Any AF January COT hopefuls out there?

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Hey, just wanted to see if there were any other potential January COT candidates out there? I just signed my big packet of paperwork that's going to the board... now just waiting to hear!

Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.
Hi Everyone,

I'm not sure if anyone is in the same boat but the previous post spurred me to ask if anyone is feeling more apprehensive about joining as November draws near? I had been very excited about joining - couldn't think about anything else- I still think about the AF everyday. But now I'm wondering if I am making the right decision too. Nothing in my life has changed really - to make me believe this could be the wrong choice for me. Is it normal to feel this way? Does anyone else feel this way too? Is it just cold feet as when people get married?

I think once I'm in (if I get in) I will be excited... Any advice?

I love the 'cold feet' analogy, it is almost like marriage isn't it... except you can't file for divorce in 1 month if you don't like it :yawn:

I keep mulling over the pros and cons... I guess that is what has kept me from giving up on the AF. For me, the pros outweigh the cons. The problem is we don't really know what it is like till we are in, yet when it comes down to it, it should essentially be the same nursing job that we have seen throughout nursing school. I have talked to 2 RNs that were/are part of the AF and they told me they loved it (unfortunately you have to take opinions with a grain of salt, because everyone has a different perspective). The one that left the AF said she did so because of family obligations.

I see great potential for expanding a nursing career in the AF, but it seems like there is a catch attached to everything: like when we get around the end of the 4-6 year commitment, our next big promotion is lurking (0-4/major), this is also the time when you can waltz into graduate school on the AFs ticket and lengthen your commitment. By this time we will know if we want to or not...

The excitement comes from the unknown and the advantages we seek, but what keeps us from having a continuous opiate high about the AF is that should we find the AF unpleasant, the penalty for our decision is 4-6 years of hell!

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Ok, this may sound silly but what running shoes should I buy? I’m developing a shin splint and I’m told it’s my cheap shoes.

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Ok, this may sound silly but what running shoes should I buy? I'm developing a shin splint and I'm told it's my cheap shoes.

I have been having really good luck with Asics. Saucony worked well for me too in the past. Good luck - also the Sports Authority may still offer their 10 dollar incentive which allows you to buy a pair of sneaks (full price) - wear them out - then when you need a new pair, you can replace them for only 10 dollars rather than full price. Haha I hope I explained that right :). Take care.

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USAFhopeful- i swear your post about being anxious is just about word for word like one i posted not too long ago! the closer it gets the more worried i am about the decision i'm making. COT seems more terrifying with every passing day and a four year commitment is a long time when i don't really know what i'm getting myself into! all in all though i think it will turn out just fine. now if only they would decide already!

on a side note, i just bought a pair of 'adidas kanadia' and they seem to be treating me well. no shin splints so far!

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everyone take it easy! here are some of the jokes that were made to me when i was told i was joining the air force.

"the air force......more like the f-n chair force"

"ooohh your going to cot? don't you mean salute school?"

"don't worry you'll get in, i was high when i enlisted into the air force!" she was in for less than 2 years, however. she didn't expand

these things were said by prior af people :)

serious or not, you are joining a military family that will take care of you

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, ER, Military.

Air National Guard Nurse here..possibly thinking of going active duty. Just so many things to consider. I was enlisted back in the day..and just trying to weigh the pros and cons of going back! I'm going to talk to the Health Professions Recruiter this Friday...so I'll see what he has to say. I will have 1 yr+ of experience as an RN in addition to 5 yrs time in service in the AF. I am not at all interested in staying stateside. Did 3 years at "No Hope Pope" from 04-07. But if I can get overseas...I am ready to join today! :yeah:

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Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.
Air National Guard Nurse here..possibly thinking of going active duty. Just so many things to consider. I was enlisted back in the day..and just trying to weigh the pros and cons of going back! I'm going to talk to the Health Professions Recruiter this Friday...so I'll see what he has to say. I will have 1 yr+ of experience as an RN in addition to 5 yrs time in service in the AF. I am not at all interested in staying stateside. Did 3 years at "No Hope Pope" from 04-07. But if I can get overseas...I am ready to join today! :yeah:

How the heck have you served for 5 years (assuming you went in right after highschool) and have your BSN/RN at 25 (and on top of that have 1 year of exp in nursing)? Did you go to nursing school while you were enlisted AF? :eek:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, ER, Military.

I joined the AF when I was 20 yrs old. Did two years of prereq's while I was in the service. So I was Active Duty from 2004-2007. I got out May 2007 after finding out I got into nursing school and started right away that August. My program was only 16 months (accelerated). I graduated with my BSN in December of 2008. While I was in nursing school I was in the AF reserve/guard. And just commissioned as an Air Nationa Guard Nurse this past May. Wow. That was a mouthful! It was hard work...but I was determined!

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Spencer2002,

About the running shoes... you need to go to a running specialty shop (not Sports Authority or any old box sporting goods store) and get fitted for running shoes. They'll look at your arches and whether you pronate or supinate, and tell you which shoes are going to work the best for you. It makes a huge difference, and is going to make you a more efficient runner if you get correctly fitting shoes. Plus, it prevents injury. Brand doesn't matter so much as proper fit. Also, running shoes should only last you anywhere from 300-500 miles. After that you can still use them for working out, walking around, light activity, etc., but they are no longer providing the support you need for the repetitive pounding of running. You should expect to pay anywhere from $75 to $120 for good shoes.

Hope my little spiel helps... :)

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Also, if you do go to a running store and figure out which specific shoes work and are comfortable for you, see if you can find them online for cheaper... sierratradingpost.com is a great discount sporting goods site, and if you sign up for their little email newsletter you can regularly get an extra 20-30% off their already discounted prices. Overstock.com is always good too!

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Specializes in FNP cardiology, ER.
I met my recruiter in-person today for the first time and got the paper work officially underway. Took care of some odds and ends. MEPS will be next. Don't know when yet because I have an injury that has to be dealt with before I can go.

Good luck with the injury stuff. IF you go to MEPS soon then they will probably disqualify you depending on the injury then requiring a surgeon general waiver which takes a while. I'm still waiting on mine to come back which is holding me up now. I had bilateral ACL reconstruction that SG needs to sign off on. They let me in as enlisted back in 1996 w/ just one ACL at that time. Then I blew out my left while on AD. It won't be a problem....just sitting and waiting. Not to discourage you but if you need the waiver you will be pushed to March for sure.

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Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.

When does one receive their sign on bonus? Before/after COT/NTP?

Also is 0-3 the highest rank you can achieve in 6 years? I found this chart on About.com:

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/promotions/l/blofficerprom.htm

So is the range to make O-3 two years after you are O-2, or 4 years total service? And then the range to make O-4 three years after you have made O-3, but can be up to 10 years? Seems like a ridiculous range...

My dad made it to O-5 in 20 years (coast guard), so I guess it's not really realistic to expect to get promoted after the 'minimum' time in grade required.

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