Welcome donnal! My son just graduated OCS in the 04-11 class. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. It's really hard in the beginning because of the lack of communication but just remember the Navy mantra "No news is good news." Keep writing to your LO - write everyday if you can because those letters are a source of strength and encouragement esp. before they are allowed phone communication. If you haven't joined the FB group for your son's class you really should do that because it's huge source of information along with reassurance and camaraderie. I posted the link several comments below this one - be sure to copy/paste the entire link rather than trying to go right to the link as highlighted. Good luck and remember we're here to help in what ever way we can!
donnal, My son is in class 08-11 and they have their RLP tomorrow - BIG day! Gdawg is right about the support you get from the FB page. Be sure to join your class page. Did you get your phone call Sunday? Let me know if I can help.
Thanks for the quick responses from jimsuz and gdawg....I am sure that I have lots of questions!....I will join the FB group!....I did not get a call on Sunday, before he left he thought he would be able to call in a week....
Sometimes it's a few days before they get their "I'm here" call. Our LO reported Jan. 9 and we got our first letter Jan 21. Again, it varies on when you'll receive letter. Hang in there!
My son is also in the 08-11 class...so we're just a couple of weeks beyond where you are right now. We received our first letter on Jan 26th. Best wishes!
Morning everyone! I was wondering if anyone knows how long the Hi Moms reception lasts? I know it starts at 5:30. I've read the discussions about Hi Moms but no one mentions how long it lasts. My husband wants us to eat dinner at a restaurant in Newport after it but I have no idea how long the reception will be so I can't make reservations yet. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
My son graduated several weeks ago. The Hi Mom's event was 5:30-7:30pm. We easily made an 8:15 dinner reservation in Newport. We went to Brick Alley Pub and it was great! Since we knew we were going out afterward we ate very lightly at the reception.
Thanks! I mentioned to my husband that we would have to get up very early the next morning but he is dead set on trying a restaurant called The Pier that he has heard about. Apparently they have the best prices on Thursday nights only. I'll have to make sure we eat lightly at the Hi Moms! I am hoping the graduate run is cancelled too due to the weather! I guess I can make reservations for around 8:30 and we'll be fine. Thanks for the information!
I am so looking forward to going to Newport!!! We will actually be there for 7 months because Supply School is there and my husband starts in April. I'll have to put up with a few months of winter but will be there throughout the summer, which I've heard is beautiful up there!
My son's graduate run was canceled due to the weather and then the class voted to also cancel the Eating by the Numbers demonstration so we didn't have anything Friday morning until the graduation ceremony at 9am. Be sure to arrive by 8am though if you want a good seat.
LSUtiger4life- we didn't do dinner after the HiMom's but a bunch of us did go out and celebrate since many people had to leave right after graduation. We were out until about 1AM! Everyone was really tired but we wouldn't have traded the memories of the whole family, plus friends from OCS, going out together because now that my husband is out in the fleet, it's really hard to get people together! Our graduate run was canceled but we still had the "eat by the numbers"- but the adrenaline of him finally commissioning more than got us through the day, and we took a nap afterwards. Haha! :) My philosophy was, my hubby spent four months being told what to do up there, so if he wanted to go out that last night, we should take him out!
Thanks gdawg I'll make sure I get there early! I kinda want to see what this whole eating by the numbers actually looks like with everyone doing it.
Wow Navyprincess that is late! But that's nice that you got to spend time celebrating with friends and family!! I am already getting very excited about seeing him getting commissioned. I feel the same way about your philosophy. I told my husband that he can decide what he wants to do Thursday and Friday night since he has gone through so much the past 3 months! I already have a list of meals I want to make him once we are finally living together again so that he can have a home cooked meal for once! I plan on spoiling him once we are finally together!!
Amanda that's good to know that OCS is the hardest part! My husband graduates on February 18th. Stay safe in the snow!! I'm from Louisiana so I'm not very familiar with snow. Today's high is 64 here!!
My son will be starting OCS April 24. By our calculations, his graduation will be July 15. Haven't seen this mentioned anywhere yet, but still looking! Also, if there is a facebook page for this moms of this class, I'd like to join, so please let me know if you have that information. Thanks!
Our son graduates from OCS in Newport RI on March 11th. What can we expect? what do you recommend wearing to each of the events: Pass and Review, "Hi Moms", and Graduation? Any recommendations out there for a Navy related gift from his family, except for our presence of course? Thanks a ton for any help you can give me?
Have you joined the facebook page for friends and families of his class? They've been chatting about graduation gifts, outfits for the events etc. Here is the address:
You'll probably need to paste the link into your browser because links don't seem to work on this site.
I can fill you also though. PIR is very casual - many were in jeans, if not jeans then casual pants, sweaters etc. Hi Mom's is like a cocktail party - nice dress or dressy pants and top, men in suits or dress pants and tie. Graduation itself ranged from jeans to "church" type clothes - nice pants, sweaters, less dressy skirts or dresses (it was Jan. so people dressed warmly).
As for gifts - a common gift is a sword (they can be purchased from the Navy Exchange but are in the $500-600 range). My son already a sword passed down from his grandfather so we got him an engraved Ensign box to hold his medals and such. He also received a ship's clock and a nice watch. I've heard others say they've given luggage, laptop, Kindle (great if they are going to be deployed for long time periods). Hope that helps! The graduation weekend is lots of fun, full of so many proud moments for you and your LO.
Hope that helps. If you have other questions, just ask, but I do recommend joining the facebook page if you haven't already.
Thanks gdawg, but as of yet I don't have a Facebook page. I'm not really very computer savvy. I had a comment on here, or so I thought for 4 or 5 days with no responses before I finally saw this group and joined it. Thanks so much for the suggestions. Our son will be deployed for 30 months once he completes a little more schooling of his specialty so we had thought about a Kindle. Hope to hear from others soon, I don't think our other 4 children, our OCS is the oldest want me "creeping on their facebook" Ha ha!
Wow 2 in the service-how devoted! We did get him a camera for Christmas that he hasn't been able to use yet, but that time will come. Thanks for all your input!
Hello all! I wanted to introduce myself. I am Angie. My husband is about to leave for OCS March 13. He's getting pretty nervous and excited. He is prior enlisted in the Army reserve so he has an idea of what to expect, but I don't. I didn't meet him until after he finished basic training. It looks like there is a ton of information on here so I am hoping you kind people can guide me through this process.
Hi, Angie. Welcome. This is a great group...lots of helpful women here. My son is currently at OCS. If I figure this correctly, my son will be a Candi-o for your husband's class (if my son passes everything okay between now and then, of course...fingers crossed). Does your husband's class have a Facebook group started yet? Also, there will be a Facebook group for their Friends and Family too.
I just looked...there is a FB group already. Is your husband in there? It's a nice way to begin to connect. My son met up with some of his classmates before the Sunday he began.
Tiramisu, yes my husband has joined the Facebook group for his class. I know there are talking about meeting the Saturday night before their class starts. I have searched Facebook, but haven't found a group for family and friends yet. He does have a couple of former classmates who started in January and should be Candio-o as well when he gets there.
You could start the F&F group...have him let everybody know the name of the F&F group. It could be easier to start it now before he begins. It's a great support system for everyone--the one for my son's class is up to 102 members.
Sue, Where did you get the commissioning coin? That sounds like an AWESOME
idea! I also am going to snd your comment to a friend of my son who works for someone in the US House about the flag. Thanks a million!!! The more I read and the closer it gets, the more excited I become!
Good luck to all of you with family entering and currently in OCS. My son graduated OCS Newport in August and now has very fond memories of it!! The graduation and everything leading up to it was so special and memorable. Savor every moment, take tons of pictures and bring tissues!!
Hi! My son began his 12 week OCS journey yesterday...I'm so excited for him, but I am missing him and worrying about him. I know he will be fine, but not being able to hear him say he's fine has me up at night! I am on the Facebook site for the 10-11 class...it's a great site, but I feel a little out of place...I'm a mom, and everyone else seems to be girlfriends or wives! As a matter of fact, my son's girlfriend is on it! Well, if anyone has any words of wisdom for a mother...or if anyone has a son or daughter who has already graduated, please pass it along!
Does anyone know how much in advance I should contact the Navy Lodge in order to get a couple of rooms for graduation? As long as there aren't any issues, my son should graduate May 13th...and does anyone know prices or phone numbers for the lodge?
Hi, Beth...my son is at OCS now too...a few weeks ahead of yours. So, I don't have alot of experience, but I know how you feel. I know the first couple of weeks are the hardest for you because of the lack of communication. What we've learned is the "no news is good news" idea. Really. If things are not going well for someone in the first week or two (medical issues, whatever) they will get to call home. So, every day that you don't hear from him, at least at the beginning, is good news for you. Try to hang on to that thought. Best wishes.
My son graduated in early January with the 04-11 class. We stayed on base for graduation at the Navy lodge and I highly recommend it. It was so convenient to all the graduation activities and very reasonably priced. Here is the link: https://www.navy-lodge.com/lodge_page.html?p_lodge_number=30
You can make the reservation in advance and if for some reason your son's graduation date changes you can just change it. I see that your son went to Purdue. I'm an alum also and live in West Lafayette. Boiler Up! If you have other questions don't hesitate to ask, that's why we're here!
Thanks for the info!!! And it's always great to hear from a Boiler! My other son is at IU...talk about friendly competition between family members! I think I'll go ahead and reserve rooms for the May 13th graduation...I'd love to stay at the Lodge, and I'm afraid it will book up fast!
Hi Beth, My son graduates from OCS on March 11th. Things are much better now for him but I know that the first couple weeks he struggled. Hearing from him more now, he is so confident and proud, and he never fails to mention that part of his duties now is to help the younger(newer) guys coming in. He did not pass one of his first big inspections and was really bummed, but they stick together and help each other through the next. It was really tough not hearing from him, but I just prayed that God would help take care of him and He came though! We are counting the days until we get to head to Newport!
Thanks Beth, Hope you've heard from yours by now! Don't be discouraged if the first few times are tough on you and him. Ours said it pretty well stunk most of the time early on, and the connections with others talking in the background it's difficult to catch all of the conversation. It gets easier as they get farther into OCS:)
Sorry, I was reading a little further down the page...I saw where people were talking about commissioning coins. I was wondering what people had engraved on them...sounds like a wonderful gift
I guess the best thing to do is wait a while until we get his graduation date...by class number you mean 10-11? Do the coins take long to arrive? And thanks for the info!
There's a Hampton Inn not far off base and a Best Western. We chose the Residence Inn in Newport/Middletown...a bit more expensive, but we felt it was worth it. Hope this helps.
Lois--you said "rooms." So are you looking to get more than one room? If so, the Residence Inn (we got a 2 bedroom King suite) could end up being a cost-effective choice.
We stayed at the Best Western. It cost us 57 dollars a night in January, and it was very clean. We actually really liked it. The price in April is 68 a night. We will be going back there for graduation. After I get the news from RLP, I will place my reservation there. The BW is five minutes from Base on Admiral Kalbfus Ave.
Did you try calling the Navy Lodge directly? I've heard that sometimes it shows online that they are full but if you call them they may actually have rooms.
Tiramisu
Feb 1, 2011
donnal
Feb 2, 2011
navymom9875
Feb 2, 2011
jimsuz
donnal, My son is in class 08-11 and they have their RLP tomorrow - BIG day! Gdawg is right about the support you get from the FB page. Be sure to join your class page. Did you get your phone call Sunday? Let me know if I can help.
Feb 2, 2011
donnal
Thanks for the quick responses from jimsuz and gdawg....I am sure that I have lots of questions!....I will join the FB group!....I did not get a call on Sunday, before he left he thought he would be able to call in a week....
Feb 2, 2011
jimsuz
Sometimes it's a few days before they get their "I'm here" call. Our LO reported Jan. 9 and we got our first letter Jan 21. Again, it varies on when you'll receive letter. Hang in there!
Feb 2, 2011
donnal
Feb 2, 2011
Tiramisu
Hi, donnal,
My son is also in the 08-11 class...so we're just a couple of weeks beyond where you are right now. We received our first letter on Jan 26th. Best wishes!
Feb 2, 2011
violet
Feb 2, 2011
Tiramisu
Feb 2, 2011
violet
Feb 2, 2011
donnal
Feb 2, 2011
LSUtiger4life
Feb 4, 2011
navymom9875
Feb 4, 2011
LSUtiger4life
Thanks! I mentioned to my husband that we would have to get up very early the next morning but he is dead set on trying a restaurant called The Pier that he has heard about. Apparently they have the best prices on Thursday nights only. I'll have to make sure we eat lightly at the Hi Moms! I am hoping the graduate run is cancelled too due to the weather! I guess I can make reservations for around 8:30 and we'll be fine. Thanks for the information!
I am so looking forward to going to Newport!!! We will actually be there for 7 months because Supply School is there and my husband starts in April. I'll have to put up with a few months of winter but will be there throughout the summer, which I've heard is beautiful up there!
Feb 4, 2011
navymom9875
Feb 4, 2011
Fur&FeathersDVM
Feb 5, 2011
LSUtiger4life
Thanks gdawg I'll make sure I get there early! I kinda want to see what this whole eating by the numbers actually looks like with everyone doing it.
Wow Navyprincess that is late! But that's nice that you got to spend time celebrating with friends and family!! I am already getting very excited about seeing him getting commissioned. I feel the same way about your philosophy. I told my husband that he can decide what he wants to do Thursday and Friday night since he has gone through so much the past 3 months! I already have a list of meals I want to make him once we are finally living together again so that he can have a home cooked meal for once! I plan on spoiling him once we are finally together!!
Amanda that's good to know that OCS is the hardest part! My husband graduates on February 18th. Stay safe in the snow!! I'm from Louisiana so I'm not very familiar with snow. Today's high is 64 here!!
Feb 6, 2011
Kelley
Hi,
My son will be starting OCS April 24. By our calculations, his graduation will be July 15. Haven't seen this mentioned anywhere yet, but still looking! Also, if there is a facebook page for this moms of this class, I'd like to join, so please let me know if you have that information. Thanks!
Feb 8, 2011
Marilyn
Feb 11, 2011
navymom9875
Have you joined the facebook page for friends and families of his class? They've been chatting about graduation gifts, outfits for the events etc. Here is the address:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_108717709199819&ap=1#!/home.php?sk=group_108717709199819&ap=1
You'll probably need to paste the link into your browser because links don't seem to work on this site.
I can fill you also though. PIR is very casual - many were in jeans, if not jeans then casual pants, sweaters etc. Hi Mom's is like a cocktail party - nice dress or dressy pants and top, men in suits or dress pants and tie. Graduation itself ranged from jeans to "church" type clothes - nice pants, sweaters, less dressy skirts or dresses (it was Jan. so people dressed warmly).
As for gifts - a common gift is a sword (they can be purchased from the Navy Exchange but are in the $500-600 range). My son already a sword passed down from his grandfather so we got him an engraved Ensign box to hold his medals and such. He also received a ship's clock and a nice watch. I've heard others say they've given luggage, laptop, Kindle (great if they are going to be deployed for long time periods). Hope that helps! The graduation weekend is lots of fun, full of so many proud moments for you and your LO.
Hope that helps. If you have other questions, just ask, but I do recommend joining the facebook page if you haven't already.
Feb 11, 2011
Marilyn
Feb 11, 2011
Marilyn
Feb 12, 2011
angie79
Feb 13, 2011
Tiramisu
Hi, Angie. Welcome. This is a great group...lots of helpful women here. My son is currently at OCS. If I figure this correctly, my son will be a Candi-o for your husband's class (if my son passes everything okay between now and then, of course...fingers crossed). Does your husband's class have a Facebook group started yet? Also, there will be a Facebook group for their Friends and Family too.
Feb 13, 2011
Tiramisu
I just looked...there is a FB group already. Is your husband in there? It's a nice way to begin to connect. My son met up with some of his classmates before the Sunday he began.
Feb 13, 2011
angie79
Feb 13, 2011
Tiramisu
Feb 14, 2011
angie79
Feb 14, 2011
Marilyn
Sue, Where did you get the commissioning coin? That sounds like an AWESOME
idea! I also am going to snd your comment to a friend of my son who works for someone in the US House about the flag. Thanks a million!!! The more I read and the closer it gets, the more excited I become!
Feb 15, 2011
egbot
Feb 16, 2011
Marilyn
Feb 16, 2011
Beth
Hi! My son began his 12 week OCS journey yesterday...I'm so excited for him, but I am missing him and worrying about him. I know he will be fine, but not being able to hear him say he's fine has me up at night! I am on the Facebook site for the 10-11 class...it's a great site, but I feel a little out of place...I'm a mom, and everyone else seems to be girlfriends or wives! As a matter of fact, my son's girlfriend is on it! Well, if anyone has any words of wisdom for a mother...or if anyone has a son or daughter who has already graduated, please pass it along!
Feb 21, 2011
Beth
Feb 21, 2011
Tiramisu
Feb 22, 2011
Tiramisu
Feb 22, 2011
navymom9875
Welcome Beth! Glad to have you on board!
My son graduated in early January with the 04-11 class. We stayed on base for graduation at the Navy lodge and I highly recommend it. It was so convenient to all the graduation activities and very reasonably priced. Here is the link: https://www.navy-lodge.com/lodge_page.html?p_lodge_number=30You can make the reservation in advance and if for some reason your son's graduation date changes you can just change it. I see that your son went to Purdue. I'm an alum also and live in West Lafayette. Boiler Up! If you have other questions don't hesitate to ask, that's why we're here!
Feb 22, 2011
Beth
Feb 22, 2011
Marilyn
Feb 22, 2011
Beth
Feb 23, 2011
Marilyn
Feb 24, 2011
Beth
what do most people have engraved on the coin?
Feb 24, 2011
Beth
Feb 24, 2011
Beth
Feb 24, 2011
Beth
Feb 24, 2011
Tiramisu
Feb 24, 2011
Tiramisu
Feb 24, 2011
violet
Feb 24, 2011
navymom9875
Feb 24, 2011
Beth
Feb 24, 2011