OCS Graduate Moms

Anna:   The officer's intel school is also at Dam Neck , which is an annex of Oceana, but no one outside of the intel community has heard of it, so I just say he was at Oceana.  It's only a few miles away.  My son said he shopped at the NEX at Oceana because it was close to his off-base apartment.  When we went to Virginia Beach for DS's graduation from intel school, we got a hotel right on the beach and had hoped to enjoy some fun in the sun since it was June, but a tropical storm hit the day after we arrived, and it rained for three days!!!!   My son said that wasn't as bad as when hurricane Sandy roared through VB the previous October.  Glad we missed that!

M's mom,

Gotta love those plans we make when heading to a beach and then have Mother Nature have other plans.  My son is in Norfolk now (although presently he is deployed) and I was able to visit a year ago in early May.  It was beautiful weather and we got to spend some time on the beach!!!  I really hope we get a chance to visit with him and his family between the time he comes back from this deployment and before they leave for Hawaii!!!

Here is the Facebook page for friends and family of the the class of 17-15.  That is those who report to OCS on July 5th, 2015.

Hope to meet you soon!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/689817314485632/members/

GalleyMom:  Congrats to your son!  Graduation is in sight!  Hope you're packing some special goodies to send in DS's Candi-O box.  He deserves it.   The candidate officers have not been allowed between-meal snacks or desserts for the first nine weeks, so they have been pretty much "detoxed" from sugar.  When they get their Candio boxes, they all gorge and make themselves sick!!!    I sent my son his favorite homemade cookies, and he said he could only eat a few before he had to pass them around to everybody else.  That would have been unheard of for him to share them in college!  

But, he said OCS taught him that he doesn't need all that sugar and he actually feels better without it, so he still doesn't eat as many sweets as he used to.  But since he's back from his 10-month deployment on the aircraft carrier, he says his dear wife is trying to feed him to death!!!!    She's quite the little cook, and said she's been saving up recipes that would have been way too much to make just for herself,  so now DS is the recipient of her pent-up cooking/baking urges.  He loves it!!!  Haha

GalleyMom,

Congratulations to your son!!!  He's almost there now!!!

I just got a phone call this morning - my Sailor Son is back on US soil after a stressful deployment.  So happy to have him back home with his family!!!!

GalleyMom: My son's Hi Moms was a cocktail reception with appetizers at a swanky downtown Newport hotel. Most of the women were in dresses, but some wore dressy slacks. The men were dressed in everything from sport coat & tie to khakis and polo shirts.  The candidates will be in their summer whites.  Graduation seemed to be more casual. I think I wore dress slacks and nice top to that.  Many wore jeans.  The new Ensigns will be in their "choker" (high-collar) dress white coats, so if you will be taking pics with your son afterward, you may want to consider what you want to be photographed in standing next to such a handsome Naval officer!

Re: the Candio box.  One box is enough because they all get so much and share it with each other.  They can't possibly eat all they are sent, so lots of it gets thrown out when they leave, so I tell moms not to go overboard.

Re: My D-I-L fattening up my son:  Thank goodness DS still has to pass physical fitness assessments every six months so he is forced to work out and stay in shape!!   D-I-L is one of those maddeningly skinny little things who weighs probably 105 pounds soaking wet, yet she eats like a horse!  She's always eating candy and always orders dessert when we take them out to dinner.  I am green with envy of her because I am, ahem, NOT like that!!   I've told DS that his metabolism will likely slow down when he hits thirty, so he'll have to start watching what he eats.  Hopefully D-I-L will not pout then if he starts refusing seconds of her delicious meals!  haha

Anna:   Wonderful news that your son is safely back home!!  I know the feeling of relief.  I think you mentioned him going to Hawaii soon?  Hopefully his family will be able to go with him there.  Not a bad duty station, just so FAR from the mainland to visit.

M's mom,

Yes his family will be going with him to Hawaii.  And the hardest part will be us trying to get over there to visit them!!!!

Anna:  Yes, getting to Hawaii is a long haul.   Hubby and I went to Hawaii on vacation several years ago, and by the time we changed planes twice and had weather delays, it took us about 20 hours to arrive in Honolulu from the time we left home. (We're Midwesterners.)   Hubby vows if we ever go back, we will fly to the west coast and spend the night, then fly on to Hawaii the next day.  Our son and wife will be stationed in Japan in January, and hubby isn't too thrilled at making that even longer journey!   Maybe we can fly to CA one day, then HI the next, then to Tokyo the next day, thereby breaking up the in-flight time.

M's mom,

I couldn't conceive of flying to Japan.  Years ago I had a flight to London when my oldest son's high school band was invited to march in the London parade.  I thought I was going to go crazy on that flight!!!  I just can't handle long flights any more!!!  Hope you do get to go visit with him and his wife.  That would be awesome!!!!

I'm not sure whether this should go on the wall or if I should make a discussion. I dropped my husband off at OCS this Sunday and would like to start sending mail. I'm a little confused about what his class number should be though. 

I have the rest of the address for mail but I have two different "class numbers" The number my husband gave me says "class 51401"  but I've seen that the July 26 class is "0116"  I'm not sure which set of numbers to substitute in the "XX-XX" portion of the address.... any advice? Thanks

(I've also been looking for a facebook group for this class but I can't seem to find one, anyone know about this?)

I would go with the 01-16 number if he is in the July 26 class.  If he is in the next class then it would be 02-16.  Either way he will get your mail.  It will take a little bit for them to get their facebook page up and running.  You can also follow the Officers Training Command Newport facebook because they update pictures almost every week of each class once they start.

Thanks for the quick response, Tigger!

I will send it addressed to the 01-16 number.  I have looked for a fb page and don't see one yet, so I guess I'll just keep checking back. I've "liked" the OTCN page and have peeked through a couple pictures from past classes. I'm not sure whether seeing those is helpful or just more nerve wracking! lol, thanks again!

it is nerve racking, hang in there.  My son really liked getting mail so write as often as you can.  He wont be able to talk to you for the first 3 weeks but can send you letters when he has time.  They are very busy studying and getting ready for inspections so dont worry too much if he doesnt write often.  I know the first 3 weeks are the hardest on them and on their love ones at home so hang in there it does go by pretty fast.

TxNavyWife: I agree with Tiggermanic and use 01-16. You may hear later that his is in Alpha or Bravo company.  Then, start addressing his letter 01-16A or 01-16B. But don't worry, the letters find their way to them.  He won't receive mail the first week but do write.  He will need to get some mail after that first hard week.  As for the Facebook page, there could be one but it is set to "secret" so then, unfortunately you can't find it.  Next week when the OTC page (hopefully) posts pictures and starts an album for 01-16, you can comment on that album asking if there is a Facebook page for that class.  Someone maybe able to give you a pointer or get you invited to the group.  Or you may want to start one yourself.  I bet other Friends and Family are looking for one as well! The last few classes have used the name format "Navy OCS xx-xx Friends & Family" and set their privacy to "closed".  Closed lets people see there is a group, ask to join, but not what the posts are.  Hang in there.  Feel free to ask questions on here, even if you find a Facebook page.

Thanks guys! I knew this site would be helpful again! I never thought we'd be doing the whole boot camp thing again, but here we are! If I don't see a fb group sometime this week I may go ahead and start one. 1 day down 81 to go! lol  

My son reported seven months the after he was accepted.  He is Civil Engineering Corps.  

I think it depends on what job they will be doing.  It took them almost a year before he got his date to report but he is a pilot.

Doreen: OCS tends to group the candidates into classes with similar designators, for instance my son's OCS class were all either aviators (pilot or NFO) or nuclear officers.  They may be gathering a class of supply officers before they schedule your son.  Things can change quickly.  My son graduated in May 2012, and was told he would not be reporting until maybe December.  Then, his recruiter called and said they had moved him up to June 14th!   So your son should memorize NOW all that Navy knowledge they are expected to know, and work out like crazy to get in excellent shape, and he will be glad he did when he gets to OCS!

TxNavyWife:  I agree with the others-- I think the OCS class started on July 26 is 01-16.  Looks like that class is set to graduate (provided some don't "roll" back) on October 16.  The reason for the confusing class numbering is that the Navy begins their new fiscal year on Oct 1.  So the first OCS class to graduate after October 1, 2015 becomes 01-16, and so on, every three weeks.

You will not hear much from your LO (loved one) for three weeks, but do write letters as much as you can.  Letters are the candidates' only connection to the outside world for several weeks until they pass the dreaded RLP inspection at 3-4 weeks, then they are usually allowed email.  You will hear much more from him after he gets email.   

Make sure everyone you give his address to knows to send ONLY letters, in plain white regular or business-sized envelopes.  NO musical cards or decorated envelopes and no "contraband" (which is anything but letters)   Some DI's don't even allow them to be sent loose photographs, but you can photocopy or print photos into the letter itself.  I believe they can also be sent postage stamps and phone cards, because they are allowed to have those, but do not let anybody send him treats of any kind before he becomes a Candi-O at week ten, or he will be punished!

Thanks everyone for your advice.  My son is doing all his PT work prior to reporting and is in great shape.  He goes in spurts on memorizing the stuff.  He is just ready to get there and start that next phase in his life. 

GalleyMom:  Hope you are planning some extra time in Newport so you can maybe tour some of those "summer cottages" of the late 1800's old rich, like The Breakers or Marble House.  (Which folks like me would call "fabulous mansions" and not summer cottages!  haha) 

Help! I was running some errands today and realized that we forgot to pick up a phone card for my husband who started OCS last Sunday.  Am I allowed to send him one in the mail? Would it be better to just photo copy the front and back so it's not detected as something other than paper? 

Will he even need one? Or will they send him to the nex if he didn't have one?  Things at OCS sound so much stricter than we had to deal with when he was at boot camp, I don't want to do anything wrong, or get him unfavorably noticed. 

I checked the OCS website packing list and didn't see phone cards on there, but I swear I saw it somewhere that they needed one (maybe this was left over info/thinking from our bootcamp days)

Any experience on this? Thanks

As of a few classes ago (14-15 or 15-15), they didn't call until the end of week 3.  So you have time.

I can't say with 100% certainly if it would be better to photocopy it. If you don't want to worry about getting on the wrong side of a rule, I would say to photocopy it. I can tell you that he should be fine, at least the first week or two of calling without one.  My son said that there were a lot of cards by the phones. Once the OCs get their phones back, I am guessing they leave their phone cards by the phones.  

I didn't know anything about the need for phone cards and had a similar panicked moment.  I didn't even know where to get a phone card. I found https://attprepaidcard.amssupport.net/ and got one online.  They don't actual mail you a card. They just show you the information on your screen.  I printed that out and mailed it to my son.  You will also see they have a discount for military.  I actually used that.  It just asked for my son's name.  His name is on the credit card I used (leftover from when he was in college). I don't know if it would work if the name you enter isn't on the credit card you use but worth a try, if you haven't already purchased one.

But whatever you decide, I am sure it will be just fine! 

TxNavyWife:  I don't think they actually NEED to have phone cards, but if you want him to call you when he is allowed to do so, after week three or so, he will have to do it from a pay phone, so he will need a pre-paid phone card.  I think you are allowed to send those in the mail because the candidates are allowed to have those in their possession.

  If they are allowed to go to the NEX, he could buy one there.  I think some folks on here said you could buy the cards at Walgreens stores.  I'm not sure I would be comfortable just buying an "image" of a card online like CL, ---just "old school" me!!!     Get a card with LOTS of minutes, because when my son was at OCS, the pay phones charged the cards 15 minutes just to connect the call before you even talked!!!!!!!   My son's class were not given their cell phones back until they became Candios at week ten, but it varies with what their DI allows.

Thanks CL and M's mom! 

I will go ahead and try to find a pre paid phone card to tomorrow. I'll sleep on whether to just send the card or send a copy of it. Since there's no mail Sunday I've got some time. I figured they don't get their phones back til their last phase, but I definitely want a phone call if he's given the opportunity. I think it would feel pretty miserable on his end to not be able to call if he didn't have one (and was unable to get one via by the phone or from another candidate). Thanks for your experience and expertise! It's different being back on the learning side again. I considered myself pretty knowledgeable after boot camp, but I feel like I'm having to learn this all over again!

GalleyMom, thank you SO much for that little tidbit! Almost made me cry! (First week with no contact I think is the hardest). I will probably go ahead and just send the phone card. I've been keeping a look out for any photos on the FB page but have yet to see anything. I'm a little jealous of the families from the class before his, as it looks like they even had pictures of the first day just a week in! I understand it's not guaranteed to happen, but it would be nice to see. 

Thanks again, would you let me know if your son feeds you anything else about that class?  

>The person in charge of posting photos has been busy taking photos of your husband's class since day one. They should appear this next week

Even just hearing this is a huge relief, thanks!

Hi GalleyMom!  My son is a Civil Engineer.  Since they are part of the SeaBees, they are considered "The Warriors" of of Naval officers.  A retired CO recommended a sword and that's what's we did.  He was thrilled.  We had it mounted with engraving of his graduation information and a quote he closed all of his OCS correspondence.  All the best in your Navy family experience.

GalleyMom:  My son asked that we NOT get him a sword because he said unless he used it for a military wedding, that it would just hang on the wall gathering dust. We got him an "Ensign box" made of oak to store his ribbons, pins, and medals while his uniforms are at the cleaners.  It looks like a women's jewelry box with lots of felt-lined compartments.  We had it engraved with his name, the Navy emblem, and OCS graduation date.  He loved it and still uses it today.  Go to "The Good Wood Store" online and search for "military  graduation boxes"

We also got our son a large, durable, folding garment carrier, (luggage -style) and took that with us to graduation.  We also took several soft, collapsible pieces of luggage which my husband and I stuffed into our own suitcases for the flight to Providence.   My son arrived at OCS with just a small carry-on suitcase and then they issued him a sea bag.   There is NO WAY they can stuff five sets of uniforms and matching shoes/boots, and hats and all the gear they've had to buy at OCS into that sea bag and carry-on.   Many families hit the local Walmart in town after graduation to buy more luggage, so we went prepared.  My son was able to fly home with us, and he had the sea bag, garment carrier, and two soft duffle bags stuffed full of his gear.  So I always recommend a gift of luggage!    My son appreciated the garment carrier and still uses it for his uniforms whenever he travels with them, because it keeps things relatively unwrinkled vs. a suitcase.

Some parents who have the means to do so, pay off their new ensign's uniform bill at the NEX, which is usually three thousand dollars or more.  Coincidentally, (or not,) the candidates are paid just about that much for "duty" at OCS, so most of them just break even, after paying their NEX bill.

Note to TXNavyWife: If your husband was issued his first set of uniforms for free as an enlisted sailor, it may come as a surprise to you that the officers have to BUY them!  My son even had to pay for his meals when he was on an aircraft carrier for ten months!   (Don't get me started on a rant about how our military cannot afford to feed our officers for free while they are deployed on a ship.)    I will stop now before my humble opinions get me in trouble!     ;-)

GalleyMom, we gave our son a travel garment bag for his uniforms.  A good one, which will last, can be expensive, but it is a needed item for all their uniforms.  There were a lot of OCS families running to the local Walmart to pick up a cheap one for their graduates.  

It held his blues & whites, with room for more.  I got him one with wheels & a handle.  Hopefully it will last him the 8+ years he will need it.

no worries - I had to learn too - they are their uniforms (a blue/black one & a white one), which are quite heavy & bulky

Mimi: Yes, a 3-4 business suit bag would not be too big!  When my son deployed, he had to take ALL of his uniforms with him, so he was prepared for whatever the occasion, even dress uniforms.  What you're looking for is not just a vinyl bag like a new suit would come in, but an actual piece of luggage that unfolds to about 50-55" long that they can put uniforms in on hangers, and then fold it over and zip it or strap it together.  My son's has lots of interior and exterior pockets on it for more gear.  Search Amazon for "folding garment bag."

My son is in his 8th week as well and doesn't yet have his orders.  He is SWO so he chose his ship but doesn't yet know when he will report. There is another SWO in his class who will be on the same ship. The other candidate received his orders a week or so ago. I have heard that some candidates have received their orders just a day or two before graduation. So I don't think it is something to be worried about. I am learning that everything with the Navy is "normal".

Mimi: Oops - My son is not week 8, he is week 11! How did I lose 3 weeks?? Yikes! My son is in 15-15.  They chose their ships around week 7 or 8. Have the SWOs in 16-15 chose their ships? If so, that is strange that your son didn't get a ship at that time.  But it is probably best to assume it is just "Navy-normal" for your sanity!

Mimi: Actually, I think 16-15 is mainly Sub/Nukes (based on something my son said).  So I wonder if there are just not enough SWOs in that class to do the selection process.  That may be why he doesn't have his ship yet. 

Mimi: I think my son would say it was more tiring that stressful. I think that is part of the Navy's plan to see how they function and handle stress without much sleep. If there are a group of SWOs in the class and none of them have their ship yet, I think that means they just haven't had a chance yet to do the selection process. At this point, I have to believe they will wait until after all their tests this week.

Mimi:  They wind up with about 5 different uniform sets. In the summer they wear "whites" which are white slacks, white shirt, white shoes, and a white billed hat ("cover.")   For formal summer occasions (like OCS graduation) they wear a high-collared white coat (called a "choker"--obvious when you see one), and even white gloves!  In winter they wear dress blues, which are like a dark "navy" blue business suit with white shirt and black tie, and black shoes.  They also have a khaki-colored shirt/slacks uniform with khaki "cover," and a blue camouflage uniform with black boots and camo hat.  I think my son also has a black short jacket that is worn over the khaki uniform in chilly weather.  With all the boots and shoes and coats and hats and pants, it's quite a lot to pack. 

Mimi and CL:  Sometimes their orders don't come in until graduation week, or later.  My son's orders did not arrive until the Wednesday of grad week. Some of them actually graduate without orders and then have to stay at the base in Newport until they arrive.  Don't worry, the orders will show up eventually.  Then, they will have to hustle and report to their next duty station, only to be put on "stash duty" (basically doing nothing) until their class starts in 3-4 weeks!   "Hurry up and wait" is pretty much normal for the military.

M's Mom, 

We are counting on him having to buy uniforms so it's not much of a shock. He did take some of his NWU's with him though. I'm hoping he was able to just get his labels changed out rather than having to buy more of them. But I'm preparing to hear him say that they made him buy new ones along with everyone else. So we'll see! - Do you know if the uniforms are taken directly out of their pay check? Or how they're supposed to pay for the stuff while they're there? (In charge of the banking while he's gone and if I need to keep a little extra in his checking account it would be good to know!)

TxNavyWife: I believe they settle up their uniform account before they leave the base after graduation.  My son is just starting week 11 and he has not yet paid for his uniforms. I have been watching his bank accounts. There have been the occasional charges at the NEX for haircuts and other incidentals every week or two. So far no large charges or checks for uniforms.

TxNavyWife - I know they got a 10% discount if they applied for and used their Star Card to buy their uniforms.  The uniform allowance covered about 2/3 and my son got his in his pay shortly before graduation.  I don't know if the discount applied if they used an existing Star Card and don't know how/if being prior enlisted affects the uniform allowance.

TXNavyWife:  They are allowed to run a "tab" at OCS, but it must be paid before they leave.  I'm not sure if this is still done or not, but my son's classmates 3 yrs ago were offered NEX credit cards a week or two before graduation with a "20% off your first purchase" deal.  My son and most of them took the card, then made their "first purchase" by paying their uniform bill with the card, which my son said saved him about $700.  Then he had 30 days to pay off the card balance without incurring interest, which he had enough saved to do.  I think he said he was paid about enough while at OCS to buy his uniforms.   So tell your husband to take the credit card deal if it's still offered.  He can then use the NEX credit card at any NEX in the world.

Happy Birthday to me!  The OCS fb page just posted photos of my husband's class, and he's in a couple! Knowing I wouldn't be getting a letter or phone call today, it was hard not feeling just a little bit bummed out, but  having the pictures posted has brightened my day a bit! One week down!

TxNavyWife: Happy Birthday! That is a nice birthday present! Pictures and (even better) pictures that he is in. Did you find a Facebook group for the class? That could be the frosting on your birthday cake!

I have not seen a FB group for them yet. I'm not sure whether I want to take liberty and do it myself or not. 

Thank you for the birthday wishes! 

bkell32, I'll admit that I Identified one of his by his butt up in the air in a push up! lol (and also his sneakers)

TxNavyWife: Just noticed that someone posted the group name in the comment of that album: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ocsclass0116/?hc_location=ufi

bkell32: When I first started looking at pictures of my son's class, I was wishing I had taken a picture of his sneakers before he left. He has gotten some that wouldn't stand out and I was really regretting that! Bright pink would have been my choice in hindsight.

Awesome, I didn't see that! Maybe I looked through before the comment was there. Thanks!