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Comment by aggiemom on November 3, 2012 at 2:56pm

Thanks for the info, I've been reading the posts here for a couple months now. I was already on the OTCNewport page and have joined the class page. Phone cards are on the shopping list, will probably send a couple with him to share just in case somebody else doesn't have one.

Comment by gordons4 on November 3, 2012 at 1:53am

aggiemom--Here is a link to the OCS 6-13 Family and Friends page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/546897392002520/?bookmark_t=group  

As M's mom said, it is very help to be part of this group, and even to be part of the groups ahead of yours so you can see what's coming. Writing lots of letters helps you feel connected and like you are doing your part in helping your son to get through.  :)

Comment by M's mom on November 3, 2012 at 1:43am

aggiemom:  Before your son starts OCS on Nov 11, read all the posts here as far back as you can.  That really helped me to know what to expect, and it was great to be able to ask questions of veteran OCS moms.  Now that I AM a veteran OCS mom (son graduated Sept 7), I am trying to "pay it forward" to help you newbies.  Besides this site, if you do Facebook, join (or start) the FB group of your son's OCS class "Family & Friends."  That way if anyone gets class news from their loved one at OCS, they can share it with all.  Also, make sure you "like" the "OTCNewport" Facebook page. This page is posted directly from Officer Training Command Newport.  The class officers of each OCS class post weekly updates about what the class has been doing that week, and they also post PHOTOS of each class doing inspections, physical fitness tests, etc.   It just made our day when we saw our son in some of the pictures!!    Here's a big tip:  make sure your son has your phone # and email address MEMORIZED before he goes to OCS. His own phone will be taken and put in storage the first day, and he will have to use a pay phone for that first-day 2-minute phone call. (Send a pre-paid phone card with him.)  If he's used to just scrolling on his phone to "MOM," he may not even know your actual number!  Same thing when they get email. They will NOT have access to their usual email program and "contacts" list, so you'll have to send a letter with everyone's email addresses.  The candidates usually send out a "test" email at three weeks, but don't get email and weekend phone privileges until they pass the Room-Locker-Personnel (RLP) inspection at four weeks.

Comment by M's mom on November 3, 2012 at 1:01am

gordons4:  I think that is very thoughtful of you to want to send letters to those who aren't getting any!   Each OCS class elects a "mail body" who distributes all the incoming mail to his/her fellow classmates.  The mail body could tell your son who never gets any mail.  If you then address the letters directly to the other candidates, no one would know your son was in on it.  Even if they did, I don't think they would ridicule your son.  OCS encourages them to be a team, so a "team Mom" sending letters to some who usually don't get any would be appreciated, I think. 

Comment by M's mom on November 3, 2012 at 12:32am

aggiemom:  As shown in Navygf820's picture, most people use a US Postal Service "large" size flat-rate box for the Candio boxes.  It makes into a box about 12 inches square by 6 inches deep.  You can stuff as much as you want in it and there is no weight limit, and it still ships for under $16.   This is WAY cheaper than a comparable-sized box sent by UPS or FedEx.  Just ask at your Post Office; you don't even have to pay for the box until you bring it back to ship it.  Most people decorate the inside as shown.  Do NOT send any packages (just letters) until they become Candidate Officers (Candios) at nine weeks.  They can receive pretty much anything after that, EXCEPT anything resembling weapons--NO squirt guns, NERF dart guns, etc. (NERF footballs are OK.), and NO alcohol or tobacco. They can receive multiple boxes, but my son said they had so MUCH food they couldn't eat it all, even with everyone sharing with those who didn't get any.  They are only in OCS for three more weeks after that, so lots of it got thrown away, so keep that in mind, and don't overdo it!

Comment by Navygf820 on November 3, 2012 at 12:12am

Comment by Navygf820 on November 2, 2012 at 11:52pm

A Candio Box is a care package that you can send for your loved one to open in the middle of their 9th week at OCS - when they are in the "Candio Phase." Usually these boxes are filled with the candidates favorite snacks, candy, foods, etc. Some people throw magazines in there. Whatever you want! Also, people decorate the inside of the boxes. See attachment for an example. 

Comment by aggiemom on November 2, 2012 at 11:43pm

My son starts Nov 11, what is a candio box? 

Comment by Anna on November 2, 2012 at 11:27am

gordons4,

That is a wonderful thought!!  I don't know your son but I think if you ask him he could tell you if there was someone who could use some encouragement from a supportive mom!!  Then either get a name from him or just send the letter to him and have him pass it on.  I doubt he would get ridiculed for that.  He can always privately give the letter to his shipmate.  I know my daughter depended on those encouraging letters from home and also little jokes and pictures I printed out to bring a little joy to her nights when she would read and re read her letters!!!

Comment by gordons4 on November 2, 2012 at 11:17am

Question. I have seen talk about sending an extra candio box for those who may not receive one...and I plan on doing that when we hit the candio phase...but what about sending letters to encourage those who may not receive any mail from home? Is that just dorky? Too much of a team mom type thing? Would my son get ridiculed for that? I know my son is getting plenty of letters from family, but I started thinking today how sad it must be for those who don't have that kind of support.

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