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Comment by JF on May 4, 2020 at 1:15pm

Anyone here having a son/daughter in OCS 11-20?

Comment by MariaP on April 18, 2020 at 12:03am

Ging-83 my daughter graduated from OCS last Jan 24th .. the best place to start is follow the Facebook page of Officer Training Command Newport. This is the official page of OTCN.  Lots of information and photos of what a candidate goes through.   Then see if there is a group for Class 15-20 and request to join because these are usually a closed group.  This will be the class before 16-20 and if you let the Admin know that your son will be in the next incoming class , they would let you join.  They do not let candidates join in this group, open only to family and friends.  Lots of information and you will get ideas of what your son will be going through when it is his turn.  Lastly, find out if there is a group for you son's class  16-20 on Facebook and make sure to join in as well.  Believe me,  knowing that I was not alone  in worrying during my daughter's stay in OCS, the support and most of all, information I got from this group was a big help.  It sure helped my husband and I.  

Packing list, my daughter followed the list given to her by her recruiter.  No more, no less.. OCS is all about following instructions and attention to detail .  They will be provided everything they need when they get there even running shoes.. my daughter did bring a new pair of running shoes with her but did not get to use it til the end since they had to use the shoes provided to them.  We did splurge on socks which we bought in Amazon (5oxRiver M of Fen's Wick Dry Stryker Mid-Calf, Black)  it was $10 a pair I think..  

One other thing that we sent her after she got there was a Dritz 3100 14 in 1 Measuring Gauge which we bought at Amazon as well.  this served her well during the RLP room locker personnel inspection.  

Make sure he brings enough cash for the cab ride from the airport to Training country.  My daughter's flight arrived at 10:00 p.m. at Providence and had to get a cab ride from the airport which luckily she shared with 4 other candidates she met at the airport and they divided the 100$ fare amongst them.  she had 100$ in twenties with her when she left and that should be enough and her debit card which she was able to use when they were allowed to go to the NEX on Saturdays.  Since she had no access to her bank account during the Indoc phase, she gave me access to her account and I paid her debit card for her so she can buy what she needed at the NEX.

Sorry for the deluge of information.. pls feel free to message me if you have other questions and i will be more than happy to help.  I have been through all the stress , anxiety and worries but I assure you , it is all worth it in the end especially for your son.  Lots of letters and I do mean a lot.. I wrote to my daughter everyday while she was there and she said the only way to describe it, it's like Christmas morning everytime she receives a letter during mail call.  good luck and Godspeed to your son.

Comment by Andrea S on April 17, 2020 at 6:50pm

Ging-83 - My son was in the OCS class in Feb of 2018 so some things might have changed.  He to had a list that we tried to fill 2 days before his flight (to his defense he was assigned a class 12 days before the start date). I can respond to a few things:

The socks : we looked for that brand high and low and could not find it.  I know he had to have some plain white and some plain black.  We ended up with thick athletic socks, just make sure they do you have any branding on them (ie: Nike, Under Armor).  We actually found some at Costco. The Navy surplus store downtown Newport has that brand if they are in Newport early.

Next the running shoes: he brought 2 pairs (one to use and one for when they have their inspections) but when he got there they had changed it to  issuing them running shoes (new balance) so he did not use his at all.  His class was the first to do that so check and see if it is that way now.  

As previous mom's have stated you won't hear from them for a few weeks.  My son it was the 3rd Sunday after he left that he was able to call on the weekend (it was Sunday).  So make sure you answer any numbers from Newport RI.  I was that mom that wrote from day one and he sure was glad to get letters from us by the time the could receive them.  Send pictures also that really made his day. Also, Facebook will have the class online group.  That will be the only time you will have a chance to see them for the first 8 weeks.  The last 3 weeks they get their cell phones back and then you can face time.

I hope this helps!  

Comment by CindyN on April 17, 2020 at 5:46pm

Ging-83 - My son was at OCS 5 years ago now and things change so I can't offer much advice on the packing list. I can't imagine why whey wouldn't allow moleskin but I am sure stranger things have happened. I believe my son took some but I don't know if he was able to keep it or if it got packed away with items like their cell phones, civilian clothes. So my advice is, if he wants to take some, he should. It won't take up any space in his suitcase and the worst outcome is that it gets packed away until he is done. On the white briefs, that was on the packing list when my son went. I had to run out late the night before he left to buy some because yes, he left it all for the last minute. When he got to RI, he found that he could have brought boxer briefs and he was bummed. That rule may have changed so getting info from someone more recent would be good. White uniform probably does require a least one pair that is white though.

Comment by Ging_83 on April 17, 2020 at 3:42pm

Thanks, offroute.mom!  Do I need to create a conversation?  I don't want to be hijacking someones thread.  I haven't quite figured out how to get to some of the conversations I've seen here.

I have seen several "packing lists" including one from his recruiter, and they all differ a bit.  I don't want him to spend $$ and not be able to have the items he brings.  Are you able to please confirm/deny (and maybe even add to the list) what he will be allowed?

Running shoes; 1 or 2 pair? 

Underwear; any style/color (as long as 1 pair is white)--so are boxer briefs ok?

Socks; I have seen SO many posts that they need Fox River or Thorlos boot socks...but no mention what color(s) and since they are not on any of the packing lists that I've seen, I don't want to spend $15 a pair if they can't have them.  Pretty sure he's set with the plain white crew ones, but do you have any insight on this?  Also, what about dress socks?

Personal care items; How big of shampoo (his group will be in a 2 week quarantine before starting)? Should it be shampoo/body wash combo?  Most packing lists say no "aerosols" but they all mention bringing shaving cream....can this be shaving cream in a can (I kinda label that as an aerosol)?   what other items can they take (athletic tape, moleskin, etc.).

He isn't worried about any of this, which is good...I guess!

Thanks!

Comment by Ging_83 on April 17, 2020 at 1:45pm

Does anyone have a son/daughter headed to class 16-20. (I am an Army mom for 7+ years, I don't know the Navy language yet).  I have questions...don't even know where to start!  Thanks!

Comment by Kim8 on February 26, 2020 at 12:27pm

Hello all, I have a question about the wait time to hear if you've been accepted to OCS.  (I'm new to this so sorry if my jargon is not correct.)  The officer recruiter told my son that his application was confirmed as received (ready to be reviewed) on Feb 7th so it's been a bit more than 2 weeks.  Is there an average wait time until we hear yes or no for OCS or does it depend on the community you are applying to?  He is applying for SWO if that matters.  Also, some background if it matters...my son is still home, dual processing, so if not picked up for OCS, then he will go enlisted.

Comment by Anna on February 13, 2020 at 4:50pm

Allison,

I'm sending you the information in a private message.

Comment by Allison on February 5, 2020 at 4:33pm

Thanks Anna!

Comment by Anna on February 5, 2020 at 4:01pm

Hello Allison!  I can ask my daughter, I haven't heard of anything myself but I will ask her.  I agree about supporting the families.  I cannot imagine their pain and anguish. I think about them every time I see the gate as I drive by.  

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