Air Force COT questions

[foqus]

First of many questions:

How much time is there before the end of COT and the beginning of your new nursing job? I should be heading to COT on June 29. If COT runs for four weeks, and ends on (for example) a Friday, do I start work at Wilford Hall three days later, on that Monday? I am just wondering if I have to set up my housing/apartment whatever *before* COT starts, or if I will have a few days to do that after COT.

Second question:

Is there a ribbon that is automatically granted once COT has been successfully completed, such as the Air Force Training Ribbon? I think the only other two you can earn at COT are Small Arms Expert Marksmanship and USAF Basic Military Training Honor Graduate, correct?

Third question:

Is there any source for getting study materials ahead of time, or are they not available before COT. If not, any suggestions for study?

Thanks in advance for any help!

M Metzler, RN, BSN....soon to be 2nd Lt.

[Spencer2002]

what is it like being in the af full time as a student? do you go on base to study, lectures, or clinicals? do they give you a manual to follow to keep you on track or is that provided by the np school. do you report to the af how the studying is coming along?

[JJTRN]

WTBCRNA,

Hello. I am new to this site. I wanted to thank you for your posts. They are extremly helpful. It sounds llike you may be able to give me some insight on some other topics, if you dont mind sharing.

I am scheduled for MEPS AUG 2, 2011. I am wanting to gain some insight from your perspective on the process for me. I am a 7 yr RN/ all ED experience. My intentions are to join the Air Force as soon as possible. I have been kind of frustrated with the whole recruiting process.(but I am not quiting)

May I know of how your experience went with joining the Airforce?

Thanks,

Jake

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

WTBCRNA,

Hello. I am new to this site. I wanted to thank you for your posts. They are extremly helpful. It sounds llike you may be able to give me some insight on some other topics, if you dont mind sharing.

I am scheduled for MEPS AUG 2, 2011. I am wanting to gain some insight from your perspective on the process for me. I am a 7 yr RN/ all ED experience. My intentions are to join the Air Force as soon as possible. I have been kind of frustrated with the whole recruiting process.(but I am not quiting)

May I know of how your experience went with joining the Airforce?

Thanks,

Jake

I went through MEPS about 11yrs ago. I don't think things have significantly changed with the MEPS process since then, but the AF has went from needing nurses to having waiting list to get in during that same time period.

Being an officer recruit at MEPS is generally different than it is for the enlisted recruits. It is more laid back, and I was treated very respectfully by all the staff at MEPS.

You can read everyone's responses to MEPS. Just keep a sense a humor when going through MEPS and you will do just fine.

[JJTRN]

Thanks,

Jake

[Nurse Rich]

I went to MEPS in June. I was the only Officer Candidate present for the day. Compared to the rest of the applicants at the time, I was treated very well. They made sure that I was in and out in a much more timely fashion. If you have any illnesses, make sure you have documentation. If you don't have documentation, you could be spending much more time attempting to explain things, or you may not pass your physical until you get documentation.

Make sure you have a full bladder. There is nothing more uncomfortable than someone staring at your Jimmy for a half hour... yes, that is how long it took me.

Make sure you meet height/weight standards.

Unlike the enlisted applicates, officers do not swear in at MEPS. This also saves a lot of time.

Once you pass your MEPS physical, assuming that the remainder of your application is complete, then it all gets sent to San Antonio for selection. There are relatively few positions for ER nurses compared to the need for Med/Surg and OB nurses (according to my recruiter), so do take that into consideration.

I started the process in April and I just heard back that I was selected for the HPSP Scholarship Program to finish my MSN/FNP. I also had entirely ER experience.

Hope this helps.

Rich

[JJTRN]

Rich,

Thanks for the reply. I had MEPS today. Just waiting for the next step. So, the ED nurse slot is slim? That sucks to hear. Hopefully, my application will be accepted the first go around. Are you in now? How many years have you been a nurse and at which rank did you come in as?

JJTRN