OTS Q&A – From Class 18-04

Hey guys! Non-prior 92T1 select here. I’m currently at OTS (1804), on track to graduate in a little less than 2 weeks. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask away or message me!

Biggest challenges so far?  Any suggestions for preparing/things you would’ve done differently?  Thanks!

• Honestly, my biggest challenge was the PT test here.  OTS has been given feedback from previous classes that there’s not enough PT while here, so they’ve really amped it up.  I was never a runner, and I didn’t prepare as much as I should have, so when I got here I failed my first PT test on the run portion by 20 seconds.  Once that happened, I was put on a super strict running schedule and had to run about 7 times a week, which was difficult for me.  But it worked, and I cut my run time down my 3 mins and 40 seconds.  Another challenging thing for me has been the speed of things.  I mean, as a Non prior you’re basically given 8 weeks to learn/know everything about the military.  The learning curve is very high here, and it can be an unforgiving environment.  But as long as you put in the effort and prove that you want to be here, they will work with you as much as they can.  Just be prepared to get yelled at those first 4 weeks daily.  And don’t worry about studying the OTSMAN beforehand.  You will live and breathe it here.  By the end of the first few weeks here, you’ll know it front and back.
  • Jessica thanks I really appreciate your response!
• Of course!  So I had to run one day for 15 minutes straight without stopping.  At my own pace and however far that got me.  The next day I had to run 2 miles on a 1/4 mile track.  I had to Sprint the straight ways and jogged the curves.  The 3rd day I had to run a 1.5 mile as fast as I could without stopping.  Day 4 I would participate in wing PT, which was usually a 1.5 mile run split up with exercises every 1/4 Of a mile.  5th day I would participate in the commanders challenges which were usually some sort of cardio/stretching exercises paired with 1/2 mile runs.  The 6th day I would run a self paced mile.  And the 7th day I would take a mock PT test.
  • So you failed and weren’t sent home???  That’s the stigma currently.
• Yes, I failed the PFB (baseline test).  Everyone who failed the PFB or got between a 75-80 had to take a PFD (diagnostic test).  Those who failed the PFD were went home.  We just took our PFA (real deal test) and everyone passed it.  If anyone would have failed they would have allowed them to retest the next day, then sent them home if they failed the next day retest.
  • Were the push ups strictly 90 degrees?  Were they strict on form?
• Yes, 90 degrees.  And they are extremely strict on form.  Every prior I’ve talked to here has said they’ve been more strict here than they’ve ever experienced elsewhere.  There was one girl who did over 40 push-ups on her PFB and they didn’t count any because of her form.
  • Wow.  Was she just not going down far enough?
•  That, and her arms were too far apart.
  • What exactly is the diagnostic test?
• It’s the PT test you have to take if you failed the Baseline PT test.  It’s like a second chance to try to pass so you’re ready to take the assessment towards the end of the course.

How hard is it to have caffeine in your room?

• Extremely.  You’re not allowed food or drinks in the dorms, period.  But once you’ve been here for a few weeks you can ask for privileges from your flight commander and one of the first privileges everyone asks for is caffeine privileges.
  • Is that a 24 TRS thing?  We were allowed food and drinks in our day room and sports drink like Gatorade under the sink in my squadron.
  • Yes sir it seems that way, we got coffee privileges around the week 3 mark.
• Yeah, I think it is. I’m 24 TRS and we aren’t allowed half the privileges that the Det 12 guys are.
  • Do you know if it is different for the already commissioned officers (healthcare).
  • I think the OTSMAN still says you can’t have food in your room.  Day room yes, but not your actual room.  It was at least that way when I went through.
• Yes, things are extremely different for the COT classes. I’m unsure of what all their privileges are, but they’re vastly different than the TFOT classes.
• Yes, OTSMAN still states no food in the dorms.
  • Thanks for offering your input Jessica!
  • Det 12, 18-03 here.  No food/drinks in the dorm rooms at all.  Protein powder was granted to be stored but that was it.  We can eat in our dayroom though.

Was the training what you expected or totally beyond that?

• It was about what I expected.  We get up super early, get yelled at a lot at first, do a LOT of marching, and run a lot.  Haha, but for real, I wish the training was more accommodating to non priors.  They kinda get thrown into all of this and are expected to figure out things as they go along, which can be challenging if you never came from a military background.
  • Okay.  I can understand that can be difficult at times. Also, do you know if there were any prior service from other [branches] who went to OTS while you were there?
• From other branches?  Not many.  We had one guy who was prior Navy, and then one guy who was prior Army, and that’s it for my class.
  • I’m glad to hear there are some though.  I am currently enlisted Navy and I want to go into the Air Force.  So this makes me feel much better.
• Apparently there’s usually a lot more than what we have in my current class, so you’ll definitely not be alone.

Can I also ask you how the academics are? Specifically the papers and briefings. Thanks!

• The academics weren’t super bad.  As long as you study the lecture material, you’ll do fine.  The briefings weren’t that bad either.  The papers can be tricky because they are REALLY big on formatting.  But they provide you with all the necessary avenues to excel in any graded measure here, so as long as you follow their rules to a T, you’ll do fine.

Is it going to make my life easier to memorize the HAWK and the OTSMAN?  Or should I just familiarize…

• Heads up, we did not have the hawk included in our curriculum.  They’ve added a short portion to the end of the OTSMAN as it’s replacement.
• Alexander is correct.  No HAWC, just some snippets from it in the back of the OTSMAN.  Everyone told me to study my OTSMAN beforehand, and it’s really not necessary.  Know the customs and courtesies for sure, and the greeting of the day procedures, but everything else they’ll either show you first, or you’ll learn very quickly.  No joke, the first 5 weeks here we had the OTSMAN in our face studying it any time we were stopped somewhere.  You learn it real quick that way.  They also make you start memorizing certain things out of it (Airman’s Creed, code of conduct, etc.) in the middle weeks (3-5) and will have you recite it out-loud as a flight/squadron.
  • Wow… I really built this up to be a lot crazier in my head.  I’m an active duty TSgt right now so I hope I’ll be okay with customs and courtesies lol.  Ty for taking the time to answer all these questions for us.  It’s really appreciated!!!  Also, congrats Lt!  Hope you enjoy the rest of OTS.
  • Oh, no worries, sir.  You will 100% be alright.  I did the same thing.  I psyched myself out before I came here, but it’s really not that bad.  Just monotonous, especially for the priors that come through.  And no problem, anything to help out!  I know I appreciated it when past cadets answered my questions!  And thank you!

Thanks for reaching out.  Are you permitted to have a smart watch?

• They have allowed cadets here to have them, as long as they’re not paired to your smart devices.  I personally wouldn’t bring one, or if you do bring a cheap regular watch as backup because there are a lot of activities performed here that will completely ruin a smart watch.
  • So basically an Apple Watch that receives phone calls is not allowed?
• Correct, sir.

Following.  3-4 months out from OTS.

• Congrats!  It’ll be one of the most frustrating, yet rewarding experiences of your life thus far.

Did studying the OTS prerequisite work help you a lot?

• Yes, it actually did.  Being non-prior, I really didn’t know much about the military at all.  So it really helped me get a grasp on things.  A lot of our lectures are pulled from the pre-req as well, and those lectures are testable.  There’s also a test that may or may not become a graduation requirement for future classes over the pre-req material.  It wasn’t for my class, but that’s subject to change.  So long story short, yes.  Haha.

How is it with your ANG recruits?  Many that I spoke with explained that they generally skip the first week where they’re really the ones who need it.

• No ANG have skipped the first week in my class.  Honestly, the cadre do a great job evening out the playing field among priors, non priors, guard, and reservists.
  • I’m also curious about this^.  I’ll be an ANG recruit as well as a non-prior.  I was raised in a military household but obviously have no idea what it’s actually like to be in.
• I wouldn’t worry too much.  Everyone gets taught the same stuff while here, regardless of what you came from or are going into.  A lot of the prior service cadets find it a waste of time because the cadre starts everyone off from ground level and builds them up, so everyone learns how to march again, salute, etc.  There will also be a TON of prior service cadets here and you’ll learn a lot from them.  Definitely try to make friends with one, because they’ll become an invaluable resource to you.  My roommate is prior service and she’s helped me with everything, from figuring out how to wear my uniform to showing me the correct way to salute.
  • ANG need the first week?  Maybe the fresh ANG people…  I have been in 15 years and could be fine with missing the first week haha…  I’m going Active though From Guard.  I know crazy…
• We have cadets who have been in for 20+ years here currently and they still had to go to the first week.  The cadre doesn’t care how long people have been in for, unfortunately.  They treat everyone the same and by same I mean like you’re brand new to the military.  That’s been the most frustrating thing for the prior service here, I think.
  • Skipping the first week was just when they had TFIT.  Now that it’s gone, everyone starts at the same time.

So I hear there have been cadets who were sent home for injuries.  Do you have any info on that, such as type of injuries and how and when they received those injuries, etc?

• For the most part it was feet/ leg injuries like sprained ankle and muscle injuries.
• Yes, lots of twisted ankles and sprained feet.  Personally I got a sprained bicep from push ups that had me out for a week.  A guy in my flight actually tore his bicep and has surgery for it this Monday (but he isn’t getting sent home for it because he already passed his PFA).
  • So I’m one of the injured sent home.  Mine was on top of an old injury but don’t just prepare for your PT test.  Do more… more running, push-ups and maybe if you can do more lifting.  I got injured due to bad marching commands so watch out for yourself and know your own pace.
  • So if you get sent home are you like done forever?  Or do you get re-slotted for class?
  • It all depends on the recommendation of the doctors and the CC.
  • Thank you for your reply.  That’s good to know.
  • That was going to be one of my next questions, whether if you got injured after your official PT Test if you would go home or continue on. Thank you again for replying.
  • I’m sorry to hear that.  Did you get re-slotted for a future class?  Are you prior or non-prior?
  • I’m prior.  I have to complete therapy and then I get a new date.  So it goes of my healing.
  • Oh okay.  I hope this isn’t too personal but do they send you back to your last base or your new one?  Or do you stay at Maxwell?  I’m sure many people have this same question in mind.

Congrats Jessica!  I know you’re still a few weeks out but are you having anyone attend your graduation?  I am leaning towards requesting my wife and two little ones skip it.  Do you know if they have limitations on how many can attend and how many family days are they able to visit?  Many thanks!

• Anyone can attend, as long as you get numbers and pertinent information into them in time.  It depends on classes, but my class is only allowed to have family on the day before (Thursday) and then graduation day.

Were you allowed to have your phone after the duty day ends?  The OTSMAN said it’s not allowed for the first few weeks but my recruiter said it is.

• Just need an MFR for privileges but the staff is great at letting you use it.  It stays with you in your locked drawer…  So there is that.
• Agreed!  It also is up to your individual flight’s commanders discretion as well.  Some flight’s got cell phone privileges very quickly where others did not get it until week 5 or so.

What kind of freedoms or privileges are afforded right off the bat?  I’m trying to get an understanding about what life is like at TFOT.  I don’t know whether to expect it as like a military boarding school environment where every detail of your life is scheduled away or will it be like idk the Air Force academy with some freedoms yet regimented?

• You pretty much have no privileges right off the bat.  A lot of different flights started getting some basic privileges (coffee, snacks in their flight rooms) as soon as they met their flight commanders.  It’s all up to the flight commanders and it will be different for every class, every squadron, and every flight.  But for the first week or two until you meet your flight commander, expect no privileges.  And privileges or not, your entire time here is highly dictated and scheduled.
  • As far as the schedule goes, is there pretty much constantly something going on or is there a fairly decent amount of down time?
• The first 6 weeks, you are always doing something.  Week 7 and 8 you see down time, but usually not before that.

Did you get orders to go to your school right away or is there a break after you commission?

• I got orders to go to NAS which is where UCT will be for me, but before I do UCT I have to do IFT and SERE.  I got a rip for IFT but no dates for SERE or UCT yet.  I’ve got a month of causal at NAS before I go to IFT.

This may have not been in your purview while there, but how is the nutrition selection?  We talking “Eyes forward trainee!!” and get what we get like BMT?  Or more like tech school where you can pick things, etc?  I eat high fat low carb, and if it’s like BMT, I may have to just bite the bullet and get what I get for a couple months, again.

• You have choices here.  The food is definitely not like BMT!

Would you recommend purchasing anything before coming to OTS?  (Such as uniforms, and where from?) thanks!

• If you can, I’d say to go ahead and get uniforms.  It’s SO much easier!  Just make sure you get the right ones (officer versus enlisted).
  • Thanks!!

What’s the word on sneaker color?  I know several spots say “conservative” running shoes, so does that mean that they need to mono color or would a bright blue & green sneaker work?

• There are NO rules what so ever.  You can literally bring whatever color sneakers you want.  My roommate had hot pink ones.
  • Oh really?  Well that’s good to know I won’t be singled out for an “off” shoe color.  Thanks!

Thank you again for your earlier reply regarding nutrition.  To couple with that, it was mentioned somewhere on here that OTS is likened to a cross between Tech School and BMT.  That said, would I be free to have personal effects in my dorm room such as nutrition supplements etc.?

• Everything has to be approved in the dorms.  Some squadrons got approval for supplements, and some didn’t.  It definitely varies between flights, squadrons, and even training classes.
  • Dang.  Looks like I’ll have to get some scripts written up for my more critical items.  Thanks!

I’m just curious about questions and answers about injuries…  when i went thru basic training as enlisted nobody in my flight got injured or sent home for PT injuries or failures…  reading all of the PT injuries answers, why so many?  Is it because of age, or just lack of preparation?  I’m curious to know as somebody from my guard base got sent home from OTS for not passing the tape test…  I’m in the process of reapplying for the guard reserve pilot boards and I’m amping up my PT preparation for a possible OTS slot…  I’ll be 33 yrs old too if that helps.

• Honestly, it’s a combination of just about everything you’ve stated.  Some people, myself included, came here under prepared.  Others were on the older side and so much PT in such a short span of time was hard for them.  Others pushed themselves too hard and got hurt various ways (PT, working out on their own, Leadership Reaction Courses, etc).  Some people who are work out junkies came here and actually got a little out of shape, and that effected their scores.
  • Ohh okay that’s a good perspective to look at..  reason I asked is that reading all through the replies it looks scary that there’s a high injury failure rate that I didn’t experience when I went enlisted basic..  so it looks new to me to see.
• Oh, no!  No reason to be worried.  I struggled very hard with PT when I first go here, but I made it through.  And if I can do it, anyone can!  So you’ll be fine.  Just choose your battles.  Some things are graduation requirements (PT tests) so prep for them and do well on them.  Some things are not (Leadership Reaction Courses, Combatives, etc.)  So definitely put effort into them, but realize when to step away for the sake of your health.  The main goal is to graduate.  Just keep that in mind, make sure you’re looking out for your health, and you’ll be more than fine!  
  • Sounds good…  I surely can feel a little difference compared when I was 27 and I tried out for the Marines…  lost 30 pounds in 6 months but I was highly motivated back then I’m just trying to mentally recapture that gusto for the upcoming boards..  thank you for your honest input Ill definitely keep those in mind.