Why, oh why is this taking so long????

allnurses Guide · Feb 17, 2008

I just need a moment to vent my frustration about waiting to hear from the selection board.
My application has been complete since the first week in December. I missed that board since there was only one and was excited to get news in January. Then I hear that the January boards have been canceled. More waiting. My application went before the board on Feb 5 and I STILL haven't heard anything. I'm going out of my mind. I would think that since another board meets this Tuesday that they would either say "yes" or "no" on Monday so they can move on to new applications.
I'm getting so nervous that I won't be selected. I have 3 yrs of OB/GYN experience and I have my MSN. I am requesting to enter the AF as an OB generalist and I gave my top three choices as Lackland, Langley, and Elmendorf (I chose those because I was advised by a Maj who is the Perinatal Educator at Lackland that those are the three busiest OB locations according to the most recent numbers.)
Don't get me wrong, I know that there is a process and we all have to endure it, but waiting to hear something is completely agonizing! Okay, rant is over.

Hang in there...unfortunately that is just typical military (Hurry up and wait...all the hurry and wait is on your part of course). You will be exceptional assest to OB nurses in the AF, and I can't imagine any reason the board wouldn't pick you up since you passed everything at MEPS.

smattles1of2 · Feb 18, 2008

I bet you'll hear something this week. It took about 19 days to hear back for me. But that was after missing a few previous boards too. But if you want to check out a really long wait, check out my process timeline:

Contacted recruiter: 3/2/06

Paper review at MEPS DQ'd me: 1/29/07

Switched recruiters: 5/1/07

Submitted package: 11/8/07

Package went to board: 12/12/07

PROREC Nurse DA: 12/26/07

Don't worry. You'll hear soon enough! The wait is hard...believe me. I know.

The Little Greek · Feb 18, 2008

Thanks ya'll. I guess they give you a little taste of the "hurry up and wait" before you get accepted to make sure you can handle it.

Smattles--you had quite an ordeal! If you don't mind me asking, why did you miss several boards? Was it your application or your recruiter? I will absolutely freak if they call me this week and tell my application was rejected for one reason or another.

I really appreciate ya'lls support and kind words!

thacmdub · Feb 24, 2008

I placed my package for the Air Force NTP program in March of 2006. The recruiter, who was about to retire, screwed up my package up so bad that I missed all the 06 boards and he managed to screw me over for the 07 boards. I was finally contacted in November of 2007 and told that I was accepted for Fiscal year 08. I still have no class date for Comissioned Officer Training. I was prior enlisted for 8 years in the Air Force and I can honestly say that I have never been so disappointed in a process ever!

newmeafter45 · Feb 24, 2008

I know how you feel I applied for the AF and it took them 1 year I lost interest and I applied for the Army it took them 2 months for them to select me. I applied in january 2008 and selected first week in February already have school date for March 2008. So hang in there. My girlfriend applied for the AF and it has been 8 months and no answer. They keep telling her that they packet is in front of the board now. :zzzzz

The Little Greek · Feb 25, 2008

I am so disappointed to hear these stories! I am still having drama surrounding this process. The recruiter I've been working with just went on FMLA leave so I've been passed to another recruiter. I called him last week and he swears that my application is being reviewed and that they are still trying to "find a place" for me. He explained that since I'm applying as a specialist, it's more difficult to find my placement--makes sense I suppose. But then he started asking me about my prior work experience and told me that I need to come back in and sign another form. I asked him how the board could be reviewing my packet if HE is still reviewing things. He explained that different papers go to different locations. I just got a bad feeling. Later I called him back and told him I needed him to be honest with me because I have now been waiting almost 3 weeks after being told that I'd hear something on 6 Feb. He continued to profess that it absolutely was before the board

I am so disappointed right now and I'm considering other branches of the military, although I really had my heart set on the AF. I'm holding out hope to hear something this week, but if I don't, I will likely contact the Navy which was my second choice. Thanks for sharing your stories. It's nice to know I'm not alone, but it's concerning at the same time.

The Little Greek · Feb 25, 2008

I am so disappointed to hear these stories! I am still having drama surrounding this process. The recruiter I've been working with just went on FMLA leave so I've been passed to another recruiter. I called him last week and he swears that my application is being reviewed and that they are still trying to "find a place" for me. He explained that since I'm applying as a specialist, it's more difficult to find my placement--makes sense I suppose. But then he started asking me about my prior work experience and told me that I need to come back in and sign another form. I asked him how the board could be reviewing my packet if HE is still reviewing things. He explained that different papers go to different locations. I just got a bad feeling. Later I called him back and told him I needed him to be honest with me because I have now been waiting almost 3 weeks after being told that I'd hear something on 6 Feb. He continued to profess that it absolutely was before the board

I am so disappointed right now and I'm considering other branches of the military, although I really had my heart set on the AF. I'm holding out hope to hear something this week, but if I don't, I will likely contact the Navy which was my second choice. Thanks for sharing your stories. It's nice to know I'm not alone, but it's concerning at the same time.

allnurses Guide · Feb 25, 2008

I am so disappointed to hear these stories! I am still having drama surrounding this process. The recruiter I've been working with just went on FMLA leave so I've been passed to another recruiter. I called him last week and he swears that my application is being reviewed and that they are still trying to "find a place" for me. He explained that since I'm applying as a specialist, it's more difficult to find my placement--makes sense I suppose. But then he started asking me about my prior work experience and told me that I need to come back in and sign another form. I asked him how the board could be reviewing my packet if HE is still reviewing things. He explained that different papers go to different locations. I just got a bad feeling. Later I called him back and told him I needed him to be honest with me because I have now been waiting almost 3 weeks after being told that I'd hear something on 6 Feb. He continued to profess that it absolutely was before the board
I am so disappointed right now and I'm considering other branches of the military, although I really had my heart set on the AF. I'm holding out hope to hear something this week, but if I don't, I will likely contact the Navy which was my second choice. Thanks for sharing your stories. It's nice to know I'm not alone, but it's concerning at the same time.

If you don't believe your recruiter ask him/her to start CCing you all the email traffic concerning your package and send you photocopies of any written correspondonce concerning your package. When and if you decide to go to another branch get a complete copy of records to take to the other recruiter.

One thing to remember about the Navy, from what little I know, is that they do not do constructive credit so you would be starting out as an O-1 at day 1 no quicker promotions/pay raises like you would get in the other branches.

The Little Greek · Feb 25, 2008

WTB--Thank you for that info about the Navy. In the AF I would have (and hopefully WILL BE) commissioned as an O-2 with time toward O-3. That makes a pretty big difference in pay. I'm trying very hard to believe my recruiter. He's given me no real reason not to as he has answers for all his follow-up questions. I truly have my heart set on the AF so I'm doing my best to be patient. At this point I think my biggest source of frustration is that I turned down the opportunity to train for L&D where I am now (which was quite an honor because I am very new at the hospital and there are about 15 people ahead of me to train). I couldn't have in good conscience accepted the opportunity knowing that I would soon be leaving. I just hope the decision doesn't come back to haunt me.

Oh, and great suggestion about CCing. I'm going to call him on Monday.

newmeafter45 · Feb 25, 2008

If you dont feel comfortable with your recruiter find another. Remember they work for you. That is what I did. My first recruiter kept giving me the run around and only told me what he thought I wanted to hear. Go to his commander and request another recruiter. Good luck.

Lydia

allnurses Guide · Feb 25, 2008

If you dont feel comfortable with your recruiter find another. Remember they work for you. That is what I did. My first recruiter kept giving me the run around and only told me what he thought I wanted to hear. Go to his commander and request another recruiter. Good luck.
Lydia

No offense intended, but the AF is very limited on healthcare recruiters. One recruiter can cover more than couple hundred square miles, and a lot of times will be the only healthcare recruiter in that area for AD healthcare recruiting. It just isn't quite that easy to switch healtcare recruiters in the AF, if you live in a really big city like Houston it might be possible, but otherwise you are kinda stuck w/ who you get. At least that is how it was for the area I was from in Texas. My recruiter covered part of Texas and La.

My other suggestion is to ask for a meeting between yourself, the recruiter, and his/her commander next time they are in town to review your package. It is good way to review everything that has been going on with your package, and if your recruiter is trying to hide something it won't stay hidden long when his/her boss finds out...lol.