August OBLC

OffandRunning · Jul 22, 2008

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who feels like they are walking in blind. I've been told they expect officers to have a lot of initiative, but there need to be some resources out there to point you in the right direction. Its nice to hear positive stories like JB's. Stories like that which I have heard from lots of people is one of the reasons I wanted to join.

lifeafter40 · Jul 23, 2008

I can't help but think that a lot of this is lack of information foalls on the recruiter's shoulders. I think they should be able to get you going in the right direction, and at least assist in making the arrangements necessary for you to get to your first assignment (OBLC or Reserve Unit) It is almost as if, once you sign and everything is official, you are someone else's problem. Of course that could be the cynic in me showing through:uhoh3:

S

Garifuna30 · Jul 25, 2008

Hello to all. I will be attending the August OBLC class in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. I am coming from Virginia, but I will be flying due to car issues. I am prior service and if anyone has any questions please feel free to ask. I look forward to meeting you all.

OffandRunning · Jul 25, 2008

Hi Garifuna, Nice to meet you too. I will be in OBLC in August too. What part of Va are you in. I'm in Newport News and will be going to Fort Lee after OBLC. I know they don't have a hospital there. I'm kind of wondering what I will be doing there. Do you know anything about that duty station?

scout2505 · Jul 26, 2008

I was just curious for those of you attending the upcoming oblc class and who are going on active duty. When did you all find out what your assignment was going to be. I swore in during the month of April and still haven't had much luck with the assignment issue. I realize I'm not going to oblc until 09 but I was "told" and I use the term lightly being prior service that I would be able to get my assignment choice locked up early.

Garifuna30 · Jul 26, 2008

Hey, I live in Hampton on Fort Monroe. We're right next to each other. Fort Lee is located in Richmond and its a small but nice post. You're lucky, However there is no big Medical Center there it is only maybe a couple of clinics and a Community Hospital. The only thing about being a brand new nurse and being stationed in bases like that is that you wont see much. But who knows times have changed so perhaps you will and depending in what area you work in. So what school did you graduate from. I graduated from ODU back in December, I finally passed my Boards. Fort Lee is the home base for Supply clerks , Cooks.Hope to hear from you.

JDCitizen · Jul 26, 2008

Three questions please:

What is the actual length of OBLC?

Is that is all the training a new medical officer goes through?

When does one know their first base assignment?

Thanks...

Garifuna30 · Jul 26, 2008

Hello JD

OBLC will start on August 3rd till the 22nd of September, Then after that We will go into the Nurse Track and that will be for two weks which will carry us into the 6th of October. It is usually during Nurse track that most people will know where they are going and what area in the hospital they will be working in. Hope I answered your question.

OffandRunning · Jul 27, 2008

I graduated about a few years ago from Central Texas College with my associates and then went back to University of Texas Arlington for my BSN. I just moved here from Tx and I'm only going to Fort Lee because my husband is stationed at Fort Eustis and that's the closest they could get me. Are you going back to Fort Monroe after OBLC?

Garifuna30 · Jul 27, 2008

Hello Off and Running. I graduated from Central Texas College 4 years ago. I am going to be stationed in Fort Gordon, Georgia which is in Augusta. My husbands grandparents stay 20 minutes from the post and they will be the ones watching over our children. I was orignally going to Fort bliss, tx but got it changed last week. Thats awkward that they did not try to get you stationed in Fort eustis. I know they said they wouldnt send brand new nurses there but in the Army there is always an exception to the rule. I know of a female getting stationed there because her husband is there. My family will still be here while im at school. so I will be returning to Fort Monroe to get ready to leave again.

OffandRunning · Jul 27, 2008

Garifuna, they are supposed to be working on changing my orders or at least thats what they tell me. I think I will call tomorrow and see how its going.lol. We wanted to stay at Fort Hood but my husbands branch manager wouldn't give, so here we are.lol. I'm not stressing it too much. I'm okay with Fort Lee if it doesnt get changed. Do you know what the work is like for nurses here at Eustis? I've only met civilian nurses here, but they really don't have much insight into what active duty nurses do in terms of scheduling and hours.

Garifuna30 · Jul 28, 2008

Hi Off and Running,I would definitely check on getting your orders cahnged. It shouldn't be an issue. As far as being a nurse at Fort Eustis I 've heard its slow. At one point they were going to completely stop sending Army nurses there but that has not stopped. Depending on what you are trying to do, you will definitely have time to work another Job. Now as far as scheduling I have not a clue. I have a friend that used to work at Fort Eustis I can ask him. I hope all works for you. When are you driving down to Fort Sam? I'll be there Wednesday to get my room and transition out and then get commissioned.