Esh570

My bad, thought they were AF. Get your recruiter to take you to a base then, that's what I did.

I am Air Force, I been through COT stationed at Lackland/ BAMC. .been in 4 yrs and I am a Captain. Prior service army for 7 years.

I got my CNOR, ACLS, PALS and NRP. Never got reimbursed for CNOR, but ACLS, PALS, and NRP were pretty much covered by our facility. It definately helps you to keep some of your nursing skills.

You will have time to get uniforms when you get to COT. There aafes does nothing, but sell uniforms to officers and if you have issues you can exchange things there as well.

I have some years ago as a traveler. Worked at good ole Schneider hospital. Even met Dr. Schneider himself. Do a search under the travel nurse speciality the info there is pretty accurate.

So is it pretty easy to come back active Air Force after being in the Reserve?

Hey congrats! I am here at ole WHMC, welcome to the family!

I recently finished COT. Super busy here trying to in-processing Lackland, but I will give you some tips. Money: Make sure you have enough, uniforms are pretty expensive, and you're going to have to pay for food daily. You may not see a paycheck form the military for awhile, so be prepared. Plan on $2000 at least for uniforms. Computer: If you have one bring it. A printer with lots of paper would be helpful as well. Internet access will be limited, personnel email is off limits. So make plans to have bills taken care as much as you can. Exercise: If you are not in shape get there. If you are below standard, you might not have enough time to improve while you're there. Uniforms: If you can get them, get it. Have you name and rank put on as well. More things you can take care of before COT the better. Study: Academics are pretty important in the AF. Take it upon yourself to learn about as much as you can. AF History, military customs and courtesies etc. The more you know going in the easier it will be for you when you get there. Last make sure you get with your sponsor and be sure to ask a lot of questions, not only about COT but the AF in general. Good Luck!

It was a breeze for me, but I was prior Army. . . I would say try to get your uniforms taken care of before you come. Bring a computer and printer if you have one, and be in shape!

Congrats, I am in COT right now, Finish up next week. Do you know where you are going yet?

Congrats! I'm finishing up COT now. Where will you be stationed?

Get a job at a hospital! I was a tech and the hospital and the military payed for my education. Try a state school or community college. I did the 2yr and then went back for the 4 yr. In all I payed less then 10,000 for my education.

Why did you have to come back at a lower rank?

Hi LA40, Preoperative nursing doesn't count for critical care experience. I am a civilian OR nurse, and newly commissioned Air force nurse. I have been around the OR for about 10 yrs, first as a tech(military/civilian) and then a nurse. The RNFA is something that I was looking into. On the civilian side, it gives nurses the ability to work independently and bill patients insurances like the doctors. RNFA's come from a strong scrubbing back grounds, and have several years of experience. On the military side I would not be to sure how they would be used. Usually there are more then enough techs to help assist the doctors if they need it. Not to say it is impossible, I am sure you could figure out a way to do it if you wanted it.

Hey thanks everyone for the posts. I guess I'm gonna have to get use to military life again. Bought some ABDU's and some corcoran boots. Thinking about ordering some name tags and I guess I'll pick up the rest when I get to COT.:wink2:

Yesterday I had my swear in for my commission. So now I am officially a 2nd LT. My COT date is in Jan. Anyone else here going to COT in Jan.?

Anywhere from 4 to 6 months. Not accounting for holidays.

Thanks for the info. I pretty much decided to keep my identifier as an O.R. nurse. I was thinking when I get to Lackland the first thing that I would do is volunteer for an overseas assignment. I know Korea is a hardship tour and I was there before in the Army. I pretty much figured that I would have to wait till the end of my first tour to see what assignments were out there. One question, how do you find out what slots are open?

So is it better to hold on to your identifier. I am a Operating Room Nurse also. I wanted to keep this identifier, however after getting Lackland instead of an overseas assignment, I was wondeing if I should have just came in as a clinical nurse. I figure there are more opportunities for clinical nurses as far as assignments, rather then O.R. nurses?

Just food for thought. . . I am pretty much in the same boat and I looked into the military. I am currently a travel nurse and I am getting tired of that. Spoke with a few military nurses and they love it. You can become an officer while techs are enlisted. I prefer the distinction of rank. Also for the younger nurses like myself, it is nice to know that I am working for a pension. Military nurses have a greater scope of practice, as well. Education is not only encouraged but required for rank. And payed for by Uncle Sam. Just something to think about before you decide on another career.

Hey Dairy I am in Seattle. What hospital will you be working for?

Well I spoke with the Army briefly, but decided on the USAF. I am prior service army enlisted. As far as the paper work is concerned, I would say it is the same. I think that the entry requirements are a little easier. Easier the the USAF I think. But the Army is very physical. I felt the wear and tear on my bones as I was leaving and I was in my mid 20's. So make sure that you are in shape for OBLC.

Why not just wait for the USAF. I started the whole process in March and won't be going to COT until Jan. Still haven't sworn in yet though. . .

forwaters, just wondering why your wife decided to jump ship and leave the AF for the Army?

Hey, I thought that I would add my 2 cents to this discussion. I am prior Army, going USAF. While I was in the Army I was stationed at a Navy base, so I can speak on all three services. I never had a problem with the weight while I was in. At one point I was under weight, but today that's a different story. When we decided to go to meps I told my USAF recruiter that I thought that I was over weight by 10 lbs. He said not to worry that he was sure that I would pass the tape test. But I know how the military works, even if you pass the tape test they still look down on you for being overweight. So I made it a point to burn off 10 lbs the next week for MEPS. I came in right on target. Bottom line, don't give them an excuse to mess with you...