What happens between selection and OTS – Rated Selects

Congrats on being selected. If you’ve made it this far, then the hardest part is now over. But, what now? Just like with your application, you’re going to be doing a whole lot of hurry up and waiting. It’ll seem like it’s critical for you to get some things done right away, then you’ll hear nothing for weeks. Here are the things that happen after selection, but before OTS.

Flight Physical

For rated selects, you’ll have to go in and get a flight physical. Some Active Duty people can get theirs done before they turn in their application. But, for civilians, you’ll have to wait until after selection. This physical is done on an Air Force base, and takes a few hours. It’s much more than the MEPS physical, it’s pretty comprehensive, and varies a little bit based on your job.

As an RPA Select, they did lots of tests, and we had the least comprehensive physical. The things that they look at are:

• Medical History
• Vision Test (Pro tip, bring a really good pair of sunglasses with you. Just trust me on this one)
• Hearing Test
• Blood Tests
• Dental Check
• Height and weight
• General Physical, like you’d get for school sports

You may have to go back again to have them do further testing. There’s a specific eye test that most people actually fail, so you have to go back and get the pressure in your eye measured.

Security Clearance Paperwork

You’ll be given a 20 or so page document that you must fill out about your whole life’s history. It’s long and tedious, but important to get everything right. You may also do a 1-on-1 interview with someone, though I haven’t had to do that yet.

MEPS and DEP – For Civilians

For civilians, you’ll have to go back to MEPS. They don’t do a full physical, they just take your height and weight, and you talk to the doctor if anything in your health changed from the first time you were at MEPS. Then, it’s a bunch of in processing paperwork. You also go over all your answers to your security clearance again, to make sure everything is accurate. After all the paperwork is done, you go and swear into the Delayed Entry Program, or DEP. This is pretty much you swearing into the military, except you aren’t leaving for basic/OTS right away. Once in DEP, you’re supposed to meet with your recruiter once a month to make sure you aren’t breaking laws and are properly preparing for OTS. Some recruiters are better at this than others. We reported to MEPS at 6 AM, and I was done before lunch. It’s not that long of a day. Like typical MEPS, there’s more sitting and waiting than anything else.

Wright Patt Physical

At some point, you’re going to need to do another physical at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. From what I hear, this is similar to your first flight physical, with a couple additional tests. This physical is more to develop and record a baseline of your current health. That way, if there are any changes they can compare where you started to where you are at that point. I have heard that about 5% of cadets fail this physical, and have to change to a non-rated job. If you are Active Duty, you’ll go to Wright Patt before you go to OTS. If you are a civilian, you’ll go fairly soon after OTS.

WINGS and CBT

Starting earlier this year, a computer based training (CBT) was implemented for those going to OTS. Everyone must take it, civilian and active duty. For some active duty, there is a possible test to skip the coursework. But, everyone that I’ve heard of that’s taken it, has failed it. From what I’ve heard, the coursework isn’t hard, just time consuming. They recommend starting it at least 6 weeks before your class starts. Some people have done it in a week or less. Just make sure you have time to finish it. And, if you want you can take it several times.

Uniform Purchase

From what I’ve read, the #1 issue at OTS is that people don’t have enough money when they get there. You are going to need to purchase all your uniforms and supplies for OTS. It’ll be $2,000 or more for those supplies. Start saving and preparing now.

As for if you should purchase your uniforms before OTS, or after you get there, it’s your own preference. People have argued for both cases. They do recommend that you have everything you can before you show up. Also, consider this, would you rather:

1. Purchase all your uniforms in a non-hostile, calm environment where you have all the time in the world to try things on and decide what you want, or
2. Purchase all your uniforms with hundreds of other cadets running around like chickens with their heads cut off, with a strict time limit, and MTIs stalking everywhere just waiting for you to make a mistake?

Personally, I choose A.

See our packing list here.

Physical Fitness

If you go to OTS and fail because of PT, it’s your own darn fault. You’ll have months to prepare. If you aren’t already working out, start as soon as you get selected. Don’t just go to the gym and lift weights. Remember that 60% of the PT score is your run, so make sure you are doing lots and lots of running. Specifically work on the three main events, run, pushups, and sit-ups. Make sure your form is perfect on the pushups and sit-ups. On the pushups, make sure your back is straight, that you are going far enough down, and that you are going all the way back up. On sit-ups, don’t lift your butt off the ground, make sure you are going all the way up and down. There are YouTube videos put out by the Air Force that show you form, go watch those.

Last, I highly suggest you run mock PT tests for yourself. I used to do one every week. You may be good at running, pushups, or sit-ups; but, it’s a whole other animal to do all of them in a row. For those that don’t know the order, do pushups first, then sit-ups, then the 1.5 mile run. Take about a three minute break between each event. Plan on getting at least a 90 at OTS, and you’ll be fine. Do yourself a favor, and don’t be stressed about PT at OTS. This is one stress that is totally preventable.

Again, congrats on getting selected (or soon being selected). Keep up the focus and don’t get in trouble, and everything will be fine. Let me know if you have questions. Thanks!