My sense of relief after my package was my board ready only lasted for about a day. The wait was torture! I honestly found myself unproductive in the work center...fortunately for me I also had the task of studying for master and running a half-marathon. I was studying for master sergeant the same time I was getting my application squared away and doing a bunch of tempo runs, sprints, long runs, and gym time as well. This help keep my mind occupied; I even took a couple weeks of leave to get my act back on track.
Studying for master was very important to me! I missed it the previous year and it was heart breaking because I put a lot of time studying for it. I wanted to prove that I could make it to SNCO status in a very tough career field in regard to promotions. I studied, studied, and studied my ass off and tested in February a few days after the application cut-off date.
My testing went fairly well. I know this is a blog about my experience with the application process; however, I feel like sharing my testing techniques so here it goes:
Read the dang study material (PDG/CDCs)! Do not go to any other study material until you actually read the dang books! Use the MKTS! They actually rate the most important information for you! I studied the most critical first (I believe the 1s) and then worked my way down to the 3s. Do not study the 4s because those are not testable! Once I was done reading I focused my attention to FreePDG.com. It isn't free anymore, but way more affordable than those other study sites. My process was drilling those practice test for each chapter and I would not move on until I scored in the 90s. Once that was done I would do the actual practice test where they randomly select 100 questions. I fine tuned my studying by reviewing the critical items ( number 1s) directly from the PDG.
Test day: I have a unique way of taking the test which I learned from a CMSgt. The TCN will give you scratch paper; use it! how? Well the first thing I did when I got to my test questions was COVER ALL answer choices. I then read the question and thought of the answer (without looking at the answer choices). I would only look at the answer choices once I had the answer in my head. I then selected the matching answer choice. This helps me because it prevents me from second guessing myself. I changed four answer choices the previous year and I found those to be incorrect due to the change....I only needed less than two of those to be correct to earn promotion selection. The only time I truly evaluate all answer choices is when I do not have an answer in my mind or if the answer I had is not an answer choice. I then use tally marks on my scratch paper as well. I put a tally mark on my sheet only when I am 100% sure my answer choice was correct..no less than 100%. At the end of my test I was the last person in the room, but had 73 tally marks on my sheet. I was satisfied. I ended up scoring an 84.
Half Marathon:
So my city has an annual half-marathon that I have never participated it and I knew I had to do it before I ever PCSd. I did full marathons in the past, but never did a half (weird?). I had a goal to go sub 2 hour which is pretty respectable. I also had an inside agenda or bet with God or Faith that I would be selected for commission if I went sub 2 hour. If I told you I was prepared for this agenda I would be lying. My training really slowed down due to a gym injury and personal dilemmas. I was extremely nervous for this run and I didn't think I could make the sub 2. I was able to maintain a 8:30 mile past for the first 10 miles and kicked it into gear when I realized I only had a 5K remaining. My 5K was 22:22 after 10 miles. You could say that I was truly motivated and determined to make a good time!
AF OTS Forum:
I highly recommend you not pay too much attention with this site during and post your application. I honestly felt that there were more trolls on this portal than anything else. It was seriously a bunch of people that thought they knew, think they know, or knows someone who knows....the only person I truly appreciated and listened to was HiFlyer...the other moderators rarely posted unless it was to blast someone for being an idiot! hahahaha. Seriously though read HiFlyers post as he knows what he is talking about and he/she makes way too much sense.
CDB/RRU/SharePoint:
For whatever reason I was always on these sites checking for updates. I was especially paranoid about the AAC 05. I may have mentioned this before, but the closer we got to the board estimated release date the more peoples AAC 05 "fell off" their records. I cannot honestly tell you that this matters, but I am certain the Air Force knows the selections way before they ever publicly announce them. It would make sense for them to drop your code if you're not selected so that you are available for an Air Force needed assignment. There were quite a few that made it known their code was dropped on the OTS Forum...none of them were selected.
My advice:
Find a hobby when you're waiting for your results. Enjoy your life, spend time with family, and ensure you're productive. I seriously felt that I did not follow my rule of balance and it was a negative impact for myself, co-workers, and family.
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