My first post

[Rosemarie]

Hi All,

My son was just sworn in and starts OCS on Oct 3, 2010. Someone please fill me in on what to expect.

I'm thrilled, very proud and a nervous wreck!

Rosecan

[Wyette]

Hi Rosecan! My fiance went to OCS last year and thankfully survived. They break you down to build you up. The best resource is: http://www.projo.com/extra/2008/ocs/
There's really no way to prepare for OCS except for being healthy, be physically fit and have A LOT of endurance. Tell your son to enjoy his sleep starting NOW. You can use this to your advantage by making him clean the house meticulously- especially folding the laundry all the same size by the centimeter. Hehehe
You should be very proud! Good luck to your son and I hope this helps.
-Wyette

[2 in the service]

Welcome Rosecan!
Watch the videos Wyette mentioned. They are a very good guide to what happens at OCS. The timing may be different but the challenges are pretty much the same. And her advise about cleaning and doing laundry is right on, especially the folding and lint removal!

f your son thinks he is training hard enough, tell him to step it up - A LOT! OCS is physically more intense than most candidates would have ever imagined! He needs to learn to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! My LO (loved one) graduated with 13-10 and we were astounded by how intense the program is! He has time to get very serious about his training. If he is physically healthy, pushes hard and learns to focus he should be fine!

Your son has made the first cut, now it's up to him to prove himself at OCS. He needs all of the above and the unwaivering support of family and friends to get to commissioning. Take care and enjoy your summer. Best wishes for you and your son.

[dmarie]

Welcome Rosemarie!
I would echo the above post about stepping up the physical training. My LO graduated in 08-10, and said that it was very intense physically.
You may want to read some of the discussions in the OCS Graduates group. These will give you a good idea of what to expect on your end, and how some of us have handled the emotional part of this experience.
OCS is a journey that neccessarily your sons' alone. The only thing we can offer is unconditional support.
Best wishes to you both. Lean on us here, as we've been through this and understand.

[pgrlisa]

Rosemarie,

I would say to your son to be wary of over-training. I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but my daughter rolled to H class (holding or healing) her first week because of sore knees. Her husband, the Corpsman, thinks it was from overtraining. It cost her three weeks. She just graudated last Friday with 16-10. So tell him to train like crazy, but don't over-do it and end up injured.

Get a copy of the gouge book for him to study prior to leaving, if possible. It's a book with all the things they are required to memorize.

And I love the bit about practicing folding laundry. Sweats are folded into a 12" x 12" square. Imagine having to get that right every single time you do the wash!

And finally, tell him not to take any insults or rants from the DIs personally. They treat everyone the same, although they will pick on anyone who stands out in any way. And remember, they will salute you at the end of the training, so it's all worthwhile.

Keep telling yourself No News Is Good News - you won't always hear from him as often as you'd like.

Please let us know if we can help you in any way. It's just as hard on the moms as the candidates.

Lisa

[Gretchen]

My son is leaving August 22nd for OCS. I live in Florida
and he lives in the midwest. It is an array of emotions for
both of us. I am so proud of him but my heart feels like I left
it somewhere!! Please fill me in on more details about OCS.
I was a DODDs teacher overseas so somewhat familiar with
the military.

[brenzmom46]

My son also leaves of OCS on August 22nd. We can navigate this together!

[navymom9875]

My son is also entering on Oct. 3. The day before his 23rd birthday. I also am a nervous wreck but trying to hold it together for his benefit. Any info or tips would be much appreciated.

[Gretchen]

I totally understand your feelings. I try to remain strong on the
phone since we live so far apart, I am in FL, he in OH, and
they need our support. My son leaves in less than 3 weeks.
This is a BIG transition for them and us. Take care and write often, Gretchen

[navymom9875]

Thanks for your empathy Layke! Glad to know I'm not the only one feeling sadness and fear. I keep reminding myself that he WANTS to do this - no one is forcing him. And as you said - HE WILL SURVIVE!! I did watch the Providence Journal videos - with tears streaming down my face, of course. So I decided I wouldn't do that again, at least not now. I have been encouraged by watching some of the videos of the Hi Mom's event and graduation so if I can just focus on that I hope it will help get me through the rest. I know he needs my support and love and that is what I will give him in the 2 months leading up to his departure.

Does anyone know if they are allowed to receive mail (letters? packages?) while in OCS? If so, are there restrictions on what you can send. Do they open the mail and inspect it first?

Thanks

[pgrlisa]

gdawg - They can receive mail, but no packages until they reach Candio phase. Letters and cards only, please. Nothing that will fall on the floor (glitter, small pictures, etc). If you send a package, they will have to open it in front of the DI, and no one enjoys that! Letters are not opened in front of anyone else. If he needs a phone card, have him take it with and make sure it's refillable. He won't have much (if any) phone access until he is out of Indoc, then he may get phone priviledges on Sundays. Cell phones are usually returned during Candio phase. And remember, No News is Good News. I had to remind myself that this is the only path my daughter had to her goal - being an Officer in the US Navy!

[Gretchen]

Hello,
I totally agree with everything you are feeling. I watched a few of
the videos and couldn't any more. Sometimes too much info
doesn't help. I try to focus on the end result and the good
stuff that will come out of this adventure. Unconditional love and
support and constant prayers and cheerleading are the keys. They will survive and become
more mature men. My son leaves in less than 3 weeks and my emotions
are running high. I wish you peace and know that these emails will be a big
help. Gretchen

[navymom9875]

Question - I assume Indoc is when they start OCS, but what is the "Candio" phase? Is that the term for the last few weeks when they are in charge of the incoming class? Thanks, Gale