We are new to this. My daughter was told her officer packet was accepted and she is being picked up for officer. but it's been two weeks and she hasn't heard anything about when. is this normal?
Welcome jkcmom! Your daughter's recruiter should be able to give her an APPROXIMATE date to report to OCS, but this can change also. My son graduated from college in May 2012, and was told that there wouldn't be room for him at OCS until Feb 2013. Then his recruiter called him a few weeks later and told him he had been moved up to report in June 2012, which he did. Some others have said that they were given an initial report date, only to be contacted and put on hold for several months!!! Some in my son's OCS class did not have their orders yet for their next school on graduation day, and had to hang around the Newport base until the orders came through, maybe weeks later. As Nancy wrote, "hurry up and wait" is pretty much typical for the military. Your daughter will have to learn to be patient and flexible. "Semper Gumby," they say; --always flexible! :-)
Okay, my daughter finally received the official email that her report date is November 23, 2014. she will go in to the recruiter's office in the next few days and sign the paperwork. Can anybody tell me how the holidays work in OCS? Will the holidays extend the time the recruits are in training?
Hi jkcmom. My son is in his 3rd week of OCS - and it is tough! Make sure your daughter does everything she can to prepare beforehand. There will be a FB page created for your daughter's class when it gets closer. If you want to see what previous/ongoing classes are doing, you can request to join one of the ongoing classes. My LO's group is US Navy OCS Class 02-15 Family and Friends. You can also "like" Officer Training Command Newport on FB. This is where OCS puts up pictures of the classes. As far as holidays, I have been given the impression they treat them as any other day - Navy is 24-7...but I am not positive. The FB sites I gave you have a bunch of information, and the admins are also more then willing to answer questions.
My LO was in the OCS class that started early November of 2013. I believe they were allowed to go off base for Thanksgiving (but no travel away - there was a limit on the distance but since we in VA visiting relatives, it was too far to think about). I believe some parents went to Newport to spend the holiday with their LO. As for Christmas/New Years. That was a last minute decision, but half the candidates were allowed leave for the Christmas holiday and the other half had time off around New Years. I can't remember how many days - maybe 5 total. And I don't know how it was decided who got which holiday. Graduation was end of January - great pricing on hotels and travel but pretty cold (but no snow that weekend!). Good luck. Join the FB group - and follow the rules for the group (i.e. no personal remarks on the FB page and follow the mail rules very closely).
Congrats, Gatormom! I know that feeling of pride. Our son graduated OCS two years ago this week, and he just received his first promotion to LTJG. He is currently aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. Is your son headed to nuke school now in Charleston?
Thank you! Yes, headed to Charleston. As that date approaches, I'm sure I'll have more questions and appreciate all the feedback. Nickstermom, the 10th will be here before you know it!
looking ahead to graduation november 21st in newport, ri. any suggestions before booking accomodations? know i should probably hold off on flights until closer, but would like to make reservations for rooms. also, would arrival on thursday morning be early enough?
We were advised to wait until they get thru RLP. Once they make it through that "fun event", then it is ok to make plans. I just booked ours, with our LOs grad date on 10/31. There will be a couple of events on Thursday, so we are arriving on Wed, and that is what most of the rest my LOs classmates families seem to be doing also. Middletown seems to be the place of choice to book hotels. Have you joined your LOs class on FB yet? The class FB page has been extremely helpful!!
I recommend Wednesday as well. Your LO can request off base privileges if you arrive Weds. We stayed at best western mainstay inn in Middletown. It's an older hotel but beds were comfortable and it was very close to the base, which was nice. We found a local seafood restaurant not far from hotel that was really good. Anthony's Seafood. Diners, drive ins and dives featured this restaurant and we found it to be much more reasonable than the downtown spots. It will be here before you know it!
pbmcdaniel: If the OCS grad week schedule is similar to what it was two years ago when my son graduated, you will want to arrive on Wed of that week. Thursday morning is Pass in Review, which is when they march in formation and demonstate their rifle drill. Search for hotels in Middletown, RI which is closer to the base and cheaper than downtown Newport hotels which cater to tourists. We stayed in the Holiday Inn in Middletown and it was fine. The Best Western is close to the base also, as Gatormom wrote. If you are going to buy plane tickets, you might want to wait until your candidate passes the RLP inspection around week four, as PAW wrote. If they fail, they get "rolled" back to the new incoming class to try again, and so will graduate three weeks later. Other than Southwest Airlines, most will charge you $$$ to change your plane tickets.
I agree with the other suggestions given. Changing hotel reservations is easier than changing airline tickets. Most airlines I've seen will only let you change tickets without a fee if your change is due to an illness, not just a change of plans.
Gatormom,
We stayed at the same hotel and found it clean and comfortable. And we ate at that same restaurant and liked it also!!!! Good suggestions!!!
Our son graduated on 8/29/14 along with Gatormom's son. We stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn in Middletown and loved it! Clean (I would say spotless) and the staff is super friendly and helpful. Free breakfast every morning and dinner on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights. Couldn't beat it. Also provides a shuttle service into Newport for $3.00 pp each way. Highly recommend this hotel.
Residence sounds nice. If any of you have extra time, I highly recommend the 1 1/2 hour trolley sightseeing tour which we booked through the visitor center. We never do things like that as they seem too "touristy" for us. However, we loved it and found the history of Newport to be very interesting. We arrived Monday evening and left Saturday morning. Took a 1 1/2 hour sailboat ride that was a blast as well. The Moorings on the water was a fabulous dinner spot we enjoyed the first night. Pricey but delicious.
RE: Things to do while in Newport. Leave some time to tour some of the "summer cottages" of the old wealthy, (which the rest of us would call "mansions.") Take the scenic drive out around the ocean shore.
Probably a stupid question, but how do I find my son's class on FB? He graduates 10/31 in class 02-15. I can hardly wait. Reading everyone's suggestions about where to go and what to do is really helpful.
pbmcdaniel: My son used a couple of silver dollars that had belonged to his grandfather, so his had personal meaning. Each new Ensign will need two, one for the Drill Instructor, and one for the class Petty Officer. You can buy them from any coin shop, or collectable shop in your area, or there are online sellers. When my son graduated two years ago, the price of silver was high, and some silver "dollars" were selling for near $35!!!!! As far as the "type," a previous OCS grad told our Facebook group that Eisenhower dollars were considered poor taste because "Ike" was an ARMY general, not Navy, but any other kind would be OK.
When my daughter was commissioned she had her brother and sister (both sailors) join the DI and Chief in the first salute. I was able to find two silver coins that were 100 years older than she was. I read somewhere online about the significance of the 100 year coin. These she gave to her brother and sister. The other two coins were silver eagles. And I want to say they were around $30 each. There are quite a bit of articles online regarding the first salute and the traditions of silver coins.
When my husband graduated OCS in August, I used the Silver Eagle dollars on Amazon, he liked that it was a 2014 coin because it signified his graduation date. It was around $30. The link is http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KPKMTHW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o.... I also used ebay to find others, and that also worked well.
So happy you found something that worked for you!!!
Congratulations to your almost officer - I hope you enjoy Commissioning as much as we did!!!!! My icon picture is of my three in uniform at the commissioning of my daughter. The only time I had all three together in uniform!!!!
Congratulations pcmcdaniel!! Just got back last night from RI for my own LOs commisioning. Be prepared to experience every emotion possible!! It was an amazing experience!
Anna, he is in Pensacola. Just got off the phone with him. He and another NFO just rented an apartment, and he was at Target trying to figure out what to buy...wishing I was there with him!!!
Pensacola is a neat place. My daughter went through training there and now is in Oklahoma City. I got to visit her in P'Cola and we had a blast!!! She had a nice apartment not far from the back gate!!
Our LO graduates this Friday. The best connection for us has been the 03-15 Facebook page. We have met the other families and the information posted in the files has been awesome! I wrote to my LO everyday, and he mentioned that he read and reread the letters especially in the beginning when things were extremely tough. At least once a week, I enclosed a stamped, self-addressed envelope so it would be easy for him to respond....and he did! Best of luck, prayers for your son and your family.
Hi Sylvas - as pbmcdaniel stated, get on your LO's class facebook page. This group helped out a lot, and it was so cool to get to meet all the other families you had laughed & cried with (all over fb) in person at the graduation! Also, it is so important to send letters those first 3 weeks. I made sure there was one in the mail everyday (from parents, siblings, grandparents, etc) so he would receive something in the mail almost everyday. Also, expect to hear sadness, confusion, and regrets coming from your LOs mouth/letters, especially the first few weeks. Encourage him that he will make it through - be strong - then cry after you get off the phone. He will need you to believe in him, because there will be a lot of times he won't believe in himself. It is a tough 12 weeks for all involved, which makes the graduation ceremony so much sweeter.
Sylvas, Read back on this forum as far back as you can. We have probably answered many of your questions. As pbmcdaniel wrote, your son's OCS class Facebook group will be very helpful also. Make sure your son knows your phone number and email address from memory. His phone will be taken and put in storage as soon as he arrives, so he will not have access to any numbers and email on his phone. You will get a phone call within 48 hrs of him arriving, and then you probably won't hear from him again, except for snail mail, for the first four weeks until he gets email privileges. The only time they have to write letters is when they could be sleeping the first few weeks, but stress to him how important it will be for you to get even a short letter from him. Send stamps with him. They will buy stationery there. Write to him every day, but send letters ONLY in plain white envelopes. NO musical cards, or decorated envelopes, NO candy, gum etc. The idea is for his mail to not draw the attention of the Drill Instructor!! They will be punished with extra pushups and running if they are sent any "contraband" (anything other than letters) until week nine; then they can receive a goodie box from home. Make sure everyone you give your son's mailing address to knows this, so they don't innocently get your son in trouble by sending contraband! OCS is stressful for the candidate and their family, but you will be SO PROUD at graduation!
pbmcdaniel: Congrats on your son's upcoming graduation! You will be bursting with pride. Take tissues, unless you are less emotional than most! Arrive EARLY to all scheduled events to get good seats. Enjoy your time in Newport. If you have extra time, be sure to tour some of those "summer cottages" of the old rich ---"mansions" to us ordinary folks!
Thanks, M's mom! I just finished packing for our trip to RI on Wednesday. We are thrilled to finally get to this point. Our LO has called several times in the past two weeks and is VERY eager to see family. Tears have been flowing for weeks....will try to hold it together at graduation...just so very proud...you know the feeling.
On to the next step....looks like he is heading to Pensacola for now. How about your LO?
pbmcdaniel: My son is an intelligence officer working with a squadron of planes on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. He works with briefing/debriefing the pilots before/after their missions. Since the Navy put out a press release recently that the Vinson relieved the USS George Bush in the Persian Gulf, and also announced it on the Vinson's official Facebook page, it is no security breach to say that is where he is. He will be there for many months, but at least I feel he is relatively safe on a carrier. His wife is staying at his home base at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, near Seattle. They have only been married for 18 mos, so we are trying to keep in touch and support her. He graduated from OCS in Sept 2012, and was just promoted to Lieutenant JG. He loves being in the the Navy, so far. Is your LO going to P'cola for pilot or NFO?
Sylvas: Since pbmcdaniel said her son's class, which is graduating this Friday, is 03-15, and OCS starts new classes every three weeks, or at least they used to, the class which is now at nine weeks is probably 04-15, the class at six weeks, 05-15, and the class at three weeks, 06-15, so I'm GUESSING your son's class will be 07-15. (The Navy's fiscal year starts Oct 1, so classes graduating after Oct 1 are considered 2015 classes.) Search Facebook for "Navy OCS Class 07-15 Friends & Family" and see what comes up. Your son's recruiter should also be able to tell him his class #. Also, search Facebook for "Officer Training Command Newport" and "like" that page. That is the official OCS page and they post photos of the candidates doing their training--you might see your son! They will probably post photos on Monday of pbmcdaniel's son's graduation! Those 12 weeks will start agonizingly slow, and then speed up as graduation approaches. I hope you will be able to make the trip to Newport, although it won't be very nice weather in February!
All very good info for you here!! I will add just a little idea to M's mom post - also join the two classes in front of your son's class. You will get a chance to find out what your son has coming up. It sure helped me when my daughter was going through OCS.
Wow, M's mom, sounds like you have been at this for a while!We are newbies, but our LO has made a pretty long commitment since he is NFO. Sounds like flight school is 18-24 months with 6 years of active following that. He is excited though, and we are happy for him.
Sylvas, joining the previous classes on FB helped us, as well. As mentioned, the pics are posted on "Officer Training Command Newport" and it is a thrill to see your LO and know they are surviving. The first pics will post about 2 weeks after arrival of the indoc. phase (registering, haircuts, uniform issue, etc.) Best of luck!!! Don't be discouraged if you don't see your LO in them. Our LO was camera shy, I guess. It took several weeks before we saw the back of his head, but we sent it to everyone!! Later pics included him but not many!
My daughter is an NFO also. Right now she's at Tinker in OK. Don't be surprised to find out training can take longer. There were several weeks when they couldn't train - equipment problems, waiting for classes to fill up - sometimes it felt like she would never get out of P'Cola!!!!
PINGO!!! Its the best calling card we have found, hands down! My husband didn't use it during OCS (I can't remember which one he had then), but he did have it during deployment and it has great rates international, and you can re-load it remotely so it was wonderful for us! Check it out....www.pingo.com
PAW
Thank you! Bummer about no uniform allowance!
Jul 24, 2014
jkcmom
We are new to this. My daughter was told her officer packet was accepted and she is being picked up for officer. but it's been two weeks and she hasn't heard anything about when. is this normal?
Aug 22, 2014
NYNancy
Welcome to the Navy. Everyone's experience is different, but waiting for things to happen is typical. You're daughter will get used to it.
Aug 22, 2014
M's mom
Welcome jkcmom! Your daughter's recruiter should be able to give her an APPROXIMATE date to report to OCS, but this can change also. My son graduated from college in May 2012, and was told that there wouldn't be room for him at OCS until Feb 2013. Then his recruiter called him a few weeks later and told him he had been moved up to report in June 2012, which he did. Some others have said that they were given an initial report date, only to be contacted and put on hold for several months!!! Some in my son's OCS class did not have their orders yet for their next school on graduation day, and had to hang around the Newport base until the orders came through, maybe weeks later. As Nancy wrote, "hurry up and wait" is pretty much typical for the military. Your daughter will have to learn to be patient and flexible. "Semper Gumby," they say; --always flexible! :-)
Aug 22, 2014
jkcmom
Okay, my daughter finally received the official email that her report date is November 23, 2014. she will go in to the recruiter's office in the next few days and sign the paperwork. Can anybody tell me how the holidays work in OCS? Will the holidays extend the time the recruits are in training?
Aug 27, 2014
PAW
Hi jkcmom. My son is in his 3rd week of OCS - and it is tough! Make sure your daughter does everything she can to prepare beforehand. There will be a FB page created for your daughter's class when it gets closer. If you want to see what previous/ongoing classes are doing, you can request to join one of the ongoing classes. My LO's group is US Navy OCS Class 02-15 Family and Friends. You can also "like" Officer Training Command Newport on FB. This is where OCS puts up pictures of the classes. As far as holidays, I have been given the impression they treat them as any other day - Navy is 24-7...but I am not positive. The FB sites I gave you have a bunch of information, and the admins are also more then willing to answer questions.
Aug 27, 2014
Marmie
My LO was in the OCS class that started early November of 2013. I believe they were allowed to go off base for Thanksgiving (but no travel away - there was a limit on the distance but since we in VA visiting relatives, it was too far to think about). I believe some parents went to Newport to spend the holiday with their LO. As for Christmas/New Years. That was a last minute decision, but half the candidates were allowed leave for the Christmas holiday and the other half had time off around New Years. I can't remember how many days - maybe 5 total. And I don't know how it was decided who got which holiday. Graduation was end of January - great pricing on hotels and travel but pretty cold (but no snow that weekend!). Good luck. Join the FB group - and follow the rules for the group (i.e. no personal remarks on the FB page and follow the mail rules very closely).
Aug 27, 2014
Gatormom
Aug 30, 2014
M's mom
Congrats, Gatormom! I know that feeling of pride. Our son graduated OCS two years ago this week, and he just received his first promotion to LTJG. He is currently aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. Is your son headed to nuke school now in Charleston?
Sep 1, 2014
nickstermom
Sep 1, 2014
Gatormom
Sep 2, 2014
pbmcdaniel
looking ahead to graduation november 21st in newport, ri. any suggestions before booking accomodations? know i should probably hold off on flights until closer, but would like to make reservations for rooms. also, would arrival on thursday morning be early enough?
Sep 7, 2014
PAW
We were advised to wait until they get thru RLP. Once they make it through that "fun event", then it is ok to make plans. I just booked ours, with our LOs grad date on 10/31. There will be a couple of events on Thursday, so we are arriving on Wed, and that is what most of the rest my LOs classmates families seem to be doing also. Middletown seems to be the place of choice to book hotels. Have you joined your LOs class on FB yet? The class FB page has been extremely helpful!!
Sep 7, 2014
Gatormom
Sep 8, 2014
M's mom
pbmcdaniel: If the OCS grad week schedule is similar to what it was two years ago when my son graduated, you will want to arrive on Wed of that week. Thursday morning is Pass in Review, which is when they march in formation and demonstate their rifle drill. Search for hotels in Middletown, RI which is closer to the base and cheaper than downtown Newport hotels which cater to tourists. We stayed in the Holiday Inn in Middletown and it was fine. The Best Western is close to the base also, as Gatormom wrote. If you are going to buy plane tickets, you might want to wait until your candidate passes the RLP inspection around week four, as PAW wrote. If they fail, they get "rolled" back to the new incoming class to try again, and so will graduate three weeks later. Other than Southwest Airlines, most will charge you $$$ to change your plane tickets.
Sep 8, 2014
Anna
pbmcdaniel,
I agree with the other suggestions given. Changing hotel reservations is easier than changing airline tickets. Most airlines I've seen will only let you change tickets without a fee if your change is due to an illness, not just a change of plans.
Gatormom,
We stayed at the same hotel and found it clean and comfortable. And we ate at that same restaurant and liked it also!!!! Good suggestions!!!
Sep 8, 2014
Lynn Baker
Our son graduated on 8/29/14 along with Gatormom's son. We stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn in Middletown and loved it! Clean (I would say spotless) and the staff is super friendly and helpful. Free breakfast every morning and dinner on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights. Couldn't beat it. Also provides a shuttle service into Newport for $3.00 pp each way. Highly recommend this hotel.
Sep 9, 2014
pbmcdaniel
Thanks so much for the comments. Will hold off until after RLP. Looking forward to November!!!
Sep 9, 2014
Gatormom
Sep 9, 2014
M's mom
RE: Things to do while in Newport. Leave some time to tour some of the "summer cottages" of the old wealthy, (which the rest of us would call "mansions.") Take the scenic drive out around the ocean shore.
Sep 10, 2014
NavyMom
Oct 15, 2014
NavyMom
Oct 15, 2014
pbmcdaniel
Question....what type of silver dollars are needed for the first salute and where is the best place to purchase??
Nov 1, 2014
M's mom
pbmcdaniel: My son used a couple of silver dollars that had belonged to his grandfather, so his had personal meaning. Each new Ensign will need two, one for the Drill Instructor, and one for the class Petty Officer. You can buy them from any coin shop, or collectable shop in your area, or there are online sellers. When my son graduated two years ago, the price of silver was high, and some silver "dollars" were selling for near $35!!!!! As far as the "type," a previous OCS grad told our Facebook group that Eisenhower dollars were considered poor taste because "Ike" was an ARMY general, not Navy, but any other kind would be OK.
Nov 1, 2014
Anna
pbmcdaniel,
When my daughter was commissioned she had her brother and sister (both sailors) join the DI and Chief in the first salute. I was able to find two silver coins that were 100 years older than she was. I read somewhere online about the significance of the 100 year coin. These she gave to her brother and sister. The other two coins were silver eagles. And I want to say they were around $30 each. There are quite a bit of articles online regarding the first salute and the traditions of silver coins.
Nov 1, 2014
Oblue
When my husband graduated OCS in August, I used the Silver Eagle dollars on Amazon, he liked that it was a 2014 coin because it signified his graduation date. It was around $30. The link is http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KPKMTHW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o.... I also used ebay to find others, and that also worked well.
Nov 4, 2014
pbmcdaniel
Thanks for the silver dollar advice! Found what we need...just ready for the big day to arrive. Two weeks and counting!!
Nov 4, 2014
Anna
pbmcdaniel,
So happy you found something that worked for you!!!
Congratulations to your almost officer - I hope you enjoy Commissioning as much as we did!!!!! My icon picture is of my three in uniform at the commissioning of my daughter. The only time I had all three together in uniform!!!!
Nov 4, 2014
pbmcdaniel
Congrats, Anna! I know you are proud!!
Nov 4, 2014
PAW
Congratulations pcmcdaniel!! Just got back last night from RI for my own LOs commisioning. Be prepared to experience every emotion possible!! It was an amazing experience!
Nov 4, 2014
M's mom
Congrats, PAW. Now the Navy adventure begins---for your LO and you! Anchors aweigh!
Nov 5, 2014
PAW
thank you M's mom...an adventure it truly is!!!
Nov 5, 2014
Anna
Congratulations PAW!!! I agree - every emotion and goose bumps to beat!!! Where to next for your LO??
Nov 5, 2014
PAW
Anna, he is in Pensacola. Just got off the phone with him. He and another NFO just rented an apartment, and he was at Target trying to figure out what to buy...wishing I was there with him!!!
Nov 8, 2014
Anna
PAW,
Pensacola is a neat place. My daughter went through training there and now is in Oklahoma City. I got to visit her in P'Cola and we had a blast!!! She had a nice apartment not far from the back gate!!
Nov 10, 2014
JediGrey
Nov 16, 2014
pbmcdaniel
Hi, Sylvas,
Our LO graduates this Friday. The best connection for us has been the 03-15 Facebook page. We have met the other families and the information posted in the files has been awesome! I wrote to my LO everyday, and he mentioned that he read and reread the letters especially in the beginning when things were extremely tough. At least once a week, I enclosed a stamped, self-addressed envelope so it would be easy for him to respond....and he did! Best of luck, prayers for your son and your family.
Nov 16, 2014
PAW
Hi Sylvas - as pbmcdaniel stated, get on your LO's class facebook page. This group helped out a lot, and it was so cool to get to meet all the other families you had laughed & cried with (all over fb) in person at the graduation! Also, it is so important to send letters those first 3 weeks. I made sure there was one in the mail everyday (from parents, siblings, grandparents, etc) so he would receive something in the mail almost everyday. Also, expect to hear sadness, confusion, and regrets coming from your LOs mouth/letters, especially the first few weeks. Encourage him that he will make it through - be strong - then cry after you get off the phone. He will need you to believe in him, because there will be a lot of times he won't believe in himself. It is a tough 12 weeks for all involved, which makes the graduation ceremony so much sweeter.
Nov 16, 2014
M's mom
Sylvas, Read back on this forum as far back as you can. We have probably answered many of your questions. As pbmcdaniel wrote, your son's OCS class Facebook group will be very helpful also. Make sure your son knows your phone number and email address from memory. His phone will be taken and put in storage as soon as he arrives, so he will not have access to any numbers and email on his phone. You will get a phone call within 48 hrs of him arriving, and then you probably won't hear from him again, except for snail mail, for the first four weeks until he gets email privileges. The only time they have to write letters is when they could be sleeping the first few weeks, but stress to him how important it will be for you to get even a short letter from him. Send stamps with him. They will buy stationery there. Write to him every day, but send letters ONLY in plain white envelopes. NO musical cards, or decorated envelopes, NO candy, gum etc. The idea is for his mail to not draw the attention of the Drill Instructor!! They will be punished with extra pushups and running if they are sent any "contraband" (anything other than letters) until week nine; then they can receive a goodie box from home. Make sure everyone you give your son's mailing address to knows this, so they don't innocently get your son in trouble by sending contraband! OCS is stressful for the candidate and their family, but you will be SO PROUD at graduation!
Nov 16, 2014
M's mom
pbmcdaniel: Congrats on your son's upcoming graduation! You will be bursting with pride. Take tissues, unless you are less emotional than most! Arrive EARLY to all scheduled events to get good seats. Enjoy your time in Newport. If you have extra time, be sure to tour some of those "summer cottages" of the old rich ---"mansions" to us ordinary folks!
Nov 16, 2014
pbmcdaniel
Thanks, M's mom! I just finished packing for our trip to RI on Wednesday. We are thrilled to finally get to this point. Our LO has called several times in the past two weeks and is VERY eager to see family. Tears have been flowing for weeks....will try to hold it together at graduation...just so very proud...you know the feeling.
On to the next step....looks like he is heading to Pensacola for now. How about your LO?
Nov 16, 2014
M's mom
pbmcdaniel: My son is an intelligence officer working with a squadron of planes on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. He works with briefing/debriefing the pilots before/after their missions. Since the Navy put out a press release recently that the Vinson relieved the USS George Bush in the Persian Gulf, and also announced it on the Vinson's official Facebook page, it is no security breach to say that is where he is. He will be there for many months, but at least I feel he is relatively safe on a carrier. His wife is staying at his home base at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, near Seattle. They have only been married for 18 mos, so we are trying to keep in touch and support her. He graduated from OCS in Sept 2012, and was just promoted to Lieutenant JG. He loves being in the the Navy, so far. Is your LO going to P'cola for pilot or NFO?
Nov 16, 2014
JediGrey
Nov 17, 2014
M's mom
Sylvas: Since pbmcdaniel said her son's class, which is graduating this Friday, is 03-15, and OCS starts new classes every three weeks, or at least they used to, the class which is now at nine weeks is probably 04-15, the class at six weeks, 05-15, and the class at three weeks, 06-15, so I'm GUESSING your son's class will be 07-15. (The Navy's fiscal year starts Oct 1, so classes graduating after Oct 1 are considered 2015 classes.) Search Facebook for "Navy OCS Class 07-15 Friends & Family" and see what comes up. Your son's recruiter should also be able to tell him his class #. Also, search Facebook for "Officer Training Command Newport" and "like" that page. That is the official OCS page and they post photos of the candidates doing their training--you might see your son! They will probably post photos on Monday of pbmcdaniel's son's graduation! Those 12 weeks will start agonizingly slow, and then speed up as graduation approaches. I hope you will be able to make the trip to Newport, although it won't be very nice weather in February!
Nov 17, 2014
Anna
Sylvas,
All very good info for you here!! I will add just a little idea to M's mom post - also join the two classes in front of your son's class. You will get a chance to find out what your son has coming up. It sure helped me when my daughter was going through OCS.
Nov 17, 2014
pbmcdaniel
Wow, M's mom, sounds like you have been at this for a while!We are newbies, but our LO has made a pretty long commitment since he is NFO. Sounds like flight school is 18-24 months with 6 years of active following that. He is excited though, and we are happy for him.
Sylvas, joining the previous classes on FB helped us, as well. As mentioned, the pics are posted on "Officer Training Command Newport" and it is a thrill to see your LO and know they are surviving. The first pics will post about 2 weeks after arrival of the indoc. phase (registering, haircuts, uniform issue, etc.) Best of luck!!! Don't be discouraged if you don't see your LO in them. Our LO was camera shy, I guess. It took several weeks before we saw the back of his head, but we sent it to everyone!! Later pics included him but not many!
Nov 18, 2014
Anna
pbmcdaniel,
My daughter is an NFO also. Right now she's at Tinker in OK. Don't be surprised to find out training can take longer. There were several weeks when they couldn't train - equipment problems, waiting for classes to fill up - sometimes it felt like she would never get out of P'Cola!!!!
Nov 18, 2014
TropikalParadize
PINGO!!! Its the best calling card we have found, hands down! My husband didn't use it during OCS (I can't remember which one he had then), but he did have it during deployment and it has great rates international, and you can re-load it remotely so it was wonderful for us! Check it out....www.pingo.com
Nov 19, 2014
Anna
Sylvas,
Also check Walgreens. I got a good phone card for my daughter there before she left. Good luck to your sailor!!!!
Nov 19, 2014
aggiemom
When my son went I wrote all our phone numbers on the phone card with a Sharpe in case he couldn't remember them.
Nov 19, 2014