u.s. air force ots
 

well, you are looking at a new air ... actually you are looking at the post of a new air force ots applicant, thats officer training squadron.

i am putting my application together currently to go into public affairs. i had met with air force and marine recruiters re: officer opportunities back in jan. and decided to get on the ball this week.

reactions from my friends have been mixed - family is supportive - my dad is retired air force, so i was a military brat, friends are wishing me luck and excited, some are a little shocked, I have a friend in the army reserves who told me - half jokingly - I was too girly to go through with it, but ill show him :)

so if anyone has advice, insight or feedback - let me know!

So much to say on this one!

Quick question: Is ots like ROTC?

Either way---Even if you are super girly; you'll just prove how diverse women really are.

Right now I'm worried about anyone associated w/ the military though. Especially the Reservists. They get all the crap w/ out all of the perks. AND their families just are not used to dealing w/ their loved ones being in danger like they'll be now. :(

I'm a military brat too, Navy! My dad would have been thrilled if I had joined. But I think I'll just settle for a nice little Ensign that I can train to fit my needs. :p ;)

Of course in the AF your bound to get some ribbing. My dad always ask my AF friends "Why didn't you join the real military?" Apparently being AF is just a little bit better than being in the Coast Guard! ;)

Good luck!! Hope you have fun! You got some GC support.

Congratulations! Kudos to anyone in our armed forces :)

As for your being too girly to get through it, let me share a story with you (at my age, I am finding that I have a story for most situations! lol) My DZ sister and best friend from college was always the most "girly" of any of us. A new outfit for every situation, big blonde hair, long nails, perfect makeup, fraternity sweetheart, perennial "best legs" contest winner, little red Miata....you get the idea. She graduated with a Justice degree and had no real idea what she wanted to do with it. I moved to New York City and we lost touch for about 6 months when I got a call from her telling me she was someplace in Alabama for ARMY BOOTCAMP! I didn't believe her at first!

Long story short, she enlisted, became a Military Policeman then a Criminal Investigative Division agent, got commissioned as an officer and is having a helluva time. Plus, my girlygirl friend is an expert marksman, triathalete and hand-to-hand combat instructor whose hair, nails and makeup are still always perfect. Who says a woman can't have it all? :)

Thanks Tracy, stuff like that makes me proud to be a girl!!!!

Go Girly-Girls!!!!!

OTS
 

Thanks for all your support. OTS is different from ROTC in that I am not involved in anything as an undergrad. I am applying for a 12-weel officer training camp that would start in Jan. in Alabama.

I too like shopping, wearing make up, working out, making sure my nails and hair are done, but theres also the older sibling/responsible side/overacheiver side to me too that wants to do this for myself. I am so moved by the things going on in the world and feel a love for the U.S. (I know it sounds corny). I was raised in a military fam, so I guess it comes along with that. And I love to travel - you can only stay cooped up in the Midwest for so long.

update
 

Just got done taking an afoqt (a test to get in to ots) Ill find out how I did in two weeks. I am also getting letters of recc together. How I do on this test, will help determine what program i enter into. Wish me luck.

Good Luck!
 

I don't post too much, but I had to reply to this!:)
Don't let anyone tell you that you are too "girly" to make it. Anything you set your mind to..you can do it. I applaud you making a choice that is probably one of the best that you can make. You'll be proud of yourself..more than you've ever been.
Back in '95 I made a decision...I joined the Marine Corps.:D And let me tell you..I have never once looked back with regret. It is a title that no one can ever take away from me. I was very girly. Hated the outdoors, heck,(very embaressed to admit this) I wouldn't(couldn't) make it through am exercise video tape!!:eek: :eek: Only 2 people believed in me, that I would make it through boot camp.
It was tough..the hardest thing I have ever and will ever do. (and I had an 11lb baby!!) But I did it. Graduation day is something I will never forget.

Good luck in what you do!! If you have any questions feel free to email me. :)

update
 

Got my air force officer qualifying test scores back - a good score to be considered for the program is a 150 composite and I got ...
(drumroll please) a 213. So I did good. Wish me luck the rest of the way.

I have to sched a physical and interview in the next few weeks. I'll keep you all posted. ( posted ... get it :))

Good luck and I hope you are not afraid of heights ;)

UPDATE:) "Its a small world" story
 

Well, It is 9:30 p.m. the morning before my Military physical. Tom, I have the physical at 4 a.m. - who ever made it this early was not very smart - anyway I am at a hotel where they house all other people who are also having a physical tom. ThereS are all sorts of military applicants here - from high schoolers to older people trying to reenlist. Its a nice hotel, pool etc. so thought I'd have a room to myself.

Well, I was wrong. About an hour after I had settled in my room, the door opens and a 40-something woman comes in. My first reaction (which I tend to have strong first impressions of people) was not very positive. I was a little bummed that I'd hafta share a room, even more so with someone I wouldn't have much in common with.:( :(

Wrong again. So very wrong.

Turns out we talked for about an hour about miltary life - her husband is retired air force just like my father. So we shared a great talk about life etc. She began talking about her three daughters - one goes to another school here in Illinois and is a freshman.

The best part:
So then I pull out an AXO sweatshirt, and she exclaims "My daughter was just initiated into Alpha Chi Omega last weekend"

Its such a small world!
And I had to come share this with all of you.
I also have my interview tomorrow, so please keep me in your thoughts.

Quick career update: I have a possible job in Chicago at The Daily Herald - I'll find out about it soon. There is also a job opening at the newspaper where I work now as a copy editor if I can stand Southern Illinois for a few more years. Then their is the ots program.

Graduation - 12 more days!
:D :D

Rhonda! Best of luck tomorrow! I'll be rooting for you! :D

Just too let all of you know. I have been disqualified from joining because of medical issues, something silly really. I could go back in week and reapply, but I would miss the deadline I need. So, I have decided not to pursue this further.

Gosh, its been a long, wierd day. But, I did find out I have lost weight since last month - granted alot of it was muscle.:) :(

Oh well, I guess things happen for a reason and I am kind of at a point where I am letting things fall into Gods hands.

Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts.

Rhonda, I'm so sorry about that :( You seem to have a really great attitude about it, though.

Keep us posted on the paper internship, though!

Best wishes,

Hey Rhonda, I must have missed this thread when i was on my GC hiatus. Anyways, sorry about not getting to be in the AF, but I am sure you will be successful at the newspaper. I admire you so much b/c i can barely rt. a sentence let alone a whole story. That was cool about the older woman's daughter being an AXO. I have to say it again-it is a small world!!!

Karen