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Comment by Dr Nan on January 18, 2018 at 12:57pm

We received a text from our LO with a picture of the address and phone number and on the tag was the number of the class.  He started on this last Monday and the number is 9-18. 

Comment by PKM on January 18, 2018 at 11:45am

How do I know what class he is in?

Comment by CindyN on January 16, 2018 at 10:53am

PKM - Welcome to the Navy family. I do not think you are an anomaly at OCS. When my son was there ~3 years ago, he may have been the anomaly as he was only 21 . He said many of his classmates were 26-28. I am sure each class has a slightly different mix but I don't think 28 is unusual.

The first 3 or so weeks of OCS was the hardest for me. I sent a letter every 2 or 3 days with a bit of "what we are doing" type news and then just current event news I cut and pasted into letters. My son did send a letter very early on and asked for "pictures of friends and family". So we started taking selfies with friends. We are not good at selfies so they ended up quite funny and that became our theme. The pictures were included in the word doc letter I had typed so it was only "pieces of paper" in the envelope, in the event that mattered to the DIs. When they get to the point where they get phone privileges, I still sent letters, just not quite as often.

If you haven't found the friends and family group for your son's class, that is a great source of information and comfort during the OCS roller coaster. Look for some variation of "Navy OCS 09-18 Friends and Family".  The Officer Training Command Newport facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OTCNewport/) will occasionally post photos. The have an album for each class. Generally, they post photos of the week on the following Monday or Tuesday. There were a few weeks they missed and the families just about had a mutiny. I haven't looked at the page in quite some time so I don't know how regular they post now.

Best of luck!

Comment by M's mom on January 15, 2018 at 10:41pm

Welcome to all new OCS Moms!    Remember, for the first few weeks at OCS, NO NEWS is GOOD NEWS.  You probably won't hear much from your candidate for 3-4 weeks until they are granted email privileges.  They will be allowed to call you if they fail something or get injured, and therefore get "rolled" back to the next incoming class. 

Snail mail letters are their only contact with the outside world at first, because they are deliberately kept isolated from TV, newspapers, and the internet. 

Write lots of encouraging letters with all the news from home, but BE ADVISED: do NOT send anything but LETTERS.  NO treats or gifts of any kind, not even magazines, or it will be confiscated as contraband, and the candidate will likely have to do extra PT (physical training) as punishment, even if they didn't ask for it to be sent!!    When my son was at OCS five years ago, one candidate's dear Auntie sent him cookies at week three, and the poor kid had to do 800 (yes, EIGHT hundred) pushups as punishment!  I'm not kidding.  So make sure everyone to whom you give your LO's (Loved One's)  OCS mailing address knows this!     When my son was at OCS, they were allowed to received a box of goodies at week 10 when they became Candi-O's (Candidate Officers) but I heard that OCS has forbidden that now, so just don't send anything but letters, unless your officer candidate requests it and knows it's OK.  Sending them pre-paid phone cards to be used with the pay phones used to be allowed also, but I'm not sure now.  Policies change frequently, so I usually have to defer to advice from Moms of more recent graduates.

As far as reservations for graduation, hotels can always be changed, but be careful of getting plane tickets too soon.  The candidates can and some do, get rolled back sometimes.  Southwest Airlines flies into Providence, and they used to  be the only airline that did not charge a re-booking fee, but not sure now.

The dinner the night before graduation is called "Hi Moms," and the candidates themselves book the venue and have to pay for each family member attending, so keep that in mind if you are bringing a big crowd! 

Just wait until you see your new Ensign at graduation in dress blues/whites!  You will be bursting with pride!!!   Take tissues unless you are less emotional than most!!!!

Comment by NewbieNavyMom on January 15, 2018 at 3:15pm

Comment for OCS2018Mom:  I had a month before my son's graduation to book our flights.  They were pretty reasonable than, being so close to Thanksgiving too.  During the potential month of his/her gradation I would put a search out for flights and they will continue to send updates regarding costs.  It's about the time frame when they finish all the class work.  The Holiday Inn in Middletown/Newport is a good hotel to stay in.  There were several families staying there.  It is about 5 minutes from the Navy station.  You will need to rent a car to get from Providence to Newport.  Middletown/Newport are sister cities.  The drive from Providence is about an hour.  We arrived Wednesday afternoon.  The dinner is on a Thursday evening.  Location is dependent upon the OCS Class.  Ours was at the Officers' Club.  That was really nice.  Thursday afternoon we had a chance to go on station to pick up our son's bags.  We even had an opportunity to see him for a while before the dinner that night and Graduation is on Friday.  Hope this helps.  Take care

Comment by OCS2018Mom on January 15, 2018 at 2:28pm

My son also started OCS today.  I heard from this morning letting me know he got there safely and sending me his mailing address. I am planning to send a lot of letters!

I'm so glad I discovered this site as I know there will be lots of useful information.  I was also happy to find the Facebook page for OCS.  Does anyone have any idea when they'll start posting pictures of Class 09-18 on the Facebook page?

Also, is it too soon to make travel arrangements for the trip to Newport?  I know there's a chance that he'll roll over, but I'll save $$ if I book sooner rather than later.  Also, I read that there is a dinner the night before.  When should we plan to arrive?

Good wishes to all the other moms out there dealing with this new experience for the whole family.  

Comment by jsefamily on January 15, 2018 at 2:14pm

Write letters--tons and tons of letters. Write letter even when you think you have little to say. Everything is meaningful.

Comment by Dr Nan on January 15, 2018 at 1:40pm

I am so thankful to find this forum.  I am totally novice concerning military anything so I don't think I even know what to ask.  My son is in this new class, 9-18 that begins today.  He is very excited and we did get the "I made it here" text this morning.

What are some recommendations anyone may have to help me prepare for the next 3 months?

Thank you.  

Comment by BoomMom on January 9, 2018 at 5:28pm

Many thanks, NewbieNavyMom.  I appreciate the info.  Congrats to your son.  I'm sure you are (rightly) very proud.

Comment by NewbieNavyMom on January 9, 2018 at 5:21pm

Comment for BoomMom.   Check out Facebook.   Look under OCS Navy Family and Friends.   My son graduated in 03-18, November 2017.  He originally entered 01-18, but with an injury he was rolled back to 03-18.   The class group that you place on your letters to your son or daughter is what group you will find on Facebook.  You can join the previous groups too.  You will find out useful information and pictures.  Hope this helps.  If you need additional information just let me know.  Congrats.  This is a very exciting adventure.

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