waiting, Air Force Nurse Corps

Weneferd · Jun 3, 2010

Thank you for your advise and encouragement. My initial application was submitted in May 2009 and finally submitted to the May nursing boards. I've yet to hear. I've never experienced anything quite like this, and I work in an academic medical center. I'm eager to serve my country as a nurse. I have 14 years experience in a variety of settings; med/surg staff nurse, management, and quality/patient safety. I'm ready for anything in the AF. I must admit that I'm somewhat disappointed in the inconsistant and disjointed communication from the AF. I know that's the gov't but this seems to be a little over the top, time wise. It makes it extremely challanging to transition from civilian to military life. I hope to hear soon, and will keep reading these posts for the advise. :yeah:

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2010

You're not alone - I'm prior AF enlisted and I was pretty shocked as well.

gerrib83 · Jun 6, 2010

Met with my recruiter yesterday, he's leaving for a new duty station. Got ALOT of info on COT....got the insiders view from a current student. What to expect, bring, forget and know when you get there. Heard it was best to drive for the $$ but in the current class you have only one trip to your car and thats it. So if u r thinking of using the car as a closet forget it.

Bring your personal computer, and get an internet card to bring you can not access alot of sites with your gov. computer. Printers are very helpful, you can bring or when u get there you can buy one. Cell phones and cameras a MUST. You will need notebooks,pens, pencils, highlighters, tape, and a small pair of sharp scissors. A black briefcase/book bag for your notebooks and academic books. You must carry this in your left hand!. 2 pairs of sneakers; one to trash the other to run in. Bring ALOT of hair ties and clips; hair fly aways are a big no no if you have to use spray bring that too. Bring snack bars, you will need them.

The shoppette is very limited in what is available as well as brands so if you like a specific brand bring it.

Also u must be able to carry in one load what you are bring to your dorm room. You will be able to get mail and packages so have boxes ready to go. I already have a list of items to go. So much info...any questions will add to later.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2010

You can go to your car once you're allowed off base - obviously - usually by week three and sometimes (rarely) by week two. And whether you can go after the one trip is actually up to your flight commander.

I do wonder about the "in one trip" thing; that's a bit short of impossible from my experience. You're told that (I was told that) but in reality the whole thing is complete chaos. You have at least one suitcase for your military stuff (if you brought all that), a second often smaller case for your civilian and personal stuff, and then with a printer and other flotsam that you WILL need - that's at least two, if not three trips. You just have to move fast and they let you park right on top of the dorms anyway.

Most of the people who drive DO use their cars as a storage facility, because you will need/want more stuff at your first base than you're going to need or even want at COT. Believe me - it can take two weeks for you to get your stuff once you get checked in at your base, especially in the summertime, because most PCS's occur in the summer (to keep kid school disruption to a minimum). So if you drive, you'll definitely use that car as a closet.

gerrib83 · Jun 6, 2010

My info so far is from someone who is in COT, set to grad in 2 weeks and thus far not allowed off base. The flight is also not allowed to go to their cars. So far. Much is dependent on the specific flight. The present class was only allowed one car trip on day one(again so far)...rolling cases are considered acceptable. I am use to the term seabag but each student must use a duffle bag and then personal luggage.

I fondly...not... recall the summer rush of PCS'ing.....CRAZY to say the least. If you are not moving great and can at times pick up some great items cheap/free from friends and neighbors. Doing a self move (DITY move) is fine and you can make some $$ and we have done it but its ALOT of work. As single person going from COT directly to their first duty station do need to bring personal items that they will need and store in their car. Family moves can be very stressful and my own personal experience is have the movers come and do the work.

Weneferd · Jun 6, 2010

I don't understand why we are only aloud to the car in once? It seems like there is such a bit to bring. I really appreciate learning about this in advance. It will help my prepare. I'm worried about the computer and printer. I guess I should look for a smaller printer. It's not like the dorms where you get one of those huge hotel linen baskets on wheels to haul everything to your dorm room? Those are great. I'm a dingle mom and need to really think about the initial move. I'd love to save money but simplicity may override cost in this situation.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2010

We weren't allowed to our cars either - until week three - without permission from the flight commander. We also didn't get off base until week three; some classes have gotten off during week two, but apparently that was an anomaly. Personally I didn't care if I never left; it seemed that all some people were concerned about was "privileges" and it drove a lot of us priors nuts.

I'm still wondering how you'd get everything from the car in one trip (and how they'd track it) - I had two rolling suitcases (one with my stuff in it and some civilian clothes, and one that was purely uniforms - I had all of that before I got there), a garment bag (no way I was packing a dress blues jacket and a mess dress in a suitcase for 1500 miles), a printer, my own laptop, my combat boots (because they wouldn't fit in a suitcase) and a container of office supplies. Three trips easily. I didn't have a duffel until I got to COT because I couldn't find one - most folks don't have one when they get there; you'd only have one if you were able to purchase one beforehand, and the only folks with one were priors, so that particular item is definitely not required before you arrive. At any rate, all that would be physically impossible to do in one trip unless you're a pack mule. The flight commanders must be on drugs, and a group of staff were batty enough when I was down there.

That whole process is so chaotic I'm still trying to figure out how they'd enforce it. They had no idea what was going on when I was there, and that was with only 110 people. With over 250 I can't imagine it's any more orderly!

Weneferd · Jun 6, 2010

Sorry about the misspells. I type from my iPhone and it's all so small. No disrespect.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2010

I don't understand why we are only aloud to the car in once? It seems like there is such a bit to bring. I really appreciate learning about this in advance. It will help my prepare. I'm worried about the computer and printer. I guess I should look for a smaller printer. It's not like the dorms where you get one of those huge hotel linen baskets on wheels to haul everything to your dorm room? Those are great. I'm a dingle mom and need to really think about the initial move. I'd love to save money but simplicity may override cost in this situation.

As I said, they screamed the same thing when I was there (as we were all on our second and some on the third trip), and I can't imagine they'd expect you to do all that in one. They know what you bring. Flying there's a different story. I'm not doubting what this person was told, but I'm not seeing how it's possible. I too know someone at COT and haven't heard this, so I'm waiting for further confirmation from them.

Different flights are also occasionally "told" different things - there's no order, no guidelines, and no sense really to the first day, so I wouldn't worry too much about it yet (unless you're unfortunate enough to possibly be in that flight - and that's how you make friends the first day!).

At any rate, you have to make AT LEAST TWO TRIPS out to your car as it is - one to get your stuff and one to move the car, because you're permitted to park as close as you can get to the dorms, and then you have to move your car to the designated parking area, which is a HIKE from the dorms. So there's your second trip.

jcgrund · Jun 6, 2010

Let me say Welcome to Panama City to travelcrazy! My hubs is in the AF, stationed at Tyndall for 5 years now. He works jets. I am working diligently to finish my BSN, so that I can join the AF when he retires.

gerrib83 · Jun 6, 2010

I am flying or at least plan to but who knows I may make the drive (2-3 days). If I do I hope my flight will get a second or third trip to the car but if not in any case I will be prepared. As I stated this is what a specific flight has had a for rule; not all flights are the same. I have never been a heavy packer but also do realize there are essential items I do need to take. I did hear from the person I know in the present class that she and 2 other students chipped in for a printer but how or when they got it I do not know. I will ask her. Reams of paper another story. Does anyone know? I can't see carrying a case of paper on the first day.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2010

About paper: Take a pack - that's what I took - just the standard 500 sheet pack. It worked out fine. It will get you through the first week or two. Take two if you have room. You can always leave it in your car and ask for permission to go get it if you need it later on.

The girls with the printer probably got permission to go to the main BX from their flight commander. We did to get color ink and photo paper for my printer so we could decorate the flight bulletin board in our flight room.

And gerri - thanks for not thinking I'm being a jerk. :) I started thinking I might be sounding a bit like one. :)