Still waiting...

The holidays seem to have slowed things down to a snail's pace. Still no word on the medical waiver. However, I am grateful for the additional time because I've learned that the Battalion Commander wants me to achieve 80 points in each Physical Fitness Test category, vs. the 60 points that is required of an OCS applicant.

This means (2 minutes each): 30 push-ups, 59 sit-ups, and a 2 mile run in 18:48 minutes.
The 60 point requirement is: 15 push-ups, 42 sit-ups, and a 2 mile run in 21:42 minutes.

To graduate Basic Training a recruit needs to score 50 points in each category. The requirements are higher for Officer Applicants/Candidates, not to mention that they need to be met even before interviewing with the Officer Candidate Selection Board, which is before Basic Training. It's a lot of work to go through when I don't know for sure if I am going or not, but it's good to be getting in shape; something I should be doing anyway. Please pray for me to have the courage and endurance to do this, and strength in so many ways! :)

I am like Sarah

According to the Facebook "Which mighty woman of the bible are you most like?" survey, I am most like Sarah. Here's what it said:

"Dedicated to your spouse/boyfriend, you would do anything for them. You also are a woman of faith, who takes God at His word. You have much wisdom, and are a role model to many other women, both young and old. Your life is filled with adventure, oft times and is unpredictable as you live a kind of "nomadic" existence as the Spirit leads."

Career Branches

After much consideration, research, and discussion --- I've chosen 10 Career Branch preferences. As an Officer I don't pick a specific job. Here's the list in order of preference:

Military Intelligence Officer
Quartermaster Officer
Signal Officer
Psychological Operations Officer
Personnel Systems Management Officer
Finance Officer
Transportation Officer
Engineer Officer
Chaplain
Air Defense Artillery Officer

It is a relief to have this milestone achieved! They tell me I should get one of my top three picks. If you're curious about what something is you can look here: http://www.goarmy.com/JobSearchPre.do

There are only 23 choices on the form I am completing. Many I'm not qualified for because I don't have a particular degree, two because I'm a woman, and others are directly combat related.

I very much appreciate all the help, advice, opinions, and guidance that has been offered to help in this decision. Thank you!!! :)

MEPS Physical & Med Waiver

The physical went excellent! I scored 1 in almost every area, which is what you want. The exception was my eyes. I can see just fine, but found out that I wasn't actually granted the medical waiver as we had thought. Rather, permission was granted for me to process at MEPS. Now the waiver has been requested. Maybe when I get it the third time it will be for real! ;-)

Once the medical waiver is finally granted, we can request an age waiver. The next thing on my list is to select my top ten Career Branch preferences. I am told they will try to give me one of the top three choices, but ultimately I will be placed where the Army needs me. There are so many things I could end up doing within each branch -- it is difficult to decide. I am contemplating putting all options in a hat and picking them at random! =P Ultimately my life is in the Lord's hands and I know I will end up in just the right place. Of this I am certain. :)

ASVAB Test Score

The best you can score (on a percentile basis) on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test is 99. Seven years ago I scored 99. I came to MEPS in Shreveport, LA today to take the test, and will go through the MEPS physical tomorrow.

Either I've gotten dumber or the test has gotten harder, because I didn't score a 99 as I was so hoping I would. They did re-vamp it in 2004, so it is a bit different, and updated. Well, I didn't score 99, but I did score 98!!! =D I'm super excited!

Really Approved and Moving Forward

I was really approved for the med waiver this time, yay!!!

Now I'm going to MEPS in Shreveport Friday and Saturday. I'll take the ASVAB Friday at 4:00, then go through the physical evaluation on Saturday. This is not a PFT (physical fitness test), but where doctors OK me to enter the armed services.

False Alarm

I was told the medical waiver had been approved, but my recruiter misunderstood. Apparently there had been a lot of confusion and I had somehow been "deleted". When all that got resolved then the approval request got submitted twice. It's all been ironed out and I am once again awaiting approval. I'm beginning to know the meaning of "hurry up and wait"! =P

Good News!

I'm approved!!! Yay! Now on to the next hurdle, the age waiver =P

There's a lot more involved for this one so it'll be a little bit before it gets submitted. I need to go to MEPS to take the ASVAB and physical, do a bunch of paperwork, select my Career Branch preferences, complete my essay; I think that's it, phew!

Eagerly Awaiting Approval

It's Monday after the holiday weekend and back to business as usual. As usual as can be with many off on vacation or so unfortunate as to get sick in this wintery weather. I am hoping to receive word today that the medical waiver for my eye surgery has been approved. Oh I hope so!!