OCS Graduate Moms

Just realized that Christmas is just around the corner!  I don't believe my LO (class starting Oct. 27)  will be able to make it home for the holidays - any suggestions on what can be sent to him?  I do know that whatever I send can be disposal - after he opens it he can trash it.  Can they get "personal" stuff like socks?  Or just keep with the candy, food, toys that can be thrown away?  Thaxnks

My fiancé is there right now in Class 05-14.....any others on here have a loved one in that class? 

I have gotten 2 letters that haven't contained all too much information, so if anyone has anything to share, I'd love to hear it!

My fiancé left for OTCN in September and I was curious because I know it was brought to his attention by his recruiter, his weight.  He worked hard before he left, but I am not sure it was enough.  What happens if they are not the right weight?  He told me they have like a "fat camp."  Do they and how long would that be?  Would it also mean he doesn't graduation or continue with the class he was assigned?

Anything information would be greatly appreciated and helpful.  I am new to this whole process and haven't gotten much from my fiancé.

Thanks :)

Thanks so much, Dawn!  What does rolled out mean for their classes?

I did find that page actually last night and it seems other families have heard more than I from their LO there, so I'm sort of confused that I haven't heard much. 

The pictures on the official OTCN page I looked at too and didn't even see my fiancé in any for the class he told me he would be in......so I'm even more confused!

Thanks again, Dawn!  I will try not to worry, but it has been hard lately.  It finally hit me since he left in Sept. this past week and since I feel I don't know too much, I'm just very confused.....especially since he hasn't shared much info with me.

Lindsay: As Dawn said, No news is good news.  If an OCS candidate is not passing the physical fitness tests, or classroom tests, or inspections, they can get "rolled" back to H (Holding) Company to try to get up to speed, and then hopefully join the next class coming in three weeks later. If this happens, they are allowed to call home, so if that hasn't happened it's good news!  They do not have any free time the first few weeks, so any letters have to be written when they could be sleeping, so most of us didn't get very many.  You will hear more from him when he gets email privileges after passing the Room-Locker-Personnel inspection at week four.  If you don't think he knows your email address from memory, send it to him in a letter, because he will not have access to his usual email program and "contacts" list.   As Dawn wrote, join the Facebook group for your class, and you can all share info with the other families.  Also, ask to join the FB group for the class AHEAD of your guy's, and they can tell you what to expect three weeks ahead.  Hang in there!  If he has been there 30 days already, and no bad news, he'll probably make it OK!  The first 4 weeks are the worst.  As far as his weight, most of them lose lots of weight in OCS because they don't get much to eat and they work out constantly.  My son lost 20 lbs in 12 weeks, and he was not overweight to begin with.  You probably won't recognize your fit guy at graduation!   :-)

Our son just home for first time in year and a half, based in Sasebo, Japan on USS Bonhomme Richard. He was a lineman in high school so a little heavier than some, he said it's not about the weight, it's the tape measure. They have standards for size not weight. If you overweight, they get out the tape measure around waist and neck( formula on line he says). You'll be surprised at how trim and fit they look at the end of OCS !   :)

Can anyone give me more information on the results of the OAR portion of the ASTBE as part of the decision process for selecting candidates for OCS?  Or point me in the right direction? My daughter just took the test this week and we're trying to understand what her score means in the grand scheme of things.  Thanks!

My son started OCS in Newport, RI on January 12, 2014 and will graduate April 4, 2014.  Any other Moms have a son/daughter in that class?

Did I type my question in the proper place?

My son just graduated at the end of January.  If you don't already have a facebook account it is well worth setting one up.  A lot of information is posted there to assist from day one until graduation - including all the dos and don'ts (and there are some important ones to know about for sending mail and packages).  You can also see photos posted during their time at OCS.  Good luck to you and your LO (loved one)!

I am very active on Facebook.  Is there anything else I have to do to receive OCS information and pictures that are posted?

tojoco,

Hello and welcome to OCS!!!  If you "friend" the group Officer Training Command Newport, you will get news feeds whenever they put up info.  They cover all the classes that are there currently.  As your son's class has an event they will post random pics.  You may get to see your son in some of them.  There are also weekly class updates from the class officers.  There are also links to all kinds of info.  Pay special attention to what you can and cannot send the candidates, especially until the last three weeks when they enter the "candio" phase.  Also join the group for your son's class and join the groups that are one and two classes ahead of him.  By following those groups you will gain insight to what is coming up for your son!!!

That should keep you busy for the next 12 weeks!!!!!   Good luck to your son!! My daughter graduated in September 2012!!!

Girls, thanks so much for helping me find these pages.  I feel like a fish out of water here.

My DS graduated OCS in 2011.  The FB groups - both ours and the two classes before ours - were sanity-savers.  They kept us from sending the wrong things to him, they encouraged us when he wasn't able to call/communicate, and even posted pictures on our page that they took (one which included my son) when they were on base for their graduation. 

And you can't beat the Navy for Moms groups for support - doesn't get better than this group of ladies!

At what point do the candidates receive their orders? I know they get to list their top choices, but when do they know where they are stationed? 

Oblue:  As I recall with my son, most of the candidates receive their orders the last few weeks of OCS.  Most of them know going into OCS what school and where they will be going after graduation, such as Pensacola for flight school, Charleston for Nuke school, etc.  Some of them, like my son, go to OCS as pilot candidates, and then get medically DQ'd for one reason or another, and have to switch to another "designator."  My son switched to Intelligence and didn't get his orders to Intel school until the Wednesday before his graduation on Friday!!!  Some don't have their orders yet even on Graduation day, and they have to stay at Naval Station Newport for days/weeks until the orders come through. They usually get 1-2 weeks "travel time" to report to their next school, so our son was able to fly home with us, and gather his belongings, and head to Intel school. What designator (job) is your loved one expecting?

NOAM, What are some of the things not to send, and any tips? I know no care packages unless a specific item is requested, but what about pictures, stickers on letters and colored envelopes? I'm expecting a challenging 3 months with little communication for the first weeks, but I want to make sure I know as much as possible.

White paper and envelopes only. My son graduated March 14th. I sent him letters on lined white paper, hand written adds a nice touch. I also printed out sports scores from our pro hockey team from the internet. They recommend no separate pictures. Near the end of this phase before they get their phones back I started putting stickers on the letters but not too many. Join the Facebook group for your loved ones class. It is really informative and you get to know other parents/spouses. It is a great way to know what is going on. It is hard in the beginning but it gets better week by week, it is all worth it when you see them at graduation, so proud of what they have accomplished.

I'm part of the FB pages for his class, and the OCS command page. I'm hoping to get pictures of his class through that. I liked seeing the pictures of the classes there. I was reading the older posts today, and they mention going on base for chapel time to possibly see the candidates. Is that still something to do, or has it changed? I imagine it wouldn't be the first few weeks, if at all. 

Oblue: Request to join the Facebook pages also of the class(es) directly ahead of your son's so you can see what those classes are doing in advance.  ONLY send letters in plain white envelopes the first few weeks, except maybe also stamps and pre-paid phone cards, because they are allowed to have those. My son could not receive any loose pictures, or cartoons, etc. but we could print or photocopy pictures and cartoons onto letter paper and that was OK.               NO  musical cards or colored envelopes or stickers!   You don't want his mail to draw any attention from the drill instructor!  The drill instructors vary in their strictness, but their word is law!  Do not send ANY food or gifts whatsoever for the first nine weeks, or it will be confiscated.  Someone's auntie in my son's class sent him some cookies at week three, and he had to do 800 pushups!!!!!  When they become Candios (Candidate Officers) at the end of week nine, THEN they can receive Candio boxes from home filled with goodies and gifts.  Candios can receive anything EXCEPT alcohol, tobacco, and weapon-like things like squirt guns.  Most people use large size flat-rate boxes from the Post Office, which are about 12"x12"x6" and decorate the inside in a Navy theme.  Make sure anyone you give his mailing address to knows these rules--just letters until end of week nine!  Don't expect many letters from him--the only time they have to write is when they should be sleeping!  After 4 weeks, they usually get email privileges, then you will hear more from him. Kids today don't do handwritten letters!

Oblue:  Make sure your son has your phone # and email address MEMORIZED before leaving for OCS. His phone will be taken and stored along with his civilian stuff as soon as he arrives. With smart phones these days people don't have to remember phone #'s; they just scroll to MOM, and punch the button!    He will be given a few minutes to call home within the first 48 hrs, but it will be from a public phone and he will have to use a pre-paid phone card to pay for it, and will have to know your phone #.    When they can email, at about week 4, it will be from a secure military server, and they will NOT have access to their usual email program and "contacts" list.  They will have to type in email addresses from memory.

Oblue,

Would suggest you keep it very straightforward.  White envelopes, no pictures or loose items (like gum); nothing to draw attention to it.

When you get the call within the first 48 hours, be prepared to encourage.  Our DS is a very strong individual who chose this path.  He went into OCS with nothing but positivity.  When he called to let us know he had made it safely, he had 4 minutes total to talk.  His first words were, "Mom, I think I made a mistake", and he spoke with a catch in his voice.  I wanted to throw up first then reach through the phone and bring him home.  I sucked up both reactions and told him they were just testing him; that it's part of the process; many guys/gals without his inherent strength had made it through for years and he could definitely do this, and so on.  As soon as I handed the phone to my husband for his minute and a half (yes I took more than my share), I left the room and had a good cry. 

We received a letter from him a week later, where he wrote that call was his lowest point and that I was right; it got a lot better.  Was VERY relieved when we got that note. 

Normally that call (and if he forfeits sleep to drop you a note) are your only communication for several weeks.  But know that your one-way communication to him is important to him.  I wrote anecdotes about family and friends, and would usually include a joke or two - anything to lighten up their moments.  The sports score recommendations are a good idea if he's into sports.

M's Mom's advice is all good.  Bonding with the FB class your child is in, as well as the one or two before your child, are very important and informative.  We were blessed; the FB class 2 ahead of our DS caught pictures of our DS's class and posted them - what a blessing when we caught a profile shot of our son!

All the moms in this group have experienced OCS, so come back frequently and chat as much as you want/need.  The shared experiences and community support is what gets us through. 

Keeping all of you and our children in my prayers.

Thank you all so much for the advice! I started writing letters already, trying to stockpile some for the days I won't have much time to write. I have heard they sometimes don't get mail right away, but I want it to be there when he does. I am glad to be aware that the first phone call is often hard, and am now preparing myself to be ready for that. 

Oblue:  Feel free to post the advice we OCS "veteran" moms have given you here on your class's Facebook page.  The rules of mail are very important, and OCS doesn't tell them any of this in advance!  I had to find out here on N4M and then tell our Facebook group.  Also post that they should have phone #'s and email memorized.  Some candidates couldn't remember their folks' phone # if they never had to dial the numbers!   As NOAM wrote, the first few weeks of OCS are hell, as the drill instructors are screaming at them and punishing them constantly.  They are sleep-deprived and hungry, since they don't get much to eat, no between-meal snacks.  If your son hasn't left yet, please tell him to expect this, and it does get better as each week passes. The instructors are testing them, as NOAM wrote.  He just HAS to hang in there and DO NOT QUIT however awful it is. It's hard not to hear anything from them the first few weeks, but remember as long as you don't get a call from him telling you he is coming home, NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS.   What they are doing is weaning the candidates, as well as their loved ones, off of constant communication with each other.  Good luck to your son. I'm sure he'll do fine! 

All of this and then some.  My handwriting is awful so I typed out my letters.  I included info on his football teams, the projected weather in Newport (he was there from Oct to Jan), general news.  I also included random Navy facts and trivia and crossword puzzles and suduko puzzles.  He may not have worked them but even if it gave him a few minutes of "checking out" it helped.  When he called his voice was hoarse and he was exhausted but ready for the challenge.  Look for candio box ideas and get your supplies early.  It is hard to find nautical stickers and decorations out of season.  Just keep sending stuff to them - it is all appreciated.  I loved checking out FB for pictures.  My LO is now in Pensacola going through the process for NFO (still learning all the lingo) :)

Hello Staci.  The first few weeks are the hardest, not just for the candidate, but for the family as well, if you are used to constant communication with your loved one via text, etc. It gets better when they have email privileges after about week four.  The lack of communication is the norm when they are deployed.  My son is currently on an aircraft carrier for a four week training cruise in prep for a 6-9 month cruise deployment starting in August.  Of course, cell phones don't work out in the ocean, so he has limited satellite phone use to call and limited email use. It is hard, but we moms just have to accept that they will get in touch when they can.  Write a daily snail mail letter to him at OCS.  The candidates so appreciate mail, even if they don't write back!

Staci:  Read the advice posted here in the last few pages about mail, etc. that we have posted to Oblue whose son is starting OCS also.  Join your son's OCS class Facebook group, and "like" the Officer Training Command Newport page on Facebook, and you may get to see your son in some of the training pictures they post weekly.  Inform your Facebook group about mail rules, so nobody innocently gets their loved one in trouble by sending contraband.  We veteran OCS moms are here for you, like other moms were for us!  

Gatormom:  I "think" your son will be in OCS Class 16-14, but I might be wrong.  He could call his recruiter and ask.  If you found the Officer Training Command Newport FB page, go to that page, and scroll down to where you see a post by "Joanna Cuevas" that says "For OCS Class 16-14 family members of candidates arriving..." and see if it jibes.  Family members have to start a Facebook group themselves for the class, so if your search turns up nothing, you may have to start the group yourself!

Gatormom:  I just realized that MY son started OCS the second week of June two years ago, and he was in Class 16-12, so 16-14 would probably be right for your son.  Make sure he has your phone # and email memorized, because his own phone will  be stored away for several weeks. Read the posts below for advice that we have recently given other new OCS Moms.  Anchors Aweigh!!!!

My son reports to RI on Sunday June 8, 2014. He is excited to get started. I am ready to stay connected to this page and Facebook.

Congratulations Lynn!!  Make sure he has memorized the major phone numbers and your email address because he won't have his phone to consult and when he gets computer access he will have to send out a test email and again, needs to do it from memory!!!!

Welcome Lynn!  Read all the posts we've made below to other new OCS moms.  Good advice from Anna about phone #'s and email.  With today's smartphones, some people have no memory of what the numbers actually are! Also read the "OSC letter regulations" in the Discussion Forum above.  Tell your son that the first few weeks will be very stressful, and he just has to hang in there even though he feels like quitting.   The DI's make them feel like they can't do anything right at first, and are constantly yelling at them and punishing them.  Tell him to expect this.   The DI's are testing them, of course.  It gets much better after about week three if he can just stick with it.

Will they get time off after graduation? If so, any idea how much time. My son will be heading off to Charleston for NUPOC. Thanks

HI everyone!  Our son just started OCS and it sounds like Gatormom, Nashvillemom, and Lynn all have kids there, too.  I am so thankful for a group on which to lean and gather info. 

One question: we have several family members who wish to attend OCS graduation ceremony.  Is there a limit to the number of guest each new officer may invite?

Lynn,

He will get his orders just before graduation.  (Hopefully, sometimes a few have to wait around after commissioning to get their orders.)  It all depends on their report date to their next school.  But for the most part they have a pretty generous travel time between OCS and their next stop.

ksjill,

Welcome and get ready for a roller coaster ride!!!!!  OCS is exciting but it is a difficult 12 weeks of training!!!  There isn't a limit on guests to the commissioning.  There are several rows of chairs set up for the candidates and the family members sit behind.  If all the chairs are filled there is standing room all over.  Get there early to get seats!!!

Also, make sure you check facebook for the Officer Training Command Newport page.  They post pictures of the classes as they are going through different phases of training.  Also, once you know his class number look for a friends and family page for his class.  And ask to join the few classes before his so you get an idea of what's coming ahead for your son!!!!

Thank you, Anna!  I did check out the FB page, which is quite helpful and encouraging. 

Will they be given a new email address?

Alex's Girl,

Yes, they will have a new email address.  They won't be able to access anything outside of the OTCN network so they won't be able to get to their own email address.  Make sure your loved ones have your address memorized since they won't have their email address book!!!

ksjil,

There is lots of information on the FB page and hopefully you will see pictures of your loved one.  Just keep in mind to stay aware of what you post on those pages.  Think about what you say that it can't in anyway get back to your loved one to get them in trouble.  Class officers, and drill instructors can read your posts so just be aware!!!