USAF COT 11-01

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Hello I'd like to start a thread for those who will be attending the 10/18-11/19/10 COT. Perhaps we could get to know each other before going. Sharing advice and thoughts ahead of time would be great.

I have no idea when I will be commissioned. My uncle is a retired Navy Commander (0-5) and he will commission me. My recruiter said we can make it a small quick thing or make it as big of a deal as we want. I plan to be commissioned at my recruiters office and then go out to lunch, that's it. I am also hoping to go that same day and pick up some of my uniforms and stuff from Scott AFB while I am there. I want to get boots, t-shirts, name tapes, low quarters, and PT gear prior to going. I might wait to get ABU's at COT, I have heard some people having trouble matching up the print.

I have told a lot of my friends and family, everyone is happy for me. I come from a military family and some have asked me what has taken me so long..LOL. My friends are happy for me but sad to see me leave. My husband works from home so he is excited, he can move anywhere in the world and work..and be Mr. Mom! My kids are young, 3 and 6, they don't exactly understand whats going on, they just know we are moving.

I have a friend that just graduated from COT July 30th. I am having lunch with her this Thursday. I will share everything that she can share with me :).

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I have no idea when I'll be commissioned either. I was told to hope by the end of august it will be done so I'm just "patiently" waiting until then. My recruiter is supposed to be taking me in the next couple weeks to get all my uniforms up at Selfridge ANG and I hope to buy whatever I can just to make it easier for when I get to COT.

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Specializes in MED/SURG.

Check with your recruiters to see if you are on the "congressional scrolls", don'tknow what it really means but its the ability to be commissioned. After that checks out your recruiter needs the date of commissioning ( your pick), name of person doing the commissioning, address, rank, and phone number for the paper work. Mine emailed it all to me, we filled it out and got it completed. If you have your COT date and first duty station you should be able to commission.

When you get to COT the commissioning date is important to remember, rank has privileges. There will be many 1 LT, 2 LT and Capts and we will get sorted by rank and date for various jobs we have to hold while there. Most are leadership, posing us for our jobs within the AF.

I have yet to tell my oldest son I am in the AF, he is a "blabber mouth" can not keep a secret. I decided not to let alot of people know as it has taken me over a yr to get this done, and I did not want alot of questions. Anyways, we are going to stop in DE on the way to AL and I figure we will spend the night there at my sons. He can salute his mom, as my husband loves to say! But I will probably tell him sooner than Oct. My other son in TX knows and he is so happy for me.

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gerri,

Funny, I have not told many people either. My parents and sister are the only people who know. I have not even told my GF yet..kinda waiting to see if I want her to stick around. It has taken me a little over a year and just want to not have all the questions until the very end.

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My recruiter said my name is on the congressional scroll just needs to be signed off on and then we can move forward. When I first started this process I only told a few people but by word spread among my friends, family and coworkers faster than I could ever have imagined, for the most part everyone is very supportive of my decision. Is everyone planning on driving or flying to COT? Also I was told by another recruiter who came to do a face to face meeting with me while my recruiter was out of town said that there's time to come home between COT and reporting to Travis, which is different than the impression I had, so I was just wondering if anyone else had heard this as well, or if you're all planning on going directly from COT to your duty station ?

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Specializes in MED/SURG.

Thank goodness I am not the only one...lol! I knew this would be a VERY long process and I did not want others to keep asking "when, when". I try to keep things to myself till I am 100% and even then till its completed. I did not want the negative influence others can bring. Besides this is kind of like my own little suprise and victory and when I let it out of the box it will be fun to see how everyone reacts.

Those that know are close friends who are military in one way or another and are all very positive about this new venture I am undertaking. I wish it were tomorrow but Oct is good for me, my run and push ups still are weak so its work work work for me.

Are you on FAcebook? I joined the COT page for our class. Its not locked down so presently anyone can join/like. I did look around and the only way to make it a request to join is to redo the page. I know from others if its a like anyone can view/join. Some real crazies are out there and cause all kinds of problems. Thus if it is a join we can monitor who is on and what they do and say.

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Specializes in MED/SURG.

I have decided to drive to COT, then drive back with my family as far as Dover, DE. From there we can visit with my son and his family and after my husband and daughters can head back to Maine. Oh my duty station is Andrews AFB, so I am only 90 miles from my son's base. I should have 3 days of travel time putting me as reporting in on the Tuesday/Wednesday. I am going to be a geo-bacelorette till we can sell the house so I do not know if I will get househunting orders (usually 8 days). I will be living in the BOQ so if I have a room no need to look for a place. I do need to get a new car though, so that wil be number one on my to do list. Been without a car payment for 3 yrs so its gonna hurt! I figure I will need it with traveling back and forth to the family.

Lastly I plan to get to AL on the 15th or so to get a feel for the area, so if anyone is coming early let me know!

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I'm going to drive to COT as well, planning on getting down there either on saturday or sunday, haven't quite decided yet. Figured it would be helpful though to get down there a little early to check out the area also.

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Hi. I've been working with my recruiter since April on my application. From what I'm reading the process is lengthier than I anticipated :( . I was hoping to go to COT in Oct., but it's not looking very promising.

How long was the process for everyone?

I'm scheduled to go for a physical next Thursday. Could anyone tell me what to expect?

Thanks in advance!

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My husband had his physical last year and he is going to COT in October if that gives you any indication of the process.

Question, once he is commissioned tomorrow, what parts of the relocation process can we begin?

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Got the call ! I'm getting commissioned tomorrow! I guess this is finally making it seem like its really happening. Can't wait.

I started my packet last october and am going to COT in october of this year. I was originally told I would be going to COT in March, then June, then August, but was selected for October, and I'd say from reading others experiences on here that it generally takes around a year from start until your COT date. The physical is a long day, they'll check you blood pressure, vision, hearing, blood work, then a physical exam with some exercises to show your knees and other joints aren't bad with lots of waiting around mixed in, oh and a breathalizer to start the day off right.

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Specializes in MED/SURG.

I got the same thing, with COT dates too but was offical in May for Jan 11 then afew weeks ago got Oct!! My process has thus far been since last July and it has been unbelievable! My husband was a USN recruiter and his job was nothing like this. I will add I did need a waiver but that came back in 2 weeks.

AS far as I know about relocation you have to wait till he is done cot, though I maybe wrong. WHen he is done school he has to report to his duty station then they should grant him "house hunting orders", usually a week. From that you can find a place and get your personal belonging shipped. Word of advice this is a GREAT time to clean out what you do not need, so do it. If you give to Goodwill take inventory and write it off your taxes.

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