Yeah son did spend many years living in VA but even there they didn't get as cold or as much snow as I had in NE Ohio. Right off Lake Erie!!!! We were still living in GA when son enlisted so he didn't back up to Ohio with us!!! He did get a little spoiled!!!!!
My son liked the individually packaged snack-packs that he could share with his shipmates, like small bags of cookies, crackers, candy, etc. that he could pass out to them without everyone sticking their hand into a big bag of M & M's, for instance. The little packs also keep them fresher if he didn't eat them for a while.
Yes, the jersey knit sheets (twin XL) have scored well with our DS. :-D He has requested cookies, also beef jerky, for care package items. Has anyone sent flash drives loaded with movies, podcasts, and such? Figure with limited access, he can still have that type of stuff to watch on his laptop.
Yes Rose, I have sent a flash drive with movies. Our DS really enjoyed this. He usually downloads music onto his laptop before deploying, so I stuck to movies. I've also sent some sophomoric-humor DVD's from the sale bins. Comic relief!
My son will be leaving for OCS soon and I'm looking for non food ideas to send him...gag gift ideas are welcome. I don't know yet what he's able to take with him...I'm a blank slate here...:)
Tess099: Noni is correct. Don't send your son ANYTHING but letters in plain, white envelopes until his 10th week when he becomes a "Candio," (Candidate Officer) and can then receive "Candio boxes with goodies. Make sure anyone you give his mailing address to knows this, or he will be doing hundreds of pushups as punishment, even if he didn't ask for it to be sent!!!! As far as what he is to take with him, there should be a list on the Navy's OCS website, something like OCS/navy.mil. His recruiter should also be able to get him a list or send him a link. He shouldn't take anything that is not allowed, or it will be confiscated.
Tess, please join the group here on N4M's called "OCS Graduate Moms." That's where the current and former OCS moms are posting and you will learn lots about OCS by reading past posts of that group. That group is specific to OCS, whereas some of the families of officers in this group became officers by NROTC or the Naval Academy.
All are correct in not sending packages, just letters. I ended up getting cards for each week and mailed them accordingly, so he'd have mail each week. They really love getting letters/cards from home especially during their first challenging couple weeks. You'll want to double check with your candidate regarding what they can receive in the Candio (9th week) Box(es) (I sent 2). This time around they candidates were not able to get candy or junk food...even jerky fell into this category. I was glad I sent a few non food items our he's have very pretty empty boxes! (If you need any suggestions for this you can message me...I was clueless and thankfully I found some posts on when and how to send the boxes).
Things for your candidate to take can range from nothing but the clothes on his/her back, to an athletic bag packed with t shirts, underwear, socks, running shoes, toiletries, we packed 2 pairs of running shoes because he has wide feet and a size 14 shoe. They don't need to pack any street clothes, since they have to be in uniform from the get go. Your candidate will get a list of approved items. It sounded weird to me considering how much he took to college.
I recommend that you also join the group "OCS Graduate Moms". That is a group of family members who have a LO that are soon leaving for OCS, currently at OCS, or who gradulated from OCS. If you read back through the comment wall you will find lots of useful information.
Ask lots of questions. Everyone here is happy to share their experience.
I recommend that you also join the group "OCS Graduate Moms". That is a group of family members who have a LO that are soon leaving for OCS, currently at OCS, or who gradulated from OCS. If you read back through the comment wall you will find lots of useful information.
Ask lots of questions. Everyone here is happy to share their experience.
I have one little comment about the letters sent. There seems to be an obsession with referencing "plain, white envelopes only." Before I heard this white envelope reference, I sent many cards and letters and some were in blue envelopes or whatever came with my Hallmark card. It was not a big deal. When I learned of the white envelopes, I inquired with my DS (by letter) and he said it wasn't a big deal. His comment was, "They (Instructors) have a lot more important things to do and worry about than the color of the envelope." Succinct. The point is to keep it simple. Don't sweat a simple envelope. Now pink with perfume...that might be another matter! ;)
My son had is brithday four days into OCS. (I'm sure it was a blast!) No birthday cards!! So he knew I was thinking of him on his/our day, I put a simple "HBD" after the date on the letter. He saw it and it had meaning. There are many simple ways to communicate in a meaningful way. By the way, one of the highlights was when my husband sent the newspaper clipping of the last minute trades at the MLB trade deadline. Our DS said every passed it around and enjoyed looking for changes his/her favorite team. Any news from the "outside" world is appreciated. They get military news, but anything else that happens in the world off the island and on the other side of that big bridge is appreciated.
CL
Please join the Facebook book group for your son/daughters class. Your will receive all info and be able to ask as many questions by former graduates of OCS. My daughter graduated Oct 31 2014, she was the class of 02-15. 02 being the second class to go through in the fiscal year of 2015.
As CL pointed out, please join the group here on N4M's called "OCS Graduate Moms." That is where all the posts are about OCS, and you will learn from Moms who have had recent graduates of OCS. Some of the officers of the families in this group became officers through NROTC or the Naval Academy.
As far as OCS mail in "plain, white envelopes," that's just what we were told when my son went to OCS in 2012. We were not supposed to send colored envelopes, no stickers on the outside, and definitely NO musical cards!! My son said the idea was so nobody's mail stood out from the others and did not bring the attention of the drill instructors, who would pick on those who got non-standard mail.
The drill instructors vary from class to class and year to year of course, and some are more strict than others, but their word is law. I was surprised to read that the recent Candios were not allowed to be sent sweets and "junk food" in their Candio boxes at week 10. The poor things have been sugar-deprived for 9 weeks, so my son wanted homemade cookies!!! The OCS rules seem to change frequently depending upon who is currently on charge, so that is why I must defer to Moms of recent grads, because my experience is 5 years old!
I as well am surprised that they are no longer allowed to have sweets or junk food. My daughter also celebrated her birthday at OCS. So when Candio time came, I sent her a new iPhone in her box with all the junk food she asked for. Prior to Candio she was allowed to have energy bars but of a centain type sent to her. We were also told white envelopes. My daughter has been out of OCS for 3 years.
Noni, I was surprised by the "no treats" rule, too. My DS has a huge sweet tooth. He requested one candio box be chocolate treats and the other one non-chocolate treats. There were a few other items in there, but almost all treats. I guess there is a lot of sharing and they leave the leftovers for instructors. He said there wasn't much left of his two boxes of treats. Yikes!
Looking for an answer as quickly as possible since our days are numbered...
Son starting OCS on Sunday and we are trying to collect everything he is going to need. The list we are working from is not clear. What is he responsible to bring with him vs. being issued once he gets there. This is the one we are using. http://www.ocs.navy.mil/ocs_uniform.html
Then click on the link on the bottom of the page.
I'm assuming anything under "King Hall Issue" will be issued, but he'll need to bring everything under "King Hall".
Questions:
1- How large a Rubbermaid container?
2- What's a plotter?
3- memo pad?
4- utility kit?
5- marking kit?
6- How large a portfolio?
ChefMom My son when at OCS was able to purchase many of the items needed there on base. All he left with was a backpack with underwear, socks and a good pair of running shoes. Also make sure you LO have addresses, emails and phone numbers written down as they will not have their personal phone to look at contacts. He even bought luggage to come home after as he did not what to pay the airlines for check on. They will also need a prepaid phone card that can be purchased before or after he gets there. The one thing my LO requested was measuring gauge. they use it to make sure that everything on the uniform is in the proper place.
That said Congrats on your OCS candidate. Mine was commissioned 09/15 He is just finishing with Prototype (Nuke ) school in upstate NY. We made it a family trip to see he commissioning it was a trip I will treasure.
Do any of you have sons who went the NROTC route? Is there anything in particular I need to know? We met with an officer at Auburn last week, and my son is very excited. He had done the medical stuff for the Academy, and they said it should transfer to his NROTC file, but we still haven't gotten word that it has. Should we call again to check on it, or should we just wait a few more weeks?
My son is in his last year at PSU in NROTC (commissioning in 6 weeks! My biggest words of advice is to be patient with the whole process. As you most likely know your son will have to apply for the NROTC scholarship which although not as competitive as the academy it is still quite competitive.Even if he does not get scholarship during his first year he will have 2 other chances to apply for it. He should be able to stay in the program until his junior year if not on scholarship. Scholarships are largely based on his major with the engineering/science fields usually having a better chance at scholarship. It took my son 3 attempts at applying until he was finally offered the scholarship. He was just about resigned to the fact that he would be disenrolled from NROTC but then the summer before his junior year he was offered the scholarship. Nothing with this process was fast at all - lol. His medical stuff will be on file with DODMERB if he applied to the academy. However ROTC may ask him to get another one if he gets offered a scholarship.
He should not show up with anything that is not on this list unless he has a car to leave it in. I echo topdog1p, make sure he knows important phone numbers by heart to call in the early weeks on those rare occasions he can, and memorize email addresses of those he will want to contact before he gets his own phone back:)
ChefMom, my son left for OCS almost 2 years ago now so things can change. I agree with ITgal that the link she provided is the one you should use. I would tell him to not worry too much about memorizing phone numbers and email address. When my son checked into to OCS, before they took his phone, they suggested that he copy down important phone numbers and emails. I also sent my son a few phone numbers and emails addresses in one of my first letters.
Thank you, Debbie. I should have clarified that he was awarded the scholarship. He checked his DODMER this morning and it said that all records were received, so I guess that means he's good to go?
My son was NROTC with a BS in Nursing and was commissioned into the Navy Nurse Corps in 1997. In 2002 he became an Unrestricted Line Officer and completed flight school. He has been a Naval helicopter pilot ever since. In 2013 he attended the Naval War College and received his Masters degree. He just completed his operational command tour. It has been quite a ride, fortunately he has a very supportive wife and family.
BuckeyeMom: You asked about cell phones on deployment, and wrote that your son was "headed for the Gulf." Do you mean on a ship or to a base? My son was deployed for nearly 10 months on the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson in the Gulf in 2014/2015. He left his cell phone at home and his service provider gave him a military suspension. No cell phone service or texting anyway in the middle of the ocean! He was able to email us from the ship, but we couldn't expect an immediate reply. Sometimes the ship "went dark" for a few days, and there was no email. Whenever the ship stopped at a port-of-call in Singapore, Dubai or Bahrain, etc., he called us from the dock, because he said there were banks of phones set up for that purpose.
We sent care packages to him using US Postal Service flat rate boxes, and they were delivered to the ship. There is a military discount for the large flat-rate box, I believe.
Some sailors get international chips for their cell phones before they leave which will work overseas, but my son didn't want to spend the money, since he would only be able to use his phone while in port, and he found there were phones there to use anyway. If your son will be stationed on land at a base, he may want to get international service. My son is presently stationed at a base in Japan, and he has his cell phone service set up through Google on his computer somehow. Much cheaper than paying international phone rates! I'm not sure how it all works, but when we call him, it just shows up as a local call on our bill. Not sure that would work on a ship, though.
Thank You! He will be on a cruiser for quite a while but because it's a cruiser it's expected that they will be in and out of ports along the way.
I ordered my boxes from the post office website already! I was so glad for that information!I'm making mental notes about what to get together as 'we' prepare the journey... He may know, but I did not know about banks of phones or the international chip. I will be checking on that.
Thanks again!
BuckeyeMom: You will also need some customs forms to go along with any box you send to a FPO (Fleet Post Office) address. You can get those at the Post Office also, and it's easier to fill it out at home and just give it to the clerk when you mail the box. You have to list the contents of the box such as "cookies," "magazines," etc. There are certain things you cannot mail, so you might want to check with the PO in advance for guidance. The clerk always asks me if the box contains anything flammable, perishable, or any liquids, even perfume. By "perishable," I assume fresh fruit is forbidden, but dried fruit is OK. Homemade cookies are OK if you pack them completely airtight so they don't get stale and/or moldy, since it may take 2-3 weeks to get to the ship depending on where they are. Be cautious of sending chocolate to hot climates!
What my son liked best in his care packages was individual snack packs of cookies, crackers, chips, candy, etc. He liked to share with his shipmates, and it was easier (and more sanitary) to pass out individual snack packs than have them all grab into a big bag of cookies, and it helped his own portion control! I also sent him books and magazines that I knew he would like, and he passed those around to his shipmates also. They have very little personal storage space on a ship, so don't send him a lot of "stuff" that can't be consumed or shared around, or ultimately thrown away!
Check to see if your son's ship has a Facebook page. The USS Carl Vinson does, and they posted photos and sometimes videos during the cruise of day-to-day stuff on ship, and also from the ports-of-call along the way. That really helped me, because we didn't have lots of communication with my son, but at least we could keep track of his ship on Facebook!
Hello All. Crazy I'm writing this as I didn't think this time would ever come! My son is commissioning in mid-May and will head to Pensacola for flight school in June. I'm looking for a meaningful gift for him. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!
We got out son a sword from Marlon White and had a family member create the display rack. The sword was engraved with our son's name and commissioning date.
The officer sword is a popular and beautiful gift. Check out Jake'a Mom's photo! Wow! They aren't required to be a part of an officer's uniform until a few promotions later, but I doubt anyone wouldnt like to have it. They are often used to cut the cake at military weddings, too. Some people give an engraved watch, others go more practical with stitched garment bags for uniforms. Those are nice because they need them right away to leave OCS. We gave our some the commissioning frames for his formal commissioning portrait and commission (certificate). The mats are engraved and actual come from a company that makes them for (university/college) degrees. They are very striking, too. I thought they would look nice in an office. You can find a few companies on the internet that sell them, but here is who we used: http://sportsnchips.com/usnavy.html
Know that anything you give him will be be wonderful and meaningful.
My son Commissioned in December 2014. I asked him about the sword and he said no. I asked if there was something else he would like. He said no. We threw him a nice reception in our hometown and he was delighted with that. We traveled to Florida last August for his EOD pinning ceremony-again, empty handed, but he was happy to have us there. Now, two and a half years later, I think the sword and/or other commemorative items, had they been purchased, would be stored in our basement as he is now married and recently stationed in Spain. He travels pretty light! I would ask your son what he thinks. You might be surprised. Kathy
We got our son (who commissions in May also) a custom made engraved Memory box - can be used for holding insignia and all sorts of mementos. We got it from ETSY and the man who made it did incredible work!
My son requested that we not get him anything as he would just be having to move it too many times unless i wanted to store it with the rest of his belonging that i was already storing. Instead we made the the trip to Newport RI for the commissioning at OCS a family vacation. My hubby and I flew in early and spent a couple days in Boston and then off the newport to pick my daughter ( his sister ) up and spend more time in newport. After we all went to Boston as a family for a couple more days before we all flew home together.
We got our DS a sword for his commissioning and he was thrilled. He asked for the display case for Christmas. I have no regrets. Sadly, He didn't want to ship it for his wedding but he is happy to have it. (...and we were happy that others had theirs for the sword arch at his wedding.)
Anna
M's mom,
Yeah son did spend many years living in VA but even there they didn't get as cold or as much snow as I had in NE Ohio. Right off Lake Erie!!!! We were still living in GA when son enlisted so he didn't back up to Ohio with us!!! He did get a little spoiled!!!!!
Dec 15, 2016
mom
Jan 24, 2017
M's mom
mom,
My son liked the individually packaged snack-packs that he could share with his shipmates, like small bags of cookies, crackers, candy, etc. that he could pass out to them without everyone sticking their hand into a big bag of M & M's, for instance. The little packs also keep them fresher if he didn't eat them for a while.
Jan 24, 2017
Rose
Jan 25, 2017
Parv
Yes Rose, I have sent a flash drive with movies. Our DS really enjoyed this. He usually downloads music onto his laptop before deploying, so I stuck to movies. I've also sent some sophomoric-humor DVD's from the sale bins. Comic relief!
Jan 25, 2017
Rose
Jan 25, 2017
Rose
Jan 25, 2017
Tess099
My son will be leaving for OCS soon and I'm looking for non food ideas to send him...gag gift ideas are welcome. I don't know yet what he's able to take with him...I'm a blank slate here...:)
T
Mar 27, 2017
Noni
Mar 27, 2017
M's mom
Tess099: Noni is correct. Don't send your son ANYTHING but letters in plain, white envelopes until his 10th week when he becomes a "Candio," (Candidate Officer) and can then receive "Candio boxes with goodies. Make sure anyone you give his mailing address to knows this, or he will be doing hundreds of pushups as punishment, even if he didn't ask for it to be sent!!!! As far as what he is to take with him, there should be a list on the Navy's OCS website, something like OCS/navy.mil. His recruiter should also be able to get him a list or send him a link. He shouldn't take anything that is not allowed, or it will be confiscated.
Tess, please join the group here on N4M's called "OCS Graduate Moms." That's where the current and former OCS moms are posting and you will learn lots about OCS by reading past posts of that group. That group is specific to OCS, whereas some of the families of officers in this group became officers by NROTC or the Naval Academy.
Mar 27, 2017
ljdnavigator
All are correct in not sending packages, just letters. I ended up getting cards for each week and mailed them accordingly, so he'd have mail each week. They really love getting letters/cards from home especially during their first challenging couple weeks. You'll want to double check with your candidate regarding what they can receive in the Candio (9th week) Box(es) (I sent 2). This time around they candidates were not able to get candy or junk food...even jerky fell into this category. I was glad I sent a few non food items our he's have very pretty empty boxes! (If you need any suggestions for this you can message me...I was clueless and thankfully I found some posts on when and how to send the boxes).
Things for your candidate to take can range from nothing but the clothes on his/her back, to an athletic bag packed with t shirts, underwear, socks, running shoes, toiletries, we packed 2 pairs of running shoes because he has wide feet and a size 14 shoe. They don't need to pack any street clothes, since they have to be in uniform from the get go. Your candidate will get a list of approved items. It sounded weird to me considering how much he took to college.
Wishing your candidate well!!
Mar 27, 2017
CindyN
ChefMom, First, congratulations to both you and your son. It is an exciting (and stressful) time but so rewarding.
You can find a list of what your son should take to Newport here: http://www.ocs.navy.mil/ocs_requiredpaperwork.html
I recommend that you also join the group "OCS Graduate Moms". That is a group of family members who have a LO that are soon leaving for OCS, currently at OCS, or who gradulated from OCS. If you read back through the comment wall you will find lots of useful information.
Ask lots of questions. Everyone here is happy to share their experience.
Best of wishes to your son!
Please
Mar 28, 2017
CindyN
ChefMom, First, congratulations to both you and your son. It is an exciting (and stressful) time but so rewarding.
You can find a list of what your son should take to Newport here: http://www.ocs.navy.mil/ocs_requiredpaperwork.html
I recommend that you also join the group "OCS Graduate Moms". That is a group of family members who have a LO that are soon leaving for OCS, currently at OCS, or who gradulated from OCS. If you read back through the comment wall you will find lots of useful information.
Ask lots of questions. Everyone here is happy to share their experience.
Best of wishes to your son!
Please
Mar 28, 2017
jsefamily
I have one little comment about the letters sent. There seems to be an obsession with referencing "plain, white envelopes only." Before I heard this white envelope reference, I sent many cards and letters and some were in blue envelopes or whatever came with my Hallmark card. It was not a big deal. When I learned of the white envelopes, I inquired with my DS (by letter) and he said it wasn't a big deal. His comment was, "They (Instructors) have a lot more important things to do and worry about than the color of the envelope." Succinct. The point is to keep it simple. Don't sweat a simple envelope. Now pink with perfume...that might be another matter! ;)
Mar 29, 2017
jsefamily
My son had is brithday four days into OCS. (I'm sure it was a blast!) No birthday cards!! So he knew I was thinking of him on his/our day, I put a simple "HBD" after the date on the letter. He saw it and it had meaning. There are many simple ways to communicate in a meaningful way. By the way, one of the highlights was when my husband sent the newspaper clipping of the last minute trades at the MLB trade deadline. Our DS said every passed it around and enjoyed looking for changes his/her favorite team. Any news from the "outside" world is appreciated. They get military news, but anything else that happens in the world off the island and on the other side of that big bridge is appreciated.
Mar 29, 2017
Noni
Please join the Facebook book group for your son/daughters class. Your will receive all info and be able to ask as many questions by former graduates of OCS. My daughter graduated Oct 31 2014, she was the class of 02-15. 02 being the second class to go through in the fiscal year of 2015.
Mar 29, 2017
M's mom
ChefMom and Tess099:
As CL pointed out, please join the group here on N4M's called "OCS Graduate Moms." That is where all the posts are about OCS, and you will learn from Moms who have had recent graduates of OCS. Some of the officers of the families in this group became officers through NROTC or the Naval Academy.
As far as OCS mail in "plain, white envelopes," that's just what we were told when my son went to OCS in 2012. We were not supposed to send colored envelopes, no stickers on the outside, and definitely NO musical cards!! My son said the idea was so nobody's mail stood out from the others and did not bring the attention of the drill instructors, who would pick on those who got non-standard mail.
The drill instructors vary from class to class and year to year of course, and some are more strict than others, but their word is law. I was surprised to read that the recent Candios were not allowed to be sent sweets and "junk food" in their Candio boxes at week 10. The poor things have been sugar-deprived for 9 weeks, so my son wanted homemade cookies!!! The OCS rules seem to change frequently depending upon who is currently on charge, so that is why I must defer to Moms of recent grads, because my experience is 5 years old!
Mar 29, 2017
Noni
Mar 29, 2017
jsefamily
Noni, I was surprised by the "no treats" rule, too. My DS has a huge sweet tooth. He requested one candio box be chocolate treats and the other one non-chocolate treats. There were a few other items in there, but almost all treats. I guess there is a lot of sharing and they leave the leftovers for instructors. He said there wasn't much left of his two boxes of treats. Yikes!
Mar 29, 2017
jsefamily
Our DS has been out for three years, too. He was in the 01-15 class.
Mar 29, 2017
ChefMom
Son starting OCS on Sunday and we are trying to collect everything he is going to need. The list we are working from is not clear. What is he responsible to bring with him vs. being issued once he gets there. This is the one we are using.
http://www.ocs.navy.mil/ocs_uniform.html
Then click on the link on the bottom of the page.
I'm assuming anything under "King Hall Issue" will be issued, but he'll need to bring everything under "King Hall".
Questions:
1- How large a Rubbermaid container?
2- What's a plotter?
3- memo pad?
4- utility kit?
5- marking kit?
6- How large a portfolio?
Mar 29, 2017
Noni
Did you get the message I sent you?
Mar 29, 2017
Noni
I'm sure you son run my daughter through so drills. Lol. Where is he stationed now. Mine is in Ca
Mar 29, 2017
topdog1p
ChefMom My son when at OCS was able to purchase many of the items needed there on base. All he left with was a backpack with underwear, socks and a good pair of running shoes. Also make sure you LO have addresses, emails and phone numbers written down as they will not have their personal phone to look at contacts. He even bought luggage to come home after as he did not what to pay the airlines for check on. They will also need a prepaid phone card that can be purchased before or after he gets there. The one thing my LO requested was measuring gauge. they use it to make sure that everything on the uniform is in the proper place.
That said Congrats on your OCS candidate. Mine was commissioned 09/15 He is just finishing with Prototype (Nuke ) school in upstate NY. We made it a family trip to see he commissioning it was a trip I will treasure.
Mar 29, 2017
Glenni
Do any of you have sons who went the NROTC route? Is there anything in particular I need to know? We met with an officer at Auburn last week, and my son is very excited. He had done the medical stuff for the Academy, and they said it should transfer to his NROTC file, but we still haven't gotten word that it has. Should we call again to check on it, or should we just wait a few more weeks?
Mar 29, 2017
Debbie1215
My son is in his last year at PSU in NROTC (commissioning in 6 weeks! My biggest words of advice is to be patient with the whole process. As you most likely know your son will have to apply for the NROTC scholarship which although not as competitive as the academy it is still quite competitive.Even if he does not get scholarship during his first year he will have 2 other chances to apply for it. He should be able to stay in the program until his junior year if not on scholarship. Scholarships are largely based on his major with the engineering/science fields usually having a better chance at scholarship. It took my son 3 attempts at applying until he was finally offered the scholarship. He was just about resigned to the fact that he would be disenrolled from NROTC but then the summer before his junior year he was offered the scholarship. Nothing with this process was fast at all - lol. His medical stuff will be on file with DODMERB if he applied to the academy. However ROTC may ask him to get another one if he gets offered a scholarship.
Mar 29, 2017
HeloMOM2016
My son graduated from PSU on a NROTC scholarship...Civil Engineering and a military studies minor...I would say be patient but not lax...keep on it...
Mar 29, 2017
HeloMOM2016
Any experienced HELO moms out there...I have a pilot in JAX continuing his training...
Mar 29, 2017
ITgal
ChefMom, unless your son is prior enlisted, I think you should be looking at this list instead:
http://www.ocs.navy.mil/ocs_requiredpaperwork.html
He should not show up with anything that is not on this list unless he has a car to leave it in. I echo topdog1p, make sure he knows important phone numbers by heart to call in the early weeks on those rare occasions he can, and memorize email addresses of those he will want to contact before he gets his own phone back:)
Mar 29, 2017
CindyN
ChefMom, my son left for OCS almost 2 years ago now so things can change. I agree with ITgal that the link she provided is the one you should use. I would tell him to not worry too much about memorizing phone numbers and email address. When my son checked into to OCS, before they took his phone, they suggested that he copy down important phone numbers and emails. I also sent my son a few phone numbers and emails addresses in one of my first letters.
Mar 29, 2017
Helomom
Mar 30, 2017
Glenni
Mar 30, 2017
BuckeyeMom
Mar 30, 2017
Helomom
Mar 30, 2017
Glenni
Mar 30, 2017
BuckeyeMom
Mar 30, 2017
M's mom
BuckeyeMom: You asked about cell phones on deployment, and wrote that your son was "headed for the Gulf." Do you mean on a ship or to a base? My son was deployed for nearly 10 months on the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson in the Gulf in 2014/2015. He left his cell phone at home and his service provider gave him a military suspension. No cell phone service or texting anyway in the middle of the ocean! He was able to email us from the ship, but we couldn't expect an immediate reply. Sometimes the ship "went dark" for a few days, and there was no email. Whenever the ship stopped at a port-of-call in Singapore, Dubai or Bahrain, etc., he called us from the dock, because he said there were banks of phones set up for that purpose.
We sent care packages to him using US Postal Service flat rate boxes, and they were delivered to the ship. There is a military discount for the large flat-rate box, I believe.
Some sailors get international chips for their cell phones before they leave which will work overseas, but my son didn't want to spend the money, since he would only be able to use his phone while in port, and he found there were phones there to use anyway. If your son will be stationed on land at a base, he may want to get international service. My son is presently stationed at a base in Japan, and he has his cell phone service set up through Google on his computer somehow. Much cheaper than paying international phone rates! I'm not sure how it all works, but when we call him, it just shows up as a local call on our bill. Not sure that would work on a ship, though.
Mar 30, 2017
Helomom
Mar 30, 2017
BuckeyeMom
I ordered my boxes from the post office website already! I was so glad for that information!I'm making mental notes about what to get together as 'we' prepare the journey... He may know, but I did not know about banks of phones or the international chip. I will be checking on that.
Thanks again!
Mar 31, 2017
M's mom
BuckeyeMom: You will also need some customs forms to go along with any box you send to a FPO (Fleet Post Office) address. You can get those at the Post Office also, and it's easier to fill it out at home and just give it to the clerk when you mail the box. You have to list the contents of the box such as "cookies," "magazines," etc. There are certain things you cannot mail, so you might want to check with the PO in advance for guidance. The clerk always asks me if the box contains anything flammable, perishable, or any liquids, even perfume. By "perishable," I assume fresh fruit is forbidden, but dried fruit is OK. Homemade cookies are OK if you pack them completely airtight so they don't get stale and/or moldy, since it may take 2-3 weeks to get to the ship depending on where they are. Be cautious of sending chocolate to hot climates!
What my son liked best in his care packages was individual snack packs of cookies, crackers, chips, candy, etc. He liked to share with his shipmates, and it was easier (and more sanitary) to pass out individual snack packs than have them all grab into a big bag of cookies, and it helped his own portion control! I also sent him books and magazines that I knew he would like, and he passed those around to his shipmates also. They have very little personal storage space on a ship, so don't send him a lot of "stuff" that can't be consumed or shared around, or ultimately thrown away!
Check to see if your son's ship has a Facebook page. The USS Carl Vinson does, and they posted photos and sometimes videos during the cruise of day-to-day stuff on ship, and also from the ports-of-call along the way. That really helped me, because we didn't have lots of communication with my son, but at least we could keep track of his ship on Facebook!
Mar 31, 2017
Bridget Davis
Hello All. Crazy I'm writing this as I didn't think this time would ever come! My son is commissioning in mid-May and will head to Pensacola for flight school in June. I'm looking for a meaningful gift for him. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!
Apr 10, 2017
Jake's Mom
We got out son a sword from Marlon White and had a family member create the display rack. The sword was engraved with our son's name and commissioning date.
Apr 10, 2017
jsefamily
Know that anything you give him will be be wonderful and meaningful.
Apr 10, 2017
kmaidaho
My son Commissioned in December 2014. I asked him about the sword and he said no. I asked if there was something else he would like. He said no. We threw him a nice reception in our hometown and he was delighted with that. We traveled to Florida last August for his EOD pinning ceremony-again, empty handed, but he was happy to have us there. Now, two and a half years later, I think the sword and/or other commemorative items, had they been purchased, would be stored in our basement as he is now married and recently stationed in Spain. He travels pretty light! I would ask your son what he thinks. You might be surprised. Kathy
Apr 10, 2017
Debbie1215
We got our son (who commissions in May also) a custom made engraved Memory box - can be used for holding insignia and all sorts of mementos. We got it from ETSY and the man who made it did incredible work!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyFlagOfHonor?ref=l2-shopheader-name
Apr 10, 2017
topdog1p
My son requested that we not get him anything as he would just be having to move it too many times unless i wanted to store it with the rest of his belonging that i was already storing. Instead we made the the trip to Newport RI for the commissioning at OCS a family vacation. My hubby and I flew in early and spent a couple days in Boston and then off the newport to pick my daughter ( his sister ) up and spend more time in newport. After we all went to Boston as a family for a couple more days before we all flew home together.
Apr 10, 2017
BuckeyeMom
Apr 10, 2017
Noni
Apr 10, 2017
Noni
Apr 10, 2017
Bridget Davis
Thank you all for the great ideas! I really appreciate it.
Apr 11, 2017