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 hope we do not have to climb up a rope as I have NEVER been able to do it. Tried many times as a kid but no luck. My son and I are going to Zip line when I go to TX....Carolina any suggests on where to go? Heard there is one east of DFW and another north of San Antonio.
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
You will be surprised at what you really can do! (but if you are thinking you need to climb up a rope that is hanging down from a ceiling, no you don't have to do that.), There is alot of climbing and creative manuevering. It isn't always about being able to do it, but to try your best.
Thanks, for letting me know. I was stressed fro a second there....LOL! I have done indoor walling climbing before and do have plans for my daughters and I to do it again. I know it will be helpful at COT. I am one of those that has to know whats to happen so I can prepare myself, guess its the OCD peeking out! I just want to do well and also have fun doing it. I have decided to take on this new chapter in my life and I want to do it...sorry for the Navy analogy...but full steam ahead.
I second midinphx about being surprised at what you can do! You're going to have some really cool experiences at COT that you would never imagine you'd have! And you're going to push yourself harder than you've ever pushed yourself before (you'll even want to). Don't let the "loud instructional tone" that the TIs and Flight Commanders use get to you too much...they really do want you to succeed!
The thing that bothers me is the fact that I'll be there during the hottest season. I HATE Humid Heat. I'm from Ohio where there is definitely humid heat but nowhere near what I've experienced when I visited New Orleans in July. I was told it worsens in mid-late august. Yeah I know I'm SOL by being in the 10-06 class. How much physical fitness and outdoor activities does one complete during the day on average (I mean with the sun beating down on you)? What are you wearing(ABU vs PTU)? When people say bring civie clothes, what restrictions are there? Are shorts allowed or do I always have to dress business casual? (I'm referring to other posts where I was told to bring civilian clothes for the first couple/few days because not everyone will have uniforms yet.) I know I've heard of provisions for the winter months and colder climates. What about extreme heat?
I really don't mean to sound whiney. I more worried about becoming ill and passing out.
I grew up in Fl and August was possibly the worst moths for humidity. Bama is gonna be pretty close to those horrible conditions. Be thankful you only train there and then can get the heck out!!!
PT is literally first thing in the morning at 0500, and you're back inside by 0630. So even with the sun coming up so early you won't be in it for long.
As far as I know, every training base has "flag conditions", which is basically a measure of the heat index (they call it Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, which I'm sure is some archaic weather term). At various flag conditions you are permitted to do certain things. I know when it's red flag, you can't even march at attention, you march at ease, and at black flag, you essentially do nothing outdoors. I can't imagine them forcing you to do the obstacle course when it's 98 degrees with some outrageous dew point - that's just dangerous, especially in the uniforms we wear, which as someone on this board pointed out are fifty percent polyester and become little more than human roasting bags.
Hopefully someone on here has been through a summer surge and can enlighten all of us.
About the shorts - if you wear shorts (if they even let you - I don't even see the new basic trainees down here in shorts and believe me, it's unbelievably HOT down here now), you will most certainly freeze when you get in the auditoriums and the classrooms. I was down there in October - and it was still short-sleeve weather in the afternoon, though you needed a jacket in the morning - and the classrooms were freezing cold.
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
Don't be too businessy with the civilian clothes. Be comfortable! I liked my capris and t-shirts. Ensure you wear sneakers when you check in. It is not about style! Believe me... no one is looking - even if they were allowed to look around!
I just left COT. It was hot, but not unbearable. I was wet from sweat most of the time. lol. You are forced water constantly. Use the potty any time it is offered! Our class was 289. The one there now is about 340. Not enough potties for this many people in short time. The women undid and redid buttons outside the stalls to get people through.
So when you check-in and when you are wearing civ clothes capris and t-shirts are okay? Ha. I just want to make sure I don't wear anything that isn't allowed and what not and die my first day ; )
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
I wore docker slacks and a nice blouse. I was too dressed up. Some people wore short shorts! I wouldn't do that. lol. That was the girl we called make up girl. She wore full makeup every single day! I was happy with sunscreen. I did have a couple days that I wore makeup when we were in blues, it felt all done up and girly! lol.
that the TIs and Flight Commanders use get to you too much...they really do want you to succeed!.thumb.gif.09f7460d3e1ff8d6732564d77b5465cb.gif){kind=avatar}
gerrib83
96 Posts
I hope we do not have to climb up a rope as I have NEVER been able to do it. Tried many times as a kid but no luck. My son and I are going to Zip line when I go to TX....Carolina any suggests on where to go? Heard there is one east of DFW and another north of San Antonio.