OCS Graduate Moms

Got a 15 min call from the hubby today! Passed RLP and has moved into a new room. There is supposed to be email now, but there is an issue with the prior enlisted's emails. Sigh. Military is a never ending test of patience it seems!

TxNavyWife:  That's good news!  Probably the issue with prior enlisted email is that they were issued an official Navy email address before, and that has to be changed to an officer's email now.  But one would think that there are prior enlisted often enough at OCS, that they would know what to do by now!  

You are right about the military being a never- ending test of patience. My son has only been commissioned for three years and has had his patience tested many times already.  He has been the recipient of completely contradictory information from two different superior officers, and then HE was held responsible for the confusion!!!!!!!!

I'm not sure I personally would have enough patience to be in the military since my tolerance for that sort of thing is pretty low, but my son has thankfully learned to roll with it.  "Semper Gumby" they say. ("Always flexible.")

GalleyMom:       Hope you had a good time in Newport at graduation and commissioning!    Did your son get to come home for a while before he has to report to his next station?

I'm so sorry, OkieMom.  My son started on the 16th, too.  So far, so good, but I can tell that he's worried. It seems as if there are a million things that they can do wrong.... But I've heard that even if you roll, most get through and graduate (which is,after all, the important thing here), and they usually act as leaders in the class they roll into.  

GalleyMom:  Glad you had a wonderful time at graduation, and to hear your DS is getting settled in Norfolk!   You'll have to visit Norfolk sometime before he deploys.   Just curious: did your son's class do the "First Salutes" ceremony by giving their DI and PO a coin?   Someone said they had discontinued that, and I thought it was a shame to discontinue such a tradition.  They took official pics of our son's First Salutes, and included it in the photo pack we were sent.

Our DS and DIL were just here visiting last weekend for 4 days!   He had saved up all of his 30 days annual leave (since he was deployed) and then he was given two weeks' travel time to get to his next duty in CA, so he has six weeks of paid leave.  He and wife are now vagabonds on an extreme road trip around the US and Canada in a little Fiat 500!  They left Whidbey Island Naval Air Station (near Seattle) on August 1 and are visiting far-flung family and friends all over the US, and seeing all the tourist sights.  They're young and childless, so why not?  (It sounds exhausting to me.)  

They will wind up in Monterey, CA on Sept 21 where DS will be in school for 90 days learning his next Navy job, then after Jan 1 they will head to Japan for 3 years! 

It was great to have them here for a few days so I could "mother" them both a little!  (Homemade cookies, anyone?)  I even got my son to go through his childhood room and throw out a bunch of stuff and pack up some to go to Goodwill, which I had been trying to get him to do since he graduated college.   Hopefully, I can drag hubby along to visit them in Japan sometime.  He's not keen on the idea.

Now the real Navy adventure begins for your family and your son!  Anchors aweigh!!!

OkieMom: Yes, it is very disappointing to them to roll back to H Class, but several from each class do, and they usually wind up being stronger candidates afterwards, and are assigned leadership positions in their new class.  Search back on this comment wall for comments by other Moms whose candidates had rolled earlier this year.  They all did fine afterwards, and graduated, so tell your son to be positive.  He will get through it, as many others have.   

Hopefully, some others Moms whose kids have rolled at OCS can comment here and reassure you!

My son rolled earlier this year after failing RLP.  It's heartbreaking to hear the anguish in their voice when they call with the news.  My son actually DOR'd after that, but they convinced him to stay in and he rejoined the next class and graduated.  I've found that sympathetic listening and encouraging him to not make an emotional decision is the best support I can offer him.  Rest assured, rolling is not the end of the world and they will survive it.  

Hello ladies! 

Just want to pop in and give a quick up date! My husband just passed the 6 week inspection, so things are looking pretty good. 

He did mention today that the lack of typical email today was due to helping out the current indocs. He was out helping them get prepared for their RLP. I know he made at least 1 bed. So those of you who have loved ones preparing for RLP, they've got some good guys helping them out.

I also wanted to ask, since the info on google mostly seems kind of out dated, What exactly is appropriate to wear for the graduation events? I know there is "Hi Moms", is this typically cocktail/dressier side of dress? I've heard the graduation itself is sort of sundress/Sunday best. Is that accurate? And is there (and when?) a PIR that I can attend as well? What is appropriate to wear for that? Officer graduation makes bootcamp PIR look like child's play!

Great to hear your husband passed, TxNavyWife.  I wonder if my son is one of those your husband is helping out.  We're all thinking good thoughts for his RLP tomorrow.  

Thanks Galley Mom! That was exactly the answer I needed. I knew I could count on this forum for answers! :D

I guess I get to go dress shopping now  ^_^

GalleyMom:  You are very kind and generous to offer to host my vagabond son and his wife, but they have already been through Texas, and stayed with my brother in Houston.  They were heading towards Colorado somewhere, last time they checked in.   This is sort of a delayed honeymoon for them since they had to head right to Whidbey Island for duty after getting married 2 years ago.  Then he was deployed for 10 months, so I'm glad they are having this time to reconnect.  Their plan is to drive through at least 40 states and 2 Canadian provinces in an epic six-week trip!

As to how I got my son to clean out his room when he was home, I finally just had to.. insist.  I had prepared several large boxes in his room for "Goodwill," "Yard sale," "Keep,"  and "Trash."    I told him he should definitely keep some things for posterity and sentimental reasons that I would store for him until he returned from Japan, but as for the rest of it, decisions had to be made.  We boxed up a big load of clothes for Goodwill.  He had a bunch of computer game DVD's and software that we will put in a yard sale.  He tossed bags and bags of junk.  He did have a few delighted moments going through his clutter, of "Oh, I wondered what happened to THAT."   So, he rediscovered a few forgotten treasures, but he wound up with a relatively small box of things that he really wanted to keep.  DS breathed an audible sigh of relief when it was all over.  He KNEW it had to be done, but he just needed to be forced to do it.  

While this was going on, daughter-in-law decided to hide out in our guest bedroom where they were staying, with her nose in a book.  That was a good thing, because DS discovered in his desk a bunch of pics and mushy souvenirs of old girlfriends, but now that he is a married man, he wisely decided to toss out!!!  hahaha

TxNavyWife:   When my son graduated OCS, they did have a Pass-in-Review the day before graduation in which the candidates marched in formation in their camo uniforms and demonstrated their rifle drills.  It was very impressive, so I'm sorry to hear that they don't do that anymore, along with First Salutes, as GalleyMom reported on the recent graduation.

If your husband will graduate after Oct 1, his class will probably wear their dress blue uniforms to graduate in.  The whites are only worn in the summer months for formal occasions. (I think they wear whites in the tropics, like Hawaii, year round.)

GalleryMom: your good thoughts must have worked.  I got word yesterday that he passed; although it took two tries.  He was relieved; he said that the DI only passed one person in group she inspected the first day and that he was one of the four in ten passed the second day.  It seems very clear that the intent is to get folks working together and function in stressful situations.

Doreen,

Please be careful and do not post actual dates of your son's report date.  That is considered troop movement and a small violation of OPSEC rules.  Edit your post to just say November or "end of year" but don't be specific.  I know it's a little thing but it's one of those things that could lead to putting troops in danger.

is this group still active, anyone OCS 04-16?

Hi ALNavywife.  My son wasn't enlisted -- he applied while he was in college -- but it took about two years from first contact with the recruiter to actually showing up at OCS (he's a Candio as of Wednesday, yay!)  They lost paperwork several times -- which he had to replace, and asked for different paperwork literally at the last minute (the day before the board was supposed to meet) which caused him to miss at least one board.  From the time he actually got all his paperwork in (not counting the losses and additional requests) it was about a year before he heard "yes" and a year and four months before he actually started.  From what I've read on the other boards (i.e., with the LOs in his current class) 1 to 2 years is not unusual.

Hi myvampress.  Graduation for OCS is usually on the Friday of the 13th week of OCS; however, there are several important inspections and physical fitness tests that, if failed, will cause a candidate to "roll" back to Holding Class for three weeks, and then they will join the new incoming class.  If this happens to a candidate, it will put their graduation off for three weeks, so you really aren't sure until later on if your candidate will graduate with his original class.  Hotel reservations can be cancelled/changed, but don't buy plane tickets too early, because there is usually a hefty fee to change those.

If your loved one is starting OCS on Nov 8th, he should be about half-way through by Christmas, and should be pretty confident by then that he will graduate on time.  I think OCS does not train for two weeks at Christmas time, but the candidates only get one week to go home. Half the class gets to go home one week, and the other half gets to go the other week.  The half that is at OCS each week has to do maintenance chores around the barracks like power waxing the floors, etc.   I doubt that week counts as one of the 13 weeks, but I don't know; my son was not at OCS over Christmas.  I'm sure some other Moms here can chime in on this, if they had candidates there over the holidays.

My son was at OCS last year during Christmas and he did come home for one week.  It's important to note that the leave days are counted against their accrued leave, so it's not a "free" vacation.  I think the environment during holiday stand down was much more relaxed for the candidates.  

My son also rolled during RLP, so his graduation was delayed by 3 weeks in addition to the 2 week stand down at 
Christmas, so it can happen and is more common than you'd think.  If your son rolls, sympathize with him when you get the phone call, but encourage him to get back in the game.  It's a tough thing to roll, but it's also very likely they will succeed next time around.  Good luck to your son!

My son just started OCS on 10/18 - any other moms have children in that group?

Hi, I have a son in 05-16 OCS. I received a call from a RI number (I was told it's a number OCS candidates call from) Friday night but unfortunately I missed the call and there was no message. I heard that if they call the first week it's not good and they likely are being rolled into H-class. Do you know if they would be allowed to leave a message in this case? Or if they fail to reach someone, will they be allowed to call back or must they write letters with that information instead? Needless to say I am glued to the phone now....

Answering my own post - he was able to call today and they did put him in H-class to work on his strength, his push-up form was not good.

Thank you bkell32, he was very hoarse but also upbeat and positive and even said the experience overall was very good. Hopefully H-class ends up being a good thing for him!

Doreen - My son did not get/take special or heavy duty glasses to OCS last May. I believe they gave him a pair to wear until week 8 or 9, when he was allowed to wear his own again. He did take a strap.  I realize that things are changing all the time at OCS so I can only tell you that is how it was a few months ago.

lmc11 - I am pretty confident that H-class will be a good thing for your son. It will push graduation out 3 weeks but all the stories I have heard (my son included) have been very positive.  And for you, you will get to talk to him for the next couple of weekends. That will allow you can ease into the "program" as well!

Hi Doreen - My son graduated OCS in 14-15, after rolling from 13-15.. He then spent 3 1/2 months in student pool while he waited for re-designation and was finally commissioned on 10/1. They do provide glasses but they have to bring a strap. Imc11 - yes rolling is painful but my son said it was the best thing to happen to him during OCS. They grow and become the class leaders.

All the best! 

Thanks Doreen and CL! Blessings to all our LOs :-).

There is now a Facebook group for "Friends and Family of Navy OCS Class 06-16".  These groups are a great resource for providing information and support. It is a closed group so you must request access to join. https://www.facebook.com/groups/865259606922283/

Happy Veterans Day to all of our sailors!   Let's all thank them for their service to our country.

Congratulations Shopgirl, and welcome aboard.

My son's graduation took place on a Friday in 2014. In fact, we are leaving next week to fly out to Pensacola for his Winging Ceremony!

For OCS, we arrived 2 days before, and stayed a couple of days after.  There will be activities to attend the day before graduation, and the day of graduation. I know they have changed a couple of things since my son's ceremony, so I don't want to steer you wrong on what to expect.

 Since we traveled from the West Coast, we made it into a mini vacation. Be aware though, that some of the grads do not get their orders until the day of graduation (my son didn't get his until after the ceremony), so be prepared for some confusion/stress.

I would highly recommend you do not make any reservations until you know your son makes it through all the main tests. You don't want your son to have any added stress about passing then he will already have.

I found my biggest source of information/support came from my son's class Facebook page.  It will be labeled US Navy OCS Class (your son's class number here) Family, or something like it.  Your son's may be up and running now, but if not, you can do a search, and contact the site manager.  They are extremely helpful, and you will also get a chance to connect with other parents going through exactly what you are, then you will get to meet them at the graduation...pretty cool.  If you scroll down this comment wall, you will see other parents talking about their soon to be officers facebook groups.  You will need to know your son's class number.

It is quite the journey, with each phase seeming to take forever, until before you know it you are in another whole new place.  :)

Welcome Shopgirl! My son graduated OCS July 2015. OCS is scheduled for 12 weeks but there are many reasons a candidate can roll (placed out of class for 3 weeks) which delays the graduation. The graduation usually takes place the fri of week 12. The Hi Moms evening celebration is usually the night before (thurs). 

The best way to stay informed is to join the class FB page. They are usually listed as Friends and Family of (your candidate's class number). For example, mom son's was friends and family of 1415

All the best

Shopgirl - If you scroll through old messages here, you will find lots of good information. Things are always changing but I will pass on information from last summer.  OCS training is 12 weeks. Graduation events are usually the Thursday afternoon/evening (Hi Mom's Reception) and Friday (Graduation) of that 12th week. 

That said, your loved one could "roll" for any number of reasons such as failing a "rollable test" or getting injured. If they roll into H class or Med Hold, they roll back into a later OCS class on 3 week increments.  For example, if they fail the RLP test at week 6, they would move into H class. While in H class they study and make prepratations for attempting 3 weeks later to pass the test that they originally missed.  If they get injured, they could be out for longer.

The general advice is to not make any reservations you can not cancel without cost until after the RLP test at week 6. There are other rollable events/tests after that but, in general, it is more unusual to roll after week 6.

Your LO may not have orders until right before graduation, or even after, so it is hard to know if you should plan on heading home on Friday night or staying for the weekend. When they get orders, as others have said, they may go home and pack up or they may have to report directly to their first assignment.

It is difficult to know what is best for how long to stay. At a minimum, you will want to be in Newport Thursday noon through Friday about 6pm.

Hang on for the exciting, and occasionally bumpy ride! My son is now learning a lot and generally having a great time with his first ship assignment.

Best of luck and feel free to ask questions here. This is a helpful group.  You will also want to get connected into your LO's OCS class on Facebook. The Facebook group is usually something like "Friends and Family of Navy OCS Class xx-xx" but is occasionally named something slightly different.

Looks like you have received all good info. I too wanted to make my reservations early just because that is what I do. I did hold off like the others said until it was closer to graduation time. Never know if your loved one will go into holding class. My son was blessed to avoid that. Don't be discouraged if he does as it just helps him prepare more. Also remember you won't hear from him for a few weeks and during that time no news is good news. They are allowed to call if they roll to h class. My son graduated in Dec 2015 and luckily the weather was good. We were not able to get on base until Thursday of Hi Moms party without going thru the Pass Gate and then the only place we could really meet was the coffee shop. There is a hotel on base but we stayed off base. Things to do in Newport include visiting the mansions and there is the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge close by. Good luck to your son.

Shopgirl - if you scroll down, you will see a link to join the Facebook page for class 08-16.  Request to join that class, you can then see what an older class is going thru and will know what is ahead for your son.  Based on the report date, I think your son's class will be 11-16.  There are FB pages already set up for class 10-16.  Everyone on FB is very helpful and going thru the same thing you are!  Hang in there.  I also would wait on reservations until after week 6.

Good luck!!

Here is the link for class 10-16 on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/936712806412830/

Shopgirl - Here is a facebook group for people reporting for the 11-16 class: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1561332564157206/ 

If you son hasn't joined that group, he may want to. He can ask on there if any has started a Friends and Family group for 11-16. 

I second the advice to join a group for the class or two in front of your son's and well as your son's group. It is very helpful to know what is coming up for your son's class.

Shopgirl welcome to the rollercoaster ride of OCS. My LO graduated Sept 2015. I also look up Officer training command newport on Facebook. will be able to see pictures there that they post of the classes. We too make it a family vacation as we flew in for washington state. spent a couple days in boston and newport. It is an exciting time. We were able to my son on wednesday before friday's graduation. Hi mom's is something you did not what to miss on thursday and 6:30 am we  watch PT. after friday graduation he picked up his packet of paperwork and was free to go. It can be different for each person. 

Welcome, Shopgirl.  Make sure your son knows your phone # and email address from memory.  Their cell phones are taken from them as soon as they arrive at OCS and stored until they are allowed to have them in their possession again after week 10 or so.  They are allowed to call home from a pay phone within the first 48 hours by using a pre-paid phone card, which you can buy at Walgreens or Walmart,  but he must know your #.   (So many people these days just scroll down their phone directory to MOM, without even knowing the #)  Then you won't hear from him again probably until about week four, unless he writes you a snail mail letter (But don't hold your breath for that from a young person today!)

After they pass the big Room, Locker, and Personnel inspection at week 4-5, then they usually will be given email privileges. Again, they won't have access to their usual email program and directory, so will have to type in any email addresses from memory.

Send ONLY letters in plain white envelopes until he becomes a Candidate Officer (Candi-O) at week ten.  Then, they can receive care packages of goodies (Candi-O boxes.)  Anything except letters sent before week ten will be considered contraband, and confiscated, and he will have to do hundreds of pushups even if he didn't request it!!!  Make sure everyone to whom you give your son's OCS mailing address knows this!!!  But do have friends and family send lots of encouraging letters to him those first four weeks until they get email, even if he doesn't write any in return. They love getting mail with news from home, because they are so isolated the first few weeks--no TV, phones, internet, etc.  A tip:  I photocopied cartoons and pictures onto letter paper for my son. (We were told not to send any loose enclosures such as cartoons or pictures.)  Also- NO decorated envelopes or musical cards!  You don't want his mail to draw any attention from the Drill Instructor.

Good luck to your son!  You will be bursting with pride at his graduation!  As others have said, best to hold off on plane tix until you are certain he will graduate with his original class.

GalleyMom:  Good to hear from you again also!  How's your sailor doing?