Still Waiting...

My recruiter called Wednesday just to update me. He says my packet should be on the "big guy's" desk within a few days. If there's nothing in the system by mid-next week regarding the status of my application, he'll call the "big guy" again and see what's what.

I AM SO FREAKIN NERVOUS! I swear I will have stomach ulcers after all this worrying. I guess part of what will take the longest is working out assignments- that is provided I am selected. That will cause a little delay in official notification. However, my recruiter promises that he will let me know before then, as soon as he hears something.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!!

The Sepeda Wedding

So I went to Ft. Worth (WOOO-HOOO back home in TEXAS) this past weekend for one of my best friends weddings. She and her husband have already been married for six years (another JP like me and my hubby), but she wanted to do it right finally and get married in a church. So I trucked it on over to New Orleans at 4 AM to catch my flight to Dallas Love Field at 630 AM. That drive sucked, and I late checked in my bags by THREE minutes thanks to the ridiculously long line at the luggage check in counter. The flight was uneventful, and my brother Galen picked me up at the airport. He is a sophomore at University of North Texas, so Denton is about an hour or so away from Love Field. Anyway, we go to claim my luggage and..... it's not there. It's on the 1145 flight from NO. So I get the pleasure of coming back to pick up my luggage after it arrives on that later flight.

Friday was spent mostly driving around trying to find an Olive Garden with Crystal and Monique, waiting on in-laws and getting feet and nails done at this really nice spa place at a mall in Ft. Worth. Descriptive, I know. That night Monique, Crystal and I went to City Streets and our Bachelorette Party was crashed by the Bachelor Party. I will say that the hubby to be (again) was mighty toasty by the time he rolled into the club. Anyway, we had fun. And 730 the next morning came WAAAAAAAAAAY too soon.

So Saturday we get up and drive on over to this beauty school... OGLE... to get our "hair did". LOL! Crystal (bride), Dawn (bridesmaid), Karolina (bridesmaid) and Celeste's (flower girl) hair looked great. I didn't get mine done, thank the Lord. But ahem, Monique's hair, well she would be the "poodle" that Crystal's mom was referring too. LOL, it was soo bad. So we went to JCP and had her hair redone into the Palin like chingnon. Although I will tell you that is not what I was thinking of when I suggested the hairstyle, but it was funny to see Karolina cringe when they mentioned it looked Sarah Palin's hairstyle.

We rushed back, threw on our dresses, squeezed our feet into those torture devices- ooops, I mean shoes, and rushed to the church. As Kim said, the wedding was short but sweet and the reception was a riot. I though Chris was going to strangle the DJ. I know we are from Seguin, but a little less tejano would've been ok. It was wonderful to see everybody, and I am so glad that we all managed to make it. It's a testament to how true your friends are when they will travel to come share with you one of your most special days.

I am blessed to have my group of best friends. I had a great time this weekend, and hopefully we can all get together a little more often. Easier said than done, I know....

Socialism... does this sound familiar?

Well, it is no secret whom I will be voting for, but I wanted to be objective about the whole presidential race. So as I was doing my 2 miles on the treadmill Wednesday night, I flipped over to CNN's coverage of the final Presidential Debat. Mind you, CNN should really be called "we broadcast nothing but the democratic POV on this here station".... (and yes FOXNEWS is up the GOP's you know what), but I ignored the clearly one sided reaction to the debate and waited patiently for them to replay the actual "main event".

So as I am running, I have a new goal btw, I listen to both sides of the debate. Yes, McCain is a terrible public speaker. He is old, cantankerous, and does not present himself very favorably. Yes Obama is a much better public speaker. He is young, likeable, and has a calm pleasant demeanor. But, the IMPORTANT thing is the issues... and here is where I take issue-no pun intended.


So here's some food for thought...

SOCIALISM:

Socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating social or collective ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and the creation of an egalitarian society. Modern socialism originated in the late nineteenth-century working class political movement. Karl Marx posited that SOCIALISM would be achieved via class struggle and a proletarian revolution which represents the transitional stage between CAPITALISM and COMMUNISM.
Socialists mainly share the belief that capitalism by nature concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society that controls capital, and creates an unequal society.

CAPITALISM is usually considered to involve the right of individuals and corporations to trade, incorporate, employ workers, and use money provided by central banks, in goods, services (including finance), labor and land.

Wikipedia: Socialism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism. Accessed OCT 2008.
Wikipedia: Capitalism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism. Accessed OCT 2008.

Just a question then: did we not fight wars to help overthrow communist governments????

The premise of an egalitarian nation sound great, but in practice is it at all practical? Would those that have worked very hard to get an education, and/or worked their way up in their respective career fields be willing to "share the wealth". Just a thought.

My Recruiter...

My recruiter is, in the words of Anthony Bradford, cool as a fan!

I never realized how long he's been doing this, and how well connected he is. Plus, he is a down to earth guy that probably would throw an awesome party. He is terrible about phone calls and emails, and his over the phone people skills suck. But in person he is a totally different guy. Very personable, chatty, overall chill guy- over the phone he just seems uncomfortable.

I owe him a huge thanks for all the help he has given me in getting my package together and on the desks of those Col's that will determine my future.

PHO Candidate Interviews/Finalization of the Application

Okay, so this will be a long one. But I have been too busy/lazy to update as it happens so this is what you get....


So this past Friday Oct 3, I had my Formal Consultant Interview with a Lt. Col out at Randolph. I would say his name, but as this is a public forum I suppose that wouldn't be the best idea. Anyway, the "interview" lasted for about an hour. He was suuuuuuuper nice, and very easy to talk to. No matter what anyone says, if they tell you not to be nervous, you inevitably will be more nervous than you would have initially. He asked me a few general questions, but it was more like an open conversation and he gave me a lot of opportunities to interact, ask questions, etc. The only real specific question that he had, that seemed as though it were an actual assessment of my qualifications was this:

Would you rather be the No. 1. Officer at a small base, or the No. 2. or 3. at a large base?

My answer:

It depends really. If I felt that I would be qualified and enough of a knowledgeable resource to sufficiently lead at a small base then yes, I wouldn't be opposed to being the only or head officer. On the same token, if I didn't feel that I was qualified to do so and would be better off working with other more knowledgeable officers, then I would also have no problem being the second or third in command. I would leave that up to those who are experienced in the field to determine where I would be best suited.

Well, I guess I answered that question right- he seemed very pleased with my overall package, educational background and my "interview". He also informed me that I would need a second informal interview with a PHO at Keesler. It has become a new requirement to have a face to face in person interview in addition to interviews that are conducted over the telephone.

So I had my "interview" with the local PHO yesterday. That lasted a bit longer, and was very informal. The Major I spoke with was also very cool. It was a random collection of thoughts really, not very many questions. Again, very laxed open conversation. We talked about assignments/bases, opportunities, Italy :), school, further education...

Before my last interview I also met with my recruiter and signed and initialed a bunch of forms. So essentially the application is done. We are waiting on a dependency waiver, which I need to fax the forms to my recruiter within the next few days. But we should meet again next week to make any revisions if necessary and do fingerprints for my security clearance. Essentially, the interviews were the last checks in the boxes on that looooong BSC application checklist. It feels great to finally have everything done. Now comes the waiting, but hey- I've waited this long, what's another month in a half....

LOL, if you know me, you realize that's a loaded comment.... I HATE WAITING!!!!

Tag! I'm It....

Here are the rules:
Link the person who tagged you
Mention the rules on your blog
Tell about 6 quirks of yours
Tag 6 fellow bloggers of yours to do the same
Leave a comment to let them know

1- I organize the dishes in the dishwasher. I know that is weird, but I've found that the dishes are more effectively cleaned this way- of course it is possible that is just the OCD in me shining through.
2- I religiously watch Days of Our Lives and can pretty much tell you the story line since 1995!
3- I don't do roaches. Period, no exceptions. I won't even pick up a dead one to throw away. Really that pretty much goes for any bug that CRUNCHES when smooshed.
4- My towels, sheets, shirts, underwear and shorts have to be folded in a certain way. And I can't stand it when "guests" use the good towels, or when they use a brand new towel every day. Who pays the water and electric bill huh?!
5- I can't study in silence, it's a recipe for disaster- I WILL fall asleep.
6- It is a huge pet peeve of mine: if you are supposed to be teaching me, especially anything that pertains to science and the use of scientific names- please use the correct pronunciation of the word. It irks me when you say it incorrectly. The exception to this rule is if you are a student trying to give a report or whatnot about the subject, but at least try to make it sound like you know what you are talking about, and are confident in your presentation.

I'm tagging... umm, I don't know anyone else on blogspot except for Kimmie.

Tasking to Deploy

So Anthony got official tasking yesterday:

Al Udeid AB, Qatar (Persian Gulf)
180 Day TDY- not too happy about the length of the tdy, but hopefully 6 mo will go by fast.
Departure Date: 20 JAN 2009

No big deal, we knew it was coming. Plus it's better than going to Balad AB, Iraq! So if he waits to re-enlist until January when he gets to Qatar then his re-enlistment bonus will be tax free (at least the up-front portion). He will of course collect hazardous duty pay, family separation pay, and all the normal stuff he gets on his paycheck now- but again, tax free. YAY!

So I called my parents, and assuming that I finally get my application submitted to Randolph AFB, and get selected for commission, and tasked to go to the 0902 COT Class.... then Aidyn will be staying with my parents in Seguin while Anthony and I are deployed or at training respectively. At some point I would be back in Seguin to for my PME Public Health course at Brooks City-Base for 12 weeks, and then it would be on to my first duty section. Anthony would return back to Keesler after his deployment ends and he would outprocess and then join Aidyn and I at our new station.

The only part of all this that is for sure at the moment is Anthony's side. If my recruiter gets off his butt in time... maybe the part about my plans will come to fruition as well.

Does the Waiting EVER End?

So I know it's only been a week since I've gone to MEPS, but my recruiter ASSURED me that he would pick up my lab results on the 24th (yesterday) and that he would have my interview scheduled for this week (either Wed., Thurs., or Fri.). So yesterday being the 24th I decided I'd give him a little call. Of course he doesn't answer until the third time I call him. I'm not suprised. When he does finally answer, he gives me the "oh I'm so busy, I'm just now getting to the office" spiel. I can tell he's irritated that I'm calling, but listen- I'm irritated because I have to keep calling. If he would just keep his word and keep me informed as he suggested he would, then I wouldn't call him so much. But he is very lazy about it, and I can tell. It's extremely frustrating for me. You see, he has nothing to gain from getting me in the service. Recruiters are not "rewarded" for officer accessions. Plus, he's already in the service- he's already got his job squared away. In fact he's getting ready to go back to his primary AFSC (or job duty) and quit recruiting so that he can retire in 3 years. So as you see, he's been bitten by the bug, and I am being punished for it.

So he tells me he'll give me a call back, and he's working hard on my package, yadda yadda. Funny, you could've fooled me- I'm still waiting for that phone call, as promised.

GRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!

Edit: I should point out, my recruiter is a pretty cool guy it's just frustrating when you are the accession candidate and it feels like your recruiter isn't always doing what they say they are to help you get that package in on time. Trust me, when all is said and done, I won't be as bitter- but I am still waiting to have my interview, to sign that paperwork, and finally get that package in and in front of the BSC boards. Once I know it is their hands, I will feel a little better.

MEPS

So I FINALLY went to MEPS to take my commissioning physical. I drove to Metairie, LA the night before and stayed at the Sheraton New Orleans with all the other MEPers. I was the only officer accession candidate. Everyone else was either shipping out the next day for basic, or they were in the delayed entry program taking their enlistment physical. So they woke us up at 0415 to be up and ready for breakfast at 0500. You better believe that I ate none of that breakfast buffet. After working this hard to lose all that weight, I wasn't about to ruin it over some greasy bacon and eggs. So at 0530 the busses arrive. Luckily for me as an officer candidate, I had the privilage of driving myself to and from MEPS. So I followed the busses, who conveniently don't follow traffic laws, over to the Naval Base in Bywater where the MEPS station is located. If you are unfamiliar with New Orleans- it's in the HOOD!! So I get there, the guy at the front gate is a mega douche and informs me that I need to scrape my expired base id sticker off the windshield, although the USAF no longer issues base stickers or requires them as long as you have valid military ID.

So I go park and line up with the other cattle, I mean kids to go into the MEPS building. As we stand in line a man comes out and gives us the low down on what's acceptable and what's not as far as conduct and behavior in the building. He also informs us to leave all weapons before entering the building. We get inside and are hearded to our respective branch liasons. It's me and two other kids: 1 AD enlisted recruit, and 1 Reserve recruit. I'm basically told my day will be very short in comparison to theirs, so I get to leave early. I then line up in yet another looong line and get my name tag and medical records to take with me to the medical area.

I check in at yet another desk, and they take my picture- DMV style. They send me to station 5 where I go and sit in this little booth to take my hearing test. It's a series of sounds on your L and R side, and you are supposed to press a button as soon as you hear the sound. Easy.

I'm then filed out of that room into an adjacent classroom where the temperature was literally 55 degrees. It was FREAKIN' COLD!!!! The MEPS command first sergeant comes into the room and gives us another spiel, and the famous scare tactic to be honest and completely forthright with all of your medical history. Otherwise it is the "clink-clank" for you. Umm, ok. Then a civilian nurse comes in and proceeds to tell us the same thing as the first shirt, she then begins the briefing. She reads the papers that are in our medical records one at a time, and we are directed to sign them acknowledging that we have read and understand the material. We are also told to make corrections to the records if necessary. We then get to our medical history. It is a long form with a bunch of yes/no questions and we are to fill them out accordingly. We are directed to explain any yes answers, and fill out information for an emergency contact. On the last page we fill out a form that describes why we are at MEPS that day. Under the type of physical we are here for we check one of several boxes. It is at this point that everyone becomes aware of the fact that I'm an officer accessions candidate. She says, "everyone check Enlisted, unless- Is anyone here to be an officer?" I raised my hand, and you could hear freakin crickets chirp as everyone turned to look at me. I got lots of questions the remainder of the day as a result.

So out of the classroom we go and back to medical world. I'm sent over to get my blood drawn, and because my recruiter used to be the USAF liason at MEPS, the techs are pretty cool to me. It was nice being picked first and treated with some respect. From there I went to get my eyes checked. I did the color test, and then she had me read the letters in a stereoscopic machine much like the ones at the DMV. Then she has me do the depth perception test. I am proud to say I failed that with flying colors. None of the circles that were supposed to appear further foward looked any different than the others to me. No big deal, I won't be flying, so who cares! She then has me read a paragraph. It's truly sad that the only branch of service that is concerned with your capacity to read is the USAF. I then go to the refraction machine and it has that swirly looking star, and then a cross hatch pattern that I look at. When I'm done she says, "did you know your right eye was the worst one?" Um, yeah... DUH. Why do you think I wear glasses?

They check my blood pressure, and then I head over to the next station for my urinalysis. I pee in the designated cup, they check for protein, sugars, and to see if you are pregnant. They save some to ship off to be tested for prescription and illegal drugs. All 5 of us girls that were there that day were then herded into another room that says "FEMALES ONLY" and directed to strip down to our bra and undies. We then stand in front of a mirror and are weighed. We then step over to the wall to have our height measured. Fortunately for me I was under the max-weight for my height so all was well. But for two girls, Navy and NG recruits, they were over their weight limit. The NG recruit was to ship out within 30 days so they measured her BF% and it was 39% when the max was 32%. The Navy recruit was in the DEP so she had time to lose the extra weight. After that we lined up and went through a series of ortho/neuro tasks to ensure flexibility and to guage the range of motion of our extremities. This of course included the lovely duck walk which every person that goes to MEPS has to do. We are then directed to put on these awesome paper gowns and strip completely underneath. We are again put in a line (me first) and our eyes, heartbeat, breath sounds, lymph nodes and our ears are checked. Being an AF recruit, I had to also pop my ears. Not sure why. Then one by one we go into another room and we are visually examined to make sure we are indeed female, and we have a brief breast exam. Fortunately, having had a child I'm not terribly shy when it comes to that. So it was quick and painless for me.

I then got re-dressed handed my records off to the people at the front desk. After about 10 minutes, they call my name (Bradford) and I pick up my new medical packet. They tell me to head back to my liasons office. So I get in the office and it's my recruiter and another TSgt who is the new liason at MEPS. We shoot the bull for a little bit, and they tell me I passed my exam. The only thing we have to wait on are the results of the UA and my blood test.

We then filled out my BOP for overseas and stateside, go over my health professions application workbook, fill out paperwork for a credit check, and discuss a new timeline. My recruiter will pick up my results next wednesday (Sept 24) and schedule my interview with the consultant for this coming week, and will hopefully have my application submitted by the end of next week. YAY!

Hopefully we will make the next boards (October) and then have a decision relatively quickly, and be eligible for the 09COT02 Class which starts Jan 12.

2 Year Anniversary

So September 15th, Anthony and I celebrated our 2nd Anniversary. Time goes by very fast! So we made plans to go eat at Carnival de Brasil at the IP in Biloxi. It is a Churrascaria, which in plain old English, means an ass load of meat on a stick. Eat to your hearts content. Earlier that day, Anthony made a spa appointment for me at the Hard Rock. It was my first time to have a real massage, and it was awesome. So later that night we went out, minus Aidyn (thanks to pop and nonnie), and we finally got to have a meal together ALONE! It was really great food, but no matter how much you starve yourself, there is never enough room for it all. We tried our best to get a little of everything, and we even saved room for a little dessert. All in all, it was a nice anniversary.

FY 09 Accession Quotas

Released from the AFPC website:
27 AUG 08

The accession quota for AFSC 43H (Public Health): 5
Deadline for submitting applications for FY09 BSC Commissioning: 15 OCT 08

That's right folks, your eyes weren't playing tricks on you, there are only FIVE spots available Air Force wide for Public Health Officers for FY09. YIKES!!!!

---

Edit: False alarm, that's only for AD, Cross-Service Transfers and I believe AFIT graduates. Thank goodness. I still don't know what the civilian quota is though, but I have been led to believe that it is significantly higher.

A Few Thoughts to Start the Week

Okay, so as many of you may know by now- I am trying to get into the Air Force. DUH, right! Anyway, we finally had my date scheduled to go take my physical and Gustav decided that he wasn't going to let that happen.

For those of you on some other random planet also called Earth- Gustav was that hurricane that just passed through LA on Labor Day....

So we rescheduled my physical, or at least I called my recruiter (to which I've got no reply since) and told him I wanted to reschedule the date for 17 Sept. I've got to enjoy my ANNIVERSARY first!!!

As 17 Sept is next week, I have to be good again for one week and all but starve myself to prevent unwanted water weight. And that will be terribly hard because our 2nd ANNIVERSARY is on Monday, 15 Sept, and we are going to eat at the Carnaval de Brasil. Looks like I'll be having a fine diet of agua frio on that following Tuesday.... MMM!!!

Which brings me to my next point- IKE. Let's see where it goes.

The Formal Hellllooooo.... (think Jerry Seinfeld)

So this is my first "official" blog on Blogspot... or should I say Kimmie Arce's version of crack. Thanks Kim for the gmail invite BTW.

So here I am wrtiting about, well- my life, hence the ever so creative title. Hey, it's hard to decide what to name your ramblings when you are signing up for a blog. Anyhow, I'll post on here from time to time some of what's going on in my life- thoughts, rants, raves... whatever. It's MY blogspot, right?!