August 2012 COT - Page 3

ATLRN0828,

I guess, from my recruiter's explanation, that the list of people to be commissioned goes before Congress for approval prior to anyone being commissioned. As I am re-reading my explanation I realize that it is about as clear as mud, but that's all I've got! lol.
The only other things that I am doing right now are stressing and stressing I am still working at my job and trying to plan a fun summer for myself and my daughter prior to moving. I just purchased the Air Force Officer's Guide, so I will start reading that when it gets here. There isn't really anything else that I know of that I can do. You? I haven't done anything for medical/dental clearance. What is that all about? Not another thing for me to be worried about I hope lol

is swearing in equivalent to the commission ceremony everyone's talking about?

and if/when you swear in, does that mean the security clearance has been completed?

Hey heirn13,

Oh ok. Well I wonder if that has anything to do with the security clearance as well? And what happens now that Congress did not approve it? I hope COT doesn't get pushed back. I'm going to ask the recruiter about that tomorrow. It's ok, a lot of things with this process have been clear as mud but we're making it thru (even if it seems to be going slowly but surely, LOL ).

Let's try not to stress too much. I still work as well (probably won't quit until July). I'm also trying to plan some fun things/vacations for the summer. I have a 2yr old so we'll be doing a lot of visits to family members and friends. How old is your daughter? What does she think about you joining? I have heard other people talk about The Air Force Officer's Guide. I will have to look it up and poosibly read it myself. You should tell me how it is when you start it. I may try to get a certification while I'm waiting. The medical/dental clearance is because we are going to Japan after COT. I believe before you move overseas it has to be done. But nothing you have to worry about at this time, lol.

4E.SM,

I think so, but I'm not 100%. And I think that means that your clearance has been completed.

4E.SM - I believe it depends. I have done my oath of office (swearing in) but I won't be commissioned for another year because I am still in school. (I'm Navy, not AF.) However, with people who are DA, it probably would be done at the same time.

ATLRN0828 - I thought you could commission even without your clearance complete? I know I signed something saying that if I was commissioned prior to the completion and they found something I would have a dishonorable discharge (or something along those lines.) And I know the guy doing mine followed up with some questions and asked if I was already active duty. But I suppose if your recruiter is telling you the opposite, there isn't a whole lot you can do. Hope it is completed soon!

Hey oaktown2,

I was under the impression that I couldn't since it seems like that is the one thing holding me up right now. My recruiter gave me some forms for medical/dental clearance since I'm going to be stationed overseas but now I'm wondering if they will even do that since I have no orders. And she said orders, etc don't get done until the security clearance comes back. Maybe it's just how she does things .

ATLRN0828 - maybe it is a student thing where they would allow you to drill, but not commission. Actually that probably is the key, because at this point I am enlisted so I don't need the security clearance. Who knows. But good luck!

Hey ATLRN0828,

My recruiter told me that you can go to COT without being commissioned, they don't like to do that but it can be done. And it seems that the Scroll approval is one of those things that happens at various times. It is very confusing to me so I am just waiting for my recruiter to give me the green light!
I am working until the beginning of August and we are planning some family/friends visits as well. I want to make this summer as fun as possible for my daughter. She is five but I have not really explained the Air Force to her yet. She is sad about leaving her friends and family so I try not to talk about it too much yet. Even at five, the concept of time is skewed and I figure there is no reason to stress her out until it gets closer to time. How does your family feel about your decision to join?
How exciting to go to Okinawa as your first duty station! I hope I end up stationed overseas at some point in my career.
My book should arrive in a few days and I will let you know how it is. My dad said that there is one for each branch of the service and they are full of great information. I bought it so I would feel like I was doing something!!
Good luck with all of your paperwork!

Hey oaktown2!Yes, you're probably right because I'm not doing any drilling as of right now. Yes--who knows...

Hey heirn13,I did not know that you could go to COT without being commissioned. I definitely hope to do it before then though. All this sounds confusing to me too. So I will do like you and wait for the green light. I'm trying to decide whether to stop working the end of July or beginning of August sometime. I already have some trips for us planned too. My family is pretty supportive. My son is two, so like you, I'm not really trying to stress him.I'm getting excited but also really nervous about moving overseas. I lived in Germany for 3 yrs when I was younger but I'm still a ball of nerves, lol. Talk to ya soon!