bsnkaty

You can definitely tell that it's been hit by Katrina...and the Oil Spill.. but they're working on it!! On the upside, a lot of the base is new because it had to be rebuilt after the hurricane! The hospital is great, the BX and Commissary are brand new and officer housing is really nice. I'm not complaining! Eglin's beaches are just better :)

Alright people-- We have a FB group (thanks to Tifbur)! Search for COT 11-02.

No way! For real?! I just checked-- I had no idea! Ok, I'm the Katy Batten that's from University of West Ga and GCSU.

Aniko I'm jealous of your spot at Eglin!! That was my first choice-- I got Keesler in Biloxi, it could be worse, but I was really hoping for the nice beaches :) What unit will you be on? I'm a new grad also, haven't started working as a nurse and CANNOT wait for NTP in Arizona. I'm so scared/nervous/excited about COT and NTP and starting my life in the AF! Aura- no worries! I've been working as a nurse tech with a license for 8 months and it's miserable!! I missed the October date and I'm so glad January is coming soon (EEEK!). Ok for real, somebody friend me on FB. Katy Batten

Aniko-- send me a friend request on FB! It won't let me start a group without adding a friend to it (unless I'm doing something wrong?! Anybody started a group before?). Search for Katy Batten. Yay!

Hello!! I'm headed to January COT also, just received my orders TODAY! Ohhh, it's real now. I'm getting married in two weeks and it's taken my focus away from preparing for the PT test and I have all the same concerns as y'all. I despise running and feel like I have a lot of work to do in the next 5 weeks. The push ups and sit ups don't concern me as much but I still need to be doing more than I am. Anyway, I've asked before but... is there a FB group set up yet for us?! I would love to put faces on names before we get there. I'd be more than happy to start one- I just didn't want to start an extra, separate group!

I commissioned as a 2nd and now I'm just waiting on orders for 11-02 :yelclap: Has anyone started a facebook group? I would love to "know" some people before getting to Maxwell and be able to keep up with how people are preparing and packing and getting there and all that stuff.. I've saved lots about what to bring but it's nice to have somewhere to check with the folks that will be there!!

Thanks everybody! I finally got a copy of the Accession Bonus Contract request. So, at least I have some proof that I applied. Mid- I've never heard or been offered the 3-year $20k bonus... Is that option still available? I'm a new grad RN so specialties are out for now. I plan on doing certifications and getting lots of letters behind my name though! I don't have student loans so I took the bonus, as I thought it was my only option. I thought adding one year for $30k sounds great, so I hope I'm making the right decision!

Hi Mid! Thanks for the congrats and info! Just so I'm clear.... I remember signing something about an accession bonus way back before my packet went to boards. Yesterday I signed something that very clearly stated that 36 months was my contracted time... But nothing about accession bonus or 48 months. If it's in my older paperwork than I'm still ok right? As far as I know my recruiter did apply me for it! I don't want to keep badgering my recruiter about it but I'll be a newlywed when I leave for COT and we were really counting on some starter and nest-egg money!

I am happy to say that I COMMISSIONED TODAY as a Second Lieutenant as a Nurse in the USAF! It felt great (and exciting and scary...) saying the oath and getting my very first salute out of the way! But, now I have a question that I probably should have asked before today. I've been told by my recruiter that there was money left for bonuses, that I would definitely be getting it, and that I would sign for it and receive it when I "graduate" from NTP. The phrase "get everything in writing" is haunting me... I'm happy to go in with or without the bonus but I was really looking forward to it! So, for anyone who has ALREADY SIGNED FOR OR RECEIVED the bonus- Is it an actual contract? Does it include that it increases your commitment by 12 months? When did you sign it? When did you receive it? I'm really hoping I haven't lost out Thanks!

I've heard that about the housing, which is great! Are there rentals in nice areas within the BAH?! I'm used to the heat and humidity... I'm from Atlanta! We're planning on a weekend trip to see how things are down there. I won't be in Biloxi until around May next year but I'm a "planner." I just like to know what I'm getting into!

Mobro... I'm headed to Keesler for my first assignment! How's the area and the on base housing? It's not too far home but it wasn't my first choice-- Still happy with it though! Anything I have to know about it?

I applied in October 2009 and was accepted. My COT date is January 2011. You should ABSOLUTELY take a civilian job in the meantime because it could realistically take at least a year before you have an official COT date. I wouldn't tell any potential employers that you looking to enter the AF and civilian job has no effect on your chances of being selected. NTP is for nurses with less than 6 months experience. I hear it's very similar to an orientation in a civilian hospital and you're assigned a preceptor. There is LOTS of great information about timelines, NTP and COT on this forum... just search for your questions!

I haven't received orders yet. Just found out my assignments yesterday and I'm TOLD that I'll be commissioning in the next few weeks.

Hey Hey!! I'll be there too, but I don't think I'm as disappointed as you are about missing the Super Bowl! Who else is out there?! I'm headed to Scottsdale for NTP and then Keesler :)

So, I need help with a decision. I graduate on May 8th and already have an RN in-between-job waiting on me. I have a January 2011 COT date and I'm currently signed up to go to NTP. Now that I have the time to work as an RN for 6 months I have the option of not going to NTP. How valuable is NTP? Will it all be remediation after working 6 months? Should I still go?! I would love some opinions from those who went to NTP and from some RNs that went in with minimal experience... but of course, any responses would be appreciated! Thanks!

Hello Allenswife! I am a senior nursing student graduating in May. I contacted my recruiter in October 2009 and really got started on paperwork in November. I had to work hard to get all of the necessary things submitted and done to turn my packet in December for the January boards. My recruiter acknowledged how quickly this happened and said that it doesn't always go so smoothly (so, starting early is a very good idea!). My packet boarded in January and I just heard on Wednesday that I was accepted! BUT.... The August and October COT dates are full, so I'll be going in January(so, that puts me at a year from COT and just over a year from first contact)! There is alot of waiting and I think it's worse now because of the number of applications going in. Start soon and take your time, get information from your recruiter and get things done. I wouldn't worry about MEPS for a while (aren't those results only good for 6 months anyway?) and realize that this will take time........ Good Luck!

My packet was at the January boards! I'm kind of surprised. I expected to not hear for a while longer.... But, I don't know if I'm getting the bonus I signed up for or where I'm going. That will take some more time!

Well, I just got the call from my recruiter a few hours ago and.... I'VE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE USAF but.... I'm not going until January- I'm just glad I got in with SO many applications! I'm actually ok with the wait because I'll get 6 months of experience under my belt and I won't have to go through NTP! Anybody else heard?!

I'm in a generic program, so, I'll be taking it after graduation- maybe late June?

I didn't even put down any overseas bases because I just knew I wouldn't get it- Now, I'm just hoping to get one of my 4!! I'm from south of Atlanta... I'm also counting down my days (114!! woohoo!) and cannot WAIT to hear from my recruiter. I hope February 5th comes quickly!

Hello! Congratulations on getting in!! I've read some of your other posts... I can't believe you got Elmendorf as a new grad- Good luck! I'm also a senior in nursing school and my application is going to the January boards (fingers crossed!!). The plan from my recruiter is to go to August COT and I'm hoping that's what will happen! So, I *could* be there with you. I'm just trying to stay calm until around February 5th when we're supposed to hear about acceptance. I say the sooner the better for a few of us to "get to know" each other before COT, it would definitely make me feel a little more comfortable going into it!

I have applied for the January boards and was just told by my recruiter not to get anxious about hearing anything until February, too! Also, I'll be graduating in May and not eligible for COT until August, so, my packet is not exactly a high priority :/ I'm trying to prepare myself to not hear anything for a while! As for the bonus, those are the same numbers I'd heard originally (back in November), $20k with loan repayment (6 years) and $30k for 4 years. I'm not worried about them changing, I'm worried about them disappearing before my packet comes up!

Just wondering... What do AF nurses wear in the state side hospitals? ABU's? AF issued scrubs?

I am in your shoes, we have the same plans!! I just had my Chief Nurse interview TODAY! That was the last thing I needed for my application and now it's quickly being sent in to beat the deadline. Maybe we'll see each other in COT!