Academic Assessment 1
This week started with the first of three assessment tests. In order to graduate, you must complete all three assessments with an average grade above an 80%. If you do not, there is a cumulative test that must be taken and your grade on that will determine whether or not you stay in the program. The best way to prepare for these tests is to study the PowerPoint slides on the subject. Each subject is part of a brief you’ll sit through, but the tests will use specific wording from the slides themselves. You’ll also meet one Shawn P. Locklear, who will encourage you to celebrate your knowledge (this information isn’t helpful, he’s just a cool guy and he’s hilarious).
Per the Summary of Changes in the TFOT Syllabus, the two Consolidated Written Tests (CWTs) I have discussed in my blog posts have evolved into “progressive assessments at shorter intervals in addition to the prerequisite course assessment conducted upon arrival.” These assessments are now called “Academic Assessments.”
– airforceotsguy
Team Building Exercise (TBEX)
This will be your real introduction into Individual Learning Opportunities (ILOs) and Graded Leadership Positions (GLP’s). As OTS progresses, these leadership positions will be more involved and more will be expected of you. In this first experience with it, it’s more so the flight commanders can see how you perform when being given a problem and told to lead. For TBEX, most of these will be logic problems. The best advice I can give is to remain calm. Understand the problem, make sure everyone you’re working with understands the problem, decide the best way on how to solve the problem, and execute, reevaluating as needed. You don’t need to solve the problems to pass, just be sure to remain in control. Say your thought process out-loud so the evaluator can follow your thought process, delegate, and assign roles. It sounds confusing and a bit difficult, but you will have tons of practice at this, so just keep these things in mind. For graduation requirements you need to pass 2/3 GLPs, but you will have many opportunities.
The Summary of Changes in the TFOT Syllabus also discusses in-garrison and field leadership competencies, and the evolution of Basic Expeditionary Leadership Problem Solving (BELPS). It sounds like TBEX is very similar to how I described BELPS in my 2015 posts. Additionally, instead of only having one GLP like I described the new course outlines passing 2/3 GLPs, which I think is a good move.
– airforceotsguy
Open Ranks
The most difficult part of this is being the Flight Leader. There are a lot of specific movements and actions to perform, so be sure to practice. During this inspection, an MTI will examine each member of the flight’s uniform, and occasionally ask questions based on the HAWK. Be sure to cut any cables off of your uniform and be wearing everything properly. Get a haircut if you’re not quite in regulations and perform the drill movements well and there should be nothing to worry about.
Here is a good video I found about open ranks. The person calling all of the commands who they refer to as a “MTL” will be YOU in OTS. OTS calls this person the Flight Leader. When I was there we rotated the Flight Leader every day but it just depends on how the training squadron is doing it when you go. Everyone in the flight should expect to be the Flight Leader multiple times.
The AFMAN refers to this person as the Flight Commander. Reference AFMAN 36-2203, Drill & Ceremonies (IC1, 29 Feb 16), para 4.5 for specifics on how to perform open ranks.
– airforceotsguy
Auditorium Briefings
In weeks two and three you’ll learn about briefings, and how hard they are to stay awake in. Some of the briefings you’ll find are more important than others, some will be much more interesting than others. The hardest thing will be to stay awake. The best way to do so is be engaged and participate as much as possible. You’ll get more out of the briefings by having a discussion and it will make things more lively.
Academic Papers
During this week you’ll also turn in your first paper (it sounds like a busy week I know, but you’ll have a lot of free time on the weekends to get things done). The first paper is an informative bullet background paper, and it is graded pretty brutally. The biggest thing to watch out for is formatting, as that will be about 90% of your points. Refer to the PowerPoint slides and Air University writing and style guide to make sure the little things are accounted for. You don’t need to pass the first paper for graduation but you do need to pass the second one, so learn what you can from the first one.
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