I made it! I graduated Basic Military Training and boy does it feel amazing.

I graduated BMT January 18th 2019. As you can tell that was a few weeks ago. I have been so busy getting my life together and settling into Tech School life that I haven’t had a chance to blog. I have so much to say and plan on writing as much as my schedule allows these next few months. I also will be uploading some BMT specific vlogs on my YouTube channel as soon as I can. Three major things I want to say in this quick post are:

1. I got the job I wanted!!! If you’ve been following me you’d know I went in open general with civilian medical experience. Well I got Aerospace Medical Service (4N0X1)-my top pick! So I am now at Fort Sam for Tech School.
2. Two weeks into Tech School and I already know my first duty assignment! I won’t say exactly where BUT I will say that it was on my “Dream Sheet” so I am psyched to say the least.
3. If you are getting ready to ship out to BMT I just want to say don’t listen to what other people have to say about the experience- it is what YOU make of it.

Stay tuned!

NINE. TEEN. DAYS. Eeeeeeeek!

I am so excited. I am so nervous. I suck at push-ups and running still.

But…. I got this.

I’ve never wanted something so badly in life and cannot wait to officially be an Airman and make my friends and family proud af.

I still have to sell my car, pack my bag and hopefully get my running and push ups down before I leave. I’ve put together a binder with my certifications, transcripts, etc. to bring with me to BMT. This is especially important for me because I am going open general and will need these things when I goto job counseling. I also made a list of jobs I’m interested in and assignment location preferences so I don’t feel pressured and go in to this as prepared as possible. The jobs I’m interested in are listed below:

• 4NX01- Aerospace Medical Service
• 3E9X1- Emergency Management
• 4R031- Diagnostic Imaging
• 4A031- Health Services Management
• 1C331- Command Post

The first three are definitely my top three picks and in that order. If I get my first pick I will be over the mood ecstatic. If not, that’s still ok. The way I look at it I’m going to be a part of the world’s greatest Air Force. And that on its own is a huge accomplishment. Plus there are ways out of a job I don’t like such as the NECP- Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program. Ultimately it’s a nursing school scholarship that upon completion allows you to commission as a Nurse Officer.

As far as assignment location preferences I’ve jotted down the following:

• Pope AFB, NC
• Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC
• Shaw AFB, SC
• Charleston AFB, SC
• Nellis AFB, NV
• Patrick AFB, FL
• Moody AFB, FL
• Langley-Eustis, VA
• Aaaaaand my only overseas one: Aviano, Italy.

I’ve heard so many things regarding the BMT Dream Sheet (The list of base preferences you make at BMT). I’ve heard it’s all crap and I’ve also heard of people getting their number one picks. So I’m just going to stay positive and hope I get one off of my list.

I’ve uploaded a new video on my YouTube channel- it’s super short and boring. But I will be doing two or three more videos covering the topics of the 15 days brief, my BMT packing list and the day I leave for BMT. I will also try to write a few blogs on these topics as well.

See you all soon!

Yup, you heard that right.

How am I feeling?

I’m anxious to leave, I’m excited, I’m a bit nervous. But mostly excited. I cannot wait to leave and start this journey. The anticipation is killing me.

What have I been up to?

• Working very part time just to pay my bills each month. I just gave my notice for the part time job I’ve been working, as I’ve gotten a new position as assistant store manager at a Halloween store. Super convenient because I can walk there from my house and I also won’t need to put in a notice because the store closes the first week of November.
• I’m also working on getting rid of a lot of my belongings and packing up my room. I just listed my car for sale so hoping someone scoops it up.
• I finally got my braces off!!
• Got 9 college credits for my EMT certification- I will make an entire post about this because I feel like more people should know about the program I did it through- which makes me eligible for E-2 when combined with the 18 college credits I already have.
• I’m going Monday to meet with my recruiter and to sign my job contract.

What am I doing to prepare myself?

I’m focusing on mental preparation because I feel this is what I will need most. I am going to Barre class three times a week which is helping me build strength. I am starting a running program this week since I have SLACKED on running. I downloaded an app that is supposed to help you run 5k in 8 weeks by running 30 mins, 3 days per week. I only have around 7 weeks left but hey anything will help at this point.

Within these next 7 weeks, I will post once per week. Topics will include packing for BMT, Fitness and more! If you have any questions thus far about anything, don’t hesitate to email me or comment below.

Alright….. so if you read my Quick Ship Update, you know that I’ve been waiting on a new ship date and job since I was taken out for October 2nd- and I finally have one.

I will be shipping to BMT November 20th under a guaranteed General Aptitude job area (aka open general). I definitely have mixed emotional about the whole open general thing BUT I’m just going to have faith that everything will work out the way it’s meant to be. I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about recruits going in under open contracts and ending up with jobs that they hate. I’ve also heard a lot of reassuring stories about recruits ending up with medical jobs or jobs that they wanted. I’ve heard so many mixed things that I’m just going to have to go and find out myself. Fingers crossed this is how I will get the job I originally wanted- Aerospace Medical Service. I’ve also heard that going in with an open contract increases your odds at getting a medical job. Again, we’ll have to see. So I guess for the next few months I will be focusing on getting myself in shape the best I can to prepare myself for eight weeks down at Lackland. There’s also sooooo many other things I have to do- sell my car, pack up my room, pack for BMT; just to name a few ?

A little update on my Quick Ship situation. Quick Ship is basically like being on a cancellation list- if for whatever reason someone can’t ship, that slot opens up and you have a chance to ship at an earlier date.

Last week I got a call from my recruiter saying a spot opened up to ship August 28th under a Guaranteed General Aptitude Area. Many say that by going in “Open General” you have a better chance at receiving a Medical job- BUT this is not guaranteed. Unfortunately my braces treatment had been extended to August 29th. I’ve paid A LOT of money for these braces and my teeth have come a VERY long way- I don’t want to risk removing them before it is recommended. I also scheduled a CLEPP Exam for August 30th that I cannot reschedule. The CLEPP Exam is an exam offered by colleges allowing you to test in a subject you already know in exchange for college credits without having to take the full course. I wanted to do this because I am only two credits away from being able to enlist as an E-2 Rank. Passing this exam will give me 3 credits. So I let my recruiter know that I can’t ship the 28th and luckily they were able to take me out. I am kind of bummed that I was taken out for October 2nd, I was starting to get excited about the intel job I had received. I have to wait for the August job list to come out which should be within the next few days or so. Then from there I will receive a new ship date (Fingers crossed for October/November) and a new job (Fingers also crossed for something medical or Emergency Management). But everything happens for a reason and I have faith that whatever God has up his sleeve will be beneficial to my future in the Air Force.

Shit is getting real guys! Yesterday I got a job and ship date for the Air Force. My job will be Fusion Analyst and I am shipping to BMT October 2nd. I also was put onto a quick ship list- meaning if any earlier slots open up my recruiter will let me know which means my job and ship date is subject to change. I’m kind of freaking out; I’m feeling excited, nervous, happy and worried. I still can’t believe I am actually doing this. I have wanted to do it for so long and it’s finally happening.

A lot of you may be thinking, what the heck is a Fusion Analyst. Well, that was my reaction too even though I did add it to my preferred jobs list. In short, a Fusion Analyst is responsible for acquiring and analyzing intelligence information. Ultimately it is a high security clearance job so there’s not much detail. Read more about the Fusion Analyst job here. I am excited to learn more about this job and experience it first hand.

As for my ship date- I had chosen October 1st as my preferred ship date at MEPS so this is perfect. This also means that if everything stays on schedule and I get through BMT without any issues, I will be in Tech School for Christmas and might have the chance to come home for around ten days on Exodus. One of my biggest worries about BMT is the weather- Basic Training is in San Antonio, Texas at Lackland Air Force Base. Everyone has told me Texas is miserably hot and humid. Luckily it seems like October is when things start to cool down, and even more so in November.

I should graduate by the end of November, if I make it through.

I am excited to see where I’ll be this time next year. Are you shipping soon? Any questions? Drop a comment below!

I was supposed to go to MEPS a couple weeks ago but due to illness my recruiter recommended we reschedule. I am now scheduled to go next Thursday July 12/13th. I have already since taken the ASVAB (in the form of the PiCAT- An un-proctored, un-timed version of the ASVAB which I found less stressful) and as long as I can pass a short verification test to prove I was truly the one who took it I can keep my score which was qualifying for the jobs I would like. I am hoping I do not have to reschedule this trip to MEPS again as I have been sick again *insert eye roll here*. Fingers crossed I am feeling better by Monday. The only good part about being sick is that I’ve gotten down to 170lbs finally so I’m hoping this is just God’s way of saying here’s a little help from me.

Learn more about the PiCAT here.

It’s been a long, stressful process submitting medical records and what not to the doctors up at MEPS but I finally got good news! I’m going to MEPS!

My recruiter called me yesterday to tell me and schedule a day. In a little less than two weeks I will be going up to Portland, ME to get my physical, take the ASVAB and hopefully swear in to the Delayed Entry Program. The past twenty four hours I’ve gone through what feels like a rollercoaster of emotions: relief, excitement, nervousness. My life is about to change forever and I am mostly excited about it but part of me is nervous. I’m mostly nervous about BMT and being away from everything and everyone that I’ve known for the past 24 years of my life. But I guess that is normal, this is going to be a HUGE change.

More Updates:

1) I now weigh in at 177 (only two pounds away from my max weight!)

2) I finally passed my NREMT exam and am a Nationally Registered EMT- third times a charm ?

3) Braces still aren’t off but fingers crossed for July!

I have never had an asthma attack and have only used inhaler whenever I’ve been sick with a respiratory illness (which I feel is normal for most people). Today I went and had my Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) done. My recruiter suggested I have one done so we can hopefully get me an Asthma waiver for the Air Force.

It’s been an interesting process but today was finally the day and my results came back normal. I’ve never had a PFT done and I stressed over this test for the past month. I can’t believe I psyched myself out over something so easy. My visit went like this: I checked in with the front desk, waited about fifteen minutes, was called into a tiny room, was asked a few preliminary questions, blew into a gadget five times and then… it was over. Piece of cake! I’m meeting with my primary care doctor who I’ve seen for a few years now on Wednesday to go over the results with her and hopefully get a letter for medical clearance to also submit to my recruiter. My next steps in this journey will be to:

1. Hit my goal weight (after my visit today I learned I am 5’7″ and not 5’6″ which means my max weight can be 175 vs 170, yay!)
2. Get my braces off- hopefully May!
3. Get my MEPS date.
4. Goto MEPS- At MEPS I will be taking the ASVAB and finding out what jobs I qualify for, getting a physical exam, and if everything goes right officially enlisting into the Air Force!
5. Get my boot camp date and hopefully leave around September.

I can’t believe this is really happening- and I’m sure this won’t be the first time I say this! I am so excited and so nervous for what this new chapter in my life has in store.

Yup- you read that right. Those close to me know that I have always talked about joining the military since high school. I was involved in an Army Junior ROTC-like program my senior year and wanted to join the National Guard after high school. Unfortunately, I was caught up in a relationship and life got in the way. Seven years later and here we are!

Why I chose the Air Force:

I want to go back to school
But like most of the population, I have zero dollars to do so. Joining the Military gives me the option to pursue a degree. What really caught my eye is that the Air Force is the only branch that from day one you are earning college credit starting with Basic Military Training (BMT).

I have a handful of friends in the Air Force
I have a good amount of friends in the Military in general. I made sure to ask around and get their opinions on different branches. All of my Military friends from branches other than the Air Force told me “Definitely go Air Force”. The friends that are currently in the Air Force told me the same.

My experience with the recruiter
When deciding which branch to join I ultimately narrowed my options down to either the Navy or the Air Force. I first met with a Navy recruiter based out of my local mall. He asked me why I wanted to join and basic questions about me. He also had me take a practice ASVAB to determine whether I would be eligible or not. He then gave my mother and I the opportunity to ask him questions. A few days later I had reached out to my friend Jake who is currently in the Air Force Reserves. He referred me to his recruiter and I contacted her to set up a day to meet. The office was much nicer, the recruiter was super nice, overall a much better experience than when I met with the Navy recruiter. It was also awesome that she was female.

So what are my next steps? I’m going to turn my application packet in on Friday. I have the diagnosis “Asthma” attached to my Medical Record I need to go have a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) done to prove that it isn’t an issue. I have never had an asthma attack, I was only prescribed an inhaler and used it on two occasions in which I had respiratory illness/infections. So once I have the “ok” from that test then I will hopefully be able to get a MEPS date and take my ASVAB! I’ve chatted with my recruiter and we’re going to aim for May of this year to get things processed- this also gives me time to get in shape and reach my goal weight of 170 lbs (15 lbs to lose).

I am super excited to begin this journey and document every step of the way! I hope that by sharing my journey I can help other females (males too!) along their Military journeys.