Almost an AF newbie needs advice

[Vinman]

Hey everyone...

I just got notified two days ago that the OTS 0308 Selection Board has picked me to become an AF officer. I will be starting OTS on Sept. 29th because I am 29 and need to be in UPT by Feb., my 30th B-day. I am looking for any advice you can give. Let it fly. I want as much as I can get. The afoats web site lists that I should be prepared to pay $1700 for uniform and clothing requirements. Do I have to get everything that is listed? My SSgt-recruiter says I don't need it all. How valuable is it to have a lap-top computer as opposed to a desktop? I have a nice desktop with a CRT monitor so it takes up a bit of room, but I could try to lay my hands on a used lap-top. How much of the normal OTS day is filled with classes? Is there a lot of conditioning when I first show up or pretty much the same throughout? These are just a few questions that are popping to mind so feel free to add anything else. Thanks.

 

[stlpilot]

This link should start by answering some of your questions.

http://ots.afoats.af.mil/

 

[Purple Haze]

Run

My informal guide: If you can run 3 miles in 24 minutes, you will probably be fine. If you have not been running, start now, and start slow. Your goal should be to avoid getting shin splints from suddenly demanding things from your legs they are not used to. Invest in the best running shoes you can afford. If you already have shoes and you have worn them for a few months, start with a fresh pair -- trust me on this -- save your shins. If you are an experienced runner, disregard this stuff.

Secondary stuff is pushups, sit-ups, etc. - good, but not as much of a showstopper. If you have been running, work on the other areas -- don't do too much too fast -- within reason, ease into it. You will be thankful for any advance physical prep you do.

Laptop would be much easier than desktop.

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING. It will suck - particularly the first 6 weeks. The BS you will endure there is intended to weed-out the immature, unstable, and nonconformist. It is a big exercise in time management overload. For me, the worst thing was being abused by the "upper classmen" (with a whopping 6 weeks more experience than me) -- many of them must have suffered from low self-esteem as children -- they don't react well when given a little authority. Focus on the prize and you are there.

Good luck.

 

[Vicman]

Congrats..

And good luck.

Just curious..what unit?

 

[Vinman]

At this time, I don't know what unit. I am going active duty so of course I am pretty much at the whims of the AF "needs". Thanks for the congrats though.

 

[coexint]

vinman.....
go to www.airforceots.com and check out the info. its the greatest site out there for helping you to prepare for ots.

 

[Weasel Keeper]

http://www.military.com has a lot of good info and another message board frequented by military folks and vets.

 

[Vinman]

coexint, thanks for the address. I've been checking it out all night and don't think that I will get through most of it in a week.

Weasel Keeper, I'll be getting to yours soon. Good luck with all that is going on at that big white hangar. How many Junkstreams are still in that thing?

 

[Weasel Keeper]

Vinman, things are very interesting lately in the big white barn. It's always fun to sift through the rumor mill and try to figure out what's truth or fiction...and if I'll have a job tomorrow or the next day.

Still have 2 Junkstreams sitting in the corner. I'm not sure if they could even GIVE those away at this point...but it looks better than the 8-10 or so we used to have.

BTW, congrats on your OTS selection. Looks like you might be flying REAL airplanes someday (if that's what you're going in for).

Are you enlisted now or just going in for the first time? I find it odd that you'd have to pay for uniforms before you go...but then again I was just enlisted and not an O so I guess it could be different. We had to pay for our uniforms in enlisted BMT out of our first check, but it wasn't anywhere near $1700.

Cheers!

 

[Vinman]

I'm going for the first time so I have been doing alot of searching around forums like this to get much needed info. As an officer, I will have to pay for my uniforms. Supposedly I will get about $800 reimbursed the first time, but then it is all me after that. And I guess that $1700 is supposed to be if I get everything on a list that they have. I'm finding out that I won't have to.

Good luck at Shuttle and yes, I hope to fly some better airplanes someday.