@gdawg Yes this is a trying time for the OC and family. Just hold on tight and know the "No News is Good News" NNIGN. It is hard to let go of our LO's but they are very special to be chosen and they will survive, just like the did in preschool and overnight camp and their first date! (Yeah moms survived that one too!)
Thanks L727! He left this morning and this afternoon it's really sinking in. I just pray that he will have the strength to endure the trials that he is about to face. When he was 14 he participated in a week long Boy Scout leadership camp and was not allowed any contact from home - I thought that week would never end. I guess it was training for me for the separation we're going to have now. Thankfully I found this site and the support and help it provides. I appreciate all of you!
@gdawg this site was my lifeline. I am lucky enough to have another N4M officer mom that lives about 3 miles from me. I am grateful for her support and the crazy thing is she told me she was happy to have met me! Facebook set up a page that had lots of info and support. I was great to meet FB friends at graduation. We connected so well tht the mom I most identified ended up wear the same outfit to graduation! Like minds...pretty scary!
Ok got a question that many people are asking about.The # of people a LO can put on the list for graduation? I was told at one point that they could only have up to 4 adults and they dont count children as being part of the 4. Also was told once the names are on the list the LO can not change the list.Can someone please help with this question? Thank you so much.
Graduation and PIR is open and I don't think there is a limit. The names need to be on the list at the Pass Office. The Hi Moms is a limited to the number of tickets available and that depends on where the event is held. For my son's class 19-10 that is the way it was; however, things change all the time.
My son just finished his 1st week at OCS. Looking to book tickets for my son for Christmas stand down. I believe the break is from December 17--a Friday until Jan 3--a Monday. Figured I'd book the reservations for Sat Dec 18th--in case they still have to do stuff on Friday. I believe they may have to be back in Newport by Jan 2 so I will book him a return on Jan 1. Because my son just finished week one of OCS.I .can't communicate with him yet. But want to get the reservations in place since it is Christmas and it gets harder to get reservations the closer you get to December. Does anyone know how I can find out the exact dates of the break?
Ditto Rosemarie. My son is also in the 04-11 class and I am eager to book flights both for him at Christmas and for the family to attend graduation. Can someone tell me what Hi Moms is? Also what does LO stand for? Thanks!
My son is also in 04-11. The Hi Mom's is an event that is held the evening before graduation (Thursday evening) and from what I understand is basically a party celebrating completion of OCS and graduation. LO = Loved One
To Vachon, Class 04-11 has a facebook page and a N4M page. You are welcome to join both and get bunches of info or just vent and share your feelings on your LO being in OCS.
N4M-Loved Ones of OCS Class 04-11
FB-Friends/Family of 03 OCT 2010 Navy OCS Class 04-11
Thanks for the info. When will our LOs know whether or not they will be given leave? Is there a milestone they pass where their chances are much safer? Or can they lose the privilege at any given moment up to the stand down?
dmarie - I don't see the date posted anywhere on the OCS site using your link. Do you think they just haven't posted them yet? Before he left my son had the impression that everyone could leave for the 2 week time period but they would end up in a negative leave situation.
things change ALL the time. Just keep searching the sites given. And yes anything can be taken away at the drop of a hat. the only thing you can depend on is that things can change at anytime
Can anyone can give me any info on when me and my kids can move with my husband after OCS? He is going to be a SWO. I just need an idea of about when we will be able to be with him.This way I can start plans for a move with 4 kids. Thank you.
How much time to the OCS Grads get between graduation and the next location...school or ship? I am asking because I am planning a wedding and want my son to attend in his uniform. He thinks he goes straight from OCS to a ship for 18 months...can someone clue me in?
Thanks..I guess, my question is this: Once he starts OCS, he will graduate at a finite time, right? So, once we know when his start date will be, there will be X weeks until graduation. How many days do they get to come home and get ready to leave for their next assignment? BTW...the man I am going to marry is retired from the Navy...very coincidental!In fact, he was a a NUKE submariner.
Once into OCS graduation will be 12 weeks of training. If there is Christmas thrown in there they have stand down which does not count for part of their training. So your graduation date is ??? Also there is a possibility of being rolled or going into H class (hold) which would change everything. There are a number of reasons for that status. The time between OCS and assignment...depends where they are going, when classes start, etc. It is hurry up and wait. Good luck to you and your LO (loved one) and keep coming back to this site.
Kathy - as L727 said, you really can't count on any date staying the same. Start dates, graduation dates etc. all can change without any notice. As far as time between graduation and starting training, that can be all over the place. They may graduate on a Friday and start training by the following Monday or they may have several weeks between. I guess the important thing to remember is that you need to include flexibility into your plans because nothing is set in stone with the Navy.
Hello everyone! Our son graduated from OCS this morning! My husband will fly home tomorrow with lots of video for us to watch. It's really been a journey for us. One son started OCS Aug.1st and another son left for bootcamp Aug. 10th. We are definitely a NAVY family! : )
Thank you and congratulations to you, kab!! Our son's fiancee and her mother were also in R. I. The 4 of them were out to dinner and our son could tell he has to get used to being out in the real world again. I just talked to my husband as he was waiting in the airport. I'm looking forward to hearing all his stories in person.
I am glad you found the Good Wood Store. Paymaster gave me the idea of an ensign box. I seached high and low and finally found TGW Store. I sent them the info I wanted and they created the ensign box exactly like I wanted it. The one on their website is my son's box without his name and class. They were the nicest people, prompt, good quality,and the pay was very fair. Hope you are as happy with the product as I was and my son loved it.
My step-son also reported to OCS today. sheri105, I have started a forum for this group under the discussion forum above. Not getting many resposes however. Also a Facebook group--OCS 06-11. Check it out.
Actually my OCS 06-11 Post is under The Mom of Officers group. I can't find my way around here very well. It does not come up when I search it. Any suggestions?
My LO is in 05-11 and is doing well through the PFTs and the general environment; however, has a sprained ankle and plans to run on it today for a major PFT. At about 1-/2 to 2 weeks the homesickness sets in a little so keep the cards and letters going to your LO's along with the encouragement. I read that it is better to use plain envelopes so I stay with white or beige for all correspondence as to not draw undesired attention to my LO.
Hello! My LO is a week away from being a candio! Hurrah! I'm looking into getting him an Ensign box for graduation. I remember seeing them mentioned but that was long before I needed to think about graduation gifts. I seem to remember an online store mentioned that made nice ones - anyone have any suggestions?
The Good Wood Store was the company I found for my son's gift. They were great and very helpful. The box they have featured on their website is the box my son received when her graduated from 19-10. They are a nice group of folks to work with, Ashley was my contact. I looked long and hard to find what I wanted and they filled the bill. For the number of boxes that have been ordered since then, I should be getting commission!!! Hope you like what they have to offer, my son loves his.
Kathy...My son graduated in Aug so for PIR many wore shorts! (not me though)Jeans were acceptable. The LO's will be in blueberries. It is very casual very quick. It does not last long and is informal Don't stress and enjoy.
Kathy - My daughter graduated in June. I wore capris and a nice blouse for PIR, but a dress for graduation. Both are indoors, so you don't need to worry about standing outside for too long. Except after graduation, when they go outside for photos. Congratulations to your nephew!
Another question about the Ensign boxes. I'm set to order from The Good Wood Store - finally decided on which one. I'm wondering what others had engraved on theirs. This is what they suggested for an OCS graduate:
Name
OCS Class XX-XX
Newport, Rhode Island
7 January 2010
What I'm wondering is should it say "Ensign" somewhere? And if so, where?
I just put his full name, officer Candidate School Class 19-10. I did not put ensign because this is a box he will have for all his pins, bars, etc for a long time. My son is talking about making a career, so I am assuming he will not be an ensign the whole time (at least I hope).
Well its that time.Getting ready for Christmas, and the Hubby is coming home.The kids have no idea Daddy will be home for Christmas.They are making a video with Santa asking him to bring Daddy home,and then filming that same day at the airport sending a message to Daddy to come home.You got it ,its the same day my hubby will be walking through the gates.He doesnt know the kids will be there so its a surprise all around.Soon graduation,and I will be headed to Ri.God is being so good to my family.Hope you all have a great Christmas.
@Angle B - That sounds so wonderful. What a great Christmas for your family. You are so clever putting that all together. God Bless you and yours. Violet
Manette - you should be able to figure out your son's class number at OCS based on when he started. The most recent class that started was 07-11, which started on Dec. 5th. Class 06-11 started 3 weeks prior to that and so on.
My fiance is currently at OCS in Newport, RI. He is class 07-11. He left Nov. 14th, was class 06-11, but failed inspection, therefore was pushed back. Does anyone have any info about class 07-11 or have anyone in that class?
My son just graduated with the 04-11 class and I found the facebook group to be an invaluable source of information as well as support and encouragement. Best of luck to you and your fiance.
navymom9875
Sep 29, 2010
madre37
Sep 30, 2010
LZ27
Sep 30, 2010
navymom9875
Sep 30, 2010
LZ27
Sep 30, 2010
Rosemarie
Oct 3, 2010
Angel B
Oct 4, 2010
LZ27
Oct 4, 2010
Angel B
Oct 5, 2010
Rosemarie
Oct 10, 2010
gonavymom
Oct 10, 2010
navymom9875
Oct 10, 2010
Rosemarie
N4M-Loved Ones of OCS Class 04-11
FB-Friends/Family of 03 OCT 2010 Navy OCS Class 04-11
Oct 10, 2010
Kim_TX
Oct 11, 2010
navymom9875
Oct 11, 2010
LZ27
Oct 11, 2010
Kim_TX
Oct 11, 2010
Angel B
Oct 14, 2010
navymom9875
Oct 18, 2010
kab
Oct 19, 2010
Kathy
Oct 20, 2010
Kathy
Oct 21, 2010
LZ27
Oct 21, 2010
navymom9875
Oct 21, 2010
2sonmom
Oct 23, 2010
Gretchen
Oct 23, 2010
kab
My LO left Newport yesterday after SWO training and is excited to continue his journey to the West Coast.
Oct 23, 2010
2sonmom
Oct 23, 2010
Stevemom56
Oct 24, 2010
LZ27
Oct 25, 2010
sheri105
Nov 6, 2010
2sonmom
Nov 9, 2010
JSma2
Nov 14, 2010
JSma2
Nov 14, 2010
bretyler
Nov 15, 2010
navymom9875
Nov 24, 2010
LZ27
Nov 24, 2010
navymom9875
Nov 24, 2010
LZ27
Nov 24, 2010
pgrlisa
Nov 25, 2010
navymom9875
Name
OCS Class XX-XX
Newport, Rhode Island
7 January 2010
What I'm wondering is should it say "Ensign" somewhere? And if so, where?
Thanks for all your help,
Gale
Dec 6, 2010
LZ27
Dec 6, 2010
navymom9875
Dec 6, 2010
Angel B
Dec 7, 2010
violet
Dec 7, 2010
Angel B
Dec 7, 2010
navymom9875
Manette - you should be able to figure out your son's class number at OCS based on when he started. The most recent class that started was 07-11, which started on Dec. 5th. Class 06-11 started 3 weeks prior to that and so on.
Dec 16, 2010
Manette
Perfect!!!! Thanks gdawg!
Dec 16, 2010
Kelliannep89
Jan 10, 2011
navymom9875
Kelliannep89: are you a member of the 07-11 facebook page? If not, you should join. Here is the link:
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/home.php?sk=group_108717709199819&ap=1
My son just graduated with the 04-11 class and I found the facebook group to be an invaluable source of information as well as support and encouragement. Best of luck to you and your fiance.
Jan 10, 2011