AFR In-Processing

athena55, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2009

Ugarn:

Not in the AF, but HAVE FUN, LT!

Too bad about not having enough military clothing and supplies for you, perhaps when you go for your first BA.

Wear nice, comfortable clothing. Hair: up to you unless it is long then you might want to "tuck it in" smile....

Congratulations and come back and post about your experience(s)

athena

baker.sheila · Jul 21, 2009

How long did it take for SG to process your application?

iodine66 · Sep 19, 2009

Well, congrats, LT! I went in as an O1 way back in '65 and flew a lot bringing guys back from Nam. It was the best experience of my career.

You've already learned what you need, but i'll just drop my 2 cents:

-uniforms: will be fitted on base when you go for officer's training. Pants and white shirt fine for the beginning. Hair--off the collar. Period.

-Keep iin mind that you will have social time at night and that MOST Officers in training spend a lot of time at the O club for dinner and drinks. the reason I mention this is because most of us don't go drinking every night, so be aware you WILL gain up to 10-15 pounds if you indulge on a regular basis. It makes fitting in the uniform you recently bought will be a bit uncomfortable, not to mention you civvies.

-You will learn a lot about the military, esp if you you no previous experience and it will be fun, actually.

-You will also learn that the first time you wear full uniform, you will recieve your first salute: have a dollar bill (may be 5 bucks by now) with your name and rank written on it in ink to hand to the first person who offers you the salute. Tradition.

-I traveled, civillian, to flight school in Texas, and it was an exilirating experience to wear my uniform on board and I walked taller and felt very proud to be serving my country.

-THEN, when you travel with those beautiful silver wings(sigh)ya meet the greatest people--even back in the late 60's when the antiwar folks were spitting on military. I was always treated very well.

-Just don't have your uniforms tailored too tight--you have lots of classes to sit thru and not enough exercise for the comming weeks.

-Have a blast and LIVE every minute of it.

bds165 · Sep 20, 2009

I would agree with everything iodine66 said except for the dollar bill part. I commissioned (active duty) in 99 and separated in 04 and never witnessed or heard about that tradition (unless it's a reserve thing)...just a warning if you get a strange look when you pass off an autographed buck to a confused airmen.

Congrats! Just by the fact you care enough to research these questions is proof to your commitment and professionalism. You'll do just fine!

iodine66 · Sep 20, 2009

LOL, I can just picutre some poor EM's face if you passed him a bill.LOL

It is obvously an old tradition---ck out Officer and a Gentleman, Richard Geer and the other new officers recieve a salute from their DI and pass him a bill. So, it wasn't just the reserves or guard, it was regular military, too.

Traditions are a good thing, but new ones are great as well. Change is a constant, thank goodness.

Thanks for a reply, newbie here and enjoying the visits.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2009

What I've always heard and actually seen was a silver dollar.

I went in the bank and was told that these days they're rare as rocking horse puckey, so she gave me a Presidential dollar with Thomas Jefferson on it.

And you might not be in uniform for your first salute - if it's an Air Force SF cop at the gate when you get your ID checked as you drive on, he or she WILL salute the ID card whether you're in uniform or not. The civilian rent-a-cops won't but the military members will.