I know this has been mentioned before, but I also know that it is buried somewhere within all of the information on this website so I thought I would create a new thread.
This is for all people going to COT 10-06 in August.
If you are on Facebook, we have a Facebook page started that you will be able to find called "US Air Force COT 10-06" Join the group or post questions and messages on here.
I asked Carolina the same question several weeks ago. I have a nice Omega my husband got me for our anniversary afew yrs ago and was concerned about it getting damaged. She advised me to get a cheap one with a stop watch. Picked it up at work in our little BX, a Timex fro about $30.00. Haven't worn one since I was ingrade school but they work great!
Trust me on this - IF I CAN DO THAT THING ALL OF YOU CAN!!!
I am 46 and at the beginning of the joining process (awaiting approval from the Surgeon General). I am by no means in tip top shape. I am so afraid of the physical piece of COT and lack of sleep. I am one of those who can only function with the least 7 hours.
My husband was a Marine, is a runner, has zero body fat and can function on 2 hours sleep. He things my worry is ridiculous after what he went through in the Marine Corps.
Can you let me know your experience, if I can do any of this and the lack of sleep? I literally feel ill when I don't sleep. In 21 years as a nurse only had 1 year of nights because of this.
Thanks for the 411 on the pillows, I was wondering about that. Guess I will either bring mine or have it shipped in the mail the first few days. What about mail call? Oh and think I will take the social officer position, I was commissioned a Capt so we shall see.
Just an unrelated question. I thought 20+years you are comissioned as a Major?
I am a 21 year experienced RN, my recruiter told me I would probably commission as a Major, just wanted to check with you.
You will do fine...I know trust me! I am in my 40's too and use to work nights and sleep the days away tillmy return shift. But then I got sick due to the horrible hours and I did a 180; took care of myself. Looked at what was going into my mouth and just changed the way I do things. Now I am good on 5-6 hrs of sleep but know closer to 8 is better. I excerise (I cheated and got a personal trainer), took whites and dairy out of my diet and I feel great. I can outlast my daughters in classes at the gym and they are 12 and 19. So keep the faith, watch that goal at the end of the tunnel and you will achieve it!
I am going in as a Capt, was told I could try for Maj but not soild on it. I am not too concerned about it as either way I will get in. I did hear its abit more trouble to try for higher rank than Capt and I do not want to make any waves at this point as I am set now for Oct. I am age critical and just want to get in and start this new phase of my career.
You will do fine...I know trust me! I am in my 40's too and use to work nights and sleep the days away tillmy return shift. But then I got sick due to the horrible hours and I did a 180; took care of myself. Looked at what was going into my mouth and just changed the way I do things. Now I am good on 5-6 hrs of sleep but know closer to 8 is better. I excerise (I cheated and got a personal trainer), took whites and dairy out of my diet and I feel great. I can outlast my daughters in classes at the gym and they are 12 and 19. So keep the faith, watch that goal at the end of the tunnel and you will achieve it!
Thank you for the encouragement. However, I may not get the chance to attend COT. I recieved word that the Surgeon General ok'd my packet to go forward. The recruiter sent me the request to attend MEPS and the medical history. I have hypothyroidism which she said was not a problem when we first spoke. Today when filling out the history form I noticed they were asking if you have ever fainted. I did actually several months ago when getting OOB one morning. My MD gave me an MRI, EKG, EEG and holter monitor, all which came up negative. I did not want to lie and say no. so when I called and told the recruiter she was quite annoyed and said this may disqualify me. She said I would need documentation which I am in the process of obtaining. I am sooo upset. When they speak to you initially they only ask if you have asthma, heart problem, have had any surgeries or take meds. I told her about the thyroid. I didn't even think of this. Any ways, if you or anyone knows if this is a definite disqualifier please let me know.
Thank you again for the advice and motivating words. I hope I get to put it to use.
I have read somewhere in these blogs that it is okay to take certain meds' ie Synthroid, But am not sure. Fainting could have been anyhting, low BS etc. As long as you have the med docs and it shows no other medical dx I would expect you will be ok. But again thats only my opinion. The recruiter now will have to work harder to push it through but that is their job.
THey ask you a million questions when you go to MEPS, like when was the last time you went to the ED. Hard question as I have 4 kids and trying to remember when I went for me! Last time I recalled was when I was pregnant with my daughter 12 yrs ago, or at least thats what I can remember as the last time. If I can pass the physical and do that silly duck walk, plus as a over 40 u have to have an EKG and eye pressure test preformed. All came out fine....grrr!! We are in better shape than some of these kids....go figure!
Thank you again for the encouragement. I will send her a copy of the negative results of my exams and hope for the best. Who at my age (46) does not have something. I am in very good health, thin, active with nothing other than hypothyroidism, which I have had for 10 years and am quite stable. I am hoping a short explaination with the test results all negative will suffice. The MD thought it was probably a vasal vagal event. I hope they give this old girl a shot. I have alot to offer.
My recruiter told me it was very common for people over 40 to have waivers. My BG that day was 101, I went out to eat. Thus I needed a waiver. Chol normally 175 but the day of the test 225! I freaked, again a waiver. Its a pain but hey they have rules to follow and they follow them to the letter!
My recruiter told me it was very common for people over 40 to have waivers. My BG that day was 101, I went out to eat. Thus I needed a waiver. Chol normally 175 but the day of the test 225! I freaked, again a waiver. Its a pain but hey they have rules to follow and they follow them to the letter!
My chol was way high too! It blew me away and required a waiver. I am a vegan who has NEVER had an issue with cholesterol. My BG was a tad higher at 120 and they freaked over that too. It was fasting and I was so worried I checked my BG for the next two weeks. I think stress or maybe some questionably lab processes had something to do with it.
I turned my diet or should I say way of eatting around.....I am reading a book now by a DR Esselstyn about our eatting habits and what it does to our bady. Scarry. I haven't had any meat in a few days but sweets that another story! I LOVE them!! I am trying to cut the bad things out, I do not like milk but love soy so that is what I have.
Stress has realtions to so many things and bg's and chol are part of it. To bad they do not take that into consideration. My bp at first was high too but they reook it later and it was fine. I really was stressed that day about EVERYTHING! In the end it has all worked out:))
gerrib83
96 Posts
I asked Carolina the same question several weeks ago. I have a nice Omega my husband got me for our anniversary afew yrs ago and was concerned about it getting damaged. She advised me to get a cheap one with a stop watch. Picked it up at work in our little BX, a Timex fro about $30.00. Haven't worn one since I was ingrade school but they work great!