Comment

Comment by jsefamily on May 11, 2018 at 9:48pm

With respect to wisdom teeth, our dentist told our son he needed his removed. His recruiter told him he couldn’t have them removed (no physical changes or procedures) while he was waiting for selection board approval, then again no changes after approval and waiting for OCS.

The recruiter said they would be removed at OCS. And two were. The same dentist noted a crack in his front tooth (knocked out when he was 10 and put back in his gum, eventually needing an implant). He said he couldn’t clear him medically if he didn’t remove his front tooth! What?!! So the dentist removed his front tooth and gave him a temporary fake tooth just in time for OCS graduation. The saga continued for years in flight training.... He has his implant now.)

Comment by M's mom on May 11, 2018 at 9:39am

Eaglemom01,

Right.  Fortunately, my son had his wisdom teeth removed at age 16, but there were several who had their wisdom teeth removed at OCS the week of graduation!!!  Poor things still had their cheeks and jaws all swollen at the graduation ceremony. 

My advice to those accepted to OCS, besides getting in excellent physical shape before reporting, is to have those wisdom teeth removed at home before reporting, so they have time to recuperate at home. 

Comment by Eaglemom01 on May 10, 2018 at 2:49pm

And if they haven't had their wisdom teeth out yet that usally gets done at OCS too! They don't want to have to dock or come topside to send someone to take care of it if it becomes a problem out at sea.

Comment by PKM on May 10, 2018 at 10:02am

You are so right.  My son was sick for 6 weeks total before he finally got healthy. But he kept pushing through. Oh yeah, They also loose their voices too. 

Comment by M's mom on May 9, 2018 at 7:39am

PKM,

Yes, each OCS class seems to have a wave of upper respiratory illness sweep through in the early weeks. The candidates live in such close quarters, and are under such physical and emotional stress and lack of sleep, that their immune systems get weakened.  Someone always brings in a bug, and then they all get it.

Comment by PKM on May 8, 2018 at 9:29pm

I heard a story about someone thinking that sending a potato  was funny. Not for the Person at OCS...... To family of a son/daughter at OCS believe in your candidate, write letters of encouragement and the weeks go by quickly. If they get Rolled into holding company; it is not as big a deal as it sounds.  It gives them a chance to improve where they are weak.  Oh yeah, they will probably get sick, my son did; but they will get through that too.

Comment by M's mom on May 7, 2018 at 12:23am

PKM

You are right about sending nothing but letters to OCS.  In my son's class, someone's dear Auntie innocently sent their candidate COOKIES at week three.  The Drill Instructor made the poor kid do 800 (that's Eight Hundred) pushups as punishment for contraband!   OCS didn't really make it clear back then that they weren't to be sent anything, so you can imagine how bad his Aunt felt about that, not to mention how bad the candidate felt!!!! 

Comment by PKM on May 6, 2018 at 6:04pm

Good Evening: 

I am revising my earlier suggestion of sending a protractor with your child heading off to OCS. I just had an afternoon with my OCS Graduate and he said, "Do Not send anything that is not on the approved list."  His advice was to just take what is on the list and a change of civilian clothes. He said have friends and family send lots of letters. Also, Please tell friends and family that even if they think it might be funny; DO NOT, PLEASE DO NOT send No Contraband.  

Comment by M's mom on May 5, 2018 at 11:25pm

PKM,

Yes, those encouraging letters from home to OCS are so important, even if they don't admit it, because it is their only connection to the outside world for many weeks. 

The candidates are deliberately kept isolated from TV, newspapers, internet, and smart phones at first to wean them off constant communication with their loved ones.  When they are deployed on a ship or sub, there is infrequent communication, and it can be quite difficult if both parties are used to constantly texting.  Letters and care packages are also so important when they are deployed!!

Comment by PKM on May 5, 2018 at 10:37pm

Welcome to any Mom future or past. It was quite an adventure having a son at OCS. Viewing the photos on the website was a great way to see what is going on. Worrying if they will get rolled and how to support them if they do. My son said the letters he received was the best support he could get.  

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