Women at OCS

[susieg805]

Hello all!
My name is Susie and I'm 22 and hope to attend OCS after I graduate college this coming spring. I will have a BA in marketing/management at that point and was just wondering if there were any moms here who have daughters that went to OCS and can offer any tips as to what it was like for them. Meaning how did they cope in a male dominated field and what do they do now/where are they stationed and how do they like it? I have begun talking with a recruiter and am starting all the paperwork, but it can be quite overwhelming at times. So also, do you happen to have any tips for going through this process? I really appreciate any advice/insight on this!

[Jeanna]

I'm not a mom, but I'm a girl who is also in the application process for OCS. I've been knee deep in everything since March, so I can probably answer a lot of questions for you. Also there are two forums online that are specifically for OCS applicants. I would browse them if I were you as you're looking at designators and deciding what you want to apply for. I have also taken the ASTB multiple times so I can give you good gouge on studying for it. Those sites are www.usnavyocs.com and www.airwarriors.com

[susieg805]

Hi Jeanna!
Thanks so much for the reply! It's nice to know that I am in good company! What program were you looking to get into after OCS? My top choice was supply as I don't have a scientific degree so that really eliminates a lot of my options. What is your degree in? Also, what are you doing to preprare physically for OCS? Thanks for any info!
-Susie

[Jeanna]

The communities I'm after are IW & Supply. Information warfare because my mom was counter-intel in the army, so I've grown up on her stories and never dreamed I'd get a chance to walk in her footsteps. Supply because well I work in an accounting office, and I ran my own small store for a couple years, so I understand it. I wish I was brave enough to fly, the flight slots are easier to come by. My degree is in Art of all things. Don't worry about what your degree is in. There are many factors that you can use in the application process to compensate for lack of technical training. Pretty much everything but CEC and NUPOC will take a non-technical degree. To prepare physically I trained for a half marathon that I just ran two weeks ago. Now I do about 4 miles a day, 4 to 5 days a week, weight train & work on speed drills. Pushups and situps as well. The only way to improve those is to do them every single day. I'd be happy to answer many more questions if you want to message me on here. There are many confusing parts of this process!

[Kathy]

Good luck Susie, it's a tough decision but one, it looks like, you are preparing well for. My son finished OCS about a month ago. While he was attending and more recently, I joined the group "OCS graudate moms". There are moms, wives, girlfriends on the site and lots of info goes back and forth. Give it a look see. Very supportive group.

[Diana]

Good afternoon:

Congratulations on your decision! My first recommendation would be to make certain that you are physically ready for the challenges of OCS. Do not worry about the men; focus on your academics; your goals and your physical preparedness and you will do fine. There is nothing easy about OCS. Get yourself into the best physical shape possible prior to reporting and then focus on the day to day requirements leading to graduation and your commissioning.

[Mom25]

Hi Susie, welcome!
Persistence pays off in the application process. There are hoops you have to jump through and often waivers that have to be obtained. My son started OCS a year after he started the process. Don't give up. That applies for OCS, too. It is designed to develop officers who can lead in the context of teamwork, pay attention to detail, obey orders and make difficult decisions under very stressful conditions. Make sure you read the survival guide. You have to be prepared for the shock of your life. Training subsequent to OCS has varying levels of stress. From what I gather, those who go to nuke and aviation schools find them the most demanding. Others may have different perspectives. My son's classmates were going a number of different routes - public affairs, supply, surface warfare, nukes, civil engineering, intelligence and aviation. My son is in the Naval Flight Officer pipeline and is finding the academics surrounding meteorology, aeronautics, physics and engineering a challenge because he has very little science background. The military and survival part is his forte because he spent four years as a Marine. Where you are stationed depends on your field, but it's usually not Colorado! Being confident is the best way to succeed in the male dominated field. Ignore the detractors. Best wishes! - Chris

[Mom25]

Another thought: You have probably already done this, but in case you haven't, make sure you examine what you would like your life to look like, say ten years from now. Being a Naval Officer is not just a job. It is a commitment requiring personal sacrifice at varying levels. That is one of the reasons they make the application process and OCS so crazy, because they don't want anyone who isn't committed. Once you're commissioned and sign a contract you can't just resign as in a normal job. One example that comes to mind is a friend's daughter who became an Army helicopter pilot. She thought she'd never want children, but later changed her mind and even went to the point of malingering to get out of her contract, which is morally wrong. Some people say it costs about a million dollars to train a military pilot. She did not want to be deployed. Then there's the doctor that let the Army pay for his medical school. Later, when he was on a plane enroute to Grenada, he all of a sudden became a conscientious objector. He ended up finishing the time he owed working in the STD clinic at the Army Medical Center where my husband was stationed. These two should have considered these things in advance. There can be major consequences to taking the path you are considering.

Your desire to serve is admirable. I would not have been up to making the sacrifices. My husband and son have made some of those sacrifices. I am fortunate to still have them - certainly an answer to lots of prayers! It is a miracle that they are both still intact.

[susieg805]

Yes this is very true! I can tell from the application process, like you said, that they are looking for truly committed people. It is definitely a big decision, but one that I feel I am prepared for. I know that it is hard to judge how I will feel in 5 or 10 years just because I don't truly know what to expect, and I think this is the hardest part. I wanted to go into the military right after high school but my family talked me into going to college first and seeing how I felt about it all while I was in college/when I was done. I think it was a good decision to go to school first as I've had time to consider my options and how much it would mean to me to become a Navy officer. Now that I am almost done with college, I feel like this is something I truly want and will do anything to get. As I said, it is a big decision but something that I feel like I have been preparing for mentally and physically for a long time. Thanks so much for the advice! It really helps just to have someone to talk to about all this :)

[Mom25]

It sounds like you will make a great officer. Go for it!

[Maegansmom]

My daughter is at OCS right now, I can't tell you much cause I haven't talked to her since she's been there!!! When I do talk to her though I will let you know!!! I think if you are a strong person, you will be fine!!

[Kimmers]

Hi Maegansmom....Saw your message 0f 11-17 have you talked to Maegan yet? Is Maegan in the class of 11-8-09 If she is let me know ...a couple of us, with girls in that class, have got together on here and share the info that we get,. as we get it.. it's not a lot but at least we know they're ok and a little of what's going on.. the phones there are really bad and it's hard to hear what they're saying.but better than nothing.....anyway let me know if Maegan is in that class and if you want to stay in contact....Have a Nice Thanksgiving

[Viki]

My daughter had an associates degree and came out of boot camp an E3
Now she is living in Hawaii...
She kicked some of those boys you know what and is laughing all the way to the bank LOL