Stepping into the Blue

I have always wanted a career for myself and to work outside of the home. However, being a military spouse does not make accomplishing this task easy. I put my schooling on hold when we first PCSed to Dover, DE and ultimately decided that starting and raising a family would be my new priority.

When we moved back to CO I pushed hard to find a career path that would work for me. In my previous posts I talked about working on my graduate degree and interning. After 8 months with the lovely people at Memorial Heath Center, I was able to make a lot of great new friends, network, and gained unparalleled work experience, but couldn’t secure a job because of the hire freeze they were experiencing.

In April of last year I started exploring the idea of joining the Air Force as a medical administrator and began the application process to become an MSC (Medical Service Corps) officer. It is a direct commission position meaning if chosen, an MSC will go to COT (Commissioned Officer Training) as a commissioned officer unlike other officer training programs that candidates have to endure 13 weeks of basic training before pinning on their rank. A similar process takes place for doctor, lawyers, and chaplains.

The application consisted of a 20+ page packet, 3 letters of recommendations, essay, interview, and physical. The MSC board meets once a year and selection is very competitive. I was told not to expect to make it the first time around and that it could take up to 3 tries before actually being chosen. Imagine my surprise when I got a phone call from my recruiter a couple weeks before Christmas saying I was picked! Here is the selection list and the 2012 stats:

So what does this mean for the Tydingco Family?
I head off to COT at the end of May for 5 weeks in Alabama. There I will learn about military customs and courtesies. There will also be some yelling and physical activity, but I am looking forward to the challenge.

Immediately following COT I will report to my first duty station at Bolling AFB in Washington DC. Anthony got a job at the Pentagon that will also be starting 1 July, so the whole family is moving out to the east coast this summer.

What a world wind ride and I would love to tell you all more about this journey. Call anytime and I’ll fill you in on all the highs and lows. In the meantime, here are the pictures from my commissioning ceremony yesterday. It took place at the 10th Medical Group at the Air Force Academy. I volunteered a lot of hours here with the Director of Quality and other MSCs working on AFSO 21 projects and shadowing, so this place
holds a special place in my heart.

Ace acting as the narrator

Anthony giving his speech

Maj. Olipane saying a few kind words about me and giving the audience some MSC background

Maj. Olipane giving me the first coin that he was given when he was commissioned as an MSC

Oath time

Dad and Aprille pinning on my rank

My turn to speak. I got choked up when thanking my family and girls

Singing the AF song

Receiving line:

Lt Col Goddale

Roy Smithers from Memorial

Lt. Col Sever

Diwata