LBB15

Hello, I can't give you specific answers to your questions but I can tell you my experience. When all was said and done, it took almost 2 years from my initial contact with the recruiter to being sworn in. I had a few waivers to get but that wasn't really the problem. There was no identified problem with my package that I knew of. It just sat on different desks for extended periods of time and slowly got passed through the chain. The good news is, I have completed COT and am in Flight School now. I love it. It's the hardest thing I've ever done, but worth it. I will try to answer any questions you have, but giving you dates and timelines is not going to happen. I have met so many people that have similar stories to mine, but some that had experiences that went very smoothly and they commissioned quickly. good luck!

Athena, Thank you so much for the time you took to tell me about your experience. I wish I knew you in real life. You are inspiring. Laura

Hi Athena, I have followed your posts with great interest. I just found out I am in, as an AFR Flight Nurse after a 16 month wait to hear. I am 48 now. I am curious to know how you did with the physical demands of OBC? I will go to Survival School at some point....did you have to do that? I appreciate any insight you can share. Laura

Hello All, I am about 12 months into the recruitment process to be an AFR Flight Nurse. All the paperwork, physicals, interviews and various waivers are done and I am waiting for the word. Recently, (this last summer) I started sailing and crewing for a racing team. I was a beginner and did not have experience sailing. On days with heavy wind and waves, I got seasick. Took the usual OTC meds and remedies, with little success. Didn't think much about it and the summer ended. This last weekend, I went to an amusement park with my kids and rode the big rides, mostly roller coasters, no spinning types. As the day progressed, I became more and more queasy, culminating in a full blown case of debilitating motion sickness. I am not anxious about the rides, I have been doing it for the last 15 years with my kids and loved it, so that wasn't it. So I started wondering/worrying maybe I am starting to develop some kind of problem with this....maybe as I am getting older, motion sickness might be more of an issue for me. Which got me thinking, what is it going to be like on a transport plane for me as a flight nurse? I realize that military flying is not at all like commercial flying, but how rough is it? Does anybody out there get sick while flying or have remedies that have helped them? Any insight is appreciated. Thanks.

I will be based out of Niagara Falls. I am optimistic that this will happen. If it took you a year, then I have 4 months to go before I should worry! Why does it take so long? I really don't know. Paperwork, the military/government/red tape....not sure. There were no obvious stoppers in my process. I did need an age waiver, but that did not seem like a big deal.

Congratulations! I am also in the process of becoming a flight nurse. How long did it take for you to get to this point? So far, I have about 8 months invested in this, but it sounds like I will get some kind of definite answer shortly. What unit are you with?

What do you know about the 914th in Niagara Falls? I didn't really have any say about where I would be based. The recruiter said that unit had an opening and that's where I went. Pittsburgh would be closer, but the recruiter said if I felt comfortable with the folks at Niagara that's where I should focus my efforts. It is about a 4 hour drive from my home...not the best situation, but worth it to me. Fortunately, everyone I have met there so far have been great.

wow. and I thought I was persistent.....this whole thing amazes me. When I tell my friends how long this is taking and the verrrryyyy long intervals between communication with the recruiter (and it's me calling him for an update), no one can believe it. It is reassuring to know that others are having the same experience. I keep wondering 'what is wrong with me...don't they want me...why is this taking so long?' maybe it's not me.

Thanks for the info suds. You said you were active duty...what kind of stuff are you doing now? Does a reserve FN do the same kind of missions that an active duty FN does? Sorry this might be a really dumb question, but I told you I was new and know nothing!

I am in the process of joining the AF Reserves as a Flight Nurse. I made initial contact with the healthcare recruiter in July/08. I have had an interview with the Unit Commander and completed the physical. 2 months have gone by and I still do not have any concrete word. From the little I have read on this site, this is not all that unusual. Wondering if anyone out there has anything to offer on this topic, as well as any recent experience/anecdotes on Flight School or Survival School. I am new to the military and feel like I am stumbling through the dark to find info. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!