THIRD TIME'S A CHARM

[Kanchou]

For the first time in my three years of trying, KANCHOU-DONO IS GETING A JET INTERVIEW.

It feels great to know that if I'm lucky, I could be in Japan by August... for the first time in four and a half years.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Good luck! I hope you get the job!!!!!!

[Kanchou]

Funny enough, JET is actually my backup plan... Plan A is Air Force OTS. Plan C is Navy OCS.

[aquamarine]

All the best to you!

[Greji]

Funny enough, JET is actually my backup plan... Plan A is Air Force OTS. Plan C is Navy OCS.

Good luck. However, as a former zoomie, I have to say OTS ain't too shabby. (Ducks while all the squids jump in with their OCS pitch.....)

[Kanchou]

The selection rates at OTS are about 25%... compared to the JET program, that's a cakewalk, with it's ~13% acceptance rate.

I'm going rated, for Pilot is my first choice.

I took the ASTB for the Navy and did pretty well on it, too, but my AFOQT scores are more impressive. Problem with OCS is that you have to provide references from every job you've had in the last three years...which is troublesome.

OTOH, boards are every month or so instead of every six months like with OTS. And you get an officer instead of an enlisted guy as a recruiter.

[Greji]

The selection rates at OTS are about 25%... compared to the JET program, that's a cakewalk, with it's ~13% acceptance rate.

I'm going rated, for Pilot is my first choice.

I took the ASTB for the Navy and did pretty well on it, too, but my AFOQT scores are more impressive. Problem with OCS is that you have to provide references from every job you've had in the last three years...which is troublesome.

OTOH, boards are every month or so instead of every six months like with OTS. And you get an officer instead of an enlisted guy as a recruiter.

My nephew just went through Navy flight school (we all disowned him), but he had to wait an extremely long time for the billet. Whichever, service you pick, watch out for recruiters selling you a bill of goods. Most recruiters are professional and level with you, but there are always those few who will do and say anything to get your signature on that service contract. They should pretty well be able to give you guarantees and time tables if you push them. Just don't be afraid to ask questions and also to say "Hey, the Navy/USAF/USMC are offering me this, what do you have to beat that?"

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

I'm with Greji...birds are better and you can shit down on people from on high.
Be careful of those squids and all their Able Seaman or you may find yourself getting more kanchou than you bargained for....

Ah, I envy you....I wish I was young again and had your career choices; blowing the fuck out of terrorist camps, or having the fuck blown out of you by Japanese women in the boonies (let's forget about the Able Seamen for a sec, huh?)....

[Kanchou]

I thought the only choice of women you had in the boonies was octogenarians.

...then again, no teeth...

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

...then again, no teeth...

And they're better than the squids...don't handle you as roughly...

[Greji]

And they're better than the squids...don't handle you as roughly...

...and you don't have to get in the barrel every damn Thursday....

[BO-SENSEI]

I can't begin to tell you how hard it is going to be getting into JET this year. Over the past year, the number of ALTs fell by about 1,500 people. I would say it is going to be about the same number of reduction this year. My prefecture alone is cutting about 75% of the senior high school ALT staff, and they still have't told me whether I am staying or going. So if you are interested in teaching high school I would say forget about it, but since most elementary schools are starting their English programs I would say that is where I would say I want to teach, even if the idea of teaching 8-10 year olds a language doesn't seem like your idea of fun and if you have your interview comming up, I would make mention of that, also if you have any specific place you want to go, I would give up on that and say you are willing to go where ever they can place you.

Best of luck to you, if I didn't get into JET it would have been USMC OCS for me.

[Kanchou]

I'm going CIR. Although I'd much prefer to teach High School than Elementary, if they decided I'd be better as an ALT for some reason.

I also gave no preferences as to location or placement type.

[American Oyaji]

Greji has the right idea. Be a flyboy instead of a seaman.

[Taro Toporific]

Greji has the right idea. Be a flyboy instead of a seaman.

And more importantly, ANYTHING is better than being an engrish teacher.

[Samurai_Jerk]

I'm going CIR. Although I'd much prefer to teach High School than Elementary, if they decided I'd be better as an ALT for some reason.

I also gave no preferences as to location or placement type.

JET is actually worth doing if you're a CIR. You'll be using and improving your Japanese in a professional environment and working on some projects that have relevance to working in an office environment. In general CIRs have a lot more options after JET than ALTs.

[Kanchou]

Had my interview... it went pretty well. I should know by April 1st.

[BO-SENSEI]

Once again, best of luck to you, I hope you get it.

[Kanchou]

Much appreciated.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Once again, best of luck to you, I hope you get it.

I ditto that! Good luck, mate!!!

[Kanchou]

Shortlisted.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Congratulations! Hope things work out right through to the end.

[Kanchou]

I hope I don't totally suck at my job, and that my placement also does not suck, and that the people I work for/with don't totally suck.

I should know where (or if) I'm placed sometime in May, apparently.

[james]

as bo-sensei mentioned, the number of JET positions is being slashed and hacked to almost nothing. from what i hear, most of the positions in matsue, shimane are being cut and the contract has been given to interac. those currently here on JET are getting first pick for new positions apparently. i think it's much the same story in most cities.

out where i am, in the rural area of shimane (laugh all ya want, folks!) JET is still alive and kicking though for how long is anyone's guess as the number of kids is still dropping precipitously. so when you do finally get your placement, there's a very high chance i'd guess that you'll be in remote inaka somewhere.

it takes some getting used to but as mentioned in another thread somewhere, there are benefits and it's a different experience. good luck with the final steps for getting in.

[BO-SENSEI]

I hope I don't totally suck at my job, and that my placement also does not suck, and that the people I work for/with don't totally suck.

In my case, 2 out of 3 ain't bad. But you are going to be a CIR, you shouldn't have to worry about widespread job cuts, the only case I know of a CIR getting their job cut was because they place they worked no longer felt like they needed one, but JET was able to relocate them.

[Kanchou]

Actually, I haven't been told for sure that I'm going to be a CIR. But I'll know for sure in May...

I don't mind inaka, as long as there's a train, and it's not a tiny island 40 miles off the coast...although visiting a place like that would be neat.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

I hope I don't totally suck at my job, and that my placement also does not suck, and that the people I work for/with don't totally suck.

I should know where (or if) I'm placed sometime in May, apparently.

Mate, you'll be fine. Don't worry.
I'm sure your placement won't suck, either, because you should make it worth staying there. There's an old Japanese saying, sumeba miyako, which means like "make anywhere you live like the capital (ie., greatest city in the country)."
I'm really rapt for you!

[Kanchou]

Date of departure is July 24th... but I'm still waiting on placement notification, and I need to apply for a visa too.

[Kanchou]

Placement notification is imminent. Hoping for Kantou and a prefectural-level job, but anything that isn't a Gunkanjima will probably be good...

[Kanchou]

Going to Fukushima, and will be in a small town (~7,000). I read that 66% of the population is over 65...god help my chances of getting laid.