OCS and NFO Training

[ashleighj]

Hello everyone! We just got the good news that my husband was accepted into OCS as an NFO candidate. I am looking for any and all advice about what happens next. We don't have a start date yet, he recruiter advised she will get the formal letter in 2-4 weeks which will have a date. She said it could be June and it could be December. Does anyone have any experience with the actual timeline? How soon after acceptance your aviators went to OCS? Also is it typical to have a break between OCS and Flight School? I am trying to mentally prepare myself to drive alone from N. CA to FL, with 3 dogs!! 

In regards to OCS does anyone know how many people he is allowed to invite to Hi Mom and Graduation? We both have big families and would like to set expectations early on instead of disappointing people right before the time comes. I also have tons of questions about pay and housing lol. I know we don't qualify for base housing because we have too many animals but are there any other resources for finding a good area to live in? Sorry I know this is a lot and quite jumbled. I am a planner by nature so the not knowing things drives me nuts, something I am aware I have to learn to deal with :) Again, any advice you guys have would be much appreciated!!!!!  Thank You! 

[NYNancy]

Congratulations to your husband. In my son's case the pilot/NFO board met on April 16, 2012 and the list was made public on April 27, 2012. He was selected for the class starting in September that year. Airwarriors.com is a great place to learn about the Navy. I've been there many times; I think it's very interesting reading all the comments from the aviators. They have forums on all phases of Navy life. From what I have read there candidates have very varying waits for OCS ranging from a few weeks to over a year. As far as guests for the ceremony there was only 3 of us, so I can't say, but there was larger groups and there is quite a bit of room. You can get lots of information on pay and benefits on the web, just google your question. I can't tell you much about base housing. My son has never lived on base as an officer, he is prior enlisted, and none of the officers he's been training with have either. I can relate to your curiosity, I'm a planner too. I wish you and your husband well.

[ashleighj]

Thank you so much for your help!!! When you say the list was made public, is there a website that we can get information on?

[NYNancy]

When I said made public I mean that's the date the recruiters find out and your husband gets a call.  But that has already happened. 

[Hurricane]

My husband is an OCS guy. His board met in February, we had orders in mid to late March with a report of beginning of May.

The break between OCS and flight school depends, my husband took leave we drove home from OCS we packed up our home then he moved to Florida. Some people chose not to take leave and immediately headed to NASP (NAS Pensacola) to check in. The ones who checked in sooner got started quicker. However we have caught up to majority of them in training. They will have a report no later than date and he must be checked in by that time. It all varies pending the amount of leave built up.

Hi moms he can have as many or little as he wants but he will have to pay a fee for each person that attends to cover the food. Some guys had 13, we had three, same as graduation.

Housing in Pensacola is a hit or miss as far as base, we lived off base and you will be able to afford something. Do not sign a lease until he has orders for FL which won't come until about the 9th-12th week. He will still have to qualify medically at OCS.

We have a Facebook group for spouses "Naval Aviation Support Group" but it has a ton of housing info for that area. There is definitely dos and dont's about living in Pensacola.

[ashleighj]

Hi Hurricane,

 Did you husband get orders after his recruiter received the official letter or are they one in the same? His recruiter is fairly new so we have a lot of "I will call you back with that info" and that takes a lot of time lol.

My husband is currently a civilian so I don't know if he will have any leave built up just after OCS?

I am not worried about him passing a medical... but what happens if he doesn't?

 

[Okie Cowgirl]

Does the Naval Aviation support group still exist?  I looked for it, but what pops up doesn't seem to apply. 

[J/J Mom]

?? i'm interested too!

[Guacamole]

My son went thru OCS.  Received his notification May 2013.  He went to OCS in September 2013 and was commissioned December 2013.  He has finished his training in Pensacola and is now in Corpus for further flight training.  

OCS is tough.   Get in the best possible shape by running and doing sit-ups/push-ups.   Also, memorize everything that you can.  It is much easier to have everything memorized prior to being sleep deprived, tired and hungry.     

Pensacola is even tougher from a mental/training standpoint.   No time to do much except study. 

[Quilter]

Ditto Guacamole!!

OCS is the toughest thing my son ever has been through.  Not only should your LO (loved one) be in the best shape ever, mentally get prepared!! Watch a few You Tube videos on OCS and Chow Hall.  Be prepared for "Rolled events" where if you fail a certain part, they will Roll you back 3 weeks!! RLP is a rollable event (Room Locker Inspection) many will fail and Roll. There are physical test that also have rollable outcomes.

The thing to remember and talk about with your LO is, if you do roll, its not the end of the world!! Write them everyday, send pictures and quotes of encouragement.  Your LO will not have a voice for the first 3 weeks (lots of screaming).

In the H-Class (Holding class if you Roll) they heal, they rest, and they practice what they need to do. Yes the 1st day or 2 in H class they feel as if they let you down and themselves down.  

We didn't know anything about H-class, or Rollable events that roll you back 3 weeks until it happened to our LO. He failed RLP the 1st time by 1 point, he was sent back 3 weeks!! So be prepared. OCS is tough and they make sure by Graduation you are meant to be there.

Also one more thing to prepared for that we didn't know. A few LO's in Aviation were NPQ'd the last week of OCS!! (Not physically qualified) from medical issues way back as a child. If that happens, they do not graduate and have to remain at OCS for a month for discharging paperwork.  If your LO is in Aviation, please be aware his medical records will be checked over for issues like migraines or seizures by the  Medical Team at OCS to NPQ your LO.. I have heard so many stories of these fine young men and women making it through OCS with flying colors and then a Migraine issue back as a child, finished there Aviation career in the Navy. 

I don't mean to be doom and gloom, however, we knew nothing about most of these events until it happens to us. Best of Luck to your LO! OCS graduates the Best of the Best!! It's a wonderful Career!!! Go Navy!!!