Graduated cot on friday!!!

[carolinapooh]

YAY! I made it - I graduated from COT yesterday and am now on my way to my first duty station, Lackland AFB/Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, TX!

I was going to post a nice "column", if you would, on my experience, and I still might - but feel free to post any questions you have here and I'll answer what I can.

It's not so bad (but remember, I'm prior enlisted), but I won't say it's easy. Compared to BOT (the regular officer's training that lasts 13 weeks) and compared to what the Army does to get the same direct commission, it's a cakewalk - but it's not "knife and fork" school, so don't let your recruiter fool you. Some of the civilians experienced a bit of culture shock - but trust me when I say it was nothing like BMT.

So if you have any questions, post away.

[SeekirRN]

How many days should we plan on wearing civies when we arrive at COT? I'm guessing TD0 and TD1 but do we wear them past those days? Thanks for any input!

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I would take four days' worth of civilian clothes, just in case. I know some people took only a couple of days' worth and ran out of clothes. I took five. Also, take a couple of NICE outfits - you will actually be allowed off base at some point and then there's the opportunity to go out to eat with your flight, and you'll want something decent to wear for that.

Also - for laundry - get the new All-In-One sheets from I think it's Purex. One container of them lasted me all the way through COT (I bought one container and one refill) and they are FANTASTIC. They sell them with the regular laundry soap in Target and other stores.

[The Little Greek]

Well, if you're TRULY the little Greek, then you probably ARE SOL. Lol... :0) Your ABUs must fit like a swimming pool.

The whole trying on different shirts but the same size - good advice.

LOL! I truly am a little Greek! And yes, the ABUs are HUGE on me--the shirts mostly. I've actually gone up a size in the pants recently because I find the waist to be very, very small. Am I the only one? I spend a fortune on my uniforms to make them look better. If I could take the legs of the pants in I would, but it's not possible.

Midinphx, you'd be surprised how much I eat--just blessed with good metabolism. Although, as I mentioned above, I did have to go up a size in pants so maybe my age is starting to catch up!

[Ms, Tianah]

I am currently stationed at Langely. I work L&D. Where will you be working? PM me and I can fill you in on lots of local info (I grew up here) and base info. Our new hospital is being built and we will likely move operations from the old to the new hospital in Feb 2010.

If anyone else finds out they are going to Langley, feel free to contact me!

Hi Little Greek,

I recently found out that I'm going to be stationed at Langely for OB. I have plenty of questions and would like to know local and base information about it. I read your previous post and already learned plenty from it. I don't think that I can private message but I would love to hear from you because you have great insight. Thanks.

[The Little Greek]

Hi Little Greek,

I recently found out that I'm going to be stationed at Langely for OB. I have plenty of questions and would like to know local and base information about it. I read your previous post and already learned plenty from it. I don't think that I can private message but I would love to hear from you because you have great insight. Thanks.

Just sent you a PM...

[madamrose]

Thank you very much CarolinaPooh!

You are a mentor for me (I guess, true for many of others too)

I'm working on my application now and your every single post is very helpful!!

Thanks again!

[Travelcrazy]

Carolina-Pooh,

Does anything get sewn on the lightweight blues jacket?

[cacentralvalley]

CONGRATS!!!!!

What was your daily schedule like? Did it vary on PT days?