Air Force Processing

It took me 1 year

My processing experience and advice:

It will be exactly 1 year for me when I actually leave. I was told 3-6 months but I am older and my recruiter promised I would Commission in Jan (6m), then March(9), then....

I chose to MOVE to get another recruiter and he processed me in 10 weeks. I was missing 2 documents and my name was never placed on the scroll until march 23rd so I missed the July date but Commissioned on July 15th! But....Leaves have struck AGAIN and I have been awaiting orders since that date. (It's an OLD organization and moves slow, HA!)

Factors that I never could get anyone nailed down on but now KNOW:

Recruiters motivation and YOUR motivation!

Get the checklist, there IS one!

Age waiver and pleasing MEPS -go prepared!

Medical records and tests and old records from the civilian world take a while so team with your doctor. They have the clout to get it done faster and without paying out the waazoo.

Motivation to get what they want to them with-in a 24 hour period

or better yet, anticipate what they need.

Holidays and Folks on LEAVE (Very hard to process when 1 person is on Base/office "covering")

End of a fiscal year (no so bad, got more money on bonus)

Exact dates on all information, notarized copies written and copied

Reference docs have to come back from those people you sent them to! My best friend RN, didn't want me to do this and stalled badly.

CALL folks and bug them every 3-4 days and ASK if things have been found or mailed out! We are all busy people and just need reminders sometimes.

Head nurse (interview) gets ALL this info and must make time to see you. Mine was Incredible. She wanted to come home early from vacation to do mine. I pray I get to work with that lady!

Scroll signed by Whitehouse (They are a bit busy these days)

Forms that the DoD changes FREQUENTLY, can cause you to sign 1 form 3 times! When they call, get back to the office ASAP

The older you are the more they have to do on your security screen and job checks - (3 22 year-olds processed with me this time. They were Commissioned 5 weeks ahead of me because of this).

Most "stuff" gets communicated on Thurs or Friday here. Talk to your recruiter every Fri and/or Monday.

Do NOT quit your job until you have the orders in your hand.

I admit that it's a bit embarrassing as I think my old employer thinks I just didn't want to work anymore as I kept changing the "ship date".

I felt like I was not needed or wanted until I found this board.

I watched literally 9 others go to COT while I just stood there.

You are not alone!

As much as I have grumbled there are many Pro's I can see from my "process".

I can run 5 miles without throwing up or dehydrating...when I started I could run .10 of a mile and hurl.

My buttocks is no longer sliding down my thighs!

Looked at what I wanted from nursing and what my values were and where I wanted to go, do and see (SO EXCITING!)

Mom and Marine daughter had to process what I was choosing and support me now.

Husband has proven his commitment to me and this choice

Marine brother and I sooo much closer (My biggest supporter)

Time to take all my re-certs and a refresher and will feel more on top of my game.

I now know so many folks in SA both civilian and AF ,the new place will not be an overwhelming adjustment!

This recruiter and his Major have been so awesome, ethical, honorable, professional and motivated and I am so excited to get to be counted with them !!!!!

JUST DO IT!

I can not believe all the opportunities available!

If I had realized or even investigated the military and all the benefits of doing this when I was younger....oh the regrets! But I'm doing it NOW! Wooohooo!!!!!