Tell me about COT please!

Published

Hello everybody.

I'm leaving for COT in a couple of weeks, and I would really like some information as to what I should expect. I've heard two different views...one being I will call home at least once crying, and the other saying it's nothing but drinking. I would just like to know what the hours are like, do we have weekends free for visitors, and what the fitness tests are like.

Any info would help.

Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, mother/baby, antepartum.

Hey, I'm going to COT at the end of the month too! We need to keep in contact.

Visit this site: http://www.airforceots.com/portal/index.php

There is so much info you won't know what to do with yourself. How is your preparation coming?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
Hello everybody.

I'm leaving for COT in a couple of weeks, and I would really like some information as to what I should expect. I've heard two different views...one being I will call home at least once crying, and the other saying it's nothing but drinking. I would just like to know what the hours are like, do we have weekends free for visitors, and what the fitness tests are like.

Any info would help.

Thanks.

Don't sweat COT it isn't that big of the deal it is nothing like boot camp/basic training. It is designed for 22-60 y/o professionals that are lawyers, chaplains, & medical officers. You already have your commission so they are unlikely to make it so hard that anyone actually quits or fails out. COT used to be two weeks long for all medical officers, and basically all they did was play golf, drink and party. That was before my time though, but you will still hear some of the older officers talk about "memso" (I think that is the acronym).

In general you have the weekend mostly to yourself to complete assignments etc. visit w/ family. The hours will vary, but class times are usually around 0730-1630. You will be getting up around 0 dark 30 to do PT, morning formation, & SSS.

COT PT standards are the USAF PT standards. http://www.af.mil/news/USAF_Fitness_Charts.pdf A 75 is passing. Also, they either use your BMI or waist size so if your BMI is 25 or less they give you full points (30 for your waist size). Now here is the kicker on your waist size......the AF measures waist directly above/on top of your iliac crests....not what females normally consider your waist.

Good Luck and try to take a computer and printer w/ you to COT it will help you not having to run back and forth to library plus you won't have to worry about the library hours of operation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, mother/baby, antepartum.

COT PT standards are the USAF PT standards. http://www.af.mil/news/USAF_Fitness_Charts.pdf A 75 is passing. Also, they either use your BMI or waist size so if your BMI is 25 or less they give you full points (30 for your waist size). Now here is the kicker on your waist size......the AF measures waist directly above/on top of your iliac crests....not what females normally consider your waist.

Last night I was testing myself for the PT test and I saw that about the waist measurement. That is NUTS! According to my "waist" I won't get full points because I measure 30". What's even funnier about that is that I'm 5'1" and 110lbs. If I lose any more inches off of my waist I'm going to disappear! I'm not going to sweat it because I know that in terms of health I'm okay, I'm just a perfectionist and was shooting for a 100%. Unfortunately my BMI is the least of my concerns at this point...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.
Last night I was testing myself for the PT test and I saw that about the waist measurement. That is NUTS! According to my "waist" I won't get full points because I measure 30". What's even funnier about that is that I'm 5'1" and 110lbs. If I lose any more inches off of my waist I'm going to disappear! I'm not going to sweat it because I know that in terms of health I'm okay, I'm just a perfectionist and was shooting for a 100%. Unfortunately my BMI is the least of my concerns at this point...

Your BMI is under 25 so you will get full points for your waist/BMI score. http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ You basically have to be a triathlete to score a 100%, but you only need to exercise occassionally to pass (let us just say I exercise very occassionally and still manage to pass....lol).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, mother/baby, antepartum.

A triathlete I am not! :nuke: I think aiming for perfection is the only thing that keeps me going at this point. I've never run before in my life so the fact that I can actually run 1.5 miles is a miracle. Good to know about the BMI. I read somewhere that they would measure your waist regardless of your BMI but as long as you were wnl (as you stated) they won't count waist size against you. I'm not going to stress about any of this since it's something I can't change. My only wish is that my COT date gets here quickly so I can get started.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm in the NECP at UMD in Baltimore, and graduate in Dec 2009. What is usually the wait time between BSN graduation and beginning COT. Does anyone know if I'll have to wait a month filing papers at my ROTC detachment until I leave for COT? Please help. Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion