OCS Graduate Moms

Quilter:  If your son was told at his OCS flight physical that everything looked good, it is probably just a matter of how slowly things grind through the military system, and his letter will eventually show up.  If he was told something was questionable at his physical and it would have to go higher up for a decision, then maybe that's the hold up, but that doesn't mean he is NPQ'd yet.  

My son went into OCS as a pilot candidate after having sailed through two prior Navy physicals.  Three weeks in at OCS, he underwent a flight physical in which they scan every square inch, and they found out that he has a minor physical anomaly, which is not life threatening and he can remain in the Navy, BUT it DQ'd him for pilot or flight officer.  He was told at that time that he was NPQ and didn't have to wait on a letter.   He was disappointed, naturally, but was able to switch to Intelligence, which I think is a better fit for him anyway. He likes it so far, so maybe it was a blessing in disguise for him.  If your son was told that everything looked good at the physical, then it is probably just taking time to get processed.  If for some reason he is found NPQ then he will be allowed to switch to something else, like my son.

Thank you M's Mom,

He has passed everything at OCS, no flags whats so ever. He talked to his Lt. yesterday, and his Lt. even said that there is no reference to any problems. So we will take that as a plus at this point.

Unfortunately due to the many military cut backs, there is no other outlet for my LO at this time.  My LO's roommate was NPQ'd 1 week before graduation last month and was told, there are no openings in any area in the Naval field at this time. That wonderful young man was then let go. It was very heartbreaking for many.

So that has really been in the back of my mind. It hit close to home.  

Still no word today. My husband and I feel like the rug was just pulled out from beneath us.  We were so happy this past weekend and looking forward to our trip, but the thought of having to leave him there again instead of bringing him home for a short visit is heartbreaking. Trust me seeing our LO is very thrilling, but knowing in the back of our minds that the commissioning may not take place really puts a damper on things.  My 86 year father know's nothing yet, I don't have the heart to tell him. He flies to BWI today and then to OCS tomorrow..my brother a Colonel was suppose to be apart of the commissioning, he starts his trip to OCS tomorrow. 

Sorry for sounding like a Debbie Downer, but I am at this point. There were so many wonderful things to be looking forward to, and now I'm having a heard time focusing on any of it.

Thank you again for your help and your encouraging words of wisdom....they really do help!!!

I hope we hear something soon 

I totally agree with you.  My LO is still one of the ones waiting on his letter also.  Its so hard playing the waiting game.  Its hard to decide what to do.  I just checked into our flights and we are checked in but if we get the call today that he was NPQ'd its going to be heartbreaking. I know he will be devastated.  This late in the game Im guessing there is no other options for jobs and I know they can reapply again in 6mos and not have to go through OCS again but still it would be heartbreaking.

Good luck to you and I hope we both hear good news today!! 

Tiggermanic, 

I've been reading every bit of information out there over the last 24 hours.  Many LO's have received their NAMI at the Hi Moms event!! One LO got his an hour before graduation. M's mom comments have really helped. I'm sitting here talking with my husband and reading what she has said, and were feeling a little bit more at ease.

 There is no indication of any red flags per our LO's Lt. But you would think, since our LO has been there since Mar 1 his should be done! I even asked our LO to check with his Lt and see if our LO's paperwork is sitting on his previous Lt's desk, (since he rolled in the 3rd week) My thoughts were Oh my goodness, his NAMI came in with the rest of his class 11-15, but since he rolled and is now in 12-15 It just got lost going between Classes... My LO had his Lt check and he said that did not happen. So for some reason, my LO's NAMI is taking much longer to process, even without a flag on it..

I just keep praying!! Tiggermanic, I'm still praying for you LO as well!!

Yeah I have been praying for all of them.  According to my LO there are still 7 that dont have their letter.  I just hope we all hear something today.  It would be pretty upsetting if we go out there and he doesnt graduate or gets NPQ'd at the last minute.

He did talk to his Lt and he said that it is really rare that they get NPQ'd this late in the game.  So hopefully today will be a good day and we will all get great news.

Yes, my LO said the same, it's very rare that days before graduation to get NPQ'd.  That is what were holding on to as well.

We can do this!! Just know your not alone with these feelings.. trust me, I wish I was all excited packing and planning our trip...but right now were just taking it hour by hour. No matter what.. we get to see our LO's very soon, that is what keeps me going.

Quilter and Tiggermanic,

I'm hoping both of you get good news soon. I will also say though, that is not unusual for some paperwork to get delayed longer than others. I went through this very same process when my daughter went through OCS in 2012. Her NAMI letter took longer than others and we were going through the guessing game of what if . . . . . I also don't want to alarm you but there are still many chances that they won't get to stay in the aviation community. My daughter had her flight training in Pensacola and knew of several classmates that were disqualified from aviation while in training. This Navy life is a roller coaster for sure and just when you think everything is fine, it all changes. I won't go into all the details but my daughter is currently on med hold and that problem came up a week before her winging ceremony. She did not get her wings yet and so officially is in a holding pattern. She had mentally prepared herself that she may not ever get to finish training and earn her wings. The aviation community is tougher than regular Navy and they don't have a problem letting officers go for some of the smallest things. It's all up to NAMI and we have to wait to see what they say regarding our daughter's situation.

So I'll keep your sons in my prayers and you can add my daughter to yours!!!! My sailor son gave me a key chain a couple years ago which I totally agree with - - - - Navy Mom, toughest job in the world!!!!!!!

Well we got the call!!! He has his NAMI letter.  He said that there were still a few left, I hope you guys are one of the ones that got the letter also.  I can finally breath!

Anna, Tiggermanic and GalleyMom

Thank you all for your prayers... Tiggermanic Congratulation!! Now you can pack and look forward to your trip, I know you are just Thrilled :) Wonderful news!

Anna, I will keep your daughter in my prayers as well. Thank you for your advice and your encouragement. We are still waiting to hear.

I believe from what my LO said, there are  only 2 left... Sadly this reminds me of his RLP days.. I had heard only 2 had failed. My LO was one of them..now again there are only 2... 

I will keep you in my prayers that your LO gets it!!!  Hope to see ya there this friday!

Quilter: I'm sure his letter is coming.  Hang in there. Just head to Newport with the belief that it will all work out.  I'm thinking about you!

I'm flabbergasted to hear that the Navy is now just letting the candidates go if they fail medical, instead of letting them transfer!!!!  Seems really harsh.  There were several in my son's class including him who were NPQ'd from flight, and all were allowed to transfer designators at that time, back in 2012. Some of them even went through graduation and commissioning without their new designator, and just had to wait at Newport until it arrived. It kind of makes one wonder, if the Navy is full, why are they still taking in new OCS classes every three weeks?  They apparently have spots open for the incoming.   (Oops, there I go second-guessing Navy policy again.  Sorry, Admiral.)  

Anna:  Sorry to hear about your daughter's setback.  Hope all will be well soon, and she will get those wings!  I think your daughter was in my son's OCS class (16-12) or soon after?    I know it is true what you wrote about flight school being so difficult and many are let go.  It may have been a blessing in disguise that my son was deemed NPQ for flight, as disappointing as that was, instead of him getting into flight school and being let go for not cutting it.  Hope everything works out well for your daughter!

M's mom, I'm packing and looking forward to seeing our Fly Boy!! 

About the Navy right now, that is what happened to the young man last month, so I was told.. I try not to go by hear say, but several people stated that right now everything is pretty much full in certain areas.  Maybe this young man was given a choice and it wasn't for him, I'm not sure. 

No matter what, it will all work out the way it's suppose to. I'm so glad we have you M's mom!! You help those of us in need in many ways!! Thank you again!!

Thank you for the prayers. I know my girl greatly appreciates all those who are praying for her!!! You are so right GaileyMom. This aviation community can certainly add many grey hairs!!! I have no experience with the Nuke field but wonder if it is as selective. But we do understand the need for these extreme measures. Tiggermanic, So happy your son got his letter!!! I assume he heads to P'cola after commissioning? Quilter, There could be many reasons why the young man left the Navy instead of just getting redesignated. Have faith, even if he doesn't get aviation for some reason, there may still be a place for him. M's Mom made a good point - if the Navy is so full why would they be accepting new candidates all the time? Still praying he gets his acceptance letter soon!!!!! M's Mom, My daughter was right behind your son in 17-12!!!! Your facebook group really helped me knowing what was coming up for my daughter's class. And I think all us Moms like to second guess Mother Navy. I really think she could ask our opinions on stuff beforehand!!!!! But still, no one asks my opinion!!!!!!

Thanks GalleyMom!  Gosh I hope it does not take a year but we are learning that the Navy has their own timetable!  My DS is doing all the PT, timing is runs, etc.  He is in good shape so I am happy about that.  It has been an adjustment for all of us to have him move back home after college.  Guess the wait continues.  Thanks!

Anna:   Maybe we Moms should all write to the Secretary of the Navy and offer our opinions. I'm sure he would really value our input!   hahaha    But I was wondering back when my son failed the flight physical at OCS,  why, oh why, doesn't the Navy have the prospective pilots/NFO's take a flight physical BEFORE they are sent to OCS????  Then, those who are NPQ for flight could apply for a different designator and maybe have to wait for an opening in their choice, but it seems to me an incredible waste of these young people's time and talent to get them started at OCS and THEN do the flight physicals, and THEN boot them out if they don't pass, if that is, in fact, what is happening now.   My son passed two Navy "physicals" (but apparently NOT flight physicals) at the area MEPS before going to OCS and they said he was fine.  If my son had been let go at OCS, and not been allowed to redesignate, the Secretary of the Navy WOULD have heard from me then!  (Not that it would do any good, other than my venting!  haha)

Doreen: My son graduated college in May 2012, and he was told that his report date to OCS would be at least December sometime.  Then, all of a sudden, his recruiter called and he got moved up to June 2012, so as GalleyMom wrote, your son needs to be prepared and learn all of his Navy knowledge by heart now, because things could happen very quickly.  Or not.  Hurry up and wait!  OCS tends to group designators into the same classes, like my son's classmates  were all pilot/flight officers and nuclear officers.  So if your son will be in supply, they may be assembling a class roster of just supply officers.

Hi Ladies, we made it to OCS!! When I saw my LO my heart melted!! I just couldn't stop holding him in my arms!! He looks great!!  Still no NAMI letter..he is now the ONLY one without one!! And he's been here at OCS the longest... go figure!! 

M's mom, I agree!! These fine young men and women go through 10-11 weeks of OCS and are sent home!! Pretty crazy!! At this point with our LO, no news is good news...but I totally agree... get the NAMI stuff out of the way, and then enter OCS... These LO's also have over $3,000 in uniform expenses, just to be sent home, should they get NPQ'd.

NYNancy, Hi there! Thank you for your kind words... we are hanging in there!! I just pray tomorrow our LO will get the word his letter is here and we can move forward!! Pop in more often!!! 

Anna, we're still holding your daughter in prayer!!! She sounds like a wonderful smart young woman!! 

We have a long road ahead of us for sure in the Aviation program, still many hoops to jump through and tests to pass. I know now my LO can handle it.. He is in great spirits.   WE JUST NEED THAT LETTER!! LOL :)

My LO got his NAMI Letter!!!! It came in right before Hi Moms started!!! Thank you all so much for your prayers!! They worked!! Now off to sleep to jump up early to watch Class 12-15 do their EARLY MORNING run!! LOL

Thank you all again.. He is good to GO!! 

Quilter:  Wonderful news!  Thanks for posting; I was thinking about you.  Wait until you see your son in his "choker" dress whites at graduation.  Take plenty of tissues, unless you're less emotional than most!

Quilter,

That is GREAT news!!! I am so happy for him.  Your post gave me goose bumps!!!

M's mom,

I have some contacts within the "spy" community, I'm sure I could come up with a phone number instead of dealing with writing!!!!! I also sweated every test and physical Jenn had to go through.  I too wonder why they don't go through those physicals before they get all invested in OCS.  Maybe we should ask that question when we call!!!!!!!!!

Anna:  My son is in Intel now, and he could probably come up with the SecNav's phone number for me, but I think I should probably leave him alone.  I don't want any NSA agents knocking on my door!!!!!  haha

M's mom,

That's right, I forgot your son was Intel. My son is an IS1.  We could get into some serious trouble I'm sure!!!!

Anna:  Where is your intel specialist stationed now?  My son just got back June 4 from a 10-month deployment on the carrier USS Carl Vinson.  He was an intel officer with a squadron of Growler planes that were flying airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq & Syria.  He is now back with his squadron at Whidbey Island NAS, WA near Seattle.  In January, he & his wife will head to Japan for 2-3 years. Not sure what he will be doing there.  He's perfect for intel--he doesn't tell us ANYTHING.   But I am thankful that at least I know where he's AT, (so far) and can keep in touch, although it was infrequent when he was on the ship.

Quilter:  Hope you had a wonderful time in Newport!  Is your son headed to Pensacola now?

M's Mom, We just home, because believe or not this past weekend was jammed packed! After the Commissioning Friday, we had to jump in the car and drive to Louisville KY for for my daughters National Pageant!! She took 2nd Runner-up!!! so needless to say it's been a crazy few weeks in our home!!! Yes my son will leave for Pensacola in 60 days!! He is very excited and I'm glad he's home on OHARP (spelling may be wrong LOL) It was a WONDERFUL time, and my brother was able to give him a Private Commissioning !!!! It was the best feeling in the WORLD!!! I will be staying in touch with everyone!! My other son is finishing up his leadership training at Fort Knox, so were excited for that. ROTC for one more year, and we will have another Officer in the home!! LOL

Sorry M's Mom, I typed that so fast because I was headed out for the day, and I re read my comment!!! LOL SO... We just "got" home.....believe "it" or not this past weekend...."for" my daughters National Pageant...  Don't judge me hehehe I was really proud I typed that so fast!! LOL LOL

M's Mom,

So this answer is going to sound like I know what I'm talking about!!!!  My son is attached to something in Norfolk but is currently doing a deployment on a ship in the Gulf of Aquaba.  I have no idea what he's doing!!!  This deployment came less than 1 year from a deployment inside Afghanistan working with Afghan air force members.  He just got orders to somewhere in Hawaii in a couple months.

Sound familiar????

Quilter: Congratulations to you & your family!  Sounds like you are justifiably proud of all your kids.  Now that YOU have survived OCS, (not to mention your son, haha) strap yourself in, now the real Navy thrill ride adventure begins!

If you haven't already, join the "Naval Aviation" group here on N4M's.  Those Moms can answer any questions you will have about flight school.

 I hope you will now help us to reassure the newbie OCS moms here, especially those whose LO's have been rolled to H Class, and those waiting on late NAMI letters!!  You're now a voice of experience!

Anna:  It's good that our intel sons don't tell us anything, because if they did, they would have to kill us!  (Just kidding--I hope! )    You may have to plan a trip to "somewhere in Hawaii in a couple of months" to visit your son.  It's a mother's "duty" to visit her children when they are stationed in Hawaii,-- just to see THEM, of course!   haha

M'sMom,

Oh I agree!!! It is our duty!!! I visited my son and his family in the middle of the Nevada desert years ago so it is only fitting that I plan a visit to HI as well!!!!!   Just to see him and his family!!!!

M's Mom, I will be here!! :) Time to pay it forward!! 

Quilter,

And you will be a wonderful asset to the new moms!!!!

Thank you Anna, I hope so!!!

I have noticed there is no 15-15 or 16-15 FB pages!!! Should we start one!!

I take that back, 16-15 has one :)

GalleyMom, Thank you so much!!

GalleyMom:  Has your son passed the RLP inspection yet, or is that upcoming for his class?

Galleymom:  Yes, the poor things get very little sleep at OCS. They have to take turns on overnight watch at the front desk of the barracks.  The night my son had to do it, he had to force himself to pace around to stay awake because he dared not sit down and fall asleep on watch!  He was relieved at 0400, and went back to his room, thinking he might get an hour or so nap before reveille.  Well, it happened to be "Wake Up Wednesday" for the new OCS class whose rooms were just down the hall!  No sooner had my son hit the bed, when the DI's came crashing in, kicking the doors and banging trash can lids together to wake up (and scare the daylights out of) the new class.  My son then had to stay awake in his academic classes all day.  He said he was awake about 39 hours straight before he could crash!  But they learn that they can do what they must do.

Since your son has passed RLP, you should hear from him more often since he will have email.  Here is a link below to a silly cartoon about OCS RLP.   Feel free to share this with your class's Facebook group.  This is only funny AFTER your loved ones have PASSED RLP.   My son said this is pretty much what it felt like to him when he was undergoing RLP.  Notice how they must refer to themselves in the third person!  If this link doesn't work for you, search YouTube for "Navy OCS RLP."      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agmas9UoxE8    

My son just got his orders for class 17-15. Anyone else have a son or daughter reporting then?

freckles1218:  Good luck to your son!  Read back here on this page as far as you can, and we may have already answered many of your questions about OCS.   Make sure your son knows your phone # and email address from memory, because his phone will be surrendered and put in storage as soon as he reports, so he must know your phone # to call from a pay phone.  Same when he gets email after 3-4 weeks; he will have to type in the email address from memory and not be able to scroll contacts list.

welcome freckles 1218! Is 17 starting a week from sun? if all goes well this week, my son will be the in the candio phase of OCS - class 14-15 (his last 3 weeks) and will be helping 17 get settled during indoc week. If after reading the info on this wonderful site, feel free to ask questions, etc. It is quite a journey and there are a lot of super people available to answer questions, give advice and generally commiserate. 

Yes my son starts July 5th. I checked every hotel in the Newport and Middletown area and the only one that would book a room for 1 night for this holiday weekend was the Ramada. I'm sure I paid dearly but there was no other choice. At least he gets a military discount and breakfast! I got him a 500 minute calling card and he knows our emails and phone numbers by heart. He has had some achilles issues from his running in college but he says he is NOT doing H class. So he will work through it. Hopefully not too much running (a few miles ok but he was running 50+/week). He is as ready as he can be. I told him every Navy officer went through this and he'll be fine. Thanks for all the help!

Is the room for your son? My son's recruiter booked him a room (I think at the Navy Lodge) on the base for the sat night before he reported. Also, since he has a week and a half, my son said he wished he had learned more gouge. He did know pretty well orders of a sentry and code of conduct but he said it's a lot easier to learn these while sitting at home (or in some other relatively stress-free environment) rather than when one is scared, incredibly tired and overwhelmed with the indoc phase of OCS. God bless to him and you!

Loved the Navy OCS video!  My son was commissioned 10/10/14.  He is in P'cola, finishing up Primary for NCO.  That was a really good explanation of what they go through (and why they do) in OCS.  The time with your loved one at the PIR, Hi Moms, and graduation are priceless.  And the Candio phase is really neat too - especially their joy at opening their Candio boxes. 

NFO - not "NCO".  Sorry...

My husband is in his 2nd week of OCS, class 16-15. I'd love to meet anyone who has a LO in the same class. I also had the "Where's Waldo" experience trying to find him in the photos posted this week on the OTC Facebook page. Although I don't hear from him much yet, the pictures are fun to be able to see what they have been doing so far! I am so worried for RLP as my husband isn't all that detail oriented. Hopefully he is passing up letter writing to better prepare for RLP :) I just want him to pass so he doesn't wind up staying any longer than necessary! 

Jen27:  My son was also "not that detail oriented" as you say. His rooms at home and college always looked like a hurricane went through them, so I thought there was NO WAY he was going to pass a picky inspection like RLP, but he did pass on the first try.  (I guess the stakes just weren't that high at home and college!  Haha)   OCS encourages them to help each other and work as a team.  My son was good at shining shoes, amazingly, so he shined lots of boots.  Someone else was good at making tight beds, so they did that.  OCS tries to get them to think "all for one, and one for all," and not, "I've got MY stuff squared away; you all can deal with your own stuff." 

My son's degree was in mechanical engineering, so he tutored some of his classmates who were struggling in the naval engineering class --hydraulics, etc.  He received help in other areas in which he was weak, so it's great how they encourage each one to use their strengths to help the others. 

GalleyMom:  Yes, the OCS video from the Navy, that you posted the link to, is also good to show family & friends who think OCS is like summer camp!!!   I love the part in that video where the guy says, "Don't come to OCS out of shape, because we have MARINE Drill Instructors!"   That should strike fear into the hearts of anyone who knows anything about the Marine Corps!  

I also recommend the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman," to those who haven't seen it, even if just for Louis Gossett Jr's Oscar-winning performance as the Marine DI.   That movie was just a tad fictional though, because the movie officer candidates had all that weekend off-base liberty to hook up with local sweeties!!!!!   That doesn't happen--thankfully!  haha