have made 4.0' grades my last four years in foreign language. I also have been in Honors English plus picked-up survival Russian just for fun.

I know that you don't pick your language at DLI; the point is I'm a linguist by nature and naturally adept to languages.

Thank you again for your time.

Auridan · 08-11-2014, 03:29 PM

As they say, a verbal promise is worth the paper it's written on.

I'm not saying they're flat-out lying to you, but if you swear in as something other than CTI and the DAR does *not* come through, you're going to have to take what you signed, or back out entirely. I doubt the CO you talked to is going to lose a minute of sleep if what he promised you doesn't happen. And no, do not under any circumstances accept some "we'll change it at boot camp" line.

Is this standard procedure? I dunno, maybe it is, but I don't like it. If you DO take it on faith, at least make it crystal clear to your recruiter that if your contract on ship day doesn't say "CTI", you will just turn around and go home.

futureSPOOK32 · 08-11-2014, 06:08 PM

I have a question about the DLAB as well, if I failed the DLAB in March and will be in boot camp in September can I retake the DLAB in bootcamp?

jzhaun · 08-11-2014, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDearing

My ASVAB and DLAB qualified me for CTI but was told by my recruiter (he's also a CTI) that they had to get me into MEPS (last week in fact) and into the system in a temporary rate. Then, when a CTI slot appeared, they will then DAR me into a new contract. I had some reservations as there were virtually no rartings to pick from that day but trusted them.

The PN1 at MEPS took me to their C.O. when I was concerned and he reiterated they could DAR me into CTI in November or December. However, the day before MEPS, my CTI rercruiter said it would be next month??? Big difference in windows.

I went into MEPS with 10 backup ratings and all they had was AV and it was not one of the ratings.

Anyhow, the main point of concern was feeling shot-gunned to pick a rate and then DAR later?

I understand the needs of the Navy and also understand my recruiter has a job and chain of command pressure so I trust that this is all the norm.

I can't see taking that second oath and ship-out as an AV on some sort of promise they can change it at basic.

Thank you for any comments and guidance. I have made 4.0' grades my last four years in foreign language. I also have been in Honors English plus picked-up survival Russian just for fun.

I know that you don't pick your language at DLI; the point is I'm a linguist by nature and naturally adept to languages.

Thank you again for your time.

This is not meant to belittle you or say you won't do well at DLI, but take from me (I've been at DLI about a year and a half now) there isn't a school in the country that will adequately prepare you for DLI. The volume, pace, and and standards are all very different from a high school or even college course. Expect to feel like you're drowning from time to time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by futureSPOOK32

I have a question about the DLAB as well, if I failed the DLAB in March and will be in boot camp in September can I retake the DLAB in bootcamp?

The short answer is no. I've heard of people who already have a CTI contract retaking the DLAB to see if they can get a better score in bootcamp, but if you ship to bootcamp as a different rate you don't get to switch unless something comes up where you don't qualify for the rate you shipped as. (And that's a) rare and b) is going to be needs of the navy, you get whatever we have available.)

JoeSpook · 08-12-2014, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDearing

My ASVAB and DLAB qualified me for CTI but was told by my recruiter (he's also a CTI) that they had to get me into MEPS (last week in fact) and into the system in a temporary rate. Then, when a CTI slot appeared, they will then DAR me into a new contract. I had some reservations as there were virtually no rartings to pick from that day but trusted them.

I processed at MEPS 20140631 and told the NCs there that I wanted CTI first, and anything else intel-related second. I walked out the door with a contract for MC. There were other cool jobs available, but nothing I really wanted stuck with if I failed the DLAB and couldn't switch. They did promise me that if I failed the DLAB, they'd switch me to IS or another CT rate if I wanted it. They said that they didn't want to put me into an intel field and start a security clearance process and then I switch jobs and they'd have to start over. Personally, I think photojournalism is pretty sweet, so I rolled with it.

Almost two weeks later (had to work around the busy-ness of MEPS around July 4), I passed the DLAB pretty nicely and walked out the door with a contract for CTI.

What they kept telling me was "man, if you qualify for CTI, you've got it. We always, always need them. Just pass the test." So, there's some encouragement for you.

One last heads up: pay attention to the ship dates of the other temp jobs that they offer you. I was under some stress because my ship date for MC was Aug 4, roughly a month after signing the MC contract. My wife had a kid in the meantime, and that would've given me about two weeks before shipping out to the Navy. Now I've got until December with the li'l one. Wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't passed the test and passed it fast.

Good luck! Please let us know how it goes!

08-11-2014, 03:20 PM	#1
KDearing Newbie Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	MEPS and CTI spot My ASVAB and DLAB qualified me for CTI but was told by my recruiter (he's also a CTI) that they had to get me into MEPS (last week in fact) and into the system in a temporary rate. Then, when a CTI slot appeared, they will then DAR me into a new contract. I had some reservations as there were virtually no rartings to pick from that day but trusted them. The PN1 at MEPS took me to their C.O. when I was concerned and he reiterated they could DAR me into CTI in November or December. However, the day before MEPS, my CTI rercruiter said it would be next month??? Big difference in windows. I went into MEPS with 10 backup ratings and all they had was AV and it was not one of the ratings. Anyhow, the main point of concern was feeling shot-gunned to pick a rate and then DAR later? I understand the needs of the Navy and also understand my recruiter has a job and chain of command pressure so I trust that this is all the norm. I can't see taking that second oath and ship-out as an AV on some sort of promise they can change it at basic. Thank you for any comments and guidance. I have made 4.0' grades my last four years in foreign language. I also have been in Honors English plus picked-up survival Russian just for fun. I know that you don't pick your language at DLI; the point is I'm a linguist by nature and naturally adept to languages. Thank you again for your time.

08-11-2014, 03:29 PM	#2
Auridan Active Duty Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Sea level Posts: 713 Rep Power: 0	As they say, a verbal promise is worth the paper it's written on. I'm not saying they're flat-out lying to you, but if you swear in as something other than CTI and the DAR does not come through, you're going to have to take what you signed, or back out entirely. I doubt the CO you talked to is going to lose a minute of sleep if what he promised you doesn't happen. And no, do not under any circumstances accept some "we'll change it at boot camp" line. Is this standard procedure? I dunno, maybe it is, but I don't like it. If you DO take it on faith, at least make it crystal clear to your recruiter that if your contract on ship day doesn't say "CTI", you will just turn around and go home.

08-11-2014, 06:08 PM	#3
futureSPOOK32 Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Fairmont, West Virginia Posts: 84 Rep Power: 0	I have a question about the DLAB as well, if I failed the DLAB in March and will be in boot camp in September can I retake the DLAB in bootcamp?