w2cross2blue

MBRN74, Sorry it has taken me so long to post. I've been busy! COT is now officially finished and now I am getting settled at my new base. To answer your earlier question, my recruiter was from Oklahoma. He was the nearest healthcare recruiter to me. After hearing other recruits stories at COT, I was especially grateful for mine. I think the key to establishing contact with them is getting your "ducks in a row". If they ask for a resume, have it ready to email that day. As available positions decrease the competition increases and recruiters have to be sure that their applicants can make the cut. In the meantime do things that will increase your chances, get certified in your specialty, volunteer, teach CPR or ACLS, etc. So far the experience has been amazing! If you have the desire to serve, be persistent and patient. It took me about 18 months from initial phone call to the recruiter to COT.

We now have a facebook group page for August COT. It is USAF COT 11-06. Feel free to join in on the fun as we all get ready to go!

Thanks tee byrd for starting this thread! I am commissioning this Friday! I am super pumped and excited! My recruiter sent me a package for my commissioning and it included the bonus paperwork. I am still working on my push ups, sit ups, and running. I am hoping to be ready by August! I'm looking forward to meeting everyone :)

Congrats to you ICUchristi! I am scheduled to commission this coming Friday. August is definitely fast approaching!

Ha Sharky! I think you know who you are!

Thanks peterrn and christi! That is helpful. My recruiter and nearest AFB is 4.5 hours away. I am trying to keep my trips to a minimum if possible!

Congrats to you peterrn! That had to be a proud moment! I did fingerprints while at Meps last summer. Did you all have to do a second set? I have not heard a date for when I commission. I am hoping to buy my uniforms at that time. Anyone know if I can do that with just my commissioning paperwork?

..Christi and Babieblue, I will be at COT with you in August! I am jealous that you got Travis. My daughter and I were hoping to become California girls :) I'm looking forward to meeting everyone!

Great news rnpic! I'm crossing my fingers for you!

I felt like I was assigned Keesler because it was the closest base with an ER to me. I thought maybe it was the Air Force being cost conscious in regards to the cost of PCS ing my family. Maybe that is giving them too much credit!

My recuiter had told me that at one time you could not reapply if you were not selected. However, he has since told me that it is difficult to be selected after you have been a "non-select", but not impossible. Also the Air Force is turning down much more qualified nurses than ever before due to the high competitiveness for very few positions. Therefore where a nurse was a non-select in the past due to an obvious mis match with military selection, now they are being turned down due to GPA, lack of experience, lack of volunteerism, etc. Again, this was just my experience with my recruiter, others may have a different experience.

I am emergency department specialty. I was hoping for Travis, Eglin, Langley, or Andrews, however, Keesler does have its perks. We will not be as far from family and friends, all the base housing is brand new thanks to Hurricane Katrina, and you have Gulf Shores and Destin to the east and New Orleans to the west!

Found out yesterday that I will be going to Keesler. I'm very happy to finally have a COT date but a little disappointed with the assignment. Keesler was not one of my five choices. My recruiter pretty much said that if I didn't accept the assignment I would be back to the waiting and potentially could lose the sign on bonus. I am glad to see others of you are also going to Keesler. At least I will know someone there! Congrats to everyone as we cross into the blue!

Finally got the call today! I'll be there in August with you, tee byrd!

He had no time frame to tell me. Just encouraged me to continue to be patient and stay motivated.

Talked to my recruiter today and he said they had not released to him any new information about requirements for FY2012. As always, he told me "when I hear something you will be the first to know". I think he will probably be happy to wash his hands of me when I finally get to go! So now for more waiting, then waiting, and then waiting a little more...ugg.

Congrats to you peterrn and welcome to the forum! Keep us posted on your time line of events. I am curious how long it takes to get the official letter of acceptance, commission, get orders, etc.. It had better be quick! I noticed the date on the Maxwell OTS site said COT starts May 31st. Maybe you have one more week to work with!

I can't leave the VA where I am working until the end of June:( I am wondering if their will be slots in the July class. I have read through the forums and it looks like this is the "summer surge" class when all the med students have to go due to their school schedules. For my kids and husband, I think the August or October class would work the best for us. However, it given the chance I think I would go in July just to get started on the journey! My application says I can't leave until July so I don't think I will even get offered the May class. It is such a relief to see something finally happening after all the months of nothingness!

hubrn, Thank you so much for the updates. My recruiter being out until Monday is killing me! I am so relieved that the numbers for next year are finally being released. Did your recruiter tell you any other specialty numbers. I know I am ER but I am sure the OB, ICU, and Med/Surg folks on here would love to know their numbers! Thanks again for the update!

I was afraid the bonuses might go away for 2012. It would seem like they would not be offering sign on bonuses if they are turning nurses away. In any case, I doubt the amount would be increased. I think it has been the same amount for the past couple of years.

Wow! That is exciting! I am supposedly #1 on the ER alternate list, although my date I gave them that I could leave is not until July5th. I am contractually obligated until June to the VA where I work as part of a tuition reimbursement scholarship I took when I went back to school to finish my BSN. I am hoping for August or October COT. My recruiter did tell me that the sign on bonus would still apply for 2011 even if one didn't go to COT until 2012 as long as the offer was made in 2011.

anderm22, Thanks so much for the update. My recruiter has been in contact with me about every two weeks since November which has been great except that he has no news for me.. Not his fault though! I would like to know some dates and where I am going prior to one month before leaving!

Unfortunately my recruiter is out of the office until next Monday:( I will have to wait.... Which I happen to be getting quite good at! I'll keep you posted on any new updates!

Awesome news tee byrd! August isn't that far away! Keep us posted.

Congrats!