Author Topic: WHEN IS the next Naval Officer Assessment Board (NOAB) ? (Read 59961 times)

Galahad · « **on:** January 24, 2009, 17:59:48 »

Hello all,

I have been doing a fair bit of reading in this site over the last few weeks, and I have a few remaining questions that I hope someone can help me answer.

Just to put them in context, I'm currently in my final year of mechanical engineering and I am planning on applying for Marine Systems Engineering after I finish school.

What I would like to know is when is the NOAB usually held? I gather sometime in June/July and October, but could someone give me anything more specific?

Further to that, is where does the NOAB fit in the overall admissions process? Like is it the last thing you do before your BMQ, or does it depend on when you apply? Suppose I apply in May (after graduation), would this be early enough for me to attend the NOAB in June/July, followed by BMQ possibly in August/September. Does that sound remotely realistic?

I hope this is not too much to ask, but the recruiter I talked to in Halifax already was not particularly helpful about this, and I want to be able to make the process as smooth as possible.

Cheers!

MKO · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2009, 20:13:15 »

Galahad,

First, I'm not sure why you are waiting to apply. Since you are likely a Direct Entry Officer you will have to wait until you have your degree completed later this year, but you don't know what else might delay you - something in your medical history for example. You have said you are interested - go an make your application either at the Centre or online. That way you complete your processing in parallel with your qualification (rather than in series) and you maximise your chance of hitting your gateways, like NOAB, the earliest you can. While what you have suggested for a timeline is possible, I would not recommend planning on it -even a cursory scan of the posts here will show you that there can be unanticipated delays. So, the earlier you start, the more likely you will be to enrolled and start training smoothly if you have a particular timeframe in mind.

For the Naval Officer Assessment Board, this is an evaluation of your ability to successfully complete naval officer training and is required prior to your consideration for selection into a naval officer occupation. The Boards are scheduled relatively regularly, before our basic officer courses although the actual timing is subject to ship availability.

Good luck!

Galahad · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2009, 21:20:41 »

ComdCFRG, thank you very much for your reply.

I suppose there really isn't any reason for me to wait, I'm sure I will be doing lots of that later on anyways. Learning what I have from these boards the last couple weeks has been extremely helpful, and now that I have found the information that I have been looking for, I think it is time to get the process started.

I guess that means I will be stopping by the recruiting centre this week to get my application started, hopefully everything goes smoothly!

Thanks again,
Galahad

MKO · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2009, 16:47:39 »

Terrific - good luck on the application!

MKO

Gazoo · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2009, 14:12:48 »

Quote from: ComdCFRG on January 25, 2009, 20:13:15

For the Naval Officer Assessment Board, this is an evaluation of your ability to successfully complete naval officer training and is required prior to your consideration for selection into a naval officer occupation. Good luck!

In addition to the above purpose of the NOAB, it is also an opportunity for the candidate to be sure the Navy will be a good fit for him/her. The bottom line is, it's better to be sure you want what is being offered rather than decide in BMOQ, or in any phase of classification trg that you have made a mistake and want out.

My 2 cents.

romeokilo · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2009, 17:58:25 »

Hi all,

I did my interview at the local CFRC today and those who want to know about it, there isn't any specific info I can give out. Just be honest and know your trade or trades thoroughly. If you lie, they WILL find out and you WILL fail.

Now, the recruiting center was unable to tell me when the next NOAB dates are, but I am supposed to attend the next one.

Does anyone know a DND or a CF source which lists these, or potential ones? I tried searching, but very vague information comes up with no specifics.

Any help would be nice.
Thank you!

MKO · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2009, 19:03:32 »

NOAB are scheduled as required and generally occur before the major concentrations of Basic Military Officer Qualification courses. There is a NOAB being run at this moment. While I do not have the dates for the next one, I would anticipate that it will be held sometime in the May-early July timeframe for the courses that start in August.

Good luck!

MARSBA · « **Reply #7 on:** March 07, 2009, 16:52:55 »

The next NOAB is presently scheduled for the week of 25-29 May. Good luck.

romeokilo · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2009, 03:53:30 »

Quote from: MARSBA on March 07, 2009, 16:52:55

The next NOAB is presently scheduled for the week of 25-29 May. Good luck.

Sir, I mean absolutely no disrespect, but how do you know this? Thank you for the info.

Galahad · « **Reply #9 on:** March 08, 2009, 08:22:03 »

Uh oh, I thought it would be later than that, this is no good.

My convocation is on the 27th of May $:-\$

romeokilo · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2009, 17:53:25 »

OK, two independent sources have confirmed now that the NOAB will occur from May 25th - 29th, and that it will be at CFB Esquimalt in Victoria, BC.

Anyone else looking at possible attendance here? Galahad, thinking of graduating in absentia to get in to the Navy?

Galahad · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2009, 07:27:28 »

Wow, that sure would be a tough call...

I don't think I will have the choice though unfortunately, they won't enroll me until after I graduate, so I might have to wait for the next NOAB after that, which could be a long time...

romeokilo · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2009, 09:39:25 »

Actually, there are a few choices.
That your graduation falls at the exact time of the NOAB is a cruel co-incidence. Ask your school for an "Eligibiity of Graduation" certificate. It's a piece of paper that tells whosoever concerned that the only thing remaining for you is the technicality of a graduation ceremony.

See if the CFRC accepts this letter (they did for me) as proof of graduation. You will only be sworn in AFTER you've gotten an offer at the NOAB, but not attending it at all means no offer anyway.

I would rather graduate in absentia and attend the NOAB, than wait 4 more months for the next one (which would likely be in September).

MARSBA · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2009, 21:02:31 »

Quote from: romeokilo on March 08, 2009, 03:53:30

Sir, I mean absolutely no disrespect, but how do you know this? Thank you for the info.

I usually chair them.

romeokilo · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2009, 11:23:55 »

Quote from: MARSBA on March 23, 2009, 21:02:31

I usually chair them.

Then I couldn't have it from a better source! Thank you.

boot12 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 24, 2009, 20:23:13 »

Candidates usually sit the NOAB after they complete BMOQ, correct?

CDN Aviator · « **Reply #16 on:** March 24, 2009, 20:30:16 »

Quote from: boot12 on March 24, 2009, 20:23:13

Candidates usually sit the NOAB after they complete BMOQ, correct?

NOAB is part of the application process so they are done prior to BMOQ....IIRC.

This post seems to support this :

Quote from: ComdCFRG on February 19, 2009, 19:03:32

NOAB are scheduled as required and generally occur before the major concentrations of Basic Military Officer Qualification courses. There is a NOAB being run at this moment. While I do not have the dates for the next one, I would anticipate that it will be held sometime in the May-early July timeframe for the courses that start in August.

Good luck!

boot12 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 01, 2009, 16:56:04 »

Does anyone happen to have an official website link that outlines/acts as a directive for the NOAB?

I searched the DND site but was only able to find a brief mention of it in an old recruiting .pdf for NCSE, an article about HMCS Regina, and a court martial, none of which were very substantive.

Cheers.

misanthropos · « **Reply #18 on:** April 09, 2009, 11:59:59 »

Quote from: romeokilo on March 11, 2009, 17:53:25

confirmed... the NOAB will occur from May 25th - 29th, and that it will be at CFB Esquimalt in Victoria, BC.
Anyone else looking at possible attendance here?

If all goes in a timely fashion, I could be there. It would be an amazing birthday (May 25th) present form the forces, getting flown to the other side of the country.

romeokilo · « **Reply #19 on:** April 09, 2009, 12:53:42 »

Quote from: misanthropos on April 09, 2009, 11:59:59

If all goes in a timely fashion, I could be there. It would be an amazing birthday (May 25th) present form the forces, getting flown to the other side of the country.

That WOULD REALLY be an amazing birthday gift! I hope you're there, as I hope I am there so we can celebrate your birthday with cake. Yum....cake. I love cakes.

PS: Curious font.

misanthropos · « **Reply #20 on:** April 09, 2009, 14:59:42 »

Yeah, cake is good. Maybe I can get a cake shaped like a frigate, or something.

I just find ceriphed fonts more pleasant to read.

px90 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 09, 2009, 15:06:06 »

Quote from: misanthropos on April 09, 2009, 14:59:42

Yeah, cake is good. Maybe I can get a cake shaped like a frigate, or something.

I just find ceriphed fonts more pleasant to read.

Save me a slice, I officially been Merit listed for MARs , recruiter said i should know within 1-2 weeks if I'll be on the may 25th NOAB.

GolfPapaSierra · « **Reply #22 on:** April 14, 2009, 21:40:57 »

Hi All,

I am glad to have finally found a conversation about the upcoming NOAB. I have applied to MAR/S and approximately 2 weeks ago I was declared med 3 fit. I have been bugging the people at my local recruiting centre about finding out here my file currently stands because I have not heard anything yet about the NOAB. Today (Apr 14, 09) I received an email that stated that the Production Officer in the Toronto location did not have any info as to when the next NOAB is. Earlier in this conversation someone said that the NOAB is being held at the end of May. Is there any chance this may have changed? Also has anyone received an invitation for an upcoming NOAB?

Someone has stated that they have been merit listed. What does that mean?

I am optimistic about receiving an invite to NOAB and therefore I am being proactive in furthering my learning about the navy. I wanted to share that I am reading a book called Operation Apollo - The Golden Age of The Canadian Navy in The War Against Terrorism, by Richard Gimblett. For me this book is quite interesting especially in terms of learning how multifunctional and flexible our Navy is. You can most likely pick it up at the library as I did.

As far as things stand right now for me I feel nervous because I feel I am only vaguely familiar with the Navy and the MAR/S trade. However I have chosen to compete for this for several reasons.

I believe that the Navy is a backbone to our homeland security and also the most efficient functioning arm of any military in terms of international presence. I'll quote the book mentioned above:

Our extended coastline, with broad approaches and isolated expanses, requires relatively large ships with good sea keeping qualities. And it simply would be impossible to build a navy that could be everywhere at all times. As a reasonable compromise, our Navy adopted the notion of a roving task group that does not need to return to port to refuel every few days. A direct consequence of that force structure embodying the trinity of capabilities - command and control, operational depth, and integral ascertainment - is a navy with global reach. And that fits precisely with the national strategy of forward security: that Canada is made more secure by seeing to the resolution of global problems at their source, before they can expand to threaten the Canadian heartland. This is not only a measure of the idea of 'the best defence is a good offence'. It speaks also to Canada's acceptance of a responsible role in the global community...Navies cannot hold ground to the extent that an army can. Nor can they reach as swiftly to the far corners of the globe as an airforce. But the ability of a navy to stand off a foreign shore for an indefinite period with substantial combat capability cannot be matched.

It is this required operational flexibility and presence that draws me to the Navy. It seems safe to say that the navy must have its nose in all issues, and this to me is opportunity for a plethora of operational experiences.

As for MAR/S the primary characteristic of the trade that most interests me is the required ability to lead. I believe a leader is born but has to be trained how to execute his/her leadership skills effectively. I believe I have leadership skills that I can highly develop with the appropriate training.

I will stop here. I would appreciate hearing the reasons why some of you have chosen the Navy and perhaps MAR/S. I would like to see if our interests are similar. You may also be able to further inspire me and others.

Please do not forget to metion if you have been invited to the NOAB. I am getting extremely anxious because I have not heard anything yet.

Cheers

kincanucks · « **Reply #23 on:** April 24, 2009, 11:56:44 »

Quote from: boot12 on April 01, 2009, 16:56:04

Does anyone happen to have an official website link that outlines/acts as a directive for the NOAB?

I searched the DND site but was only able to find a brief mention of it in an old recruiting .pdf for NCSE, an article about HMCS Regina, and a court martial, none of which were very substantive.

Cheers.

No. Go there when you are told and do what you are told and you will be fine. The CFRC/D should provide you all the information you need to give you a rough outline of what happens at NOAB. Just think of how surprised you will be when they start talking about waterboarding. Good Luck.

px90 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 05, 2009, 16:31:31 »

Well I guess it took closer to a month , but the CFRC called this morning and I am going in tomorrow to sort out all of the travel arrangements, then off to Esquimalt for May 25th.

News:

Author Topic: WHEN IS the next Naval Officer Assessment Board (NOAB) ? (Read 59961 times)