Any AF January COT hopefuls out there?

Spencer2002 · Oct 14, 2009, 09:19 PM

Re: Any AF January COT hopefuls out there?

Everyone take it easy! Here are some of the jokes that were made to me when I was told I was joining the Air Force.

"The Air Force......more like the F-N Chair Force"

"Ooohh your going to COT? Don't you mean Salute School?"

“Don’t worry you’ll get in, I was high when I enlisted into the Air Force!” She was in for less than 2 years, however. She didn’t expand

These things were said by prior AF people

Serious or not, you are joining a military family that will take care of you

Az_RN_BSN · Oct 15, 2009, 02:19 PM

Re: Any AF January COT hopefuls out there?

Air National Guard Nurse here..possibly thinking of going active duty. Just so many things to consider. I was enlisted back in the day..and just trying to weigh the pros and cons of going back! I'm going to talk to the Health Professions Recruiter this Friday...so I'll see what he has to say. I will have 1 yr+ of experience as an RN in addition to 5 yrs time in service in the AF. I am not at all interested in staying stateside. Did 3 years at "No Hope Pope" from 04-07. But if I can get overseas...I am ready to join today!

adammRN · Oct 15, 2009, 04:56 PM

Re: Any AF January COT hopefuls out there?

Originally Posted by Az_RN_BSN

Air National Guard Nurse here..possibly thinking of going active duty. Just so many things to consider. I was enlisted back in the day..and just trying to weigh the pros and cons of going back! I'm going to talk to the Health Professions Recruiter this Friday...so I'll see what he has to say. I will have 1 yr+ of experience as an RN in addition to 5 yrs time in service in the AF. I am not at all interested in staying stateside. Did 3 years at "No Hope Pope" from 04-07. But if I can get overseas...I am ready to join today!

How the heck have you served for 5 years (assuming you went in right after highschool) and have your BSN/RN at 25 (and on top of that have 1 year of exp in nursing)? Did you go to nursing school while you were enlisted AF?

Az_RN_BSN · Oct 15, 2009, 05:05 PM

Re: Any AF January COT hopefuls out there?

I joined the AF when I was 20 yrs old. Did two years of prereq's while I was in the service. So I was Active Duty from 2004-2007. I got out May 2007 after finding out I got into nursing school and started right away that August. My program was only 16 months (accelerated). I graduated with my BSN in December of 2008. While I was in nursing school I was in the AF reserve/guard. And just commissioned as an Air Nationa Guard Nurse this past May. Wow. That was a mouthful! It was hard work...but I was determined!

NurseJessi · Oct 16, 2009, 04:05 PM

Re: Any AF January COT hopefuls out there?

Spencer2002,
About the running shoes... you need to go to a running specialty shop (not Sports Authority or any old box sporting goods store) and get fitted for running shoes. They'll look at your arches and whether you pronate or supinate, and tell you which shoes are going to work the best for you. It makes a huge difference, and is going to make you a more efficient runner if you get correctly fitting shoes. Plus, it prevents injury. Brand doesn't matter so much as proper fit. Also, running shoes should only last you anywhere from 300-500 miles. After that you can still use them for working out, walking around, light activity, etc., but they are no longer providing the support you need for the repetitive pounding of running. You should expect to pay anywhere from $75 to $120 for good shoes.
Hope my little spiel helps...

NurseJessi · Oct 16, 2009, 04:10 PM

Re: Any AF January COT hopefuls out there?

Also, if you do go to a running store and figure out which specific shoes work and are comfortable for you, see if you can find them online for cheaper... sierratradingpost.com is a great discount sporting goods site, and if you sign up for their little email newsletter you can regularly get an extra 20-30% off their already discounted prices. Overstock.com is always good too!

kato10 · Oct 16, 2009, 04:57 PM

Re: Any AF January COT hopefuls out there?

Originally Posted by BartC_RN

I met my recruiter in-person today for the first time and got the paper work officially underway. Took care of some odds and ends. MEPS will be next. Don't know when yet because I have an injury that has to be dealt with before I can go.

Good luck with the injury stuff. IF you go to MEPS soon then they will probably disqualify you depending on the injury then requiring a surgeon general waiver which takes a while. I'm still waiting on mine to come back which is holding me up now. I had bilateral ACL reconstruction that SG needs to sign off on. They let me in as enlisted back in 1996 w/ just one ACL at that time. Then I blew out my left while on AD. It won't be a problem....just sitting and waiting. Not to discourage you but if you need the waiver you will be pushed to March for sure.

adammRN · Oct 16, 2009, 06:19 PM

Re: Any AF January COT hopefuls out there?

When does one receive their sign on bonus? Before/after COT/NTP?

Also is 0-3 the highest rank you can achieve in 6 years? I found this chart on About.com:

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/promo...fficerprom.htm

So is the range to make O-3 two years after you are O-2, or 4 years total service? And then the range to make O-4 three years after you have made O-3, but can be up to 10 years? Seems like a ridiculous range...

My dad made it to O-5 in 20 years (coast guard), so I guess it's not really realistic to expect to get promoted after the 'minimum' time in grade required.

carolinapooh · Oct 16, 2009, 06:36 PM

Re: Any AF January COT hopefuls out there?

Making major depends on the number of slots available. The AF is small compared to the other services and thus promotes slow. Making major is also competitive, whereas O2 and O3 are "gimme" ranks, so to speak.

I've never met a major (who wasn't a JAG or an MD) who made it in six years, unless they went in as either an O2 or an O3 already.

Your sign on bonus comes once you in-process at your base, not at COT. I've heard it takes about sixty days to get your bonus once you get to your base.

adammRN · Oct 17, 2009, 09:20 PM

Re: Any AF January COT hopefuls out there?

Originally Posted by carolinapooh

Making major depends on the number of slots available. The AF is small compared to the other services and thus promotes slow.

Where did you hear the AF is small?

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/promo...fficerprom.htm

One of the charts in that link says that there are more officers in the AF than any other military branch. Could you have a slower promotion rate due to too many people trying to make their next rank?

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Any AF January COT hopefuls out there?

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