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Comment by M's mom on July 4, 2014 at 7:08pm

Susieq228: As far as hotels, the "Newport" hotels cater to tourists and are very expensive.  Search for hotels in "Middletown RI."  Middletown and Newport kind of blend together, but Middletown is actually closer to the gate of the base than Newport, and they have lots of chain hotels there that are cheaper than anything in Newport on the bay.  We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Middletown and it was fine.  Some folks stayed at the Navy Lodge right on the base, but it fills up fast for graduation weekends.  Your loved one will have to be available to check you in to the Navy Lodge because they need to see a military ID.  It's only for military and their families.

Comment by M's mom on July 4, 2014 at 6:59pm

meam:  go to www.ocs.navy.mil then click on "programs" then OCS.  There is an FAQ section there, but we didn't know a lot about OCS before my son started.  We actually had to learn more about it here on N4M's and also his class's Friends & Family Facebook page, than any info we got from the Navy.  For instance, nowhere on the Navy OSC site does it tell you NOT to send any goodies or gifts to the candidates BEFORE they become Candios (after nine weeks.)   We had to learn that here and on FB.  Some candidates were innocently punished in my son's class for being sent contraband!! 

Comment by Susieq228 on July 4, 2014 at 11:29am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEPQSK5r3ms

Hello meam - I'm a new mom to this site also, but my son is currently in class 15-14 scheduled to graduate on August 8th.

View the above youtube video.  It will give you a real vision as to what your son will be doing.  It is a little scary too - OCS is not a walk in the park, but it will give you the feeling of how proud you will be when he completes his class.

On another note, if any of you ladies can give me some information on hotels for my stay during graduation, I'd be very grateful.

Happy 4th of July to all.  Susie

Comment by meam on July 4, 2014 at 10:41am

Hello, New mom here. My sailor was just accepted. I am wondering where I can get information about OCS.

Thanks, meam

Comment by Gatormom on June 27, 2014 at 7:03am

Thank you, M's Mom, for the valuable info. So appreciate it! I'm sure a last minute, one way ticket is pricey, but doesn't look like any way around it. You've been a big help :-)
Cheryl

Comment by M's mom on June 26, 2014 at 11:16pm

Gatormom: After the graduation ceremony and checking out of the barracks, the new Ensigns are free to leave IF they have their orders.  Some will not have their orders come through yet at grad and must stay at the base until they do, which could be several weeks.  They must buy their own plane ticket home, if they have enough "travel time" in their orders, to be able to go home first.  My son had ten days to get to Virginia Beach for Intel School, so he was able to get a ticket on our same flight to fly home to Indiana, collect his stuff, and then drive to VA.  Some of them however, had to report to their next school the next week, so had to go directly there.  I believe the Navy will reimburse them for plane tickets to their next duty station, but NOT to go home.  They have to make their own arrangements anyway.  My son was reimbursed so much per mile for his drive to VA.  As to all the uniforms, yes, they have to take them all with them, and they are only issued a sea bag, and my son only had just a carry-on bag that he flew to RI with.  So my husband and I  packed some collapsible luggage in our own suitcases, and I bought a really nice large durable folding garment bag for my son to put all of his dress uniforms in, (he still uses it.)  We had to put some of his stuff in OUR luggage, and had to check all these bags for the flight home, but we got it all home!  Many of the families there for grad made a run to the local Walmart to buy cheap luggage, duffel bags, etc. because there is no way they can stuff five sets of uniforms, shoes/boots, and all their gear in that sea bag!  So take your loved ones some extra luggage with you, or plan to buy some there if they will be flying home!   Unfortunately, their orders don't come in until near graduation, if then, so you will not know until then if your loved one will be able to go home.  We were in Newport on the Wed before graduation Friday with my son, when he got a call to go back to the barracks because his orders were just issued!!!  This sort of uncertainty is common in the Navy, so we all have to resign ourselves to it!!

Comment by DallasMom2014 on June 26, 2014 at 9:30pm

Does anyone has an update on RLP?

Comment by Gatormom on June 26, 2014 at 3:55pm

I thought RLP week 3 but appears its today. So hoping it goes well.

Comment by Lynn Baker on June 26, 2014 at 12:09pm

RLP is today for 16-14 with retest on Saturday. Keep our LO's in our thoughts today. Hope everyone does really well.

Comment by Gatormom on June 25, 2014 at 7:42pm

I booked the best Western and am hoping graduation takes place as scheduled. Holding on flights for a bit. How do our LOs get home? Navy bought a one way ticket there. Is that due to possible rolling? What ab all the uniforms they have to buy? Do they get to fly home with them, ship them, or what?

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