OTS Preparation

[CFIIer]

Hey everyone,

I'm leaving for OTS in april, and was just wondering what I should be doing to get ready for the experience. Is there any level physically that I should be at? Is there a website or book that will help guide me?

Thanks

 

[chawbein]

http://www.ots.afoats.af.mil/24TRSFiles/BOT.html

You should make sure that you can pass the PFT before you arrive. Otherwise, I don't think that it's all that big of a deal.

 

[AD SUPT Hopeful]

I went in thinking it would be like any other commissioning sources officer program; hard. And it was, but in ways completely unexpected. Be ready for more of a mental challenge than physical. It was very touchy-feely when I went through--you'll learn the true meaning of REMF.

 

[FADECtoBLACK]

I'll be there in April as well... definately looking forward to the experience.

 

[chawbein]

I'm headed over in March. I guess I'll be upper class while y'all are there.

 

[Vandal]

What Patmack said...keep notes so you can look back and see how ridiculous it all was when you are washing out of UPT for being airsick You TOO, can be a pilot school drop out OTS FTO!

 

[talondriver]

I've heard they smell like 50 years of puke.

No Patmack...that's the B-52 .

 

[Vandal]

Vandal... you have a little 'bout with airsickness in the tweet or something? I've heard they smell like 50 years of puke.

Hell no...was worried before the dollar ride I might but never had a problem with it...know a couple people that washed because they couldn't hold it down and learn to fly at the same time though.

 

[airgator]

Honestly, the way to make OTS bearable is to get your hands on as many DVD's as possible. Also, I wish I had an mp3 player or something to make those long nites of OCC and CQ go by quicker. The last thing you need to worry about is the physical training. In my entire class not one person was held back because of PT, and there were some pretty out of shape mofo's.

 

[CHQ Pilot]

No more MP3 or DVD while at OCC or CQ. All part of the new and improved OTS. They even made all the squadrons quit wearing their costumes for Commander's Call. MP3 for your room will be a lifesaver though.

 

[FADECtoBLACK]

When can I expect to get a UPT date for Active Duty? Should I have this before OTS or will I receive it while I am there?

 

[AD SUPT Hopeful]

When can I expect to get a UPT date for Active Duty? Should I have this before OTS or will I receive it while I am there?

While you're there (unless you're reserve).

 

[KarmaPolice]

Attempting to remain sane is the only challenge you are likely to encounter. You'll find a lot of people who have lost touch with reality, from fellow OT's drunk with power from their "fake rank", to the mind numbing class lecturers. You'll find yourself chanting hoakey "moral building" rhymes like, "We FIGHT, we KILL, so don't you test our will, we are the Cobras! SSSSSSSSSSSS. It's all really strange.

The course suffers from a lack of identity, we kind of pretended to be warriors in the Army sense, but honed technocratic job skills. Sometime in the recent past an "OT" was rumoured to die during the cross the blue line hazing experience, so when I went through it was a "kinder gentler experience." I was expecting a boot camp style welcome, but the yelling and physical punishment never came.

As for physical fitness, we never did pushups outside of PFT tests and preparations, and most of us did extra workouts on our own to stay in shape. I can honestly say I was in worse shape leaving OTS than when I got there. I don't know if it's changed, but the whole corporal punishment idea was taboo.

You're true test will come at UPT.

There are some good things to take from it, and some of it is what you make of it. Best of luck.

 

[CFIIer]

While you're there (unless you're reserve).

When would a reservist get his UPT date?

 

[KarmaPolice]

A Reservist should know the UPT date before you go to OTS because of how the slots work. Your training officer should tell you.