Can I have a shot at some consensus? I'm hearing lots of different things and don't know whose advice to weigh heavier.

So, I started talking to the Navy about six weeks ago. I knew very little about the process going in, but I've been happy with my recruiter. I haven't felt pressured and he seems like a competent and sensible person who leaves me alone when I ask and jumps to help when I ask. I've been told to take everything recruiters say with a grain of salt, though, so here we go.

(1) My recruiters don't sound all that optimistic about my chances at an OCS place. I'm interested in intel/CTI - I know a couple of second languages and am interested in getting a better handle on Arabic, or at any rate attending DLI. (I know I won't necessarily get the language I want.) I scored a 98 on ASVAB and 125 on DLAB, but my college record is sort of uneven - my first and last years were rough, leaving me with a 3.0 after factoring in a bunch of transfer credits from abroad. I was initially interested in OCS, since I have a college degree, and I just had heard that a degree makes you eligible for a commission. My recruiter told me that OCS for intel is stupidly competitive; I met with the second lieutenant about my chances and he said that based on experience, my chances weren't great. I believed him, since I know I could have done better in college, and sort of abandoned that idea.

(2) I'm really unclear about whether the fitness guidelines for enlistment are requirements or not. At the same time I started talking to a recruiter, I started training to get in shape, from not having been super active before. I was expecting to have to take a PRT, and for the process of preparing and enlisting to take several months. (My recruiter never said that or proposed any specific timeline for my enlistment, I just did some research and assumed.) When I said I assumed I would have to take one, he said that it was only for certain jobs. What's the rule about this - are there fitness thresholds for DEP?

(3) Lately, a time-sensitive situation has emerged, causing others to urge me to caution. Last Friday, I received a full time job offer from a civilian job lead I'd thought was dead. My initial plan was to take the offer, but keep my Navy file open. When I told my recruiter about the offer (so I could schedule my physical before the start date and not take a sick day), he said that if my physical pre-screen went well, I could have a contract by this week. This took me by surprise and it's sort of crunch time now. My pre-screen at MEPS is scheduled for Thursday.

OK, this is getting too long. I have two friends with Navy experience. One of them insists my recruiter is trying to screw me over, and that it's not worth it unless I can get a commission right off the bat. How right is she - should I be more skeptical?