October 2011 COT

Specialties Government

Published

Hello everyone! I noticed that there are several posts out there in regards to commisioned officer training (COT) that are helpful. There is an august 2011 cot thread, and I just thought that I would start the October 2011 COT thread.Along with others preparing for this, I too am nervous and would like to be as prepared as possible.

I am a new grad. That just got selected in the April boards, and have been working as a care home nurse manager in the mean time as I await the big day. I will be doing my nurse transition program (NTP) in Cincinatti, ohio and will be stationed in Lackland, located in san Antonio, TX. This was my first choice as Med. Surg. I heard that I will be working with the army in their hospital in Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC).

I am still waiting for my commission. My recruiter said it would not be until Sept.

I have a wife and two young children, and I am trying to get as much info. As possible so that we can prepare ahead of time. They want to come up for my graduation. Since we are from Hawaii, accomodations are costly and if we plan ahead we may find cheaper airfare, etc. Anyone know details on COT graduation dates and when we leave for NTP?

I know this is a lot, but I hope someone can help. Mahalo!

Specializes in medical/renal.

Do you know anyone to commission you personally, danegerous?

I can't think anybody who went to military. I guess I have to meet my recruiter at closest AFB and commission from chief nurse (one who did my interview). I might buy uniform while I'm in the base..

hmmm...

0 Votes
Specializes in ICU/CCU.

I have a 2 star general, a surgeon, that will hopefully be doing mine.

0 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg. Telemetry.
Is the acceptance letter the same as signing all of the papers. In my Acceptance letter at the bottom i have to sign my name, date, and write SS #. Is this the binding contract paper, or do we get a more detailed contract with all of the fine print?

Thanks,

IowaRNBSN

No, its not the same. This is just to let them know you want the offer. If not, then they will give it to the next person in line. You will still need to fill out the big fbi clearance packet. You will also do a digital signature in on the computer which is the actual contract with the fine print. Them you need to wait to get on the government scrolls so that you can get commisioned.

0 Votes

Looking forward to meeting you all! I just sent a request to join the Facebook page. I am done with all the paperwork, just waiting for my orders :yeah:

0 Votes
Specializes in ED.

Did the process of MEPS, the Boards, etc go smooth for you? I seem to have a recruiter that just doesn't know how to get the job done. I am 1 yr out so far. I am an ED nurse with 7 yrs; BSN, etc etc etc. I have yet to get MEPS results/ paper work sent to boards/ or even a commissioning. And to top it all off, i can't go to another recruiter because she is the only healthcare recruiter for my area. So frustrating. As eager as I am to join, I dont see myself in any time soon due to all of the apparent foot shuffling.

How did it go for you?

0 Votes
Specializes in ICU/CCU.

Mel's is first, at the same time as your initial app. Commissioning is 2nd to last, once you've received your acceptance and all that. Getting accepted by the boards is BY FAR the longest part, almost two years for me. I think the big lesson for me was 1) your recruiter probably actually does know what he's doing (surprise to me), but he just seems SUPER slow. I wanted to try another one too, to be honest. 2) they get bonuses for every successfully commissioned officer, so he wants you too. I think I found out that my recruiter was putting more weight/attention on a few other applicants with more experience /better apps. It turns out they were rejected and I got in, to both of our surprise, I think.

I definitely think there is some funny business involved. Think about it, these guys are hiring people 6-7 ranks higher than themselves, haha. Hang in there!

0 Votes
Specializes in ED.

I just had somewhat of a run-in with my recruiter. I was told that I was lost yet again in the system; that one person thought a portion of my MEPS was complete then, come to find out, it wasn't. Another delay!

Then, my recruiter tried to tell me that my application wasn't complete but, it has been for 10 months. Thankfully, i was able to back up my story with saved emails.

Then, i was told that all of my peer interview forms 1373 were all outdated ( b/c she has taken soooo long)

So, I am having to re-due 3 steps of this painful process.

I am eager to join. I look forward to serving. But, I have a neighbor that is a retired Major. He is totally disappointed in the apparent incompetence. I have to agree with him.

0 Votes
Specializes in ICU/CCU.

Just got definitive word that a Major General will be commissioning me!

0 Votes
Specializes in ED.

Congrats! Let me know how this goes for you?

0 Votes
Specializes in ICU/CCU.

What have you folks been doing to prepare for COT? I started running and biking (alternating days), push ups and situps daily, and shaving every say. I'm normally a beard kind of dude, so that's going to be the hard one, haha. I've also been practicing my salute...in the mirror.

0 Votes
Specializes in ICU/CCU.

You guys and gals should all go register at AirforceOTS.com as well. They are devoted to AF officers and there is a sticky thread for our COT class exclusively. It's a cool spot to get to know other COT people, besides nurses. It also has a ton of great info on what to bring that's not listed, what to expect, etc.

In other news, what training have you guys started? I have been running almost every day, and I have gotten my 1.5 mile run down to 11:39, so that's money in the bank. I can nail 33 pushups with a lot of effort, but the situps are still hard for me.

0 Votes
Specializes in ER, ICU.

I will be at this COT class also. I'm in the Wyoming ANG. For PT questions, just google the requirements and test yourself to see what you need to work on. PT is running, pushups and situps, that's what you should be doing to prepare. Otherwise, as soon as you have an ID get uniforms!!!! It is a lot more complicated than you can imagine and the more you have done before you get there the better. You need to have name tapes made and insignias sewn on. Just trying on all the different sizes and clothes you will need takes half a day. Find out what your squadron will pay for, if any, then get started. The AF has a good web site on uniform requirements and the uniform store should have a little book called "look sharp" that details where everything goes. Make sure to get ABUs and green boots. BDUs and tan boots are out as of Oct. You will need several sets of ABUs, ABU hat, green boots, green socks, ABU belt, sage jacket, MPEX jacket, several sets of blues, dress jacket, dress shoes, dress socks, tie, tie tack (optional), blues belt, blues hat. Name tape can be ordered online, which is a lot quicker than waiting for the base store to get it. You also need a velcro name tag for the sage jacket. You need a silver name tag for dress jacket, and a blue one for your blues. A lot of squadrons have bags full of old rank insignia, that could save you a few bucks. See you then...

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment