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Comment by PAW on February 17, 2016 at 2:05pm

Congratulations Shopgirl, and welcome aboard.

My son's graduation took place on a Friday in 2014. In fact, we are leaving next week to fly out to Pensacola for his Winging Ceremony!

For OCS, we arrived 2 days before, and stayed a couple of days after.  There will be activities to attend the day before graduation, and the day of graduation. I know they have changed a couple of things since my son's ceremony, so I don't want to steer you wrong on what to expect.

 Since we traveled from the West Coast, we made it into a mini vacation. Be aware though, that some of the grads do not get their orders until the day of graduation (my son didn't get his until after the ceremony), so be prepared for some confusion/stress.

I would highly recommend you do not make any reservations until you know your son makes it through all the main tests. You don't want your son to have any added stress about passing then he will already have.

I found my biggest source of information/support came from my son's class Facebook page.  It will be labeled US Navy OCS Class (your son's class number here) Family, or something like it.  Your son's may be up and running now, but if not, you can do a search, and contact the site manager.  They are extremely helpful, and you will also get a chance to connect with other parents going through exactly what you are, then you will get to meet them at the graduation...pretty cool.  If you scroll down this comment wall, you will see other parents talking about their soon to be officers facebook groups.  You will need to know your son's class number.

It is quite the journey, with each phase seeming to take forever, until before you know it you are in another whole new place.  :)

Comment by JediGrey on February 17, 2016 at 12:57pm

My son graduated last winter. Truthfully it is a blur. We got into RI a day early, had the Hi Moms reception the next evening, graduation next morning. That happened to be the worst winter in memory and a lot of the activities that normally happen were canceled. It was difficult to book flights because our officer didn't get his orders until graduation. Then we had just enough time to get him home, pack his belongings and drive straight to Pensacola to check in just in time. As I recall graduation can get delayed due to weather, rolling, etc. So I wouldn't recommend booking flights yet. But you can research the area and figure out what you would like to see and do while you are there. Good luck. Stay calm. You are in for an interesting ride.

Comment by 1after909 on January 18, 2016 at 9:28pm

Hello,
My so. Graduated from Newport, RI a long time ago-OCS 01-15, but I have such happy memories of meeting with other families, attending his graduation, and exploring Newport!

Comment by Lauren on December 18, 2015 at 5:00pm

The Navy Friends and Family page for 08-16 is up on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/521887187992172/

Comment by M's mom on November 11, 2015 at 9:39am

Happy Veterans Day to all of our sailors!   Let's all thank them for their service to our country.

Comment by lmc11 on October 26, 2015 at 4:56pm

There is now a Facebook group for "Friends and Family of Navy OCS Class 06-16".  These groups are a great resource for providing information and support. It is a closed group so you must request access to join. https://www.facebook.com/groups/865259606922283/

Comment by lmc11 on October 25, 2015 at 10:37pm

Thanks Doreen and CL! Blessings to all our LOs :-).

Comment by Doreen on October 25, 2015 at 8:06pm

Thanks everyone for the glasses advice! And good luck to the young man that was rolled. Prayers for all the LO's!

Comment by navymom1304 on October 25, 2015 at 5:04pm

Hi Doreen - My son graduated OCS in 14-15, after rolling from 13-15.. He then spent 3 1/2 months in student pool while he waited for re-designation and was finally commissioned on 10/1. They do provide glasses but they have to bring a strap. Imc11 - yes rolling is painful but my son said it was the best thing to happen to him during OCS. They grow and become the class leaders.

All the best! 

Comment by CindyN on October 25, 2015 at 4:47pm

lmc11 - I am pretty confident that H-class will be a good thing for your son. It will push graduation out 3 weeks but all the stories I have heard (my son included) have been very positive.  And for you, you will get to talk to him for the next couple of weekends. That will allow you can ease into the "program" as well!

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