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Comment by CindyN on August 2, 2015 at 7:10pm

My son is in his 8th week as well and doesn't yet have his orders.  He is SWO so he chose his ship but doesn't yet know when he will report. There is another SWO in his class who will be on the same ship. The other candidate received his orders a week or so ago. I have heard that some candidates have received their orders just a day or two before graduation. So I don't think it is something to be worried about. I am learning that everything with the Navy is "normal".

Comment by M's mom on August 2, 2015 at 6:20pm

Mimi: Yes, a 3-4 business suit bag would not be too big!  When my son deployed, he had to take ALL of his uniforms with him, so he was prepared for whatever the occasion, even dress uniforms.  What you're looking for is not just a vinyl bag like a new suit would come in, but an actual piece of luggage that unfolds to about 50-55" long that they can put uniforms in on hangers, and then fold it over and zip it or strap it together.  My son's has lots of interior and exterior pockets on it for more gear.  Search Amazon for "folding garment bag."

Comment by PAW on August 2, 2015 at 6:17pm

no worries - I had to learn too - they are their uniforms (a blue/black one & a white one), which are quite heavy & bulky

Comment by PAW on August 2, 2015 at 6:10pm

It held his blues & whites, with room for more.  I got him one with wheels & a handle.  Hopefully it will last him the 8+ years he will need it.

Comment by PAW on August 2, 2015 at 5:49pm

GalleyMom, we gave our son a travel garment bag for his uniforms.  A good one, which will last, can be expensive, but it is a needed item for all their uniforms.  There were a lot of OCS families running to the local Walmart to pick up a cheap one for their graduates.  

Comment by M's mom on August 2, 2015 at 5:46pm

GalleyMom:  My son asked that we NOT get him a sword because he said unless he used it for a military wedding, that it would just hang on the wall gathering dust. We got him an "Ensign box" made of oak to store his ribbons, pins, and medals while his uniforms are at the cleaners.  It looks like a women's jewelry box with lots of felt-lined compartments.  We had it engraved with his name, the Navy emblem, and OCS graduation date.  He loved it and still uses it today.  Go to "The Good Wood Store" online and search for "military  graduation boxes"

We also got our son a large, durable, folding garment carrier, (luggage -style) and took that with us to graduation.  We also took several soft, collapsible pieces of luggage which my husband and I stuffed into our own suitcases for the flight to Providence.   My son arrived at OCS with just a small carry-on suitcase and then they issued him a sea bag.   There is NO WAY they can stuff five sets of uniforms and matching shoes/boots, and hats and all the gear they've had to buy at OCS into that sea bag and carry-on.   Many families hit the local Walmart in town after graduation to buy more luggage, so we went prepared.  My son was able to fly home with us, and he had the sea bag, garment carrier, and two soft duffle bags stuffed full of his gear.  So I always recommend a gift of luggage!    My son appreciated the garment carrier and still uses it for his uniforms whenever he travels with them, because it keeps things relatively unwrinkled vs. a suitcase.

Some parents who have the means to do so, pay off their new ensign's uniform bill at the NEX, which is usually three thousand dollars or more.  Coincidentally, (or not,) the candidates are paid just about that much for "duty" at OCS, so most of them just break even, after paying their NEX bill.

Note to TXNavyWife: If your husband was issued his first set of uniforms for free as an enlisted sailor, it may come as a surprise to you that the officers have to BUY them!  My son even had to pay for his meals when he was on an aircraft carrier for ten months!   (Don't get me started on a rant about how our military cannot afford to feed our officers for free while they are deployed on a ship.)    I will stop now before my humble opinions get me in trouble!     ;-)

Comment by Manette on August 2, 2015 at 2:18pm

Hi GalleyMom!  My son is a Civil Engineer.  Since they are part of the SeaBees, they are considered "The Warriors" of of Naval officers.  A retired CO recommended a sword and that's what's we did.  He was thrilled.  We had it mounted with engraving of his graduation information and a quote he closed all of his OCS correspondence.  All the best in your Navy family experience.

Comment by TxNavyWife on August 2, 2015 at 11:54am

>The person in charge of posting photos has been busy taking photos of your husband's class since day one. They should appear this next week

Even just hearing this is a huge relief, thanks!

Comment by TxNavyWife on August 1, 2015 at 10:16pm

GalleyMom, thank you SO much for that little tidbit! Almost made me cry! (First week with no contact I think is the hardest). I will probably go ahead and just send the phone card. I've been keeping a look out for any photos on the FB page but have yet to see anything. I'm a little jealous of the families from the class before his, as it looks like they even had pictures of the first day just a week in! I understand it's not guaranteed to happen, but it would be nice to see. 

Thanks again, would you let me know if your son feeds you anything else about that class?  

Comment by TxNavyWife on August 1, 2015 at 9:54pm

Thanks CL and M's mom! 

I will go ahead and try to find a pre paid phone card to tomorrow. I'll sleep on whether to just send the card or send a copy of it. Since there's no mail Sunday I've got some time. I figured they don't get their phones back til their last phase, but I definitely want a phone call if he's given the opportunity. I think it would feel pretty miserable on his end to not be able to call if he didn't have one (and was unable to get one via by the phone or from another candidate). Thanks for your experience and expertise! It's different being back on the learning side again. I considered myself pretty knowledgeable after boot camp, but I feel like I'm having to learn this all over again!

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