I am a GEEK from the word go

I got all my (ABUs) uniforms out of alterations today - after nearly having a stroke at how much it cost to get all that stuff sewn on!! - and when I got home (could NOT resist!) I put the whole contraption on with my hair up within regs and WHOA - instant Air Force nurse, just add COT!!!

And let me say I cannot WAIT to wear that mess dress - that sucker is the sharpest thing I've owned since my wedding gown.

Yeah, you're right, but given that I live in Raleigh, NC, about two hours from the nearest AF base, I played it safe this time. I just couldn't be bothered....I never took my stuff on base to have it sewn on; in fact, when I was enlisted, I used to sew on my own badges and name tapes on BDUs (I was never good enough to do the stripes, even with a machine). I haven't done it in nine years, though, so I copped out.

I was too, too afraid of all that stuff getting screwed up. I'm at the paranoid stage now.

I leave for COT on the 16th of October - just a few days away now.

LOVE LOVE LOVE my mess dress - sorry, can't help it!! Coveted one when I was enlisted but could never afford it. Have to have one for COT and while it was stupid expensive, I can't wait to wear it.

I think the new ABUs fit MUCH better than the old BDUs; I remember my BDUs being baggy and ill-fitting and I don't think the ABUs fit that way at all. The pants seem a lot more tailored to me. Oh, the ABUs have their problems, to be sure (for one they're hotter than Hades), but I much prefer the way these things fit - and you have a much better choice in sizes than we did with the BDUs.

And I'm so excited - I got Marauder boots! When I was enlisted you could only wear those if you were jump qualified. They're not as cool looking as they were when they were black leather and the jungle green, but I love them anyway. Stuck my swanky insoles in them and I'm good to go. (Scotch-guarded the crap out of the boots as well.)

I'm a bit too happy, aren't I?

lol.....After 8 yrs I am little over the excited new phase. I have wore my mess dress twice in 8 yrs. The 1st time for COT and last month for a banquet dinner at the AANA.
I am headed to Elmendorf in December after I graduate. I will be more than glad to leave the DC area.

Good Luck and have fun at COT!

wtbcrna, I'm hoping to head to Elmendorf next! I have a year and a half left here at LAFB and I'm already telling everyone who asks that Alaska is my first choice. Hoping and praying someone is actually listening.

They have a busy OB unit and I have two colleagues there who love it! I need to be somewhere that it is busy or I will go nuts.

When are you headed there?

I graduate Dec 4th, not that I am counting or anything....lol. I should be leaving for Elmendorf about the end of the 2nd week of December. I still have to take my certification exam before I leave.

When it gets closer to time to look for an assignment I would recommend talking to your Chief Nurse (or let Chief Nurse know that you are contacting your assignment officer directly) and find out what slots are actually open. Then you can make your preference list more appropriately, and keep your list short. I only put down two bases on my preference list this last time. I personally think it is better to have your Chief Nurse or Assignment Officer contact you and tell you that none of your preferences are open vs. having someone pick your last choice that you were pressured to put on the list because you supposedly needed 4-5 bases on there.
My understanding is that overseas assignments/OCONUS have to manned at 100% while CONUS assignments only have to manned at 80%, so there is always a chance of getting Elmendorf. The only thing I really know about OB at Elmendorf is that we do call from home (as long as we are within 30min), so it can't be extremely busy or I am going to be spending a lot of sleepless nights doing epidurals....