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
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!
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
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.
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
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.
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
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!!!!
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
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.
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
Thank you GalleyMom & M's mom! That is all so comforting to hear! My husband also just graduated in Mechnical Engineering so I don't worry much about the academics for him, but it is so good to know that they look out for each other. I'm sure it will be so nice for him to get past the RLP next week.
I just watched "An Officer and a Gentleman" a few nights ago! Great show, but yeah not entirely true haha. I've been writing and sending letters everyday. Even if he isn't getting them yet (I hear some DI's will hold them for a few weeks), it is still almost therapeutic on my end to just tell him about life at home. :) Thank you both for the advice!!
Jen27 is your husband in 16-15 group F? my son is also a mechanical engineer with a minor in material science. still no email and he is not married or attach to a girlfriend. i am not excepting any communication till after RLP to let me know to start booking our trip.
topdog1p: What does group F mean? I've just been told he is in class 16-15. I received just the one quick email sometime on Tuesday. It was a military address. They may have just had time to set it up but not really use it until after RLP. I never expected ANY email so I was surprised, but haven't heard anything since. He was able to call from church last Sunday to ask me a few things, but it was pretty short and sweet. I know he is busy and very focused on RLP, so I'm not too worried :) I also need to get flights purchased for graduation. He said they graduate Sept 4th.
Jen27 i understand there is 2 groups 16-15E and 16-15F not sure what the letter means he just said to address anything class 16-15F. it was nice that you got to hear from him on sunday. i know it would be tough not to talk to my hubby. yep graduation is the 4th if all goes well. you want to be there the for the day before too. i m using it to go to boston for a quick vacation :)
topdog1p: Oh really? I had no idea.. I'll have to ask him which one he is in next time I hear from him. I was traveling in Europe for the 3 weeks before he left and missed his last call after he checked in so yes it was so good to hear from him, even though he barely had any voice left haha. That's a great idea! I am planning on heading out there a few days early to maybe do a little sightseeing as well! If I am lucky, he will be able to join me for an evening or two :) Is your son heading to Nuclear Power School following OCS by chance?
Jen27 and topdog1p: When an incoming OCS class is large, they divide it into two companies (groups) using the phonetic alphabet names. My son told me that they do not reuse a name/letter until the last class with that name has graduated. My son is in 15-15 and they are Charlie and Delta so it appears that Class 16-15 is Echo and Foxtrot.
If you know the company/group you LO is in, you can use it when addressing letters to them (16-15E or 16-15F). But if you do not know it, or forget to include it, the letter will still get to them.
While it is certainly true that a DI could decide to withhold their mail for a period of time, they have not done so the past two classes. So hopefully they are not holding it for 16-15.
You will likely hear from your LO through email after their RPT test next Thursday. But don't get too worried if you don't hear right away. There are many reasons it would be delayed. The OCs all have different duties and they may not have time to get to a computer to send the email when their classmates did. Or it could be that the training.navy.mil email is down. The message in this is to not stress if you do not hear right away. No news next Thursday is not necessarily bad news. (Easy to say, I know. I have been there and held my breath all day as well.)
My son was told to watch "Officer & A Gentleman before he left by a former OCS tactical instuctor. He was a wealth of good advise to Nathan before he left. I am fortunate as i live in a military community and my church is full of military families.
I got a phone call today! topdog1p: My husband said he is in the foxtrot company (16-15 F) with your son. He said that their whole class is sub nukes all headed to SC afterwards. It was so great to hear from him! He said that RLP will be next Wednesday and that they will be getting laptops on Friday so they will be able to email then. They are also getting letters and can send letters as well. He said they are all coming along well in their RLP prep! Lots of great news over here today :) That is nice you are surrounded by other military families! Hopefully you hear from your son before too long! Thanks for the info CL!
hi Jen27 did you ever get added to the facebook group for 16-15? if not send my a fb freind reqest (bridget tustison) and i can add then get you added that is how i added my mom. i am so glad you got to talk to you hubby and thank for passing on the info of dates of RLP and that they our doing good. sounds like they will be developing friendship that can take them far in this chosen career.
topdog1p: No, I never got accepted. I will send you a request. Thanks! Yeah it sounds like they will be together for a while :) considering they are all Sub Nukes.
freckles 12-18, Hi and welcome! I was wondering if your LO checked into the Navy Lodge which is located on base or even the Mainstay which is basically 3 min from the base.
Also welcome Jen27, so glad your LO is doing great, and yes he is very busy..Best of Luck to everyone and their LO's during this tough week of RLP... My LO graduated 12-15 Class. He started with the 11-15 class but Rolled into the H-Class for failing RLP by one point. RLP was a blessing believe it or not. He was able to rest, practice and he became a great leader in H-Class helping others and working with others to prepare them for RLP. Some LO's rolled before the RLP due to injury or other reasons and did not make it to the RLP phase, so my LO worked with the OC's and showed them what to expect at RLP. Our LO's end up in H-Class for different reasons, so while there they help each other in the areas they know so when they leave H-Class they OWN OCS!! LOL
M's Mom and GalleyMom, I've missed y'all!! I've been gone for a week and I see the two of you are on top of it. Like M's mom I'm here for a long time... Once a Navy mom always a Navy Mom!! LOL I find myself reading post often to see if I can help in any way...M's Mom has been there for me, and now I want to pay it forward as well. GalleyMom, for some reason Class 15-15 did not accept my friend request, so let them know new Pictures are up on their page :)
Quilter: Good to hear from you again! I'm glad you're willing to help the OCS newbies. The whole OCS process can be very frustrating, anxious, and even heartbreaking for some families. --as you well know!
My family had no prior experience with the military before my son left for OCS, and I remember feeling that the families were just not being given any info at all by the Navy as to what was happening--as opposed to college, when the families were given all kinds of pamphlets and new student guides, (at least at my son's college.) I might have ignorantly sent my son cookies in his first weeks of OCS, and innocently gotten him a whole lot of pushups to do, had I not read on this forum that was a total no-no until the Candio phase! The Navy's OCS info website says nothing about mail regulations, only lists the address. My son's recruiter mentioned this site to me during a pre-OCS family meeting, so the Navy apparently somewhat approves of this site! I was able to take much of the info I learned here back to our class Facebook page, which was composed of all newbie parents also, so I was grateful for the help I received here. But, things change year to year at OCS and probably some from when my son was there 3 years ago, so it's always helpful to have fresh intel from recent grad Moms!
Did you say your son was doing OHARP (recruiting) for a while? That will be a nice break before he starts flight school.
Mrs Potts here!! LOL Thank you GalleyMom and M's Mom I've been so busy over the last few weeks :) and its great to be back. My LO is on OHARP, and is loving the down time before reporting very soon. He bought his first brand new car and is very happy.
It feels good to be back and checking Navy4Moms again! With every new class my mind just wonders and I place myself in their shoes!! I live through them, because I know exactly what they are feeling and what their LO's are up too! A new class will be starting very soon!!
Doreen
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!
Jun 10, 2015
M's mom
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)
Jun 10, 2015
M's mom
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.
Jun 10, 2015
Quilter
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 :)
Jun 10, 2015
Quilter
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!!
Jun 11, 2015
NYNancy
Jun 11, 2015
M's mom
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!
Jun 12, 2015
Anna
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!!!!!!!!!
Jun 13, 2015
M's mom
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
Jun 13, 2015
Anna
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!!!!
Jun 13, 2015
M's mom
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.
Jun 13, 2015
M's mom
Quilter: Hope you had a wonderful time in Newport! Is your son headed to Pensacola now?
Jun 16, 2015
Quilter
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
Jun 16, 2015
Quilter
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
Jun 16, 2015
Anna
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????
Jun 16, 2015
M's mom
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!
Jun 16, 2015
M's mom
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
Jun 16, 2015
Anna
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!!!!
Jun 16, 2015
Quilter
M's Mom, I will be here!! :) Time to pay it forward!!
Jun 16, 2015
Anna
Quilter,
And you will be a wonderful asset to the new moms!!!!
Jun 17, 2015
Quilter
Thank you Anna, I hope so!!!
I have noticed there is no 15-15 or 16-15 FB pages!!! Should we start one!!
Jun 18, 2015
Quilter
I take that back, 16-15 has one :)
Jun 18, 2015
Quilter
GalleyMom, Thank you so much!!
Jun 18, 2015
M's mom
GalleyMom: Has your son passed the RLP inspection yet, or is that upcoming for his class?
Jun 18, 2015
M's mom
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
Jun 19, 2015
freckles1218
My son just got his orders for class 17-15. Anyone else have a son or daughter reporting then?
Jun 24, 2015
M's mom
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.
Jun 24, 2015
navymom1304
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.
Jun 25, 2015
freckles1218
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!
Jun 25, 2015
navymom1304
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!
Jun 25, 2015
nickstermom
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.
Jun 25, 2015
nickstermom
NFO - not "NCO". Sorry...
Jun 25, 2015
Jen27
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!
Jun 26, 2015
M's mom
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.
Jun 27, 2015
M's mom
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
Jun 27, 2015
Jen27
Thank you GalleyMom & M's mom! That is all so comforting to hear! My husband also just graduated in Mechnical Engineering so I don't worry much about the academics for him, but it is so good to know that they look out for each other. I'm sure it will be so nice for him to get past the RLP next week.
I just watched "An Officer and a Gentleman" a few nights ago! Great show, but yeah not entirely true haha. I've been writing and sending letters everyday. Even if he isn't getting them yet (I hear some DI's will hold them for a few weeks), it is still almost therapeutic on my end to just tell him about life at home. :) Thank you both for the advice!!
Jun 28, 2015
topdog1p
Jen27 is your husband in 16-15 group F? my son is also a mechanical engineer with a minor in material science. still no email and he is not married or attach to a girlfriend. i am not excepting any communication till after RLP to let me know to start booking our trip.
Jun 28, 2015
Jen27
topdog1p: What does group F mean? I've just been told he is in class 16-15. I received just the one quick email sometime on Tuesday. It was a military address. They may have just had time to set it up but not really use it until after RLP. I never expected ANY email so I was surprised, but haven't heard anything since. He was able to call from church last Sunday to ask me a few things, but it was pretty short and sweet. I know he is busy and very focused on RLP, so I'm not too worried :) I also need to get flights purchased for graduation. He said they graduate Sept 4th.
Jun 28, 2015
topdog1p
Jen27 i understand there is 2 groups 16-15E and 16-15F not sure what the letter means he just said to address anything class 16-15F. it was nice that you got to hear from him on sunday. i know it would be tough not to talk to my hubby. yep graduation is the 4th if all goes well. you want to be there the for the day before too. i m using it to go to boston for a quick vacation :)
Jun 28, 2015
Jen27
topdog1p: Oh really? I had no idea.. I'll have to ask him which one he is in next time I hear from him. I was traveling in Europe for the 3 weeks before he left and missed his last call after he checked in so yes it was so good to hear from him, even though he barely had any voice left haha. That's a great idea! I am planning on heading out there a few days early to maybe do a little sightseeing as well! If I am lucky, he will be able to join me for an evening or two :) Is your son heading to Nuclear Power School following OCS by chance?
Jun 28, 2015
CindyN
Jen27 and topdog1p: When an incoming OCS class is large, they divide it into two companies (groups) using the phonetic alphabet names. My son told me that they do not reuse a name/letter until the last class with that name has graduated. My son is in 15-15 and they are Charlie and Delta so it appears that Class 16-15 is Echo and Foxtrot.
If you know the company/group you LO is in, you can use it when addressing letters to them (16-15E or 16-15F). But if you do not know it, or forget to include it, the letter will still get to them.
While it is certainly true that a DI could decide to withhold their mail for a period of time, they have not done so the past two classes. So hopefully they are not holding it for 16-15.
You will likely hear from your LO through email after their RPT test next Thursday. But don't get too worried if you don't hear right away. There are many reasons it would be delayed. The OCs all have different duties and they may not have time to get to a computer to send the email when their classmates did. Or it could be that the training.navy.mil email is down. The message in this is to not stress if you do not hear right away. No news next Thursday is not necessarily bad news. (Easy to say, I know. I have been there and held my breath all day as well.)
Jun 28, 2015
topdog1p
Thanks foe the information CL. Jen27 yes my son will be heading to NUPOC in south Carolina for A school. CL when is your LO set for graduation? .
Jun 28, 2015
topdog1p
My son was told to watch "Officer & A Gentleman before he left by a former OCS tactical instuctor. He was a wealth of good advise to Nathan before he left. I am fortunate as i live in a military community and my church is full of military families.
Jun 28, 2015
Jen27
I got a phone call today! topdog1p: My husband said he is in the foxtrot company (16-15 F) with your son. He said that their whole class is sub nukes all headed to SC afterwards. It was so great to hear from him! He said that RLP will be next Wednesday and that they will be getting laptops on Friday so they will be able to email then. They are also getting letters and can send letters as well. He said they are all coming along well in their RLP prep! Lots of great news over here today :) That is nice you are surrounded by other military families! Hopefully you hear from your son before too long! Thanks for the info CL!
Jun 28, 2015
topdog1p
hi Jen27 did you ever get added to the facebook group for 16-15? if not send my a fb freind reqest (bridget tustison) and i can add then get you added that is how i added my mom. i am so glad you got to talk to you hubby and thank for passing on the info of dates of RLP and that they our doing good. sounds like they will be developing friendship that can take them far in this chosen career.
Jun 28, 2015
Jen27
topdog1p: No, I never got accepted. I will send you a request. Thanks! Yeah it sounds like they will be together for a while :) considering they are all Sub Nukes.
Jun 28, 2015
topdog1p
i have not seem it come thur yet jen27 but i will keep checking. i use the same profile picture as here.
Jun 28, 2015
Quilter
freckles 12-18, Hi and welcome! I was wondering if your LO checked into the Navy Lodge which is located on base or even the Mainstay which is basically 3 min from the base.
Also welcome Jen27, so glad your LO is doing great, and yes he is very busy..Best of Luck to everyone and their LO's during this tough week of RLP... My LO graduated 12-15 Class. He started with the 11-15 class but Rolled into the H-Class for failing RLP by one point. RLP was a blessing believe it or not. He was able to rest, practice and he became a great leader in H-Class helping others and working with others to prepare them for RLP. Some LO's rolled before the RLP due to injury or other reasons and did not make it to the RLP phase, so my LO worked with the OC's and showed them what to expect at RLP. Our LO's end up in H-Class for different reasons, so while there they help each other in the areas they know so when they leave H-Class they OWN OCS!! LOL
M's Mom and GalleyMom, I've missed y'all!! I've been gone for a week and I see the two of you are on top of it. Like M's mom I'm here for a long time... Once a Navy mom always a Navy Mom!! LOL I find myself reading post often to see if I can help in any way...M's Mom has been there for me, and now I want to pay it forward as well. GalleyMom, for some reason Class 15-15 did not accept my friend request, so let them know new Pictures are up on their page :)
Jun 29, 2015
M's mom
Quilter: Good to hear from you again! I'm glad you're willing to help the OCS newbies. The whole OCS process can be very frustrating, anxious, and even heartbreaking for some families. --as you well know!
My family had no prior experience with the military before my son left for OCS, and I remember feeling that the families were just not being given any info at all by the Navy as to what was happening--as opposed to college, when the families were given all kinds of pamphlets and new student guides, (at least at my son's college.) I might have ignorantly sent my son cookies in his first weeks of OCS, and innocently gotten him a whole lot of pushups to do, had I not read on this forum that was a total no-no until the Candio phase! The Navy's OCS info website says nothing about mail regulations, only lists the address. My son's recruiter mentioned this site to me during a pre-OCS family meeting, so the Navy apparently somewhat approves of this site! I was able to take much of the info I learned here back to our class Facebook page, which was composed of all newbie parents also, so I was grateful for the help I received here. But, things change year to year at OCS and probably some from when my son was there 3 years ago, so it's always helpful to have fresh intel from recent grad Moms!
Did you say your son was doing OHARP (recruiting) for a while? That will be a nice break before he starts flight school.
Jun 29, 2015
Quilter
Mrs Potts here!! LOL Thank you GalleyMom and M's Mom I've been so busy over the last few weeks :) and its great to be back. My LO is on OHARP, and is loving the down time before reporting very soon. He bought his first brand new car and is very happy.
It feels good to be back and checking Navy4Moms again! With every new class my mind just wonders and I place myself in their shoes!! I live through them, because I know exactly what they are feeling and what their LO's are up too! A new class will be starting very soon!!
Ladies lets be ready LOL LOL
Jun 30, 2015