I just found out yesterday that I will be leaving for AF-COT on Monday. It doesn't really give me much time to prepare, other than just getting all of my personal affairs in order. I will have to buy all of my uniform stuff when I get down there. Does anyone know of where I can find a list of what to buy? Will they have a list for me when I get there? Also, I scheduled my flight a little earlier than the scheduled time for me to be on base, will it be ok if I get on base early and buy my uniform stuff? Any other helpful suggestions for my last few days before I go would be appreciated.
Leaving for COT on Monday
- Thread starter Davydude7
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They will have a uniform list for you and also have staff members there to assist you with sizing, etc. I would recommend waiting to buy your uniforms just in case you're not sure on something.
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Don't freak out. You can buy your uniforms there and there will be a list for you. It would, however be helpful to take a look at other info on the website above just to be prepared. If you have time, try to look at the OIs in particular.
Try to report early in the timeframe that they give you. You'll have the best chance of getting the sizes you need.
Try to report early in the timeframe that they give you. You'll have the best chance of getting the sizes you need.
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Get used to it. You'll go to a lot of places you're "not prepared" to go to with about this much notice over the next 10-15 years. Eventually, you'll get used to it and "feel prepared" for anything.
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Ill see you there...definitely good news on the mess dress. Check out this website too for some good info... http://www.airforceots.com/portal/index.php
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Good luck. Keep your head down. No matter what you do, they'll find a reason to yell at you and your flight for the first week or so. Also, if you want to be ahead of the curve, buy a wireless cellular card for your laptop with att/verizon/etc for the month so you can happily enjoy unlimited internet access. If you have an iphone or a blackberry, you'll be fine but it got a little tiresome that I was unable to check my email for so long seeing as I didn't have a smartphone/iphone/blackberry/droid at the time (the AF computers block certain websites). We eventually found a wireless hotspot that was for the BOT cadets, but the wireless connection crashed A LOT and you don't have privileges to go there all the time.
Just remember, there will be days that really annoy you, and you will be exhausted while you sit in the "big red bed" - the auditorium for lectures, but we've all been through it, and some parts of are actually pretty fun. Oh, and enjoy Sean P. Lochlear (the dude that administers your exams). Got a kick out of him.
Best recipe for success at COT is to keep your head down, be where you're supposed to be (early), and to get along well with your wingman. Try not to be the guy that takes everything too seriously. You're already an officer and you have nothing to prove to anyone (except maybe yourself).
A suggestion would be to take a nail clipper or small pair of scissors now for those annoying ABU "cables". Uniform inspections can be annoying if you and your wingman don't help each other before class each day.
Other than that, the accommodations are pretty nice. The rooms are air-conditioned, you have a washer/dryer on every floor, you get maid service (really!), and there are no room inspections. The most difficult thing to get used to is how little down-time you get and how little privacy there is (you're with someone everywhere you go until you're 1st class which usually doesn't happen until the 5th week). Overall, the experience was one that I am glad I went through, but I would only do it once 😉
Class 09-05: Guardians, Phantom (Papa) Flight, Hooah, etc, ad nauseum 😀
One addition:
Make sure you have a second pair of running shoes/sneakers. I took a pair of Merrell Hiking shoes for the leadership reaction course and
AEF (camping) days. Those in my flight that only had one pair of sneakers/running shoes ruined them. If you don't have hiking shoes, take an old pair of sneakers for this use. You won't be sorry.
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I found that burning cables off with a lighter was oddly soothing after a day of getting yelled at or being stuck in the big red bed. It also gets them much shorter than scissors can.
Let me add that the lighter is only good for ABUs. You don't want to take one to a blues shirt, pants, etc.
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You should be able to find a link to download them on the OTS website. OI stands for operating instructions, BTW.
Here is a link: http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/afman36-2203.pdf
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Dont bother with them ahead of time, you will have countless hours with nothing to do but read them in the first week. Also, they give you a pocket sized copy on the first day. Just pay attention, keep your head down and do what youre told and you will be fine. The first week sucks but you get through it.
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Definitely. The first week is by far the worst. Once you're done though, it's downhill.
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