The End

Today I am an active duty 2nd Lieutenant Awaiting Pilot Training (APT) at Laughlin AFB (XL). OTS was an amazing experience and pushed me to look inside myself like never before. I learned a lot and have met some extraordinary people. I have become even more humbled by the experience. I hope this blog has served its purpose of providing information that will help motivated and deserving individuals become future Air Force Officers.

For multiple reasons this will be my last blog post. Change is the only constant in life and the military is no different. Since starting this blog the AFOQT has changed to reflect ABM scores, the PCSM has updated to version 2.0 and my family has been blessed with twins. All these reasons coupled with my soon-to-be 12 hour flight training days (plus a few more studying hours at home) have put an end to this blog. I will not be replying to any more comments, making any updates or posting any more entries.

I get emails every now and then asking about specific AFOQT scores, advice on how to study or if I think a person is qualified enough to become an officer. I will give the best advice I can with my perspective: If you can look in the mirror and tell yourself that you did absolutely everything within you power to reach your goals then you should seek peace with the outcome, whatever it may be. Whether that means you become a command pilot with 5000 hours or you get rejected from the Air Force 4 times and decide on a different life path.

Each of us is destined for something, but I think some of us are not willing to sacrifice what is needed to get there. Talent has nothing to do with my success; I believe I have very little of that quality. Throughout this journey the two things that got me where I am today are 1.) Being fortunate enough to have exceptional people help me along the way and 2.) Working so hard that I can honestly say I have no regrets about the outcome. This was true right after I submitted my package and it's true now. I don't know if I'll retire from the Air Force or even pin on wings (I didn't even know if I'd get selected to OTS), but I do know one thing: I'm going to work my ass off no matter what. If you're reading this I'm sure you're putting in that effort and work to reach your goals; don't compromise and don't stop. Just remember to take care of yourself and those who help(ed) you get where you are. Good luck in all you will do.

Class Date Received

Today I was officially given my orders for BOT 13-08.  That means I will be leaving for OTS on July 9th.  I will be leaving the only car with the family and flying to Maxwell through MEPS.  That wasn't my first choice but it had to be done.  All that's left for me will be reading the OTSMAN (again) and attempting to max out my PT test before I go.

Security Clearance

Once you have been selected for the opportunity to become an air force officer you must go through a security clearance.  This is basically a background check on steroids.  They do this so they can make sure they can trust you to keep the government's secrets.  Red flags include things like large unpaid debts, multiple jobs you got fired from, references you list that can't vouch for your character, etc...  I hope you didn't lie on any forms you signed with the recruiter or MEPS because they will find out, and then you're in trouble. They will do an FBI background check, credit report, and follow many other leads (such as visit your past and present employers, coworkers, references, and family members).

If you do a little research on airforceots.com you will see that many times the recruiter either leaves information off your official forms or messes up dates (or both).  The reason you will find this out is because you will be interviewed by someone from the government and they will go over your form line by line.  My form was missing both dates and information.  It made me feel like a complete idiot trying to remember all the dates I had given my recruiter only to remember a few minutes later that they were wrong.  The poor agent had to keep scratching out dates, times and addresses because I couldn't remember them correctly.  I never remember seeing the official document that was sent to be reviewed for my application, only the page where I signed.  That's pretty bad because that signature is law and any false or misleading information can be severely punishable by law.  My recruiter told me to just put down what I remembered and not to worry about the parts I didn't, but the agent that interviewed me was not happy about that advice.

I have nothing to hide but I didn't make a good impression by mis-remembering information.  My advice is to keep EVERY form you have EVER given your recruiter so that when you are scheduled for the interview you can just hand them the papers you gave the recruiter.  The agency that does the clearance won't make the final decision to accept you into the air force or not.  That decision is made by the AF itself.  It's better to be upfront about past wrongdoings than to have the investigators find out that you lied about it.  So from the moment you sign your first document with your recruiter make sure you are upfront about EVERYTHING!

Flight Physical

Here is my experience with the Flight Physical:

Introduction

First off, if you wear contacts/glasses make sure you bring them with you!  I'm glad I did.  Also, buy a Cliff or Power bar so that after you get all your lab work done you can chow down on some calories.  I got up at 3:30 to get on base by 6:30.  My flight physical wasn't scheduled until 7:30, but I'm glad I got there early.  The guard at the gate basically told me I was allowed to come onto base, but didn't know where exactly I should go.  I had plenty of time to look around and find the aerospace clinic.  I was so early that I decided to drive around and see what an AF base was like.  I hadn't been on a military base since I was 12 so it was nice to see it from a different (older) perspective.  I felt at home and comfortable driving around.  I even recognized some smells from different parts of the clinic building.  Anyways, I ended up standing at the Aerospace Medicine door at 7:15 waiting for it to open.

Initial Vision Check

After I signed in I was taken to a room to do some vision test.  They were similar to those at MEPS, but much less hurried and more extensive.  The circle tests was rough, but I passed it this time because I remembered to bring my glasses.  If I hadn't I might very well be DQ'd right now.  They also did the Senellen test, color blind test, all that good stuff.  After I was done with that they handed me a form that I had to take with me everywhere.  They told me I would eventually come back to them at the end of day with that form entirely filled out.

Optometry

Optometry was pretty extensive.  All the near/far distance vision tests, puff test, and DILATION!  A word of caution about dilating your eyes.  I wish I could have done it as the last thing for the day, but I couldn't help when my appointment was.  Through out the rest of the day I had to ask someone to help me fill out every form because I could not read ANYTHING!  It was a very weird experience to be so powerless with my vision.  After the dilation drops were put in they told me to get other things done and come back in about 2 hours.

Various Tests

Lab Work

After I left optometry I walked over to the lab to get my blood and urine checked.  I knew from other others' experiences that they take a lot of blood so I was mentally ready for that; or at least I thought I was.  You get to give the urine sample in the bathroom (!), and then they take you back for blood work.  Around the time I was filling out a DNA card my eyesight started to change due to the dilation.  I had to ask the front desk for help in filling it out.  They took about 8 vials of blood from me and I thought I did well, but all of the sudden my stomach started to clench very hard, I got tunnel vision, and started to get cold sweats.  I had to look down and close my eyes and eventually lay down on a recliner chair.  After 5 or so minutes and some water I felt better and went on my way.

Radiology

Checked in, went to a back room, took off my shirt, got a few good x-rays of my chest, put my shirt back on, and left.

Hearing

Same as MEPS

Optometry (Again)

I found my way back to optometry for my 2nd appointment.  The doc checked my eyes with different machines and lights then let me go.

Lunch Break

I didn't have to be at my dentist appointment until 1330 so I had plenty of time to get some real lunch and explore.  After I ate I went into the BX (Base Exchange [a shopping center]) to look around.  Then I drove around the residential and PT areas.

Dentistry

After a couple of hours I was back at Dentistry.  Again, I had to have help with filling out the forms.  I thought for sure I was going to be DQ'd for my teeth since I was told I had cavities in my last dentist appointment, but apparently they were wrong.  The AF dentist said all was good and I didn't need any waivers.

Final Aerospace Visit

After Dentistry I went back to Aerospace Medicine for my final flight doctor exam.  They first checked my height, weight, and all other measurements (sitting height, back to knee, etc...).  Next I had an EKG (checks your heart rhythm).  Then I went into the exam room where a flight doctor asked me a ton of questions and then started examining me.  They basically check your reflexes, ears, nose, sinuses, throat, feet, abdominal cavity, kidneys, breathing, temperature, heart beat, blood pressure, your bum (for hemorrhoids), and (at least for guys) you genitals for any abnormalities and the hernia cough test.  Then you're done.  After I sat in the waiting room for about 5 minutes I was cleared to go and went on my 2.5 hour drive home.

Now I will wait about 1.5-3 months for the head doctor of that base, and then the headquarters (AFRS) doc to approve my physical.

DEP (Swear-In at MEPS)

Today I swore in at MEPS.  I was there all day (5am-4pm), and most of it was spent waiting.  Got my body, height and weight checked (in my underwear, again).  Waited for about 2 hours, ate lunch (a sub sandwich that was provided), waited 2 more hours, got my fingerprints done, and then said the oath and swore in.  Today was a "Ship Out" day so there were LOTS of enlisted folks with bags headed out to basic.  Not much of an exciting day.  Next stop is the flight physical.

*My Flight Physical Experience*

Select!

I was informed on September 10 2012 by my recruiter that I was the only Pilot Select in the 344th Recruiting Squadron.  The news was supposed to come on Wednesday September 5th, but it got delayed.  Yeah, that was a tough wait.  Happiness, shock, excitement; all words I experienced in that moment I got the call.  I really didn't hear much after she told me the news;  It was hard to finish the day.

I can't believe my life has changed so quickly, at least it feels as though it's been quick.  In reality I have been waiting on this decision for almost a year.  It's hard to really think about how much me and my family's life will change in the next year and beyond.

I honestly thought I would be selected as a CSO.  I thought I had a pretty good package but it's easy to second guess yourself when a majority of the graded measures are dependent on subjective factors (LORs, Resume, PS, etc...).  I am more than humbled by the fact that I will be a pilot in the US Air Force.  I remember visiting my father in Colorado Springs and how he would tell me that all the "Hot Shots" went "there", as he pointed to the Air Force Academy's Chapel.  The feeling of seeing those cadets march, to see the pride and discipline; even at age 11 that had a big impact on me.

I didn't live my teenage and adult life focused on becoming an Air Force Officer, but it was always in the back of my mind.  Having kids tends to make you stick to something and get it done for your family, but as my wife can attest to, I contemplated, more than once, going enlisted; it was just never the right decision for our family.

Now that I'm (almost) in, I am more than looking forward to the challenge of OTS, IFS, UPT, etc, etc...  I'm ready to leave a legacy for my family and am honored to be given the opportunity to serve and protect not only them, but the entire nation.

I think I want to continue this blog as far as I can through my experiences of OTS, IFS, and UPT.  I'm looking forward to this life changing opportunity.

Application Soon to be Reviewed by OTS Board

My package has been gone for a few months now just sitting somewhere waiting to get reviewed by a few colonels.  The OTS board will be meeting in about 12 days to decide our fates (August 13-17).  By the time I find out if I was selected or not it will have been almost a year since I first talked to my recruiter.  That's why this wait has been easy for me.  There is nothing I can do to better my chances now anyway.

I got a summer job as a pizza delivery guy so that has made time really fly by for me.  My next post will  either be titled "Select!" or "Non-Select...".  See you on the other side.