u.s. air force ots

alphachiohmy · #1 10-04-2001, 12:56 AM

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!

SoCalGirl · #2 10-04-2001, 02:48 AM

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.

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!

The1calledTKE · #3 10-04-2001, 08:25 AM

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

KillarneyRose · #4 10-04-2001, 11:35 AM

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?

AOIIAngel · #5 10-04-2001, 12:25 PM

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

Go Girly-Girls!!!!!

alphachiohmy · #6 10-04-2001, 01:51 PM

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.

alphachiohmy · #7 10-09-2001, 04:36 PM

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.

Mountaineer · #8 10-09-2001, 10:10 PM

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.

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!!

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.

alphachiohmy · #9 10-22-2001, 04:22 PM

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

)

moe.ron · #10 10-22-2001, 04:24 PM

Good luck and I hope you are not afraid of heights

alphachiohmy · #11 12-02-2001, 11:36 PM

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!

KillarneyRose · #12 12-03-2001, 12:00 AM

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

alphachiohmy · #13 12-03-2001, 03:46 PM

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.

KillarneyRose · #14 12-03-2001, 10:21 PM

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,

aggieAXO · #15 12-04-2001, 12:12 AM

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