Thursday, January 24, 2008

PT test #2

Yesterday, I took the PT test again, after having failed the run last Friday. This time I passed with a mile run time of 6:57.

Yay!

For a couple reasons, this time was a bit easier. First, we ran around a park, rather than a 200m track. That's significant, because last time mentally I kept saving myself for later laps. This time I didn't do that.

It was also a bit easier mentally, since I was sure that it wasn't going to kill me. Last Friday's run was the first time I'd run anything longer than a driveway in more than six years. Plus, it was a pretty cold day (y'know, January), so I was more than a little nervous.

But all's well now. The next step is to make sure I get all my forms done -- I still need one more letter of recommendation. I've already finished:
  • Full-length picture (taken on base, no charge)
  • Motivational essay, both typed and handwritten in black ink, "Why do you want to be an Army officer?"
  • SF86 security clearance form, with addresses and references for all job and residences in the past 10 years
  • A61 Application for Appointment, showing branch preferences
  • College and high school transcripts
  • A4255-R Inital Active Duty Assignment Instructions Request.
  • ASVAB test results. (Raw score: 132 / 97th percentile) from July 27.
  • MEPS physical test results from August.
(I took the MEPS and ASVAB tests back when I was thinking about enlisting for the $20,000 quick-ship bonus, but after finding out about SY's pregnancy I changed my mind.)

I'm sure there are other things in my packet, but those would have been completed by my recruiter. For a more complete list of OCS requirements, see here. If you're looking for the forms themselves, they're available in PDF format via a Google search.

On February 1, I have my review board, where the other two officer applicants and I appear before a panel of officers (separately). They'll make their recommendation, and if it's positive, the recruiter prepares the contract.

From there, all that's left is the hard work -- basic training.

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