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.

Interview Complete

I had my interview yesterday and it went well.  I met with both a 1st Lt. and the Commander of the recruiting squadron.  They were very adamant about me talking to my wife about what time away is going to be like in the Air Force.  Since then I have been researching TDYs, Deployments, and PCSs.  It is quite a lot to take in.

The best part of the interview was the questions I asked.  This so-called interview was really a review of my application to give me tips on how to make it stand out.  I made sure to do all the things I was supposed to (like dress to impress, shave, etc...) and I think it went very well.

Next stop is to finish tying up the loose ends of my package and submitting it to the board.

MEPS Physical

I finished my MEPS physical on Wednesday 3-7-12.  It was not as bad as I thought it would be.  Yes, all of us were herded like cattle.  Yes, it was very bureaucratic.  However, they all have a stressful job to do funneling tons of 17 and 18 year olds through a series of many medical exercises and tests.  Here is a brief rundown of what happened that day:

Check-In: I showed up in Dallas at 4:45.  Before I got out of my car I drank SO much water because I knew that I would have to pee in a cup and I didn't want to be the poor soul that had to come back another day because I couldn't pee in a cup.  The check-in was a bit different than when I took the AFOQT.  There was a very nice Captain that greeted us and gave us all the instructions.  I was one of the first ones to arrive because I drove myself from my house.  He instructed us to stand in rows of 4 shoulder to shoulder and for all the "physical only" people to get up front.  So I was about 5th in line.  Then the first 8 were instructed to go up the elevator.  When we got there we were told to go to our branch liaison (Air Force for me) and then to the cafeteria.  Then we were given our medical files and told to go to the front desk.  The guy at the desk was really pissed because apparently my file wasn't ready.  I had no idea what was going on but he was angrily shuffling papers around and stapling stuff.  After a few minutes he handed me my file and instructed me to get in line for medical.

Medical Stuff:  There are plenty of sites that give the specifics on each department and test they do in medical so I'm just going to lay out a brief overview of what happened to me.

Hearing Test:  I was ushered into the back part of the facility.  I got in line to get my fingerprint scanned and medical file reviewed.  Then I was told to go to the first room which was a small sound-proof booth with 10 stools.  I was number 4.  We wore some headphones and used a Jeopardy clicker to record our results.  The only thing I have to say about this is that they should get clickers that don't make noise.  I mean I felt like that was all I could hear most of the time.  10 guys clicking at a furious rate.  The headphones were definitively not sound proof...I passed with a very minimal (5 dec.?) hearing loss in the extreme high and low ranges.

Side Note:  After we were done all ten of us got a dot sticker.  I have no idea why, but it ended up being the most awesome thing ever.

Briefing:  We were told to wait in a chair for our eye exams, but ended up being told to cram into a room with a projector to be briefed.  By this time I was starting to feel that water I had drunk earlier...So basically the guy just read off a bunch of laws verbatim about falsifying records.  I thought this is going to go by so fast, but then he said "this will take about an hour"...nice.

"Are You Drunk?" and Private (butt) Exam:  When we were finally finished with signing and bubbling in all those papers one of the proctors said "Congratulations to those of you with a dot.  You've just won the lottery".  I still have no idea why, but if you had a dot on that day you were always the next person to go in and get your stuff done no matter how many people were in line ahead of you. Pretty cool for me because I had a dot.  Anyway, by this time my bladder was about to explode.  I could barley get out of the chair.  We were told to line up (dots first) and do a Breathalyzer test.  After that I was the first person to get my private consultation and exam.  The doctor was very nice and she asked me a bunch of different medical questions.  After that she checked my ears (Valsalva maneuver), throat, teeth, and eyes.  Next was the rectal exam and hernia exam.  I had to go SO bad that I asked if I could go ahead and do the urinalysis.  They said that I might as well wait if I can, so I said I would if I could make it.  There was another military guy in there to make sure there was no funny business.  Yeah it was awkward, but I think people make it out to be WAY worse than it really is.  The docs know it is awkward and so the do a good job of getting it over with.  THERE IS NO INSERTION, WEIRDOS!

Urinalysis:  When we got in there the guy said "How you guys doing?" then the guy next to me said "Fine, how are you?"  the other guy looks at him with a raised eyebrow and says "Really?  I'm watching guys pee all day".  So yeah you step on these squares in front of a urinal and pee in a cup in front of a dude.  3 of us did it at the same time so that was better than that poor soul that had to do it by himself.

Blood Work:  Self explanatory.  I was in and out with my dot.

Eye Exam:  I forgot to wear my contacts because I never wear them anymore.  My vision isn't bad so I wasn't concerned about this.  However the damn Depth Perception (Circle Test) was horrible!  I never did get how to see the circles that pop out.  I guessed on all of the B section and ended up failing.  I'm not worried thought because I saw my civilian eye doc  right after I got out of MEPS and he gave me a much better DP test with special 3D glasses and I aced it.  They said I have 20/20 vision when I know I don't...

Exercises:  This was the final exercise.  We had to get in our underwear and stand with a bunch of other dudes as we got examined by a doc, weighted, measured, and told to do lots of really silly exercises.  One guy fainted (I think he locked his knees).  We had to stop the process but the proctor was determined to finish as fast as possible so he told us all to do the rest of the exercises using only half the room.  5 minutes later I was dressed with medical file in hand.  I was told "Mr. Smith you are fit for service in the US Air Force", and with that I was almost done.  Just had to turn all my stuff into the medical counter and that was that.  I was done by 10am.  Their parting words were "You're a teacher?  So then you know what we go through everyday.".  Too true, too true.

*My Interview Experience*