OCS Graduate Moms

My son did OCS in Pensacola back in '07. N4M didn't exist. No hugs or kisses. All the parents met for the first time at "Hi Moms" - food was good, a full array of hors d'oeuvres. Very stiff and solemn. Parade was outside with Blue Angels flying by. No hat toss. If the Admiral types get wind that all these moms are having such a good time, they'll probably reopen Pensacola for OCS training.
My son rolled because of 1 point - 1 too many thread poking out of seams on his pants. With the next class, he tutored a couple of guys in math in exchange for help in ironing and shoe shining and he assisted with the training. He was somewhat pissed but I didn't cried about it because I didn't know it was a big deal. One of the two women in his class was dropped. She came from through NROTC and had to pay back her scholarship money. My son thought the DIs were particularly harsh on the women. So, kukos to all the young women who are going through or have just finished OCS. Unfortunately, for those going on to Nuke school, then Prototype, OCS was child's play by comparison to the stress they must endure in Prototype. Best of luck to old and new classes. I wish some of the parents from 10 - 07 would join N4M. No such luck.

Dmarie-
When my fiance went through OCS- I talked to his mom on the phone every night. He and I live apart and will for our entire engagement (over a year) and the first 3 years of our marriage due to me being in vet school, with internships and whatnot. I miss him terribly and with him gone- having her to talk to was nice! I know it was hard on her not hearing from him so I called the second I hung up the phone with him. I think your SIL will understand how much you are missing your daughter! My fiance is literally deploying any hour now, we are not sure the exact time, and I know that once he is gone she and I will talk more regularly again (it's let up a bit since I am back at school). She once apologized to me for "mothering" me- but I know for me at least it was nice to know someone else was missing him as much as I was! Before he left, he was at school with me at least two full weeks a month- now it's down to a weekend a month if we're lucky. When they're gone you appreciate the support of those around you!!!

Haha and Leslie.... don't worry, I don't plan on leaving. I need some connection to the navy world while I am surrounded by Civilians!! ;)

Haha... Marsbars... we definitely checked out that bridge. Over it and right back into Newport!
When we were up in Newport for graduation, my fiance, marsbars and her husband and family, and another CO and his wife and MIL went to dinner in Newport the Sunday evening the week before graduation. I was leading driving my fiance's car... using his GPS... which lead us over the bridge and right back over! Unfortunately it is a toll bridge!! But thankfully, it was only $2 a way when we did it... the next day or two it went up to $4! My fiance made it up buy buying the guys a drink when we got to dinner ;) It was almost like teasing the guys- you're out of Newport... but not quite!

Cheryl- Definitely no limit for graduation! We had a large group as well, and I know marsbars did too. This is a big occasion- and whoever wants to be there gets to be there!
Therese- My future MIL is so good about keeping in touch while I am at school... unfortunately I usually have my phone off these days while studying so we don't talk as much. But she is driving almost three hours to come watch me try on wedding dresses in a few weeks! She is so supportive, as is my future FIL. I have a large collection of horses, farm animals (though I do NOT live on a farm by any means... long story), a bunch of pocket pets, and a cat. But, I want to do small animal for sure. I am really too little to be a good large animal vet! I would like to specialize in surgery, however, that's another three years on top of the programs I'm already committed to. My fiance says he'll take his shore duty wherever I end up with a residency if I want to specialize, but I would really like to be done with school, haha. So, I think it'll just be a regular small animal practitioner for me. I actually am looking into joining the Army Veterinary Corps (I know... Army.. traitor ;) ) as they are stationed on all the naval bases that my fiance is eligible for. Have just started talking with the recruiter... but it seems like a definite possibility :)

Hope everyone has a great day today!!
Just wanted to thank everyone for all their prayers for my friend in Afghanistan... he is finally home safely!!! He is still recovering, but was stable enough to be transported home! His family are so grateful to everyone for keeping them and particularly him in their prayers. Thank you everyone!!!! :)

Good Morning everyone!! I'm definitely sending prayers to all those traveling to Newport (Yeah 02!) and all those that are sick up at OCS!
My fiance deploys today... he's going to be heading into a designated 'war zone' so if I could please ask for your prayers... they would be greatly appreciated! He is being flown out to meet his ship since they are already gone. He's lucky enough to be traveling with a warrant officer with 23 years of service in- talk about a hero!- so that makes me feel a bit better that he is not going alone! I feel like we're starting OCS all over again... no contact for awhile and not sure when we'll get it!

I got my fiance a navy ring with his SWO insignia on one side, a naval officer insignia on the other, and his name around it. I put a little engraving on the inside to make it special for him and told him it was my way of telling him I was committed to supporting him through our navy journey. He and I like it because it's something he can wear nearly all the time as a reminder of my support for him, whether he's in uniform or not!

Bravo Zulu, 02!!!! Congratulations to the Navy's newest group of Ensigns!!

Good Luck to 09 as they arrive in Newport for what's going to be a life changing journey for them!! They (and all of you! :) ) will do just fine!!
Typically for liberty they do on base gym liberty and work their way up from there- a class has to be secured for off base, most DI's wait til they are candidate officers to give off base but I have heard of one or two that will do it before then. They usually always need a liberty buddy though!!
My fiance arrived at his ship today... got a text message from him at about 2AM telling me he was in Ethiopia and was waiting for the last leg of his flight to get to where his ship is. I spent the whole day on pins and needles waiting to get an email or anything letting me know that he had safely made it to his ship. On my phone, I have a dual clock- one set to my time zone and one set to his. Once it got to be about midnight his time, I figured I wouldn't hear anything until tomorrow at the earliest, and went to take my last exam of the week, very nervous (as poor Marsbars can tell you- she gets to hear all my deployment jitters!). Then at 2:30AM his time (0230 if we want to use the proper military time ;) ) my phone rang... I got my first deployment phone call! It was only six minutes but it was SO nice to hear his voice and know he made it there safely! What a huge relief to know he is safe on an American ship. I never thought I would be as relieved as I did to get my first Sunday phone call from OCS... well the first deployment phone call is about a hundred times more relieving!! I was absolutely giddy for about an hour... still am and it's about 6 hours later!! He was soo tired and I felt so blessed and loved- he woke up especially to call me when he knew the phone would be free and that he could call me to ease my worries :) He's spent the last two days traveling and I couldn't believe he gave up the chance to sleep in a bed to call!
Anyway... just wanted to ask everyone's prayers for my fiance and his shipmates... they have some rough waters ahead of them and could really use some prayers!!!! Thank you so much!!! :)

Cheryl- my thoughts and prayers are with Michael. I know the first call I got from my fiance when he was in H was absolutely heartbreaking, and while it was in the end what he needed to get healthy and they really did take care of him there, and in the end it worked out just fine. They don't want to be there any extra but they absolutely can do it. If you don't mind sending me his last name I would love to send him some stuff too- my fiance is away on deployment right now but we communicate fairly regularly and he is always still concerned about those at OCS, particularly those in H- I think he would like to send him a quick letter of encouragement and support and share his story as sort of a motivator to show him that he can do it if that's okay with you!!

Tarheelmom- thank you so much for your sweet words :) Tim is doing very well.. he is loving life :) He has worked so hard for this and what a thrill to finally be on his ship! He got to be on the bridge of the ship today for five hours, which he loved. I have to confess I was a little mean when he called, we were joking around and I asked what he hit while he was on the bridge of the ship. He said nothing, that he rocked being on the bridge. I was like oh what's that honey? You hit bridges and rocks? Try not to do that anymore! Hah! He left Wednesday and I have already gotten two phone calls :) and soon they will be giving him his own computer so he can email every day. I feel so spoiled compared to him being at OCS!! I will have lots of deployment prep tips very soon (have some already ;) ) so hopefully everyone will stick around on this site and I can help when it comes time for that!!! haha during our phone call today he made it a point to ask about what was happening at OCS- I guess there is another ensign on board who graduated 1.5 months before he did, and he was asking for news of OCS as well!! They are too funny I guess they don't forget their roots!!

Sally- There is a commissioning loan you can get from the USAA with only a 5% interest rate. If that's lower than your son's student loans, I know a lot of guys that my fiance knows got it to pay off loans and pay at a lower rate. Just an idea!

Marajade... just as a fair warning- while all the pictures are super nice and I know everyone loves to see them... you can see nametags in some of those pictures, which violates PERSEC (even if the candidate has given their permission for their pic to be posted), so I am not sure how they got approved. Especially if any of those guys are seals, they are absolutely not allowed to have pictures/videos of them posted online. I have some pics from graduation that I can't post online cause it has the SEALS in them. If a DI/staff member of OCS were to see it, they could get in trouble. The staff at OCS told me it's okay to post like a general picture of a whole class if you can't read nametags (and keep in mind... this includes if you can zoom in and read the nametag) and if you are 100% sure that there are no seals in the class. Many classes do have seals (I know ours did) so you have to be super careful about posting pictures of classes! Also... videos of classes are kinda also prohibited- I know I was told I couldn't post the video I had of my fiance's class getting ready for rifle drill because it wasn't a video made by a candidate at ocs. Not trying to be a killjoy- but it's done for the safety of our sailors. It may not seem like it's huge deal when they are at OCS, but especially for the seals, it is a big deal. I just don't want someone at OCS seeing those pics and getting your LO in trouble for it! I will have to find the link to it- but there is a powerpoint from a security briefing online for families that discusses the case of how one little detail that someone let slip, combined with the picture of someone wearing a nametag, led to the death of 238 soldiers. Like I said... I am not trying to ruin anyone's fun... but PERSEC is important and while it can seem silly... it's not a game. I think the pictures are a wonderful idea, but you just have to be careful about that sort of thing!

It's up to $25,000 for the loan and you can get it up to year after commissioning. I know my fiance got a navy fed account before leaving and then opened up a USAA one to do the loan and get insurance through there- their insurance rates are pretty low too!

Marajade- what you're doing is WONDERFUL and I know it means so much to everyone- just wanted to make sure no one is getting into trouble for it! Just to clarify- it doesn't matter the designator, if their nametape is showing, it shouldn't be posted on a public forum. Things like facebook are a little difference because they're more protected. SEALs are not supposed to have their pictures posted online in uniform at all, whereas a normal designator can have it posted with no name tape. But I'm glad you'll continue to paparazzi- the girls in my class and I had a TON of fun "stalking" the base and snapping pics for people ;). It's just scary what people can do with a tiny bit of info gleamed off the internet!

Cheryl- It depends on the chief running H. The first time my fiance was in H, we didn't hear ANYTHING. I found out through a letter. No phone call for two weeks. However, with the current chief, they are allowed to call every day while in H, unless something happens are they are busy during phone times. It is also determined by whether there are indocs and how many are in H. If there are indocs, it cuts the number of phones in half (they don't want the indocs seeing the members of H, so they can't use the phones near their quarters). When my fiance was in H he was allowed to call on Sundays- it was just later in the evening after the regiment had used the phones.... however this may have changed as the regiment is larger now and it sounds like the number of people in H are greater. My fiance did say that the chief who runs H now told him (while he was up in Newport for SWOS) they are limiting their phone time at bit more in H these days in order to encourage them to spend more time prepping for RLP, getting back in physical shape, etc. They are allowed to call home because when they are in H, they need that extra support! They also can usually get to a computer and email regularly. If my fiance wasn't able to call, he made sure to email. Now if he is in quarantine- that may change things. My fiance was never quarantined, and I know they are doing a special "med down" section of H these days, so the rules may be different. maybe someone who has experience with quarantine could offer a better perspective? That was just my experience with H :)

Tiffany, since your said apartment, the porch must have some drainage hole. Made sure that is not plugged up.

Mamadoc-
Unforunately, Indocs are not granted any sort of mail privileges... sending or receiving. While I don't know for sure, I would guess that they will not be allowed to send mail- the class won't be able to have any mail privileges until they have the time to elect their class officers and get a mail body, which is usually not until the officer candidate phase. From what the new changes sounded like... it seemed like the first 3 weeks were going to be very tough and demanding with little time to write. They also probably don't have access to paper/pens/stamps! (They are only allowed to take bare essentials with them as Indocs).
I hope I am wrong, but that would be my guess! When my fiance went through OCS, I went for close to 3 weeks without hearing anything- I got a letter at about the two week, 6 day mark- so it is possible to make it through! (When he went through over the summer, they didn't do things like allow emails). Just try to remember that no news is good news, and encourage your son's girlfriend to come on this site for support if she isn't already!!
Best of luck to you and your son :) You are already one week in! I promise the time goes faster than you think! (And my fiance was there for 17 weeks, so if I can say that... ;) )

Sailordawgmom- I agree with navymom- even when I went at the end of October, it was a very sleepy town. Newport is a resort town for sailing and it's out of season! The Red Parrot is fabulous- I also love The Black Pearl and the Newport Blues Cafe (both of those two were a little pricey, but absolutely delicious and my fiance enjoyed every bite after all that chow hall food!). And don't expect to be able to go out late.... it closes down early!

Cheryl- which airport is he going to? Chances are, he will be able to find another OCS student who can help him out and give him a ride. If not, if he's flying out of Providence I think the best option is a cab, but if he's flying out of Boston, there is a bus service called Peter Pan bus service that goes from Newport to Boston. Hope this helps :)

Just a caution about the Perkins loan forgiveness- it only counts if you are doing 12 months consecutive service in a "hostile" area- that does not mean places that are qualified for special pay like flight pay or sea pay or overseas pay. Very very very few navy deployments are 12 months in length- the large majority are 7 months long- and usually the first and last month are spent traveling and making diplomatic port stops that are not hostile areas, and some deployed ships never enter a hostile area. I know several people who looked into it but were all told by detailers/recruiters who work with the loan cancellation that essentially in the navy it is very difficult to get those 12 months consecutive service in a hostile area! Generally unless you are picking up an IA/GSA tour on your shore duty, and even a lot of those filled by the navy end up being stateside and not in a hostile area, it's going to be a fairly hard thing to accomplish, particularly for officers. Unfortunately there is a lot more help out there for enlisted folks when it comes to loan forgiveness. It's definitely something to consider but you are taking a risk by hoping for that! Maybe it is different for different types of officers but all the SWO's and Nukes I know that looked into it were essentially told not to do it. Not saying it's a bad idea, just saying make sure you understand all the details of it!
Another thing to consider- when you hit 30 or more days of active duty, you can defer loan payments if need be, though I don't know the specifics of it!

Just wanted to say a late congratulations to the 04's and an early one to the 05's. The 03 graduation was wonderful, and it all went by so fast. I did want to mention something to those heading to Newport, TAKE THE BRIDGE EVERY TIME! We had several trips to the Providence airport, so we decided to drive around the east side of the bay one trip. What looks like a highway on the map wasn't, and we ended up waiting outside during the change of command ceremony (our son said DO NOT enter if not early/on time) and missed seeing him sign his papers as well. We should have peeked in the east doors.
The Navy Lodge was a great place to stay, so convenient and comfortable. We were able to get three rooms for family. After all the airport runs it was nice to be so close to Kyle and the activities. I put some pictures on my page of the 13th. If anyone knows if the official class photos are made available to parents, please post a note. My camera wasn't so great for that.
Happy Thanksgiving.

There was some earlier discussion about the OC's standing within the navy before... just wanted to clear up that they are technically Reservist Petty Officers. So they're not just floating between officers and enlisted- they are technically, in the eyes of the navy, enlisted until they receive their commission. Whether they have an ID or not, they still get the "benefits" of being in the navy. And really, they don't need the ID while at OCS- they go off base so infrequently- and they have to get a new one at graduation anyway. The navy is scrambling to find ways to cut money, and printing 100 less ID cards for every OCS class is one way to do it. What's the point of making a card that's only good for a few months that they rarely use anyway?

Everyone have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving and for those of you who are fortunate to have your LO's at home or even just stateside... enjoy it! And please keep in your thoughts and prayers the men and women who are still deployed... they are the reason we are able to celebrate!

Thanks everyone for posting about the portraits. I guess I can look forward to seeing them in about a week, maybe a little longer with all the Christmas mail. I'm looking forward to the holidays. We thought this would be the first Christmas with none of the kids home, but it looks like we'll be celebrating the solstice with the girls, and Kyle is going to try and take leave for Christmas and New Years. I should be on seasonal lay-off by then so I can spoil him good. I'm planning my baking list now.

Oh, I have only had deep fried turkey once. It was wonderful! Unfortunately, I don't know how to make it.

Congratulations 05's, and especially those that started with an earlier class. Good luck to all!
From the Michelle that does exist!

Congrats to 05 and their families! The fleet will be getting a group of fine Ensigns today :)
Coralreef- my class (27-09) had Hi Moms at the Officer's Club with full dinner and dessert service- it was rather pricey though, I think we paid close to forty dollars a person. It was a lovely evening though, the food was wonderful, and since everyone would've had to go out into Newport for dinner anyway afterward, no one minded paying. After all, you only get commissioned once ;)

Today is a special day for my fiance- his ship comes home today! In a few hours they will be getting to the pier :) I wish more than anything that I could've been there to be there for him, but I have finals for vet school starting Monday... so on Thursday when I finish we will have our own homecoming at the airport ;) He got stuck with duty today anyway so he and some of the other guys will have to stay on the ship until tomorrow anyway. What a tease to be so close to home and not be able to even get off the ship!! Oh well :) He will be home for Christmas and for that I am grateful!!!! And we have survived our first deployment :)

The appetizers at the OC for 03 were heavy enough that you wouldn't have to go anywhere after. We did because we met late-arriving family, they had a meal while those of us who went to Hi-Moms just had desert.
At Hi-Moms there were quite a few hot appetizers, a chef slicing roast beef, shrimp, fruit, cheeses, veges and dip, chocolate-dipped strawberries, breads, and even a vegetarian hot cheese pastry. I'm sure I haven't listed it all. Pretty good deal I thought. By the time we got to the restaurant for the relatives it was 9 pm and we weren't hungry.

Way2go- when my fiance (graduated OCS back in September) swore in, it was in the middle of the week during my last week of my undergraduate classes. I did my undergrad over six hours away from home where he would be swearing in. This didn't deter me at all- Tuesday night I got out of class, drove home, got there about midnight to surprise him, went to the swearing in on Wednesday, and then Thursday morning drove back in time to finish my research project and take an early final. He had a huge crowd there- me, my mom, his parents, his grandma, his sister, and probably about 15 sea cadet officers (the navy's youth program) there. Chief couldn't believe it, haha! But my fiance has been fighting to be a naval officer ever since he was five, so everyone who's been there wanted to be there to support him. There's absolutely nothing wrong with driving to be there for it!!! (I had a few people question my sanity over my decision to drive twelve hours for a five minute ceremony, but the look on his face when he found out I'd be there for it was worth it ;) ).

My fiance and I gave out a lot of navy gear for Christmas presents- he got me a watch, he figured I have enough of it ;). He got us all matching OCS hoodies too with different things on the back- mine says princess because he always calls me his navyprincess (hence my username ;) ).

It's good to hear everyone is doing well- I haven't been on much- I just spent 3 fantastic weeks at Norfolk with my fiance, touring his ship and meeting his wardroom and enjoying seeing him for more than I have in the last seven months combined! And, I got to take him home for the first time since he left for OCS back in May. I arranged for his mom to be there with my family when we flew in at the airport with a welcome home banner I ordered for him with his name on it and "Merry Christmas, ENS- Home for the holidays. Near or Far, you're always in our hearts." I got some tears out of him ;) and he got a lot of thank you's for his service at the airport. It was to make up for me missing his deployment homecoming.
I hope everyone has a wonderful New year and enjoyed having their OC's home from OCS for the holidays!

He passed!!! Halleluiah!!!!

I am brand-new here, and don't really know how to even navigate this site. My son reports to OCS on Valentine's Day (2/14). Needless to say, his fiancee isn't happy with that date! How do I find other moms from this class, if there are any on here? We have NO experience with military in my family...all of this is new to us!

Our son leaves for OCS in 2 weeks- what to expect? What can we send with him?

Does anyone have any info about "hi moms" for class 10-10?

If I ever find out or hear from my son regarding graduation, I'll be thrilled to do the family run. My son is in the 13-10 class so if all goes well, he'll graduate some time in April, but I'm unsure of the date. How soon does one find out the date of their ceremonies? He also graduated college, then interviewed for OCS Navy Nuke programs. Looking forward to the journey as a Navy Mom.

quick question...do they become candios at the beginning or end of the 9th week?

Thank you. So 12-10 should be candios on March 6.

Congratulations 09-10! May you have safe and easy journeys to Newport and enjoy your celebrations when you get there. It's a great day!

To all in 09-10 and 14-10...fair winds and following seas. God Bless

Great Job! Happy you made it, but I knew you would. Good luck in your adventures. Have fun in your travels, be safe, be happy, be strong. Show them all the right stuff. peace and love to all.

Our son leaves Saturday to report to Newport on Sunday- we'll drive him if the airports are delayed. Would like to put in for vacation time for his graduation- any idea when this would be?

I have son starting this week 14-10 class. From Florida sunshine to RI snow.

way2go: your son should be in class 15-10. My son will be his candio (class 12-10). Stay on N4Ms...this is a great support site and there is tons of information. We all wish your son and his class the best.

Congratulations to those graduating this week! We anxiously await to hear how things went! MarciaA, you have many of the same questions I have when my son reaches his final week sometime in April. Look forward to hearing your experiences. way2go, welcome and congratulations on your LO entering OCS! These ladies are the best!

My son in 13-10 called last Sunday for the first time...he had a 30 sec conversation with his dad. He wanted to split the call time between us and his girlfriend. We're hoping to hear again this week. Sitting here waiting now. Last week's call came around 3 PM. Anxiously awaiting results of week 3's tests.

Thank you Sue. You brought tears to my eyes. Six weeks can't pass soon enough. Congratulations to your new Ensign...may you have fair winds and following seas.

Leslie, my son is in 12-10. He will be going to Pensacola for NFO. When did your son have to report? Or was it his choice to be there early?

Sue,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience. Our son left for Newport on Saturday and I still get very teary eyed just talking about his departure. Can't imagine what it will be like to see him again, even just to hear his voice. Thank you all for this web site! I stop by at least once a day and it helps.

What an amazing adventure you and Dan have had. Congratulations on being newlyweds and on his becoming an Ensign. Good luck on your new life in Athens and in the US Navy.

Lguerine84..I just sent you a friend request. My son is in 12-10 and I can share with you what I have learned. Also check out the AviatorMom group. They have tons of info there.