Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)

1. Apply 101 The Reserve Officers Guide to ApplyRADM Robin Braun, USNDeputy Director of OperationsU. S. European Command

2. Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) • Every Officer must register on APPLY every year • Validates database billet information • You must apply for at least one billet to be considered for an Interim Fill • Consider submitting a letter to the board - Provides opportunity to highlight any missing information or clarify any unusual circumstances regarding your record to your briefer prior to the confidence factor process • Submit Remarks and Billet history on the APPLY website - Highlight experience, quals, and circumstances to the panel during the slating process and helps them determine the best officer for billet

3. Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) con’t • Some communities and billets require a resume for use during the slating process. If so, you MUST fill out and submit the resume template to be considered for the billet. • Check that you want to be considered for billets not listed on your dream sheet • Billets often become available that were not advertised in Apply • Remember, if you are offered a billet that was not on your dreamsheet, you are not obligated to take it. • Be willing to travel • Many units offer flex drill opportunities in order to provide more support to the Supported Command during the week.

4. FY-12 APPLY Board Statistics All communities utilize the APPLY process

5. O-6 Line Statistics O-6 Line FY-12 FY-11 FY-10 % put into CO 10.4% 15.33% 10.82% % put into NON 20.0%15.69%12.67% Total 30.2% 31.02% 23.5% Remember: Some applicants only apply for CO billets since they have tenure remaining

6. O-5 Line Statistics O-5 Line FY-12 FY-11 FY-10 % put into CO 6.1% 6.82% 5.12% % put into NON 39.2% 42.96% 39.12% Total 45.1% 49.8% 44.2% Remember: Some applicant’s only apply for CO billets since they have tenure remaining

7. All Communities All Panels FY-12 FY-11 FY-10 % put into CO 10.7% 12.53% 12.04% % put into NON 32.0%38.15%37.37% Total 47.5% 50.6% 49.4% Some applicants only apply for CO billets since they have tenure remaining in current billet

8. Brief and Vote(1 Minute) Record Review(20-40 Minutes) Applicant’s Record(Entire Career) APPLY in a Nutshell …. RANKING …. …. …. … 81 81 … 62 61 100 100 99 98 82 … Best & Fully Qualified Least Qualified SLATING Billet Dreamsheet Preference #1 Preference #2 …..

9. Counterweights (Bad  ) • Incomplete Record • PFA Failure(s) • Adverse Field Code 17 • Whining / Arrogant Letter to Bd • Photo out of date • Adverse Fitrep(s) • Perceived Sense of Comfort • Question Marks in Record What Has Weight? Positive Weights (Good  ) • Proven and Sustained Performance • Progressive & Diverse Resume • Breakouts “in traffic” • Leadership jobs commensurate with rank • MOB / IA Assignments • JPME / Advanced Degree(s) • Competency / Skills in Precept Guidance • AQDs / NOBCs • Required Credentials / Civilian Skills • Letter to Board to explain gaps or adding recent information not in a FITREP • Awards • NRAMS / JFROC / SNROOC/ Board Duty • Command Recommendations • Good Leadership Marks • Briefer’s Advocacy & Credibility • Proven and Sustained Performance, particularly in command, leadership positions, and difficult joint / in-service assignments outweighs any other factor • Each Voting Member “weighs” these factors based on their professional judgment and experience

10. Slater Billets Ranked Applicants Tabled Applicants Applicants Sent Home • Based on confidence • factor, then by seniority • Group is based off being • #1 pick remaining on the • candidates dream sheet X 100 99 75 2nd Alt Candidate Candidate 1st Alt Candidate Billet Screen #1 Screen #2 Screen #4 Screen #3

11. Slater Applicant Detail • Recommend use bullets easier to read in tank Remarks section can be helpful during Slating

12. Slater Applicant Detail History - This is the first slide shown - Applicant should list all RC and AC assignments and billets. Applicant History is also Important 8/8/2014 12

13. Inputs for History

14. Slater Billet Detail OSO comments Commanding Officers comments Note the Billet specifications and requirements including Supported Command/CO Comments

15. 1. Change Your Mindset 2. Know the Game • It’s harder to compete when you don’t know the rules of the game • Study and understand the guidance in CNRFC NOTICE 5400 • Don’t try to “game the game” –follow the rules • Read last year’s precept • You’re “applying” for a job just like in the civilian sector, complete with want ads, applications, resumes, applicant screening, etc. • Do your homework and tailor your input to the jobs you seek • Use the REMARKS section in the online APPLY application to specify your qualifications and experience How to Improve Your Odds

16. 3. Plug any Holes and Gaps 4. Write a Letter ? ? ? • Why have a stranger (your briefer) guess about you and your record? • Explain any gaps or unusual circumstances in your record • Send a letter with missing Fitreps, awards, quals, etc. • Remember – your letter to the board is NOT viewed during slating • Holes and gaps in your record leave doubt, and doubt means lower confidence in your potential • Ensure all of your Fitreps are in your record (and legible too!) • Verify your awards, NOBCs, AQDs, licenses, and credentials are there too Improving Your Odds

17. 5. Be Honest with Yourself 6. Diversify Your Portfolio • Do you have an “A”, “B”, or “C” record? Do you really know? • Ask a board-experienced mentor to candidly review and mark up your record • Develop a career game plan to improve your “stature” • Picking 35 CO billets with a “B” or “C” record will probably leave you high and dry (and frustrated too!) • Unless you have an unquestionable “A” record, it might be prudent to pick a spread of “stretch”, “competitive”, and “safe” billets • Similar to applying to college Improving Your Odds

18. 8. Pick “Chairs” that Fit 7. Fill the Glass Full • Applying for billets you’re clearly unqualified for is equivalent to selecting < 35 choices • It also wastes the board’s precious time • Follow the rules (see #2) • Think math & probabilities • If you only pick 5 or 6 billets and they’re filled by the time you come up for slating, your record will be automatically tabled • Use all 35 choices on your dreamsheet (if qualified for the billet, of course!) • Pick in order of your preference Improving Your Odds

19. 9. Any Job is Better than No Job 10. Planes, Trains & Automobiles • Lean forward and accept a billet not on your dreamsheet • Take the job and do it well – it will payoff in the long run • If it’s a non-command billet, apply next year for the Commanding Officer job you want • The more unwilling you are to travel, the lower your odds are of getting a billet (see #9) • Swing a liberal arc from your home of record to encompass the nearest fleet concentration areas Improving Your Odds

20. 12. VTU Bound? 11. Take the Tough Jobs • Remember what has “weight”? • Proven and sustained performance, particularly in command, leadership positions, and difficult joint / in-service assignments outweighs any other factor • Think about your priorities • Rededicate yourself if you don’t receive a billet, and don’t sit in the VTU • Find a unit where you can make a difference, and ask upfront to be competitively evaluated on your performance and potential • He/She who does not ask shall not receive! Final Words of Wisdom

21. FY 13 APPLY IMPORTANT DATES

22. Questions? Updated October 2011 by the FY12 APPLY Team For questions, contact your community mentor, OSO, or CNRFC N12 NOW IS THE TIME TO PREPARE YOUR RECORD FOR FY13 APPLY !

23. FY12 APPLY BACKUP SLIDES

24. Recommendations for RESFORON Aviators To increase your odds of getting an Apply billet : • Complete JPME I • Participate in a Fleet or Joint Exercise • Apply for NOBCs for which you are qualified • Complete an Advanced degree • Fill out Remarks section of APPLY application with scope of experience in AORs and support to the Fleet. • Seek guidance on units/billets and the application process from community mentors!