Air Force COT questions

[foqus]

First of many questions:

How much time is there before the end of COT and the beginning of your new nursing job? I should be heading to COT on June 29. If COT runs for four weeks, and ends on (for example) a Friday, do I start work at Wilford Hall three days later, on that Monday? I am just wondering if I have to set up my housing/apartment whatever *before* COT starts, or if I will have a few days to do that after COT.

Second question:

Is there a ribbon that is automatically granted once COT has been successfully completed, such as the Air Force Training Ribbon? I think the only other two you can earn at COT are Small Arms Expert Marksmanship and USAF Basic Military Training Honor Graduate, correct?

Third question:

Is there any source for getting study materials ahead of time, or are they not available before COT. If not, any suggestions for study?

Thanks in advance for any help!

M Metzler, RN, BSN....soon to be 2nd Lt.

[kato10]

Carolinapooh....thanks for letting me know about bringing your own shoes to COT. I had read some place that they have their own like BMT but to know what shoe type you are. I remember how horrible the shoes were in basic. I had shin splints so bad.

What NP program are you doing....FNP? I've been told the AF needs about 30 FNP which is what I will come in as if I ever finish with the process.

[kato10]

For those that have gone through COT already, what is a typical day like? Is there a lot of classroom time? How many days did you do PT? Was the 1.5mi run on the road or track? Is there any field training?

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Carolinapooh....thanks for letting me know about bringing your own shoes to COT. I had read some place that they have their own like BMT but to know what shoe type you are. I remember how horrible the shoes were in basic. I had shin splints so bad.

What NP program are you doing....FNP? I've been told the AF needs about 30 FNP which is what I will come in as if I ever finish with the process.

I'll probably get my FNP just to make myself more "placeable" - i.e., to keep my base options open. I'm an RN right now. I want to start my FNP by next fall.

They don't issue officers ANYTHING - seriously.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Thanks carolinapooh. So someone would be able to earn a NP part time while on AD in the AF? How much of that (for instance at Duke) will the AF pay? Seeing you are doing this part time what is the payback (in AD time) for Uncle Sam's part time tuition assistance? I suppose all of this is dependent on a person being stationed at one duty location long enough to put together enough part time classes to become a NP? Can't imagine the grad classes transfer well or that you can easily move into another college's grad program. Am I mistaken?

Remember - a majority of FNP and APN programs are completed totally online. And, there are tons of schools out there that are "military friendly" - meaning they charge you the in-state rate regardless of where you're stationed or where your home of record is. Once you throw the words "I'm active duty military" a lot of places start bending over backwards to help you out.

I think the AD time you owe is based on the standard completion rate of the program if you were full time. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. i.e. - a two year program requires you owe them X amount of time. It used to work that way, but it's probably changed.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

Remember - a majority of FNP and APN programs are completed totally online. And, there are tons of schools out there that are "military friendly" - meaning they charge you the in-state rate regardless of where you're stationed or where your home of record is. Once you throw the words "I'm active duty military" a lot of places start bending over backwards to help you out.

I think the AD time you owe is based on the standard completion rate of the program if you were full time. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. i.e. - a two year program requires you owe them X amount of time. It used to work that way, but it's probably changed.

AD time you owe is dependent on the program you use to pay for college ie. GI bill has no pay back, if you use TA you have to have at least two more years AD time as of the last day of your last class or you will encur more time to get to that two years AD time, AFIT is little different but it is almost a 2 for one pay back for most programs.

[Spencer2002]

i'll probably get my fnp just to make myself more "placeable" - i.e., to keep my base options open. i'm an rn right now. i want to start my fnp by next fall.

they don't issue officers anything - seriously.

so is the af recruiting 30 from the civilian sector or going to train 30 as np from the af? someone also posted that alot of applicants are not qualified for np school. is that because of the unit they are working or rank? is there an af website for np school that shows the prereqs? are you online and driving at the same time???? :)

[aglages]

AD time you owe is dependent on the program you use to pay for college ie. GI bill has no pay back, if you use TA you have to have at least two more years AD time as of the last day of your last class or you will encur more time to get to that two years AD time, AFIT is little different but it is almost a 2 for one pay back for most programs.

If you owe 2-1 AD time for each year in school, and going to school part time takes longer than full time (like you are doing), while would anyone opt for Part time? Many years ago the Army used to cover 100% of your tuition (up to x$ per credit) and you didn't owe any additional time as long as you were full time AD and taking classes on your "own" time. Evidently something has changed or I am misunderstanding some portion of this program. Thanks for your patience in attempting to explain it to me.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

so is the af recruiting 30 from the civilian sector or going to train 30 as np from the af? someone also posted that alot of applicants are not qualified for np school. is that because of the unit they are working or rank? is there an af website for np school that shows the prereqs? are you online and driving at the same time???? :)

here is the military's fnp program. http://www.usuhs.mil/gsn/admissions/index.html

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

If you owe 2-1 AD time for each year in school, and going to school part time takes longer than full time (like you are doing), while would anyone opt for Part time? Many years ago the Army used to cover 100% of your tuition (up to x$ per credit) and you didn't owe any additional time as long as you were full time AD and taking classes on your "own" time. Evidently something has changed or I am misunderstanding some portion of this program. Thanks for your patience in attempting to explain it to me.

Oh boy....I see I am confusing everyone...lol. The whole process is complicated especially looking at it from the outside.

I am AD AF going to school full time. That is my only job right now. My school is 2.5yrs long after which I will owe 4.5yrs when I complete it in December.

When you do part time on your own time and use your GI bill and TA wisely you can basically finish your degree while doing your normal AF nursing job and never owe anymore time than your original committment. That is the reason most people choose to complete their degree part time.

[Spencer2002]

LOL…..I haven’t even served on day in the AF or been to COT ( I leave Monday) and I’m taking about NP school like it’s just around the corner. I’m jut happy that my nursing future has new possibilities!

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

are you online and driving at the same time???? :)

ha ha ha :) i'm not leaving until the 17th (saturday), but i found this hilarious....:yeah::smokin:

[aglages]

I am AD AF going to school full time. That is my only job right now. My school is 2.5yrs long after which I will owe 4.5yrs when I complete it in December.

When you do part time on your own time and use your GI bill and TA wisely you can basically finish your degree while doing your normal AF nursing job and never owe anymore time than your original commitment. That is the reason most people choose to complete their degree part time.

Got it!!! Now I understand. Full time makes sense if you want your NP or CNA faster and you are probably going to be a career AF nurse anyway. One last (hopefully) question. Does the 2.5 years you are currently spending in school count towards time in rank and retirement?