August 22 OCS Class 02-11

[MaryD]

Hi, I'm new to this site and will be new as a Navy Mom when my son begins OCS on Sunday Aug. 22.   I don't know much about what to expect, but am looking forward to learning!   My brother was a Navy pilot 20 years ago, and I know everything has changed a lot since that time.  I'm looking forward to meeting some of you, helping one another and learning from each other as we support our LOs. 

(This is a huge week for our family as our youngest starts college this week as well!) 

[Gretchen]

Hello and welcome!
My son will be in the same class starting Sunday.
This will be a great way for all of us parents of 02-11
to stay in touch and support one another. There is also
a great facebook page, Navy OCS 02-11, started by one
of the fathers of this class. Here's to their success in the next
12 weeks.

[MaryD]

Hi Gretchen.

I'm going to try to add a link to the facebook group for family and friends of 02-11 for anyone reading who is interested.

We can try both sites to support each other and be informed. Hopefully the link will work, we'll see.

[navynursenm]

I tried to join this page...this am....still have not received authorization.....would love to get on the FB site!

[Renee]

Hi, I'm new to the site also & new as a Navy mom. He is my oldest and my heart wasn't ready for him to leave. My son flew into Rhode Island on Saturday, August 21,2010. I have no concept of what to expect. I want to do everything I can to support him. I was wondering it there is an official website, which tells exactly what they can receive & what they can't.

[MaryD]

here's a link that our son gave us. it's a series on what their lives are like in OCS, and it's a bit overwhelming to watch! http://www.projo.com/extra/2008/ocs/

also our son told us at this point to send only letters, with no stickers or glitter or anything on the envelopes!!

[navynursenm]

Unfortunately I too am late to find out info. We had a big move that came up in June, then a family wedding in July, and I didn't start researching the info on the web about OCS until after my son left. Wish I had seen some of it before he went,,,,Did you see the videos on You Tube? The chow hall videos were enlightening!
Also the http://www.projo.com/extra/2008/ocs/ was a help to watch and read but again, I wish I had seen it a couple of weeks before he left!
So far so good....that's all I pray for..keep him safe and injury free!

[Debbie B.]

Hi!

Definitely try to go to the Facebook site for the class. Lots of other parents with similar experiences and not knowing what to expect are there also. I hope you have gotten the "Hi, I'm here" call by now. My son called last night, but did not sound like himself. There is a good series from the Providence newspaper - I'll have to find the site. A series that told what the school is like. After reading that, I think I understand why he didn't sound the same. It is stressful with people yelling at you alot. My son has been in 3 years and went through regular boot camp and he did have time to comment that this was much harder. Write them letters, they cannot get any packages at this time. If it is like boot camp it will be awhile before they can call again. Good luck to all of our sailors.

[Stevemom56]

Hello to class 02-11, My LO's class 20-10 is Candio for this class. He got his first package last week, and cell phones--hooray!! Before this I sent letters twice a week--kept things positive, inspiring--which he liked alot. They are kept extremely busy. I didn't find out about N4M or Facebook class group page until his 5th week. These are very helpful for support from other families of LO's. I looked alot at the Navy Portal OCS sites for information. Let me know if I can answer any questions.

[MaryD]

I suppose we can't ask you to tell your son to be kind to our LO's! :) Thanks for the support, it's very encouraging.

[jgw]

I've been reading all I can to find out what to expect. We missed the " I'm here:phone call since we were on an airplane, but fortunately I do have the message on voicemail. It was very noisy in the room where he was calling so I could barely hear him. He said he'd call again in 4 weeks.
Since you are the experienced mom of the group, maybe you can tell me at what point we'll know when graduation is. I know that it can be delayed if they end up going to the holding class. Just wondering how much lead time we'll have to get tickets to fly cross country.

[MaryD]

I don't know if you've gotten this info yet, but according to what we've heard, the 02-11 class would graduate on November 12. I think there's more on the facebook group.

[navynursenm]

Hi,
I'm confused about the communications we will receive. We got the I'm here ok call...on voice mail. Then an email that said don't email me but I'm alive and well through week 1. The we were thrilled to get a 10 minute phone call the second Sunday. His Dad and I are wondering if we will get a call every Sunday?
Tell me what it means when you say that your son's class is candios for this class? Does that mean that his class is the one yelling at our kids on Day 1? (oh I just read below what you said...and I would guess that I guessed right.) Do they do more with them than the first couple of days?
My son is in 02-11 E....I assume that means Echo company. Do you know how many are in each company? How many companies are there? How many Drill instructors?
I read somewhere that they change get moved and change roomates. Can you elaborate on that?
Also how many in your son's class rolled back and at what points does that happen the most?
My son's recruiter didn't give him any of the info or handbooks to memorize before going to OCS....they gave him the wrong report date on his orders and had him report a day early!
You said he got his first package and cell phones....and what week? And what can you send in a package?
Do they ever get liberty and get to go off base?
You son must be a week from graduation.....how proud are you? Where is he going from OCS? Will you fill us in on graduation etc after you return?
Thanks for your help!