Length of COT and NTP

The Little Greek · Sep 15, 2009

See answers in bold...

1- so I've been getting mixed answers from various sources on how long COT is- I've heard 4 weeks, 4 and 1/2 weeks, and 5 weeks...which is it??
Everything you could ever want to know about COT is here: http://www.afoats.af.mil/ots/index.asp
Okay, maybe not everything but a lot of your answers can be found there.
2- I've also gotten mixed information on the PT requirements- I've read a mile and a half in 14 minutes but then I also saw 15 and 1/2 minutes somewhere...and what are the sit-up/push-up requirements? and are they full push-ups or the "girl version" for females? just curious because I'm female and can do far fewer full on push-ups!
Fitness scores depend on age and they are in the process of changing. In fact, the new OI (e.g. regulation) may already be published. We now test two times per year, the run time counts for the majority of our score, and you have to do a minimum number of push-ups/sit-ups to pass. I have seen the new charts but I didn't pay enough attention to speak to what it says.

Full push ups only...no knees touching the floor. I'm 36 yo and I think the new OI says I have to do 46 to get the full number of points. That's a lot in my opinion but I have a new goal to reach.

3- Do you not graduate from COT if you can't meet those requirements??
I know of one person that had to be "recycled" but apparently she had some anxiety issues. They withdrew her and then she was allowed to come back at a different date. I suggest that if you want to get in and you are out of shape that you start exercising now. My recruiter didn't do it, but I know other RNs who had to meet with their recruiter once a week to work on PT before they left for COT. You should be in decent shape and should be able to run 3 miles when you arrive.
4- How long is NTP? I've been told 10 weeks by one person and 11 by another...
I didn't do NTP but the RNs that I work with that did said it's 11 weeks.
I think those are all my questions for now...thanks for anyone that clear that up! :)

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2009

The new PT OI goes into effect 1 January 2010 and the fitness charts are here:

http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-090820-144.pdf

I am also 36 and it will be interesting, if not amusing, to see just how they get on with the insane increase in the pushup requirements - and that is 46 in ONE MINUTE, folks, not two.

What's really stupid about it is: (1) they have minimum scores for each event and you HAVE to score the minimum in each event to pass it, yet there are scores for times and numbers BELOW the minimum (seriously?); and (2) if you score only the minimum in each category, YOU DON'T PASS THE PT TEST.

This, to me, seems like a waste of time for whomever the AF paid to develop the thing.

Also, that whole "risk" category thing is a bunch of rubbish as well.

:)

The Little Greek · Sep 16, 2009

I think the jump in push ups is insane too. I used to have to do 30 and I could usually bust out 37. 46??? Nice goal but I doubt it will ever happen.

I foresee lots of failures in our future (and when I say "our" I mean my flight). I don't know about the rest of you, but we have some pretty out of shape people in our flight. We already have several members attending mandatory DAILY pt for failing their pt tests. I bet the number of failures is going to skyrocket.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2009

I think the jump in push ups is insane too. I used to have to do 30 and I could usually bust out 37. 46??? Nice goal but I doubt it will ever happen.
I foresee lots of failures in our future (and when I say "our" I mean my flight). I don't know about the rest of you, but we have some pretty out of shape people in our flight. We already have several members attending mandatory DAILY pt for failing their pt tests. I bet the number of failures is going to skyrocket.

See, I think that too - and not just among the duffel bags - I think some of the fitter people may have a problem.

Quick question - when they report a PT test on your OPR, do they report the individual scores or PASS/FAIL with your overall scores? Because I think this stuff with the risk categories under your run time (all bogus) is a sneaky way for the AF to get in bed with Tricare when you retire...oh, you have CAD? Well, you should have increased your run time...

Can't you just see it happening...? I'm no conspiracy theorist but still.

The Little Greek · Sep 16, 2009

Nope, PT score is not listed on your OPR--at least I don't see it anywhere on any of mine. You do have to turn in a copy of your fitness score along with your SURF when your OPR is due, but I'm not exactly sure what is done with it. If you don't pass your PT test I think it would be reported as "does not meet standards".

Just for kicks I just calculated what I would have gotten on this new PT test using my most recent PT scores. On my last test I scored 93%. If I were to have tested using the new standards I would have gotten 95%. Weird. Possibly has something to do with the increase in run time percentage. So, I guess the take home lesson is that if you are trying to improve on anything, let it be the run time.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2009

That's my plan; it's got to be 15:30 for Air and Space Basic Course anyway...

The Little Greek · Sep 16, 2009

That's my plan; it's got to be 15:30 for Air and Space Basic Course anyway...

Are you commissioning as a 2LT or 1LT? Just curious because I see you have RN exp. I came in as a 1LT and they wouldn't let me do ASBC. All is well though because I make Capt in a few months and I'll be off to SOS! (hopefully)

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2009

I commissioned in July as a second lieutenant. I missed 1st LT by six months.