OCS Graduate Moms

For those who have graduated from Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI or who are currently attending there.
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  • Beth

    Wow! Sounds great!  Think I'll give them a call...I wonder if they are good about cancellations and rebooking if a rool back happens
  • Beth

    *roll
  • Tiramisu

    Just double-checked the rates, Beth...make it $134/night.  I'm sure that doesn't make much difference, but I didn't want you to ask them for the $129/night rate that your friend was getting.  ha.

  • Tiramisu

    Oh, and the standard with Marriott, Hilton seems to be you can cancel, reschedule, etc. up to 72 hours prior to your check in, so you do have the flexibility you need. 
  • NookWife

    Speaking of hotels.. We want to stay in providence, ri. My husband was told there were really nice hotels/suites right by the airport. I noticed Raddison Hotel Providence Airport has decent rates but we are llooking for a 2 BR ADA suite. Raddison has 1 BR suites.

    Any suggestions? Preferably within or less than a mile from airport. Nothing over $150/night tho. Thanks.

     

     

  • Beth

    Do you happen to have the phone number for residence inn?
  • Tiramisu

    Residence Inn phone:  401-845-2005
  • Beth

    I found a pretty good rate just now at the Howard Johnson...I just went to HOJO.com.  And you are allowed to change or cancel your reservation up to the day before you are due to arrive without it charging your credit card
  • bretyler

    Due to the early demonstrations the morning of graduation you may want to consider staying closer. We stayed at Navy Lodge and found it to be fine. Your LO will be available to spend time with you beginning Thursday. (Class of 05-11 mom). It is an experience of a lifetime!
  • Beth

    It shows the Howard Johnson as being only a little under two miles from base...is that too far?  I see you think we should stay closer...and the Navy Lodge is full...I get online and also call every day...if two rooms come open, I'm planning on switching places
  • kab

    We had stayed at the Navy Lodge when my LO graduted in Sept class 21-10. It was nice being close. There are a few hotels just a few miles from the base. I would recommend staying close - less driving back and forth for all the functions. We could not see our LO until after PIR a few hours before the Hi Moms dinner. He had a lot to do check out, move his stuff, get his car, fly his flag to take with him etc. Not as much time as we would have liked - but it was great to see him. He actually stayed with us that night at the hotel - their run etc was cancelled the morning of graduation due to possible bad weather. I had taken him a suitcase of his civilian clothes since he was staying in Newport for SWO classes - and the look on his face when he opened it up and saw his favorite shorts from MSU was great! His Uncle and I still talk about how excited he was to see his regular clothes. Enjoy the time in Newport and your LO achievements.
  • gonavymom

    There is a Best Western just outside the main gate to the base.  I think it is the Mainstay Inn.  Rates around $99/night, several families were there.  We stayed at the Hampton Inn, two miles from base $99/night and included breakfast.  Since I had a lot of people with me we opted to stay just a little farther out to get breakfast in the price for everyone.  Very easy and less than 10 min. to the base.  The address is actually in Middleton RI.  The pizza place across the street was rated the best in Newport.
  • violet

    We paid 57 dollars a night four weeks ago at the Best Western. Its located five minutes from base and it on Admiral Kalbfus Drive.
  • Lynne

    Hi, I am just joining this site.  My son is in class 09-11.  I am trying to join the facebook page, can anyone help me figure out how to get on that site?  Since we are bringing the whole family, including Grandma, we are going to stay at the Residence Inn, $139 per night.  The rooms have 2 bedrooms and a living room and kitchen.  It is less expensive than getting 2 rooms somewhere else.
  • violet

    Hi Lynn, here is the link for the Facebook page for 09-11. My name is violet and my LO is a SWO in 09-11. Looking forward to seeing you there.

     

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_196510770365214&ap=1

  • Lynne

    Thanks Violet, our LO will be a Supply Officer.  I'm getting excited about our trip!
  • Wolfpackmom

    Well I saw the last of my son this weekend until June. Bittersweet. Now I'll focus on graduation!
  • angie79

    Timkat33, is your son in class 11-11?  My husband leaves Saturday, and I can't believe how fast the time has gone.
  • Beth

    Lynne...my son is in Class 10-11...RLP is next week.  I'm going to look into the Residence Inn, but since we are booking in May, we seem to have much higher prices!  I have a mini suite booked at howard johnson's for 448 for three nights, but it has 2 queen beds and a pull out sofa...no separate bedrooms.  We are bringing 6 people and a newborn baby.  2 bedrooms sounds better!
  • Beth

    To Angie79 and Timkat33...I've only had my son gone for a couple of weeks in class 10-11, and his girlfriend got the 15 second phone call (I made sure he called her not me!) so I haven't heard his voice yet...he did send a letter home the third day he was there, but I don't expect any more letters till after RLP...I write every day...no matter what.  His brother and two sisters write a couple times a week as do my mom and Matthew's girlfriend...I've broken down a couple of times, but I'm careful that he doesn't get that in his letters.  From everything I've read (on Class 09-11 and more), letters are the most important thing to them while they are there.  I try to include a picture or two of his 2 pugs, the kids, and anything funny.  I miss him something awful, but this has been his dream since he was a child...good luck to you both...and please join Class 10-11 FaceBook...it's nice to have a glimpse of what is ahead.  That's why I'm on 09-11 and 10-11.
  • Beth

    Lynne-I was just on the Residence Inn site, but they said they don't have 2 bedroom rooms...can you post the website or number, maybe I'm looking at the wrong hotel!
  • Tiramisu

    Beth--the Residence Inn (Middletown/Newport) does have King 2 bedroom suites.  We're booked there for our son's graduation on April 1st.  I can't believe it's nearly here.  :-)
  • Wolfpackmom

    Yes Angie, my son is in class 11-11. I changed my name on here from Timkat33 to Wolfpack mom in case I confused anyone:)

    2 in the service, thank you for the advice. Congratulations on your son!

    Beth, it will be nice to hear your experiences so we know what to expect. I agree with the girlfriend getting the call, that's what I told my son too. I will be sure to write often. Can you post the link for the 10-11 FB group?

  • Marilyn

    The time does seem to drag at times with no contact, but we leave on Wed. for our son's OCS grad on March 11th.  We are all so very excited and cannot wait!  Hope to meet some of you there:)

  • NCmom

    Hi I am new to N4M and am looking for a group of Moms for the class 08-11.  Is there a group here or is it on Facebook only?
  • kab

    Congratulations to all the new Ensigns that graduate this week and to their family and friends ..Safe travels to all --
  • Tiramisu

    NCmom--I may be wrong, but I don't believe there is a specific group here for the 08-11 class.  Are you part of the FB friends and family group?  I can include you on there if you aren't. 
  • NCmom

    No I am not part of the FB friends and family group.  I guess it is time to join!! We were so excited to hear from our son last night.  They were celebrating eating pizza and wearing their khakis!  Remember how we celebrated all the milestones as they grew up?  Well I guess these are the new milestones! Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement!!
  • melanie smith

    Looking for friends/family of John smith in class 10-11 ... he's my son's hatchmate.  i'd love to "meet" you.

  • NavyMom

    Hi everyone! I am new to this group. My son David is in OCS class 10-11. They just made it past the great RLP hurdle. I relief to us all. We are looking forward to graduation in May. Is anyone else on here part of the OCS 10-11 group?
  • NavyMom

    Hi Melanie, I just read your post. My son is in your son's group but I know he is not his hatchmate.
  • Marilyn

    Thanks to 2 intheservice and kab on and all others who sent CONGRATULATIONS  to the new ensigns from the March 11th commissioning!  It truly was the most memorable experience and the proudest moment of our lives thus far!  I am just coming back down to earth a week and a half later:)
  • PeggyW

    Hi, all! I'm a REALLY new Navy mom- put my son on a plane to R.I this morning! So very excited and proud, but I miss him already! Just thought I'd say Hi and look forward to communicating with you all and learning more about the Navy and my son"s great adventure!!
  • violet

    Hi Peggy, My daughter is a Candio waiting to greet the new indocs coming to OCS tomorrow morning. Please let me encourage you to remain positive no matter what your son sounds like on Monday night when you get your "I am here" phone call. They all sound a bit shell shocked after 48 hours, but they must go through the "process" in order become Naval Officers, and their families including you must learn to become Navy Families as well. 

     

    I would also like to encourage you to join your son's Facebook group. Most of us Moms, the Wives, and the Girl Friends are over there. I will send you the link as soon as I can find it. In the mean time the group that are the LOs (Loved Ones) on 09-11 (The current Candios) are on this Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_196510770365214&ap=1

    Please join us and as many of the OCS Friends and Family groups on Facebook as you can. It really helps to know what your LO is going through and what you can do to help him. Also you will get really prompt responses to all of your OCS questions over there. One thing I want to tell you is to start writing to your son right away and make sure to write him something each and every day. My daughter credits those daily letters and our prayers with her surviving the rigors of OCS.  Violet

  • violet

    Peggy, Here is your Friends and Family of OCS 12-11 Facebook group. Just copy and paste this address into your browsers address bar and ask to join the group. I already joined that group so I will see you there. Violet

    http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_183463445027907&ap=1

  • PeggyW

    Thank you, Violet! I talked to my son tonite after he'd met a few classmates and they had dinner. He sounds ok, just tired from the trip and a little nervous- he said they were ALL nervous. His dad and I gave words of love and encouragement and he seemed better afterward. I rally appreciate all of the help this community has offered to me- it means alot since no one I know has ever had a kid go to OCS so I had little info. As of today my nest is officially "empty" lol!!  Thanks again!!
  • Kathemp

    I am new here and this is my first post. My name is Kat, DH is Heath and we have a 7 month old, Gideon. My husband just left for OCS on Sunday and I have not heard from him since. I thought he would be able to call me when he got there to give me his address? Now I have no idea when we will be able to speak. I am a mess :(
  • violet

    Kathemp - Please click on the link below. It is your group's facebook page. All of your husband's classmate's Loved ones are over there talking up a storm. They have lots of useful info and would be glad to have you join them. You will be able to get info about your husband and what he and his fellow OCs are doing. I will see you over there. Violet

    http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_183463445027907&ap=1

  • Kathemp

    Violet- Thank you so much!
  • violet

    Anytime Kat
  • PeggyW

    Hi, Kathemp! My son is over there with your hubby- by the time you see this he will have called you  so I hope you are feeling better soon! Hang in there!!
  • Kathemp

    Peggy- he called a little while after I posted that. Did they just recently get the opportunity? I thought maybe he wasn't allowed as he didn't bring a phone card.

  • PeggyW

    Kathemp- They could only call todayto tell us address info and tht they are ok. They cant call again for four weeks, but he probably told you that when he called. Feel better? I sure do! Logan (my son) sounded rushed and tired, but I know he's ok. I'm about to head over to the facebook page for their class moms/wives etc. I had to join first! I was probably he last person in the word to  get a facebook page, lol!! Hope you can rest tonite and message me whenever you need to "talk", ok??Nite!!
  • gonavymom

    Kathemp:  Here is the address for your LO at OCS.  Good luck and hang in there!

     

    OC (First Name, Last Name)
    Officer Candidate School
    Class XX-XX
    Officer Training Command Newport
    291 Kollmeyer St
    Newport, RI 02841-1641

  • Kathemp

    Thank you, gonavymom!
  • NCmom

    Still coming down to earth after our son's Commissioning last week!  What an amazing experience!  I still tear up just thinking of it!
  • Tiramisu

    NCmom:  we were there last week too.  "Proud" hardly begins to describe the feeling....but I know you know what I mean.  Tearing up as I write this...happy tears though. :-)  I hope your son is getting some time off.  Congratulations to him!
  • PeggyW

    NCmomand Tiramisu- Congrats! Cant wait for it myself- sometime in July I think
  • violet

    Please write your Loved Ones everyday. Each day they are given their mail and I have heard that on the days they do not get mail they really have a tough time of it emotionally. You are their only connection to their life outside of OCS.
  • violet

    Congrats, NCMom! Ours are right behind you. Can't wait to head up to Newport in two weeks!