Air Force March 2014 COT

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This is a forum for sharing information related to commissioned officer training (COT) for the United States Air Force. It starts March 3, 2014 at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama. I found out today that I was accepted. I will be stationed at joint base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.

CarolinaFNP,

I did not work as a RN and I had 1 year of experience as a PNP. I am an O-2 and it will take me about 1.5 years to put on O-3. You should go in as an O-3 (capt). My references were the MD I currently work for, the FNP who works in my office and one of my preceptors from school.

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Thanks for the feedback. I'll look forward to reading about your experiences as you transition. Any advice along the way would always be welcome. I'm actually looking forward to the application and getting started. We shall see how it goes!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Candi,

I am an incoming Air Force nurse who is looking at different master's programs down the road. I've been interested in NP, but I've heard that PAs rule the mid-level arena in the military (with the exception of anesthesia); NPs aren't used as much as they are on the civilian side. Is there truth to that?

To the forum,

Does anybody who be at COT March 4th have their orders yet?

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jfratian,

I am not sure how FNPs are used in the military but just like in the civilian world if you want to specialize then NP is the way to go. To my knowledge PAs are not working in pediatrics. At most bases there is one pediatrician and one PNP that run the pediatric clinics. I don't know if you are interested in peds but this is the only military NP role that I am familiar with at this time.

No orders yet!!!

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Specializes in OR.

CarolinaFNP,

I just want to give you some information after reading your comment. I am leaving for COT in January (selected at the October 2013 board). I was unable to apply for the Spring 2013 board due to my MEPS physical. I do not know when you have to be evaluated at MEPS when applying for a NP position, but I was physically disqualified for breastfeeding. I was told I needed to let my milk ducts dry up for 6 weeks before I could come back and be evaluated. I was very upset by this news and chose to apply for the next board, after I knew I would be done breastfeeding. It was very frustrating because I was allowed to go to MEPS 6 months postpartum only to be disqualified for breastfeeding. I explained to them that for my application, I had to have a qualified physical before going to the board. I would not even leave for COT until a few months later. But the criteria they evaluate you on specifically states that you cannot have a qualified physical while breastfeeding. If you have more questions, you can pm me. I just read you statement and wanted to share my experience, hopefully giving you a heads up;)

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

I just got my orders to report in March.

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Jfratian,

That is awesome!! I talked to my recruiter yesterday and he said two of his nurses got orders. Hoping I am next!!

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Are you referring to the physical they do to evaluate you for the packet? The maxwell website says they accommodate breast feeding mothers. Might have to take some Benadryl or something. I didn't dry up for six months after I breastfed my daughter. Which state was that? Thanks for the heads up. I can't pm yet, newbie on this site.

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I will be there as well; March 2014. I'm from East TN, going to be stationed at Keesler AFB afterwards!!!

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Has anyone else received orders?

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I am so glad I found this forum! I am coming from Va and will also be attending COT on March 4th, then heading to Nellis AFB in Nevada. This is my first appointment and I have no idea what to do or what to expect. I have not taken my oath yet and I don't have orders. Can anyone fill me in on what to expect and what I should be doing to get ready? I have so many questions!

1. I have an apartment. Should I move my things into storage before leaving for COT?

2. How many days do we return home after COT before going to our first duty station?

3. What type of travel are we allowed on our days off? I live in Va and would love to travel back soon to see family.

4. My recruiter says that you have to be at a station at least 14 months before you can request PCS to another. Is that true?

5. Do I need to purchase uniforms before I go? If so, where do you buy them?

6. As an officer, do we have to live on base or can we get an apartment off base? If we can live off base, how do we go about arranging that so that we have a place to stay once we get to our first duty station?

7. What am I supposed to do about my car in VA? Do I drive it to NV where I will be stationed?

Sorry for all the questions. Any answers will be greatly appreciated. I look forward to meeting everyone soon!

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DEL1VRD,

Welcome to the forum. I am prior enlisted so I can help answer some of your questions. There are some great blogs out there about COT that will give you a look into the training. The official COT website is:Inbound COT Trainees.

1. I would not put your things is storage. As long as you get your orders 30 days before COT then TMO (air force) will come to your apartment to pack and move everything for you. Once you get your orders you can get out of your lease

2. You will get travel days from Maxwell AFB to nellis. If you want to go back home after COT then you will have to clear it with your supervisor at Nellis and take leave.

3. You get 30 days leave a year. Don't believe the rumor that military fly for free. It is not true! You will have to pay for your travel to VA to see your family but as long as your leave is cleared by your supervisor you can take it any time you like

4. You could put in for a transfer, I guess, but I am not sure how likely that is to happen...the needs of the AF come first. I have heard that people can switch bases if you are the same job and skill level but I believe you would have to pay for that move if that happened. Most nurses that I have talked to said they were at the same base/bases for about 4 years.

5. I was planning to purchase most of my uniforms before COT so I would not have to spend all the money at once. I only live 2 hours from Maxwell, so my husband and I are going down there this weekend (we have an old friend who is stationed there who is going to take us on base). Your recruiter should be able to take you to the nearest AF base or reserve base to get you started.

6. If you are married you will have the opportunity to live on base but if you are single you will get a housing allowance and live off base. You will have a sponsor at nellis that can help you find a place to live and once you get to nellis you will get a couple of house hunting days. You will stay in temporary lodging on nellis while you are looking (I have stayed there, it is nice :yes:).

7. TMO will also ship your car and you can fly (all paid for by the AF).

As soon as you get orders you need to contact the TMO office at the closest military base/post.

Hope this helps answer some your questions and if you have any more please reach out! See you soon!!:nailbiting:

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