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Comment by Anna on April 22, 2016 at 8:28pm

Shopgirl,

The easiest way to go is to use the USPS large Priority Mail boxes.  They are a flat rate fee no matter how much they weigh.  The expression is "if it fits it ships!!!"  They are free from the post office and take 2 - 3 days to get there depending on where you mail from.  You only decorate the inside of the box and make sure you write CANDIO on the outside so if it gets there early the mailroom holds them until they are allowed to receive them.  That way the box isn't contraband!!!

NuclearOpsMom,

I also heard that OCS stopped the first salute ceremony and the silver dollars.  When my daughter graduated in 2012 her twin sister and older brother, both enlisted, attended her graduation and also stood with her DI and class Petty Officer.  She had special silver dollars for her siblings in a little case with her commissioning date.  It was pretty special and I'm sad to hear they ended that.

Comment by PaulaH on April 22, 2016 at 7:46am

My LO is in 11-16, her last email advised that we should mail the end of week 8, as they will open wed/thurs of week 9.  

So, we are mailing 4/28.  She has not mentioned anything about a silver dollar.      I love all of the comments on this site!      Everyone is great, and I learn so much.  Candio box almost finished decorating.     Last thing she wants me to buy is MIO energy for water.  I'm sure walmart has that!   Paula

Comment by CindyN on April 21, 2016 at 9:53pm

NuclearOPSMom: I believe they get their Candio boxes the Wednesday of the 9th week.  When my son was in last summer it was after a security incident at a base somewhere and in a phone call my son said they heard the boxes would take an extra day to be process in the mailroom.  I sent my son's box USPS 2 day. I ended up mailing it on the Friday of week 8 from the midwest.  Tracking said the box made it to the base on the Monday of week 9. Mailing on Saturday would have been fine and Monday may even have worked.  If it gets there a day or two early, they hold it until that Wednesday (or whatever day they give boxes to that class).

Comment by M's mom on April 21, 2016 at 9:11pm

NuclearOPSMom:  I think they become Candios at the beginning of the tenth week, so you can mail the box sometime during the ninth week.  Make sure you mark it CANDIO on the outside of the box, so the mail room knows what it's for.

I think someone posted here recently that OCS had discontinued the First Salutes ceremony.  What a shame--- such a long tradition in the Navy!   When my son graduated OCS in Sept 2012, after the grad ceremony, everyone went down to the seawall by the bay where the class Drill Instructor and class Petty Officer stood.   The new Ensigns formed a line, and one-by-one, were saluted and saluted back, then gave them each a silver dollar (or other coin.)  

If there is now not a formal ceremony, I suppose the new Ensigns can still do it informally with their DI if they want.   Someone said the DI's were making too much money from it, in the opinion of the OCS command, but I thought that was considered one of the perks! 

Comment by NuclearOPSMom on April 21, 2016 at 2:06pm

Can anyone give me insight on the correct date to mail CANDIO boxes and also does OCS still do the tradition of a silver dollar at first salute?  Trying to make sure I have all my bases covered as my son is in his seventh week.  Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom and experience.

Comment by Anna on April 20, 2016 at 3:39pm

T's momma,

I am praying that your son's report date does not get changed.  I understand about the pets too.  My daughter left her precious cat with us when she left for OCS.  I think her cat was depressed and confused for awhile but I just gave her extra attention and she did fine.  She was used to living with all of us before daughter went off to college so she accepted being with hubby and I but didn't know where "her girl" was.  She would go around mewing so I'd pick her up and hold her in my lap.  Pets have adjustments to get through.

One other thing I wanted to tell you - with your son driving his own car to RI.  My daughter was advised to take masking tape to put over her car door locks to prevent the salt from the air to mess them up.  She took a small roll and just left it in her car after taping her locks!!!

Comment by Anna on April 19, 2016 at 8:34pm

T's momma,

I understand - us moms always worry.  My daughter drove by herself from Ohio to RI.  And just to keep this is the back of your mind, she was originally supposed to report to OCS at a later date but suddenly got a call and said - get ready you are reporting to the next class that starts 8 July.  She was basically ready but was still caught off guard a little.  Hope that doesn't happen to your boy and you guys all get to attend the family vacation but just know that it can happen.

Comment by Marmie on April 19, 2016 at 3:06pm

My son drove himself from St. Louis to OCS in the fall a couple of years ago.  But then we epic road warriors - it isn't a vacation if it doesn't involve driving a distance.  The nice thing was having that car after graduation - such a push to get out of the housing and he had the flexibility to store his stuff in his car.  We flew in and out.  He ended up coming for a bit but that wasn't decided until graduation - he was prepared to go where he needed to go.

Comment by NuclearOPSMom on April 19, 2016 at 12:51pm

T's Momma - Just saw your post and was curious where your  son is graduating from. We are from SC and my son graduated from USC last December.  He is 6 weeks into OCS. We are counting the days down until graduation.  I know it is hard not to worry,but all us Mom's need to be reminded that are "kids" are elite young adults, that is why they are at OCS.  It is a challenge, but they have what it takes.   

Comment by M's mom on April 7, 2016 at 10:49pm

Quilter:  I will ditto Anna's words. Have a safe trip!  Hope your flying sailor gets to take a study break, and at least eat meals with you.  Glad to hear he is doing well. 

It will probably be summer of 2017 before we can go to Japan to see dear son and D-I-L.  Until then we can just see them on Skype--not as satisfying as hugs!!!!  We have to really plan those Skype sessions with the 13-hour time difference,---late night for us, early morning for them and vice versa!

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