Commissioned as a 2ndLt in the AFROTC waiting on school

I've been hearing about some newly commissioned 2ndLt's waiting on their AFSC school for several months. During this time, they do not accrue retirement, time in service, pay, etc. So, what's their status? Are they covered under Tricare? Or do they just get a job and pay for their own healthcare until they receive orders?

Dont know about Tricare but that is what two of my son's friends did. One waited around his college for a year and worked and the other spent less time but got a job with the university teaching how to fly (Purdue). Both could have gone home but decided they didn't want to move twice. My son was supposed to report into UPT in September after he graduated in May but then his UPT base and time got switched and had to go in the middle of June. We weren't happy we didn't get to spend the whole summer with him.

Ask your squadron commander for the details as he'll have the most up to date info. I forget what the status is called exactly. As for health care, my son had a basic Tri Care which meant he had to go to a base for health care needs. My son ended up working for a couple of months and then traveling in SE Asia for four months. It's a good time to travel and see some of the world if you can.

You get tricare (not for dependents though) right after commissioning. No pay until you EAD (enter active duty) which is right before training starts (a few days before). In between, you're just a regular civilian waiting to EAD. Most people get a job and just work during the waiting period, especially if the wait time is 6-9mo (not too uncommon). Your AS400 class will go over all the specific details of what life is like before EAD and what the first few months are like on the job. Nice thing about getting orders though is you can leave any job or housing contract, so you can get really good rates/pay and then just leave whenever you start. You'll get your base and date that you EAD (usually) before commissioning, but not always.