OCS Graduate Moms

Welcome MomOfNavyBoy!  Read back in this forum as far back as you can.  We have had several new OCS Moms join recently and we have probably answered many of your questions already here.  Also check out the Discussion Forum above the posts here for "OCS Letter Regulations."  You will want to make sure everyone you give your son's OCS mailing address to knows the rules so they don't innocently get your LO in trouble with the Drill Instructor!        Sylvas:  Your LO should be close to being past the worst of it now!  Once they pass the Room-Locker-Personnel inspection in week four, then they can breathe a little easier!

Welcome Amanda1965.  Stand by for that first phone call you will get in the next 48 hrs.  After that you probably won't hear much from him until they get email privileges about week four.  Just remember: NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS.  That means he is still in the program and hasn't quit, or been "rolled" back to the next class.  Read back on these postings here as far back as you can.  We have probably answered many of your questions here already.  Start writing lots of encouraging "snail mail" letters to him, but read the OCS Letter Regulations in the discussion forum above.  Make sure anyone with his mailing address knows these rules!  Mail is the only contact they have with the outside world for a few weeks, so they love mail from home!!!

Sylvas: Congratulations on your son's graduation!  Weren't you just bursting with pride?    Where is your son headed next?

Amanda1965: Make sure you join your son's OCS facebook page. You will receive valuable information! Write your son, they love hearing about everyday things that are happening at home. My son is starting week 10 and it actually has gone by fast. Good luck to you and your son!

Terri - thank you for your info.  I don't have Facebook - never have.  Can my two other children check it out on their facebooks? I can't keep my mind off my son.  It's only day 2!

Thank you all for the warm welcome.  I will be visiting the group a lot for support.  Don't know why I am so emotional - the kid went thru HS and College with Honors and has always be very physically fit.  I am going to spend time reading older posts.  Sylvas - My husband agreed big time with your comment on what I read and say on the sites.  He was in the marines - B.A.(Before Amanda) 

Amanda1965: I don't have a Facebook account either, but anyone can view the Officer Training Command Facebook posts, because it is a public page.  Just search on Google for "Officer Training Command Newport Facebook" and it should take you to the page. They post pictures of the training, and the class officers write weekly posts on what their class was up to that week.  You shouldn't have to sign up for Facebook to view this page.  You might see your son!

Terri/Sylvas: My son is an NFO from OCS Class 03-15. He graduated Nov. 21 and reported on Dec. 01 to P'cola.  He stayed at the Navy Lodge two days after reporting. This allowed him to save leave time. He had plenty of time after mustering each day to look for a place to live. He was able to secure a place and move in after two days. (He had done a bit of research before reporting on the internet.)  He was on Stash Duty (mustered every morning and was sent home most days after about an hour.) This gave him time to set up his place and get acclimated to the area. He started IFS (Intro Flight School) in mid-January. It is compressed into 12 days of classwork followed by air time.  He soloed  in mid-February and had about seven days before classing up for API (6 weeks of classwork/survival training.) He has completed one week thus far.  The first four weeks from what I understand are pretty intense academics and swim survival tests. The final two weeks are survival training.  At the end of week four, they celebrate Flight Suit Friday since academics are complete for API.  From what we understand, Primary follows and lasts about six months. 

Have learned so much since the adventure began in late August.  This site is an excellent place to get info.  Read through previous posts.

Enjoy the ride!!!

ps Good info abt apartment hunting and leases on previous posts.

Any specific prepaid phone cards?  Going to purchase them today.  Thank you.

Amanda, I purchased ones at Walgreens.

Thank you.  I Found out Target has ATT phone Cards as well!

Amanda: I sent my first letter to my LO before he actually reported.  They will mostly likely not receive letters until the end of week two (indoc phase). I also included a self-addressed stamped envelope with a blank piece of paper in each letter to make it easier for him to write back....amazingly it worked!!!  Letters were short and written over a few days, but I was thrilled to hear back. He especially like news of sports, world events, and family updates since they have NO contact with the "real" world. Later on, your LO will be allowed to make phone calls and email you. 

Terri:  You will find that the military is "Hurry Up and Wait!"  From what we have heard, students "class up" on Thursdays in P'cola, but your LO will most likely have a while upon arrival before classing up.  They have to go through all of the physicals AGAIN, complete some online "classes", complete paperwork, etc. Seems that they wait until enough OCS students, Academy students, and ROTC students arrive.

Terri: Is your son pilot or NFO?  Seems like the NFO group is on a faster track than pilots with our son's group.  The pilots from OCS didn't have to report until late January whereas the NFO group had to report Dec. 1st. There are about 40 in the group my son is in for API.  They didn't all start together. Some have been rolled or DQ'd.  His IFS group was about the same size. There are a lot of variables when classing up.  Most likely your son will have time for the wedding.

He is NFO and can't wait to move on!

Terri and pbmcdaniel:  If you haven't already, you both could also join the group "Naval Aviation" here on N4M's.   Those Moms could answer any questions you have about flight school.

pbmcdaniel: my son just finished API too.  He is now waiting on Primary, which starts March 23rd.  He is hoping to be in that group, but he thought they will do it alphabetical, so he may not start until early April.  

Terri:  one of the hardest parts for me was learning all the acronyms...and I am still learning!  Also, your son is on Navy time now!  My son seems to go from having no time, to having a lot of time, then back again.  Unfortunately, you don't know which it will be.  We have been talking about going to P'cola to visit him, and which would be the best time.  Well of course, now is the best time while he waits for Primary to start, but we just found that out last week.  Oh well....

PAW - Our son just finished API too.  They were probably in the same class!  We are down here visiting him this week, before he starts Primary.  We sort of guestimated when he would be done with API based on when he started it and planned our vacation around that.  It has been a great visit so far.  While they are in training, families pretty much have to roll with the punches as far as planning trips to see them (or them planning to come home).

nickerstrmom - yes they must be in the same class.  He was looking at coming home for a week, but airfare was ridiculous.  He had a lot of paperwork to do for top clearance too, so he decided to stay.  I am glad you were able to visit!! We live on the west coast, so trips to Fl can be a little complicated  :(  

Terri - he graduated from OCS in late Oct.  What a whirlwind that was!  Fun, but stressful.  He didn't get his orders until the afternoon after graduation.  Then he had to scramble to find temp lodging and transportation, for he had to report to FL 4 days later!  Sometimes the Navy does not communicate very well.  

PAW - My son graduated OCS 10/10/14.  He didn't get his orders until that day either.  All of the pilots had to go home until January (OHARP duty).  The NFO's had to report to Pensacola in less than one week and then do medical tests and paperwork, etc. for a few weeks until they classed up to IFS.  Then there were some days when they could not fly due to weather conditions.  He got to come home for a week at Christmas, but had to fly back to Pensacola on Christmas day.  I was glad that API went straight through with no delays.

nickstermom- yup, they had the same experience, except mine graduated on 10/31, and flew home on Christmas Day for a 5 day reconnect!  Do you know what they will do in Primary?  My son is excited for it, which makes me nervous (his excitement usually involves speed)

Is there an official site with information on how moving works? DS just graduated from OCS and has to be in Pensacola in 2 weeks.  He claims that he only gets reimbursed if traveling from Newport to Pensacola, but obviously, his meager personal belongings are in his home state.  I can't figure out what he's eligible for.....PCS, HHG, TDY.  Could really use some direction.  Thanks!

sunnyday - First off, congratulations!!  My son graduated from OCS in Oct, and is now settled in PCola.  It was a crazy ride from RI to FL.  He did not receive his orders until after the commissioning service, then had to be in FL the next week.  He had to pay everything (flight, taxi, Navy Lodge, etc) out of pocket, and was reimbursed later.  The Navy would have booked his flight, but it would have been on their timetable, so he opted to book himself, then get reimbursed.  Our son was told if he made a quick trip home first, he would not be reimbursed.  Fortunately, we took a very large suitcase and a box packed with his needed belongs with us to the commissioning service (thank goodness for Southwest).  Sorry I can't be of more help.   

PAW...thanks for your kind words.  We just got back from Newport yesterday and while the weekend was amazing, a sadness has set in knowing that he will always live "somewhere else" now.  He's visiting a friend in CT right now and then his friend will drive him to Pensacola.  He will fly home from Pensacola to pick up his car and belongings and then drive back to Pensacola on his own. Was so hoping that he could avoid the one drive from CT to Pensacola and just use those funds to cover his drive from our home to Florida.

If they just started then it will be 3 weeks until you can hear from your child.  Its hard to wait but after the 3 weeks they will be able to call you every sunday.  There is a facebook page for the OCS that you can follow them on.  

Welcome, GalleyMom.  Reading the past posts here, and also above in the discussion forum, will hopefully answer many of your questions.  Also join the group here on N4M's called "Moms of Officers" and read posts and discussions there too.  We answered many OSC questions recently in that group.  If you do Facebook, and you know your son's OCS class #, search Facebook for "Navy OCS Class XX-15 Friends & Family," or some variation.  These groups are great support as you are all concerned with the same class.  You can also ask to join the Facebook groups of the OCS class or two AHEAD of your son's, so you can see what those classes are doing three weeks and six week  ahead of your son's class.  Also on Facebook, search for "Officer Training Command Newport."  This is the official  OCS Facebook page, and it is a public page, so anybody can view it.  That page shows news and pictures of the current classes at OCS.  You might see a pic of your son!    

As Tiggermanic wrote, you won't hear much from your son, maybe one snail mail letter, until they get email at 3-4 weeks, but NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS.  They will be allowed to call home if they get "rolled" back for failing an inspection or fitness test.   Write lots of snail mail letters to him the first few weeks, but send letters ONLY, no treats or any "contraband" or he will be punished.  Make sure anyone you give your son's address to knows this!   They can receive goodie boxes called "Candio boxes" only after week nine.

Welcome aboard GalleyMom!  OCS is one of those "time warp" experiences...goes super slow when you are in it, then when you look back it went super fast!  I found the FB group was a wonderful source of support & information.  If it is not up yet, request to join the class before your LO's, then contact the admin.  That is what I did, and it went up the same day.  The admins are great, and super helpful.

GalleyMom:  Is your son in OCS Class 15-15?  My son started OCS in the middle of June three years ago, and he was in Class 16-12, so class #15 usually starts the last week of May. (Three weeks apart)   You could search Facebook for Navy OCS Class 13-15 and 14-15, and ask to join those, if a group does not yet exist for your son's class.  Ask them how to start a FB group for your son's class if one does not yet exist.

For some reason, the OTC Newport Facebook page is currently not available.  Maybe they are working on the page or something.  Does anyone here know what's up with the OTC Newport page?  

M's Mom: Is this the OTC facebook page you are looking at? https://www.facebook.com/OTCNewport?ref=profile

It is working for me.

GalleyMom: There is a Facebook group for 15-15 but unfortunately it was started by an OC in 15-15 and they are (not surprising) not available to accept new people into the group. My DS is also in 15-15.  I am also waiting to get in the group.  It has a different formatted name from the 14-15 group. Put in a request.  I know someone who is in the group.  I will see if she can put out a ping to see if anyone else has the ability to accept new people.  On Facebook, search for "24 May 2015 Class Friends and Family".

GalleyMom: Thanks! The OTC Facebook page will start an album for the 15-15 class sometime next week. With those haircuts, it will be hard to find your LO.  Luckily (or not) my DS has glasses, so maybe that will narrow the prospective faces! 

As a mom of class 12-15 (soon to graduate!!) I checked the FB page weekly.  I noticed they usually updated pics on tuesdays but not every week. Like she said its hard to tell them apart with bald heads but hopefully you can pick yours out!  Hang in there I know it seems like 3 weeks is a long time to wait to hear from them but it flys by!

Nothing wrong with your mom-o-meter.  I was the same when he was in college but then he came home for a few years so I got used to him being here and talking to him all the time.  These last 10 weeks have gone so fast it amazing.  Now we are just waiting on the medical to come thru before going to flight school!!! Wish us luck!

To GalleyMom and Tiggermanic- I am so sorry.  I haven't been paying attention to N4M, and I missed any questions that were directed to me.  At least GalleyMom and I have connected on facebook- so sorry. 

For all of you experienced moms out there, my daughter, who is enlisted, would like to be our OC son's first salute.  Does she need to do anything to get it approved, other than be there?  She is asking for leave and flying in from Italy for his graduation.  I am pretty sure I will be a blubbering mess for this event. 

GalleyMom:  Nothing at all wrong with you not being worried, since you are not used to hearing much from your son anyway.  My son was the same way at college, but for some parents who are used to texting their kid 3-4 x per day, or maybe they lived at home in college, the lack of communication can be quite traumatic.  This is the Navy's way of weaning the candidates and their families off of constant communication with each other.  When they are deployed on a ship or especially a sub, you don't hear much from them and are not even sure where they ARE much of the time!  

My son can't even tell us about what he does in his job, because he is in Intelligence.  Very much "don't ask; don't tell" in Intel.  My son gives us the old "If I tell you, I'll have to kill you" line, and then laughs.  We hope he's teasing us, but we don't ask!    My son never has been the  "chatty" type anyway, so he's perfect for Intel.  We always had to drag info out of him when he was in college, and even then we'd only get one-word answers like:  "How are things going?" "Fine."  "Did you have any tests this week?"  "Two."  "Anything exciting happen lately?"  "No."     You can see that my son has never been guilty of giving out "too much information," so it wasn't too hard not hearing much from him at OCS!

Okie Cowgirl: After the graduation/commissioning ceremony at OCS, everyone heads from the auditorium outside to the seawall by the bay (weather permitting) for First Salutes. The class Drill Instructor and class Petty Officer stand there at attention and give first salutes to each new Ensign as they approach in a line. They take official pictures of this, and you can take your own too.  I think some have posted pictures of a third person in uniform saluting also, (maybe a sibling?)  You could also do a First Salute with just your daughter and son in a family group on your way to the "official" First Salutes.   Tradition dictates that the new Ensign must give a silver dollar to the first sailor who salutes them.  (You might remember this scene with the DI at the end of the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman.")    My son used two old silver dollars that belonged to his grandfather for his DI and PO, but some used various other coins.   You won't be the only blubbering mess!   I always advise Moms to take tissues, and some Dads will need them too!