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Comment by Andy'sMom on March 13, 2018 at 3:26pm

jsefamily:  yes, I realize that.  I was more curious about traffic!

Comment by jsefamily on March 13, 2018 at 2:51am

If you put the address of the Navy base and the address of the rental home in a mapping app or website, it will give you the distance and the estimated travel time.

Comment by Andy'sMom on March 13, 2018 at 12:34am

Question about Commissioning.  We are looking at at least 5 going so I thought it would be more economical to get a house instead of hotel rooms.  One that would fit our needs is near Portsmouth.  About how long would that take us to get to from this location to the base?  I'm used to the wide open spaces of the west, so it is difficult to judge distances!  Also, what time does it start?

Comment by M's mom on March 11, 2018 at 10:04pm

Andy'sMom:  I don't think paper letters are monitored at all, because my son said he sealed and stamped his and put it in the mailbox himself.  Their emails may not even be monitored either, but they are told of the possibility that the DI's might, at their discretion.  I think it's just to keep them from "crying home to Mommy," and also to make sure they're not breaching any security issues. (Loose Lips Sink Ships!)

Incoming mail may be searched by the DI if it looks like it might contain contraband, so don't send any fat, overstuffed envelopes that look like there could be something besides a letter in there.   Tell anyone to whom you have given his mailing address not to send ANYTHING but letters, until he may receive a "Candi-O" (Candidate Officer) box at week ten, but it still can't contain any food items.

Comment by Melissa on March 11, 2018 at 9:19am

Hi! My son is planning on being in Newport for OCS next Sunday. He has been in touch with his recruiter and everything seems to be going as planned. However, he has not received a finsel letter. Has anyone else experienced not getting a letter until the last minute?

Comment by Andy'sMom on March 10, 2018 at 8:04pm

PKM,

It was so great to see those pictures go up!  We saw one of our son on the first day - still in civilian clothes with all of his hair!  Of course, I swear I see him in a blurrey shot doing exercises in the gym.  My husband questions it, but I told him it's like a mother zebra recognizing her child among all the others! :)

Comment by Andy'sMom on March 10, 2018 at 8:01pm

M's Mom:  Thanks for that.  We actually received our first letter yesterday!  It was so good to hear from him.  His humor is intact, so that was a relief!  Thanks for the info on the email.  I will send off addresses in my next letter.  You mentioned that the emails are monitored.  Is regualar mail monitored as well?

Comment by M's mom on March 10, 2018 at 8:11am

Andy'sMom:  You will hear more from your son after they get email privileges after week 3-4.  Be advised that they will be emailing from a closed government server, and will not have access to their usual email program and contacts list, so they will have to type in the complete email address.  If you think your LO does not know your email address from memory due to just scrolling and clicking on "MOM," send a letter now with all the email addresses you think he would want.  You will get email from an address like .....@navy.mil.    Also, don't expect an instant answer like texting.  They are only given limited time daily to check their email.

My son was told that the drill instructors may, and sometimes do, monitor the candidates' outgoing emails, so don't be surprised if his emails have a very formal "just the facts" tone.  My son knew he didn't dare complain about anything because if the DI found out, he would be doing many extra pushups!!!!!   His emails were just like short, "Training is going well."  It was only after he graduated that he dared complain about how brutal it was!!!    haha

Comment by Andy'sMom on March 9, 2018 at 2:09am

I am trying to write every other day, but sometimes it slips! I haven't written a letter for years myself! I know my LO is writing to his girlfriend, but sure would like one for me. He is just finishing week 2. I guess Fast Cruise is tomorrow. Prayers to all our military wherever they are.

Comment by M's mom on March 9, 2018 at 1:47am

PKM,

Yes, it is so nice that OCS posts pics of the trainees, but it can be like "Where's Waldo?" to find your candidate in a group shot, since they all wear the same clothing and the guys all have shaved heads!

I was also surprised to receive a letter from my son while at OCS, since these kids today don't do snail mail letters anymore!   If your son has been there 3-4 weeks, has he passed the big RLP (Room-Locker-Personnel) inspection yet?  After that, they usually get email privileges, and you will hear more from him.

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