Comment

Comment by meam on July 4, 2014 at 10:41am

Hello, New mom here. My sailor was just accepted. I am wondering where I can get information about OCS.

Thanks, meam

Comment by Gatormom on June 27, 2014 at 7:03am

Thank you, M's Mom, for the valuable info. So appreciate it! I'm sure a last minute, one way ticket is pricey, but doesn't look like any way around it. You've been a big help :-)
Cheryl

Comment by M's mom on June 26, 2014 at 11:16pm

Gatormom: After the graduation ceremony and checking out of the barracks, the new Ensigns are free to leave IF they have their orders.  Some will not have their orders come through yet at grad and must stay at the base until they do, which could be several weeks.  They must buy their own plane ticket home, if they have enough "travel time" in their orders, to be able to go home first.  My son had ten days to get to Virginia Beach for Intel School, so he was able to get a ticket on our same flight to fly home to Indiana, collect his stuff, and then drive to VA.  Some of them however, had to report to their next school the next week, so had to go directly there.  I believe the Navy will reimburse them for plane tickets to their next duty station, but NOT to go home.  They have to make their own arrangements anyway.  My son was reimbursed so much per mile for his drive to VA.  As to all the uniforms, yes, they have to take them all with them, and they are only issued a sea bag, and my son only had just a carry-on bag that he flew to RI with.  So my husband and I  packed some collapsible luggage in our own suitcases, and I bought a really nice large durable folding garment bag for my son to put all of his dress uniforms in, (he still uses it.)  We had to put some of his stuff in OUR luggage, and had to check all these bags for the flight home, but we got it all home!  Many of the families there for grad made a run to the local Walmart to buy cheap luggage, duffel bags, etc. because there is no way they can stuff five sets of uniforms, shoes/boots, and all their gear in that sea bag!  So take your loved ones some extra luggage with you, or plan to buy some there if they will be flying home!   Unfortunately, their orders don't come in until near graduation, if then, so you will not know until then if your loved one will be able to go home.  We were in Newport on the Wed before graduation Friday with my son, when he got a call to go back to the barracks because his orders were just issued!!!  This sort of uncertainty is common in the Navy, so we all have to resign ourselves to it!!

Comment by DallasMom2014 on June 26, 2014 at 9:30pm

Does anyone has an update on RLP?

Comment by Gatormom on June 26, 2014 at 3:55pm

I thought RLP week 3 but appears its today. So hoping it goes well.

Comment by Lynn Baker on June 26, 2014 at 12:09pm

RLP is today for 16-14 with retest on Saturday. Keep our LO's in our thoughts today. Hope everyone does really well.

Comment by Gatormom on June 25, 2014 at 7:42pm

I booked the best Western and am hoping graduation takes place as scheduled. Holding on flights for a bit. How do our LOs get home? Navy bought a one way ticket there. Is that due to possible rolling? What ab all the uniforms they have to buy? Do they get to fly home with them, ship them, or what?

Comment by Gatormom on June 18, 2014 at 6:18am

Thanks, I was just looking at hotels last night, so that's great advice. They are scheduled to graduate on the Friday before Labor Day so wanting to get reservations now. Excited for this class and can't wait on the first call or letter. The photos being posted made our day! Clearly saw our son in 4 of them.

Comment by M's mom on June 16, 2014 at 9:48pm

Gatormom:  Yes, a few from each class fail the RLP inspection and get "rolled" back to start over and join the next class starting in three weeks.  They can even get rolled for failing something further on, also.  You can always change hotel reservations, but plane tickets are difficult to change without a penalty.  Southwest Airlines does not charge a penalty for changing your reservations, at least they didn't two years ago, and they do fly into Providence Airport, so might want to consider Southwest, if they fly out of your airport.  ( I'm assuming with a name like Gatormom, that you're from FL?)    My son was in class 16-12 two years ago, so the good thing is, their graduation will be AFTER Labor Day in Newport, so hotels will be easier to get.  Newport is crawling with tourists from Memorial Day to Labor Day, so the summer graduation OCS classes have a harder time finding hotel rooms.  Here's a tip: When searching for nearby hotels, search for "Middletown, RI."  Middletown is actually closer to the Navy base, and there are a bunch of chain hotels such as Holiday Inn, etc. that are much cheaper and closer than the downtown Newport hotels, which cater to tourists. Stay an extra day to do some sightseeing in Newport and tour some of those "summer cottages" of the old wealthy, like The Breakers.  (We ordinary folk would call them "mansions.")

Comment by Gatormom on June 16, 2014 at 8:39pm

Lynn and Dallasmom, hope you are both surviving our LOs being in Newport. No news is good news as I continue to hear. So glad most of them made it through the wkend. RLP sounds like the next big hurdle. Hopefully they'll get lots of practice between now & then. Looking frwd to making travel arrangements for graduation but am thinking I need to wait until after RLP?

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 115
• 116
• 117
• 118
• 119
• …
• 241
• Next ›
• Page