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Comment by PKM on February 16, 2018 at 8:06pm

Does anyone know how many friends/family members can attend OCS graduation? 

Comment by Eaglemom01 on February 16, 2018 at 8:02am

PKM- my son was 01-18 and we sent a candio box. Have seen others share they have since that class in early October. 

Comment by PKM on February 15, 2018 at 10:04pm

Does OCS still allow Candio boxes in 2018?

Comment by Sheltiemom on February 6, 2018 at 9:31pm

Thank you! appreciate it!

Comment by Liz in Norfolk on February 6, 2018 at 9:24pm

Candio box is mailed out during the 8th week and the candidate opens it during the 9th week when they go from officer candidates to candidate officers, (when they have finished all rollable events).  It is basically a care package, but it is decorated on the inside, usually in a Navy theme. You can get a large flat rate prepaid box at the post office. Go to Google images or Pinterest and you'll see examples of decorations and suggestions for contents. Do not send food though!.  Address the box with the normal mailing address and largely - and very clearly - write "CANDIO BOX" on all sides of the box. This will help prevent your package being delivered too early, or too late, to your candidate. Some classes will not receive boxes until Thursday or Friday, depending on their class team. (Graduation is on a Friday morning. The Hi Mom reception is the night before).

Comment by Sheltiemom on February 6, 2018 at 9:09pm

I am not sure I understand what a Candio box is and when you are sending it to your candidate....graduation is normally on what day of the week?

Thank you

Comment by Liz in Norfolk on February 6, 2018 at 8:30pm

Comment by Liz in Norfolk on February 6, 2018 at 8:25pm

My son graduated OCS two months ago and I learned a lot about the process.  Hi Mom, normally 5pm, most people dress nice, but a handful dressed casual.  If they choose the Officer's club, there will be a lot of tasty finger foods. I would not recommend a big restaurant afterwards. We saved that for about 1pm on Friday. The wait in restaurants were minimal and we were very hungry so we enjoyed it (the white seafood pizza at the Red Parrot makes a great appetizer!). Grad ceremony: most people dressed very nice. Plan to stay and do first salute photos afterwards, but don't plan the coin tradition. It is no longer supported by OCS.  Since I am retired military, I wore my uniform and gave my son his salute, but many others got it from the DI or one of the other staff members. Try to find out what side your LO will be sitting on for best views. I wish I could say there were no inconsiderate people obsessively holding up cell phones, but it happened.  My son said everyone had to be out of the barracks by the start of the ceremony.  We had him load all of his uniforms and belongings in our SUV and dealt with it later.  As far as orders, he got them the day before graduation, so it was tough to plan where he was going until the last minute. My son said it really never mattered if people used colorful envelops for mail since it was one of their classmates who was assigned to distribute mail. Still, we stuck with white since we bought a whole box! Candio box: Pinterest has SO many ideas for decorating the inside!  Micheal's had a lot of stickers and lettering. True that no food is allowed. We made a small scapebook using the class photos that are posted on the Officer Command School Newport facebook page.  Son loved it!  Also added water bottle with Navy logo, all weather pocket notebook, black Fox River socks, cushiony shoe inserts, a decorated wooden anchor, and a Starbucks card.  Hope this helps for the family members out there navigating this whole new world! 

Comment by Nancy on February 3, 2018 at 10:52am

Good things to include in candio box (only if they want one): boot shine (black), lint roller, pictures, handwritten notes from friends and family, a special comfy t-shirt they might have left at home, favorite comic strips cut out from the paper, a Navy water bottle. Be careful with things you might think are okay, like I thought a deck of cards would be okay (as they get into candio phase they have slightly more down time) but I was advised against it by officer on the facebook page. Use the officer (who acts as a liaison for information) on your class's facebook page for any questions. They are very helpful.

Comment by M's mom on February 3, 2018 at 1:32am

buckyGM, As others have written, the new Ensigns can leave right after graduation is over IF they have their orders.  Then as soon as they gather their gear and check out of their room, they are free to go.   The orders begin trickling in a few weeks before graduation, but some still do not have orders at graduation, and must stay in Newport until the orders come, which could be weeks. 

They don't automatically get "leave" after OCS.  I have heard of some OCS graduates having to report to their next school on the Monday right after graduation!!!   It depends on when the next class in the school of their designator starts.   My son got his orders on Wednesday before graduation Friday, and he was given ten days "travel time" to report to his next school. He had flown to OCS, as did my husband and I, so my son was able to get a ticket on the same flight home as us; then he had ten days to pack his worldly belongings into his vehicle and report to duty at his next school.  That also gave him some time to find housing at the new base.

Some OCS grads find that their next school will not start for several months, so they are sent home to work in the local recruiting office in the meantime.  Your Ensign will simply not be able to make any plans to come home after OCS until they see their orders, which may or may not arrive by graduation. 

I know it is frustrating for all, but this is how the military is. The service members and families just have to learn to roll with whatever and whenever the Navy commands.  "Semper Gumby" --Always Flexible, they say.   haha 

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