Question about NTP program

SeekirRN · Jan 30, 2010

Congrats on getting your official orders!

The major in charge of my NTP location sent an email out last week informing us about the program and what to expect. We also received a welcome package in the mail. I would assume you would be receiving the same so keep an eye out. In our case (might be different for each location), the major made reservations for us in the VOQ. If we are staying on at the base as permanent party and had accomodations already set up then we could cancel the reservations. Also, if we were bringing our family we could transfer our reservations to a TLF unit. If you have not heard from your NTP location by the end of next week, I would contact your recruiter.

At least you have your orders! I commission Monday and then I should get my orders 2-3 weeks after that. It'll be busy the last 2 weeks before I leave trying to get everything ready as I am not authorized to come back after COT due to NTP.

nursemel09 · Jan 30, 2010

SeekirRN,

Just curious...where are you doing your NTP at? I am going to be doing NTP at Travis.

Good luck getting everything together! My husband and I are packing furiously so we can close on our house on 2/24. LOL...so much to do and so little time.

See you in March! :yeah:

midinphx, BSN · Jan 30, 2010

Wow Mel! You got your orders and even closed on your house?! Things are going great for you. I wish you the best and continued good fortune. How exciting. :)

nursemel09 · Jan 30, 2010

Thanks! We were super blessed. Someone was watching out for us!

Keeping my fingers crossed that you will hear something soon!

SeekirRN · Jan 30, 2010

nursemel09,

I am going to Wright-Pat for NTP and then staying on for my assignment. Can't believe we only have about 5 weeks left!

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2010

Just recieved my OFFICIAL orders today! It was so cool to see something addressed to me as 2nd Lt. Simpson!
Quick question though...do they require that you live onbase in TLF during the NTP program or can you secure offbase housing? I would like for my husband to join me but I do not think that he can stay on base with me since I will be TDY enroute to Nellis.
Thanks!

I have just run into a few friends I went to COT with who are now here for NTP. What happened with them is they were sent to their base first (they're at Lackland for NTP but are at Eglin for their permanent station) and then sent TDY here to Lackland. We graduated from COT on 19 November but their NTP didn't start here until 6 January, so it's not a given that you'll go straight from COT to NTP to your base. You're only there for a short period so off base facilities are not authorized, and as far as I know since the TDY is less than six months you can't move your family to the base at the Air Force's expense.

SeekirRN · Jan 31, 2010

The Wright-Pat NTP begins the 12th of April and we graduate COT on the 9th of April.

Since you have your orders, it should have a RNLTD on it that informs you of when you will begin your NTP TDY. Also, it should have the end date and then the date you are required to get to your duty station by.

nursemel09 · Jan 31, 2010

Thanks for the info! My orders give me 7 days to make it from COT to Travis. I know my husband will not be able to move to Travis with me since I will be on TDY. I was wondering though if he would be able to stay with me on base for a time frame of a few weeks maybe a month or if I would have to secure other lodging for him. Any suggestions?

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2010

The Wright-Pat NTP begins the 12th of April and we graduate COT on the 9th of April.

A much better arrangement all around, really. I would take that as good news - although that only gives you a weekend to get from Alabama to Ohio. Doable, but really crappy on the Air Force's part.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2010

Thanks for the info! My orders give me 7 days to make it from COT to Travis. I know my husband will not be able to move to Travis with me since I will be on TDY. I was wondering though if he would be able to stay with me on base for a time frame of a few weeks maybe a month or if I would have to secure other lodging for him. Any suggestions?

I don't know. VOQ is about forty bucks a day now (when I was in before VAQ/VOQ was twelve bucks a night!) and it's a few dollars more if you have dependents with you. TLF (the ones that are like apartments) is over fifty a night, is hard to come by, and is generally saved for whole families who are PCSing. Even we had a hard time getting TLF when I PCSd here to Lackland in the middle of the holidays - when NO ONE is PCSing.

Officially VOQ has a "no overnight visitor" policy. I'd call the VOQ, not tell them who you are by name ("I'm an Lt who will be there in April for the nursing program, and I had a question"), and ask.

Not giving them a name sends up no red flags for them.

Keep in mind he'd have to pay for all his meals - in VOQ there is no kitchen area available - and that gets expensive after a while.