smarttyone

I believe the cutoff age for a nurse is around 46, so you have plenty of time regarding that. I didn't do the loan repayment option, but there is one and I am not sure if it has a limit, but the sign on bonus for me was $25,000. there is the option of doing some bonus and some loan repayment as well. They will pay for you to go to school, but not until you are in for a couple of years first, otherwise you will get the GI bill also if you want.

Wow, I am suprised they are only giving you 3 days to get back to Texas after COT. I will give you an example, on my orders it said I had 17 days to report, however I had to read the small print on the back very carefully to notice that I actually only had 7 days to get there and it explained that another 10 could be used, but that would go against my leave. Keep in mind if you plan on using those, call your gaining base and let them know when you will be coming in, otherwise they are expecting you. They may be expecting you there within 3 days. I believe the days start the day after graduation, not the day of. When you sign in at your base and you get your 8 house hunting days or permissive TDY, that does not count against your leave! You do earn you 2.5 days of leave while at COT though, just so you know. As for COT it is an interesting experience. The first day and week are the worst, and it gets slowly better as you go. By the last week it is not a big deal, but you will always be ready to get out of there. They will yell and scream at you from the very second you get there, don't worry about it, it's nothing personal and happens to everyone. Physically it is hard, PT is exausting and challenging in the mornings, but possible. You will do a full PFA (the sit ups, push ups, waist measurement, and 1.5 mile run) shortly after you get there, there is a 5K formation run, a 5K timed run, the actual PFB before you leave, and otherwise daily PT. It is very hot and humid in Alabama and you will be forced to drink more water than you think! The classes aren't bad, I am sure it differs by flight commander, but everyone did fine with the academics, and then other events you do are fun. Let me know if you need more questions answered.

It took me 1 year

I just graduated COT at the end of June. I got 7 days to get from Maxwell to Travis in California. Those 7 days are "free", as they don't count against your leave. If you go over that you are permitted 10 more days, but then you are charged leave, so you will be in the negative, and you should try to avoid this. After I signed in at Travis I was given 8 days for house hunting. Let me know if you have more questions.

Thank you for your help everyone. Take care.

Since I can't get a hold of my sponsor, I am using all of you. I am wondering if when I get to Travis and I am in temporary housing looking for a place, do I recieve any BAH at this time? Thank you in advance. I am trying to sort out bills and things before I go. I do take a bit of a paycut coming in, but I get my first promotion very quickly also.

I actually already did the wet boot thing, someone else told me about that. They are the all leather boots. I did try two pairs of socks at one point also, but that part of my ankle was already sore. I will keep working with them. I am sure it will get better with more breaking in. Thanks for the advice and I will look for the extra thick socks.

I know this is kind of off the subject, but I am trying to break in my boots a bit before I got to COT, and my right boot is putting a lot of pressure on my inside ankle when I walk. Any advice? The left boot is just fine, it is just the one spot on the one boot.

I have my summer BDU's with the name tapes sewn all already, but I will be getting all the other uniforms there at COT. Kirtland AFB, where I am close to now is pretty bad for uniforms, they are out of everything. How much civillian clothes do I need at COT? Sorry for the dumb questions

thank you to everyone for your replies, it helps a lot to hear advice from people who have been there and done it. I have a possibly stupid question though. As far as uniforms go, I know they said they have laundry facilities available for our use in COT, but how do you get your uniforms ironed and looking nice, is that provided there also? Need to know if I need to bring one. Thank you. My sponsor has sent me an e-mail, we will be talking. Good news for me, because of my civillian time as a nurse I get promoted to 1st Lieutenant in 4 months. I am also coming in with critical care nurse as my identifier. My only issue with that is that I am cardiac specialized currently, so I will need some training for all other specialties--although many things blend into each other. Keep the advice coming though, I appreciate it.

Shellek, thank you for your kind words and good advice, I will try my best. I usually do pretty good with stress. New adventure for sure.

Well I am in my last weekend as a civillian! I leave for COT on Tuesday morning. Any advice for me from those who came in comissioned officers? After COT I will be at Travis AFB in California. People keep asking me if I am nervous, and I am not about Air Force issues, I am more nervous about getting to my new home and getting everything settled. I am married and have an 8 year old child, so we all have to get set together.

Thank you! Now I have to do all the preparing and getting ready to go. I am both excited and a little nervous ( more nervous about getting all settled somewhere new).

Just letting everyone know that I am getting oathed in today! After this it is 6 months until my first promotion.

thank you again to everyone whom is helping me. I found out today that I will be going to Travis AFB in July after my COT.