Process for COT in the Air Force

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I have filled out my package for the Air Force, I go to MEPS next week, should pass no problem. However my recruiter is putting my package together for a board that does not have a date yet and also he has no COT dates for when I graduate. I graduate August 3 2009. My recruiter tells me that if the COT dates are set at the beginning of October I won't be able to go until January 2010, because he won't have enough time to process the paper work? Is that normal? He is just like just get a job as a nurse in the civilian world? What job will hire me as a GN and oh by the way I will be quitting in January to go to the Air Force. My question in a Nutshell how long does it take from the time of Graduation to get My paperwork ready for COT (assuming I have had my Chief Nurse interview, passed MEPS, the board says ok....etc)? I think two months is plenty of time? My recruiter also tells me I won't get Commission until I pass the NCLEX. Do I start getting paid as an 01E (yes, prior enlisted) on my date of Commission? When do I find out where I will be stationed? Is it once I pass the NCLEX, or once the board approves my package? When is the cut-off for selection of FY09 assignments and FY10 assignments? I would really like to get pick-up for overseas and I see that if I am selecting from the FY09 pool my chances are pretty slim to go overseas.. How is COT compared to basic training?

Thanks

Shane

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I know you have alot of questions, I will try to answer most of your questions. You will have to pass the nclex before commissioning, and you also don't get paid until you start active duty. It usually does take awhile to process paperwork, because it goes through many hands, I started my process in Jan of 07 and the papers finalized around may, and that was pretty fast from what my recruiter told me. You should find out you station sometime after you are commissioned. Usually the cut off for selections is at the end of the fiscal year which I think is somewhere around sept or oct. but I may be off on that. Overseas assignment are pretty much a no go for a first time nurse, and I think you might have to go through the nurse transition program if you are a new nurse. I am sure somewhere there is an exception but I haven't heard of anyone getting an overseas assignment their first time out. New nurses usually end up at Lackland, travis or keesler first. COT is 4.5 wks and basic is 8 weeks so it's quite a bit different. You can go to the air force OTS website and click under the COT link you can get tons of info on the training curriculum. I hope I answered a few questions let me know if you have any others. I will have been in 2 yrs coming this August, so I am still pretty fresh.

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because you never know what is going to happen or how long it will take. I would definitely try and get a civilian job and DO NOT tell them you are trying to go active duty. This may seem dishonest but it is better to get a paycheck and a little experience than wait around and stare at the clock. When the time comes just tell your employer that you were talking with a recruiter and next thing you know you were called to active duty.

Good Luck!

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because you never know what is going to happen or how long it will take. I would definitely try and get a civilian job and DO NOT tell them you are trying to go active duty.

:yeahthat:

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I agree with NursePamela, get a job in the meantime, because things may be..........delayed (to say the least) in January. Don't tell the employer until the last minute, they are usually receptive about you wanting to go military, as long as you give two weeks notice.

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Specializes in ER.

Hi,

Just adding my 2 cents here. I agree with all of the comments. You have to be realistic about the timeframe. 2 month timeframe is unrealistic. Just understand that this process is often a long and time-consuming one with so much paperwork involved and so many people handling it. I began my process in May last year prior to graduation. The board met in Nov and I was told in Nov as well. I plan to leave for COT in March, have been commissioned already and am waiting for orders. Other individuals have experienced longer waits than mine. You may or may not go to NTP, but most new grads do. I will be skipping NTP and going to ER at Travis AFB following COT. As devious as it sounded, I began work in August as an ER nurse with full knowledge of my departure, but didn't inform my job until last week (2-week notice). I wanted to work for the experience and pay, I have a family to help to support. My job was sad but very understanding and even offered me a position should I return. You will start getting paid until the personnel aspect is handled in COT, therefore your status is as a reservist until then. Overseas assignments are highly unlikely as a new grad. I didn't even attempt that yet. However, your best bet is to focus on graduating and passing NCLEX. That's the most important thing. You can start your AF process as well, but just remember each task at hand. Good luck on whatever you decide to do..:nuke:

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Hello, I see that you have been to COT and have received assignment in Travis? I got to COT in a week and have also been assigned to Travis AFB. I have been looking for someone in the same circumstances to give me any information at all about the experiences I will soon go through. I am nervous for COT. Especially the physical part and would love some input back (if you have time) on anything you think I should know. Is there something I should bring that you found was important to have? Is there anything I can do to become more prepared for this experience? Also how is Travis for you? I am very excited for California! Are you living off base or On? Ive been looking at cities around Travis to live but am not sure how they are as far as crime and stuff like that. If you could email/message me back it would be GREATLY appreciated! [email protected]. THANK YOU!

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Specializes in ER.

Hello SandyD8,

I just received your thread. COT was not too bad at all. I went through last year from March - April. You will expect to PT at least 3 - 5 days aweek. You will get a PFA or PT test twice while you are at COT. Expect alot of lecture time or death by powerpoint. You will get yelled at during your time at COT just like any basic training. This was my second time through basic (I was prior enlisted Navy). There is a good website that can prepare you for COT if you haven't accessed already. The site is http://www.afoats.af.mil/. Go to OTS and then you will be able to select COT. This site will provide you with what you will need to bring to COT and what to expect from COT. That is the site that I accessed prior to arriving at COT. There is a video that explains what to expect during your 5 weeks at COT. It was a good tool that did prepare me for COT. I am stationed at Travis right now and have been here since April. I work at David Grant Med Center in the ER. Travis is a pretty cool base and I do enjoy working at the medical center. I do not live on base but currently rent a house in Vacaville which is about 10 minutes away from the base. They are currently building new housing sites on base and the waiting list is quite long. However, there are some nice neighborhoods off base. Another very useful site for finding housing is www.AHRN.com site. You register based on your location and it will list apartments and homes available in the cities/towns around the base. That is where I found my house. The weather is quite chilly right now (no snow though). However, I am from the Midwest and this is heaven to me. I can't stand the snow. You have San Francisco and Sacramento 45 minutes in either direction, plus Tahoe and other interesting places. I hope this information is useful for you and will help prepare you for COT and your time at Travis. Where will you be working at when you arrive? If you have any other questions, feel free too write. Take care and best of luck to you.

Sonya

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I am going to COT in March and will be headed to Travis afterwards. I am very excited. I take my NCLEX next week, so I don't know what unit I will be working at yet. I can't wait to get to California.

:)

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

UT, You got your orders?! When?

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I have NOT got my orders, not until I take and pass my NCLEX. I signed paperwork before Christmas to start processing my orders, so when I commission I will get my orders then. I should receive them a week after I take my NCLEX

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