Search Wikipedia for "List of U.S. Navy Acronyms." I find this list very helpful when my son lapses into Navyspeak in an email, and I have no idea what he means!
meadow, a large part of this correspondence issues depend on the Drill Instructor. Of course you don’t know his/her personality so it is better to be safe that sorry. Our LO left for OCS in July 2014, graduating in October 2014, in Class 01-15. I hadn’t heard any rules about color of envelope and all that business. I knew not to send birthday cards. Our LO’s birthday was on his fifth day of OCS. I didn’t let anyone send him birthday cards but I didn’t want to have the day pass unnoticed. I wrote letters every day he was gone. Yes, EVERY DAY. On his birthday, I subtly put “HB” next to the date on the letter. He noticed and mentioned it. He said it felt “just right” at the time.
I mentioned that I didn’t know all the “white envelope and plain letter rules. I sent many cards and some were in tab or blue envelopes. (Oh, my!) No worries! There were no issues. When I mentioned it later in OCS, our son commented that the instructors have much bigger issues to manage than the color of envelopes. LOL That sounds about right to me, too. Also, we were encouraged to send bits of information to him from the outside world. My husband sent the baseball trade deadline deals from the newspaper. Our LO said it was a huge hit and he shared it with many interested candidates. Again, no issues with instructors. So, my suggestion is to write letters and feel out the situation but don’t lose perspective.
for the good of your LO and the class do not send anything other than white. As for Birthday my daughter was there for hers and wasn’t allowed to accept anything until candio . Wish your LO happy birthday on paper
meadow - I completely agree with jsefamily's advice on OCS: When you learn new instructions/rules, try to follow them but don't stress about it if you mess up. I messed up how I was addressing my letters for several weeks. My son mentioned it when he got phone privileges after week 6 but said it was not a big deal as no one cared. The candidates are the ones who collect the mail from the mailroom and distribute it. They all look out for each other. So If you happened to have already sent a birthday card in say a blue envelope, have a glass of wine and notice the world is still turning the same direction it was before the error. To lower your stress level, send future letters in white envelopes.
The color of the envelope may not be a problem, but do NOT send any musical cards, or big, fat envelopes that look like they could have contraband in them. We were told you don't want to send any mail that would catch the attention of the Drill Instructor, and therefore single out your candidate for the DI to harass.
There is a Facebook page - search for OCS 03-19 and a few options will show up, I am sure of it! Also look for the Officer Training Command Newport page, as that is where any photos will be posted. Fair Seas and Following Winds!
Thanks, everyone! My son is a SNA so he will be going back to his residence where he lived prior to beginning OCS, for 3 months doing OHARP, then he will have to report to Pensacola in December.
Congrats on the upcoming commissioning! I personally did not do this, however, someone had posted info on our class friends and family page on fb. It listed an email address as well as a phone number. Have you tried both avenues of contact?
I'm the Mom of a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) for over 9 years now, and just thought I would share a few random thoughts. The first tour is really busy with the junior officers (JOs) trying to get qualified and get their SWO pin in addition to doing their regular job, standing watches twice a day, and finding time to sleep and exercise. It's a crash course in time management, and they can use all the encouragement you can give without putting demands on their time. While my son and I are close and we talk often when he's in-port or on shore duty, I only heard from him a few times that first deployment. My son is now into his third deployment and my guiding rule has been to encourage him to stay connected with his wife and children and know that I am thinking of him and praying for him (calls every 2-3 months and emails every 2 weeks or so are about the norm). My husband and I were able to visit him in Greece when they pulled into port on his second deployment and that was great. If you can manage that, you will not regret it. Or if you can babysit (if your son or daughter has children) for his or her spouse to join them for a port visit, all the better!
My son will have been commissioned for nine years this summer. He's also a SWO. His first ship was an LPD, and he had hardly arrive when it was surged to help with the action off Lybia. The ship was deployed for nearly 11 months.
In July, he found out they were going to be at an Italian Navy base in southern Italy for a full week for maintenance. He called and asked if we could come meet him. It took some doing, but we made it, and I'm so glad we did. We got him a room in the hotel where he was staying, and he was able to catch up on some much needed sleep, something new ensigns struggle with. We also did some wonderful sight-seeing and ate a lot of good food.
Later in the deployment he was sent home to go to SWO school in Newport, RI, for a few weeks. Then he had to rejoin the ship, which was still deployed.
We participated in the Tiger Cruise from Morehead City, NC to Norfolk when they finally returned. That was also a good experience, and I recommend it.
His second ship was a destroyer. He requested that because he wanted to get some experience on a different kind of ship, even though he was pretty sure he wanted to be on amphibs in the long run. He also wanted to be navigator, and he was able to do that.
The second ship also deployed, for about nine months. He spent a lot of time going back and forth through the Suez Canal and also up in the Black Sea. He got to go to a lot of interesting places and had more port visits than on the first ship.
As someone else said, after two ships SWOs typically get a three-year shore duty. Our son, a Naval Academy grad, chose teaching navigation and seamanship at the academy, and that's what he got. We were thrilled to be able to spend three more years visiting Annapolis.
Now, after nearly a year of more schools, he's starting as the ops officer on an amphib that's in the shipyards in Norfolk, so he's not likely to be deployed on this ship. They request certain kinds of ships, certain jobs and certain ports, ranking which things are most important, and then they get some combination of those choices, usually. Whether they are deployed depends on what the status of the ship is at that time.
He's always been able to keep in pretty good touch with us when he's deployed. I always told him that if he got a chance to call, he should call without worrying about what time it was where we were.
He knows he's looking at more deployments in the future, but that's OK. That's the life he chose.
First off congratulations! I am not sure I will be much help but here it goes. The first move my LO did he moved his belongings by himself Washington to South Carolina. He was reimburse for some of the expenses. The second time South Carolina to New York he again did a DITY ( do it yourself) move. His last move NewYork back to Washington was a partial dity move and part Navy moving his big household item.
Romeogirl - Congratulations to both you and your son! Is your son coming home before moving? My son came home (on his dime, actually my husband's frequent flier miles) and then he drove his car and stuff (it fit in his car) back out east. The Navy pays miles, hotel and the weight of the stuff in his car. He had to have it weighted empty and then full. He didn't have much. He could have rented a U-haul if he had more and they would have paid for that. The Navy will hire movers as well. There should be someone he can talk to. You can find info here: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/family_readiness/fleet_and_family_sup...
Best of luck to your son on this next stop in his Navy journey!
Congrats to you and your son, Romeogirl! My son commissioned at OSC last May and had to pay his own way home as he was doing OHARP for 12 weeks before going to his first base in FL. When he finished in FL and headed to TX, he had the choice of having the Navy pay for his move or pay him to rent a U-Haul and move himself. He chose the latter as he did not like the Navy's time table!
When my daughter left for OCS she had the contents of her apartment stored in a storage unit in PA. After OCS she was sent to Pensacola. The Navy moved all her goods from the storage unit to her new apartment in Pensacola. After all her flight training she was transferred to Oklahoma. Again the Navy did her PCS move and just recently she was transfered again to Pensacola and another PCS move. She took a few things in her private vehicle to get her through until all her personal goods arrived.
After OCS, the Navy packed and moved my DS goods from our house in MA to Pensacola. They lost two boxes on the way. He didn't discover the loss until he had thrown away the boxes and paperwork. The missing boxes were never found. Tough life lesson!
My son is a SNA but I am friendly with another mom whose son was designated supply. From what I remember, those going into supply started supply school in Newport the week after OCS graduation and I do not think they were allowed to leave the area. But another mother of a supply officer may have more information.
Aloha! We have FaceBook support OCS groups going! navy ocs class 14-19 friends & family 5/5 navy ocs class 15-19 friends & family 5/26 navy ocs class 16-19 friends & family 6/16 navy ocs class 17-19 friends & family 7/7 navy ocs class 01-20 friends & family 7/28
Hello all, I have a question about the wait time to hear if you've been accepted to OCS. (I'm new to this so sorry if my jargon is not correct.) The officer recruiter told my son that his application was confirmed as received (ready to be reviewed) on Feb 7th so it's been a bit more than 2 weeks. Is there an average wait time or does it depend on the community you are applying to? He is applying for SWO if that matters. Also, some background if it matters...my son is still home, dual processing, so if not picked up for OCS, then he will go enlisted.
Congratulations to you son for his great choices! Getting that OCS application submitted is quite a task. Whew! I remember that long process.
Once the application is submitted and accepted, it sits waiting for review by the application board. They meet every few months and review applications by designation groupings. Sometimes they wait until they have enough applications to make it worth their while to meet, but usually it’s every few months. So the wait just depends on the timing of the application arriving in the system and the timing for the next application board review. It could be weeks or months. The phrase, “Hurry up and wait,” will become second nature soon. Good luck to your son! What designation is he pursuing?
Yes, the application was quite the process! We received the info that the app was due to his officer recruiter by Jan 16th & the board was convening on Feb 10th. So, my son had his packet into his OR by the 16th & then received the text from his OR that it was confirmed as received on Feb 7th to wherever it needed to be sent by his OR. So, we are wondering how long after the board meets do they issue the results. I am definitely already experiencing the "hurry up & wait" thing! :)
Thanks offroute.mom. Your daughter had a long wait! It's interesting how different each person's experience can be. My son enlisted back in Oct 2019 & has been in the DEP program since then to wait to hear about OCS. If it's a no for OCS then he'll finalize his rate on his enlistment contract (he's already signed & taken the oath) & then go to BC. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.
@Kim8 The 10 Feb 20 SWO results are being released now. Perhaps your son has heard by now. This particular board was very difficult for applicants with only @ 1/3 of the total being Pro Rec Y. FWIW my son was enlisted for four years before being picked up for an officer program. It's noble that your son wants to serve. Being enlisted will have significant challenges especially since he has a degree.
Thanks for the reply, Chris! We have gotten the news that my son has been accepted to OCS! We are very proud of him & excited to support him in this journey. Can you please explain what Pro Rec Y is? We have seen this term but have't had a lot of luck finding an explanation.TIA.
Thanks Glenni! He's set to start in Aug 2020 but when his OR asked if he's willing to go earlier if a seat opens up, he said yes. Do you know if seats open up frequently?
@Kim8 Applicants to OCS get one of three replies to their applications: Pro Rec Y (Professionally Recommended Yes), Pro Rec N (No for Not Professionally Recommended), these applicants can reapply for OCS, and Pro Rec N DNR (Not Professionally Recommended and Do Not Reapply) these applicants will not be considered for OCS in the future. Congratulations...
My son went to OCS way back when, but he DID get moved up to start 6 months before his original date, but you just never know. Hurry up and wait!
My advice to your son would be to start getting in the best physical shape of his life NOW. It is not unheard of for OCS candidates to receive notice that they are to report to OCS in three weeks!!!! (Unless they are a college senior, then right after graduation.) He will be very sorry if he reports to OCS out of shape, because they have Marine drill instructors who show no mercy! If he cannot pass the initial PT (physical training) test, he will be "rolled back" to Holding Class to try to get up to speed, and if he can't, he's out. His recruiter should give him the requirements he must pass---pushups, sit ups, running time, etc. If he is in excellent physical shape when he reports to OCS, it will go a lot more smoothly for him.
You all are awesome! Thanks M's mom & offroute.mom for the advice on pretraining. My son has started pretraining since he's been in the DEP program for about 4 months now while waiting to hear whether he was accepted to OCS (he was dual processing). I think he still needs to be more consistent but he is running & working out so it's a start.
My son got five days' notice to ship out to OCS. Currently in two week quarantine before class starts 7/5, class #17-20. He'd been on hold since March. The original report date was 5/3. So yes, it can happen very quickly!
Congratulations to your son! OCS is tough, but tell him he must not quit, no matter what. There are times in OCS where they all get discouraged, the drill instructor is punishing them unfairly, etc., but that is part of the process, to see who will stick it out and who will just quit.
Write him lots of encouraging letters with all the news from home. They are purposely kept isolated from the outside world, so a letter from home is a real treat. My son went through OCS several years ago, and at that time, they were not allowed email or phone calls for about 4 weeks, but I don't know how it is now.
The first month is the toughest, so tell him to hang in there. It does get better. He must keep his eyes on the prize no matter what!!!
What is your son's designator? (What job will he train for after OCS) Pilot? Nuclear engineer? My son is in intelligence.
Make sure your sailors get to vote this year! FVAP.GOV released the timelines for mailing ballots back to the US. They will need to have their ballots very early. I have the information for Europe and I was surprised. Deployed FPO AE has to mail them back by 9 October. Landbased Europe APO AE has to mail theirs by 19 October. If your service member needs assistance direct them to the Federal Voter Assistance Program at FVAP.GOV.
Hi all! My son received his FINSEL yesterday! He's in the 05-21 class starting on Oct 18th! ROM starts Oct 4th in 11 days! So, it's really real now. Just had to share with those who understand what this means & know the range of emotions I'm feeling right now.
M's mom
meadow,
Search Wikipedia for "List of U.S. Navy Acronyms." I find this list very helpful when my son lapses into Navyspeak in an email, and I have no idea what he means!
Aug 18, 2018
jsefamily
I mentioned that I didn’t know all the “white envelope and plain letter rules. I sent many cards and some were in tab or blue envelopes. (Oh, my!) No worries! There were no issues. When I mentioned it later in OCS, our son commented that the instructors have much bigger issues to manage than the color of envelopes. LOL That sounds about right to me, too. Also, we were encouraged to send bits of information to him from the outside world. My husband sent the baseball trade deadline deals from the newspaper. Our LO said it was a huge hit and he shared it with many interested candidates. Again, no issues with instructors. So, my suggestion is to write letters and feel out the situation but don’t lose perspective.
Aug 18, 2018
jsefamily
Aug 18, 2018
jsefamily
Aug 18, 2018
Noni
Meadow
for the good of your LO and the class do not send anything other than white. As for Birthday my daughter was there for hers and wasn’t allowed to accept anything until candio . Wish your LO happy birthday on paper
Aug 18, 2018
CindyN
meadow - I completely agree with jsefamily's advice on OCS: When you learn new instructions/rules, try to follow them but don't stress about it if you mess up. I messed up how I was addressing my letters for several weeks. My son mentioned it when he got phone privileges after week 6 but said it was not a big deal as no one cared. The candidates are the ones who collect the mail from the mailroom and distribute it. They all look out for each other. So If you happened to have already sent a birthday card in say a blue envelope, have a glass of wine and notice the world is still turning the same direction it was before the error. To lower your stress level, send future letters in white envelopes.
Aug 18, 2018
M's mom
meadow,
The color of the envelope may not be a problem, but do NOT send any musical cards, or big, fat envelopes that look like they could have contraband in them. We were told you don't want to send any mail that would catch the attention of the Drill Instructor, and therefore single out your candidate for the DI to harass.
Aug 19, 2018
djbmer
Hello!
My granddaughter reported to OCS on 2 Sept. Do any of you know if a FB page has been set up for class 03-19?
Thanks so much!
Sep 4, 2018
MJoe
djbmer,
There is a Facebook page - search for OCS 03-19 and a few options will show up, I am sure of it! Also look for the Officer Training Command Newport page, as that is where any photos will be posted.
Fair Seas and Following Winds!
Sep 4, 2018
redheadlass
My son just graduated from OCS two days ago. Just wanted to say hello to the group.
Sep 22, 2018
Noni
Congratulations on your new ensign! Welcome to Navy life.
Sep 23, 2018
Allison
Congratulations on your new officer! Welcome to the group!
Sep 23, 2018
redheadlass
Thanks, everyone! My son is a SNA so he will be going back to his residence where he lived prior to beginning OCS, for 3 months doing OHARP, then he will have to report to Pensacola in December.
Sep 23, 2018
M's mom
Congrats redheadlass, and also to your new Ensign!
Now the adventure begins. Anchors aweigh!
Sep 23, 2018
Andy'sMom
Romeogirl,
Congrats on the upcoming commissioning! I personally did not do this, however, someone had posted info on our class friends and family page on fb. It listed an email address as well as a phone number. Have you tried both avenues of contact?
Mar 4, 2019
Chris
https://www.public.navy.mil/netc/centers/swos/sandiego/documents/pg...
BDOC...enjoy!
Mar 12, 2019
LEANNEJB
I'm the Mom of a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) for over 9 years now, and just thought I would share a few random thoughts. The first tour is really busy with the junior officers (JOs) trying to get qualified and get their SWO pin in addition to doing their regular job, standing watches twice a day, and finding time to sleep and exercise. It's a crash course in time management, and they can use all the encouragement you can give without putting demands on their time. While my son and I are close and we talk often when he's in-port or on shore duty, I only heard from him a few times that first deployment. My son is now into his third deployment and my guiding rule has been to encourage him to stay connected with his wife and children and know that I am thinking of him and praying for him (calls every 2-3 months and emails every 2 weeks or so are about the norm). My husband and I were able to visit him in Greece when they pulled into port on his second deployment and that was great. If you can manage that, you will not regret it. Or if you can babysit (if your son or daughter has children) for his or her spouse to join them for a port visit, all the better!
Mar 12, 2019
LindaB
My son will have been commissioned for nine years this summer. He's also a SWO. His first ship was an LPD, and he had hardly arrive when it was surged to help with the action off Lybia. The ship was deployed for nearly 11 months.
In July, he found out they were going to be at an Italian Navy base in southern Italy for a full week for maintenance. He called and asked if we could come meet him. It took some doing, but we made it, and I'm so glad we did. We got him a room in the hotel where he was staying, and he was able to catch up on some much needed sleep, something new ensigns struggle with. We also did some wonderful sight-seeing and ate a lot of good food.
Later in the deployment he was sent home to go to SWO school in Newport, RI, for a few weeks. Then he had to rejoin the ship, which was still deployed.
We participated in the Tiger Cruise from Morehead City, NC to Norfolk when they finally returned. That was also a good experience, and I recommend it.
His second ship was a destroyer. He requested that because he wanted to get some experience on a different kind of ship, even though he was pretty sure he wanted to be on amphibs in the long run. He also wanted to be navigator, and he was able to do that.
The second ship also deployed, for about nine months. He spent a lot of time going back and forth through the Suez Canal and also up in the Black Sea. He got to go to a lot of interesting places and had more port visits than on the first ship.
As someone else said, after two ships SWOs typically get a three-year shore duty. Our son, a Naval Academy grad, chose teaching navigation and seamanship at the academy, and that's what he got. We were thrilled to be able to spend three more years visiting Annapolis.
Now, after nearly a year of more schools, he's starting as the ops officer on an amphib that's in the shipyards in Norfolk, so he's not likely to be deployed on this ship. They request certain kinds of ships, certain jobs and certain ports, ranking which things are most important, and then they get some combination of those choices, usually. Whether they are deployed depends on what the status of the ship is at that time.
He's always been able to keep in pretty good touch with us when he's deployed. I always told him that if he got a chance to call, he should call without worrying about what time it was where we were.
He knows he's looking at more deployments in the future, but that's OK. That's the life he chose.
Mar 13, 2019
topdog1p
Romeogirl
First off congratulations! I am not sure I will be much help but here it goes. The first move my LO did he moved his belongings by himself Washington to South Carolina. He was reimburse for some of the expenses. The second time South Carolina to New York he again did a DITY ( do it yourself) move. His last move NewYork back to Washington was a partial dity move and part Navy moving his big household item.
Mar 23, 2019
CindyN
Romeogirl - Congratulations to both you and your son! Is your son coming home before moving? My son came home (on his dime, actually my husband's frequent flier miles) and then he drove his car and stuff (it fit in his car) back out east. The Navy pays miles, hotel and the weight of the stuff in his car. He had to have it weighted empty and then full. He didn't have much. He could have rented a U-haul if he had more and they would have paid for that. The Navy will hire movers as well. There should be someone he can talk to. You can find info here: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/family_readiness/fleet_and_family_sup...
Best of luck to your son on this next stop in his Navy journey!
Mar 23, 2019
Andy'sMom
Congrats to you and your son, Romeogirl! My son commissioned at OSC last May and had to pay his own way home as he was doing OHARP for 12 weeks before going to his first base in FL. When he finished in FL and headed to TX, he had the choice of having the Navy pay for his move or pay him to rent a U-Haul and move himself. He chose the latter as he did not like the Navy's time table!
Mar 24, 2019
Anna
Romeogirl,
When my daughter left for OCS she had the contents of her apartment stored in a storage unit in PA. After OCS she was sent to Pensacola. The Navy moved all her goods from the storage unit to her new apartment in Pensacola. After all her flight training she was transferred to Oklahoma. Again the Navy did her PCS move and just recently she was transfered again to Pensacola and another PCS move. She took a few things in her private vehicle to get her through until all her personal goods arrived.
Mar 24, 2019
Allison
After OCS, the Navy packed and moved my DS goods from our house in MA to Pensacola. They lost two boxes on the way. He didn't discover the loss until he had thrown away the boxes and paperwork. The missing boxes were never found. Tough life lesson!
Mar 25, 2019
redheadlass
Aloha Mom,
My son is a SNA but I am friendly with another mom whose son was designated supply. From what I remember, those going into supply started supply school in Newport the week after OCS graduation and I do not think they were allowed to leave the area. But another mother of a supply officer may have more information.
Jun 25, 2019
Aloha Mom
Aloha!
We have FaceBook support OCS groups going!
navy ocs class 14-19 friends & family 5/5
navy ocs class 15-19 friends & family 5/26
navy ocs class 16-19 friends & family 6/16
navy ocs class 17-19 friends & family 7/7
navy ocs class 01-20 friends & family 7/28
Jul 22, 2019
Kim8
Hello all, I have a question about the wait time to hear if you've been accepted to OCS. (I'm new to this so sorry if my jargon is not correct.) The officer recruiter told my son that his application was confirmed as received (ready to be reviewed) on Feb 7th so it's been a bit more than 2 weeks. Is there an average wait time or does it depend on the community you are applying to? He is applying for SWO if that matters. Also, some background if it matters...my son is still home, dual processing, so if not picked up for OCS, then he will go enlisted.
Feb 26, 2020
jsefamily
Congratulations to you son for his great choices! Getting that OCS application submitted is quite a task. Whew! I remember that long process.
Once the application is submitted and accepted, it sits waiting for review by the application board. They meet every few months and review applications by designation groupings. Sometimes they wait until they have enough applications to make it worth their while to meet, but usually it’s every few months. So the wait just depends on the timing of the application arriving in the system and the timing for the next application board review. It could be weeks or months. The phrase, “Hurry up and wait,” will become second nature soon. Good luck to your son! What designation is he pursuing?
Feb 26, 2020
jsefamily
Feb 26, 2020
Kim8
Thanks for the reply jsefamily,
Yes, the application was quite the process! We received the info that the app was due to his officer recruiter by Jan 16th & the board was convening on Feb 10th. So, my son had his packet into his OR by the 16th & then received the text from his OR that it was confirmed as received on Feb 7th to wherever it needed to be sent by his OR. So, we are wondering how long after the board meets do they issue the results. I am definitely already experiencing the "hurry up & wait" thing! :)
Feb 26, 2020
Kim8
Thanks offroute.mom. Your daughter had a long wait! It's interesting how different each person's experience can be. My son enlisted back in Oct 2019 & has been in the DEP program since then to wait to hear about OCS. If it's a no for OCS then he'll finalize his rate on his enlistment contract (he's already signed & taken the oath) & then go to BC. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.
Feb 26, 2020
Chris
@Kim8 The 10 Feb 20 SWO results are being released now. Perhaps your son has heard by now. This particular board was very difficult for applicants with only @ 1/3 of the total being Pro Rec Y. FWIW my son was enlisted for four years before being picked up for an officer program. It's noble that your son wants to serve. Being enlisted will have significant challenges especially since he has a degree.
Feb 29, 2020
Kim8
Thanks for the reply, Chris! We have gotten the news that my son has been accepted to OCS! We are very proud of him & excited to support him in this journey. Can you please explain what Pro Rec Y is? We have seen this term but have't had a lot of luck finding an explanation.TIA.
Mar 1, 2020
Glenni
Congratulations, Kim! I’m so thankful your son was chosen. The officer route is so much better for someone with a degree! When does OCS begin?
Mar 1, 2020
Kim8
Thanks Glenni! He's set to start in Aug 2020 but when his OR asked if he's willing to go earlier if a seat opens up, he said yes. Do you know if seats open up frequently?
Mar 1, 2020
Glenni
Kim8, I don’t honestly know. My sailor is going the NROTC route.
Mar 1, 2020
Chris
@Kim8 Applicants to OCS get one of three replies to their applications: Pro Rec Y (Professionally Recommended Yes), Pro Rec N (No for Not Professionally Recommended), these applicants can reapply for OCS, and Pro Rec N DNR (Not Professionally Recommended and Do Not Reapply) these applicants will not be considered for OCS in the future. Congratulations...
Mar 1, 2020
Kim8
Chris, thanks for the explanation, that's helps a lot!
Mar 1, 2020
M's mom
Congratulations to your son, Kim8!
My son went to OCS way back when, but he DID get moved up to start 6 months before his original date, but you just never know. Hurry up and wait!
My advice to your son would be to start getting in the best physical shape of his life NOW. It is not unheard of for OCS candidates to receive notice that they are to report to OCS in three weeks!!!! (Unless they are a college senior, then right after graduation.) He will be very sorry if he reports to OCS out of shape, because they have Marine drill instructors who show no mercy! If he cannot pass the initial PT (physical training) test, he will be "rolled back" to Holding Class to try to get up to speed, and if he can't, he's out. His recruiter should give him the requirements he must pass---pushups, sit ups, running time, etc. If he is in excellent physical shape when he reports to OCS, it will go a lot more smoothly for him.
Mar 1, 2020
Kim8
You all are awesome! Thanks M's mom & offroute.mom for the advice on pretraining. My son has started pretraining since he's been in the DEP program for about 4 months now while waiting to hear whether he was accepted to OCS (he was dual processing). I think he still needs to be more consistent but he is running & working out so it's a start.
Mar 1, 2020
Glenni
Kim8 has your son heard anything yet?
Apr 12, 2020
Kim8
Hi Glenni, my son has heard that he's been accepted to OCS! Is that what you're asking? Sorry, wasn't sure.
Apr 13, 2020
Glenni
Congratulations! That is wonderful!!
Apr 15, 2020
penelopewms
My son got five days' notice to ship out to OCS. Currently in two week quarantine before class starts 7/5, class #17-20. He'd been on hold since March. The original report date was 5/3. So yes, it can happen very quickly!
Jun 25, 2020
M's mom
penelopewms:
Congratulations to your son! OCS is tough, but tell him he must not quit, no matter what. There are times in OCS where they all get discouraged, the drill instructor is punishing them unfairly, etc., but that is part of the process, to see who will stick it out and who will just quit.
Write him lots of encouraging letters with all the news from home. They are purposely kept isolated from the outside world, so a letter from home is a real treat. My son went through OCS several years ago, and at that time, they were not allowed email or phone calls for about 4 weeks, but I don't know how it is now.
The first month is the toughest, so tell him to hang in there. It does get better. He must keep his eyes on the prize no matter what!!!
What is your son's designator? (What job will he train for after OCS) Pilot? Nuclear engineer? My son is in intelligence.
Jun 25, 2020
Helomom
Make sure your sailors get to vote this year! FVAP.GOV released the timelines for mailing ballots back to the US. They will need to have their ballots very early. I have the information for Europe and I was surprised. Deployed FPO AE has to mail them back by 9 October. Landbased Europe APO AE has to mail theirs by 19 October. If your service member needs assistance direct them to the Federal Voter Assistance Program at FVAP.GOV.
Aug 21, 2020
M's mom
Thanks, Helomom.
Very important info. We must encourage our sailors to do their civic duty and vote, and they need to watch those deadlines.
Is your Captain still in San Diego?
Aug 21, 2020
Helomom
Hi M's mom! Sent you a message. Nope, they aren’t in CONUS anymore.
Aug 21, 2020
Kim8
Hi all! My son received his FINSEL yesterday! He's in the 05-21 class starting on Oct 18th! ROM starts Oct 4th in 11 days! So, it's really real now. Just had to share with those who understand what this means & know the range of emotions I'm feeling right now.
Sep 23, 2020
penelopewms
Congratulations!
Sep 23, 2020
Helomom
Congratulations, Kim8! The adventure begins!
Sep 23, 2020