USNmom2017
They usually get their orders a week or so before. At least my daughter did. Your son is a NFO so he may have to wait.... majority of the Ensins know where they are going and when they need to be at post. Your son will let you know all details. As parents we want all the details now. Remember this is the Navy and they are Marine trained. When they say now it's now not later.
USNmom2017,
Welcome to the group!! It is so good to have this support, especially during OCS. My son just finished in March. The NFOs in his class received their orders and moved to Pensacola quickly in a week or less. It will depend on the needs how soon they move on. The pilots right now are waiting almost three months. That has been good for me since he has been home during that time on OHARP. He heads out this week for API finally. It is all very exciting for them. Good luck!!
I figured he would have to report that next week. We are about 6 hours from Pensacola. Hoping he can come home forest and get his car to take down. Do yiu know if that is possible? And are they able to find housing that quick? Thank you fir your answers. He is a grown young man, but you know wus mims, we like to find out.
There are different things that can happen. My son's experience was a little different because he graduated the week before Christmas in 2015. His medical paperwork had not been signed off by the flight surgeons in p'cola so he had to wait another week after graduation on that before starting OHARP. He opted to fly home for that time instead of sitting on base over the holiday. He was so ready to get off the base. OHARP is their assignment before going to flight school and is basically working at an office while he waits for a spot to open up in flight school. That can be a couple of months. He can request where he wants to do that. This time also gives him an opportunity to find housing which he has probably already discussed with some of his OCS classmates. I know as mom's we like to know what's going on but don't frustrate yourself. Hope I haven't totally confused you. I guess when we think military we think precision timing but when it comes to the moving and next assignment it is not always that way.
To all asking about travel arrangements after OCS, I think the Navy will pay for travel from OCS to their next duty assignment, but not to home. Our son got his orders the day before OCS graduation, which gave him 10 days to report to his next school. He had not driven to OCS, but flew, so he wanted to go home and collect his vehicle and worldly goods, and then drive to his next duty. His dad & I flew to OCS graduation, and when son got his orders, we were able to get him a plane ticket on the flight home with us. We had to pay for that, not the Navy. When he drove to his next duty from home, he MIGHT have gotten reimbursed by the Navy for mileage, but I don't remember. I know the Navy pays for travel or reimburses them from one duty assignment to another, but not to home.
Read back on these posts as far back as you can and we may have answered many of your questions already. Your daughter will be able to call you during the first 48 hrs at OCS to tell you she is there, then after that you won't hear much until she gets email at about week 3-4.
Send her only LETTERS in plain, white envelopes--no gifts, no treats, no musical cards, etc. Make sure all the friends and relatives to whom you give her mailing address know this. We have discussed this in recent posts below, so read those.
M's mom is correct when my daughter left OCS she drove home with us and stayed 10 day and she bought herself a car and drove to Cali. They reimbursed her for travel( mileage) ,food and lodging. All receipts must be kept and turned into the Navy.
Nukemom Carol,
Like M's mom said try to read back the previous messages. Both M's mom and I have children who graduated in 12 and 14. Things have changed for us but the new moms will be able to help with their LOs are either just in or just left Ocs. As a mother of a daughter. Join the Navy daughters blog. The only thing in that site is they don't understand us officer moms. We deal with different issues. If you want you can friend me. I tell all parent to know the color of there child gym shoes. That's is sometime the only way you can pick them out of pictures. Make sure you join OCS FB page. Join the class prior, present and Future. Prior to see what the class is presently doing. Then join your class to keep up an see pictures. The future class in case your daughter rolls. Bes of luck to your daughter in Nuke school. Goose island they say is beautiful. My daughter was going Nuke but instead is SWO/ ASWO / Nuke Engineering.
I have a group Moms of Daughters 2 and we have moms of both officer and enlisted. I myself have an officer daughter (and a veteran enlisted daughter, and an enlisted son) who did OCS in 2012. Enlisted or officer, we understand the differences with sending our daughters off to the military!!
My son graduated OCS in summer of 2015. There is a pretty good description of the routine at OCS on a day by day basis on Navydads.com. If you search on Navydads OCS it will give a detailed description of every day for the 1st week. Some of the info (gouge) is old but it seems to get the flavor of what they are going through (according to my son). It is a challenging time for the kids, but my son told me that in looking back on it, it wasn't so bad. Good luck to all of you and your LO's.
I am a retired NavyWife. Our son started OCS class 14-17 on mother's day. Just saw his first pix posted yesterday afternoon on the ocs (fb) website. Was lucky enough to see his face. We are so proud that he decide to follow in his dad's footsteps. We are looking foward to seeing his dad give him the first salute. My husband is trying hard to make sure he fits in his chocker (dress white)uniform. I was wandering if any SNA moms might give me some insight on what are the chances our son will go straight to Pensacola for IFS versus OHARP. you see He was hoping to skip OHARP. It seems NFO go pretty much straight to Pensacola with PCS order but not sure about Pilots except for those that know what they will be flying such as HELOs. We just wanted to know if he will be coming back home for 2-3 months under OHARP or would he be assigned to A-POOL at NAS Pensacola. Which im not sure but is not that great. Thanx everyone.
NavyMomNavyWife: It all depends on when the next SNA class starts vs. when he graduates from OCS. Classes graduate from OCS every 3 weeks, and I don't think they start flight school classes that often. Sometimes, if it will be only a few weeks, his orders may send him to Pensacola right away after OCS, but then he will just be on "stash duty," as my son called it. My son had to report to his CO upon arrival, then just had to call in every morning for 3 weeks, and basically had nothing to do until his class started 3 weeks later. It was good though, because that gave him time to find housing, and settle in.
I think someone recently posted here that the SNA's were currently waiting 3 months or so after OCS. Maybe some of the moms of recent OCS grads could help here.
There is also a group here on Navy 4 Moms called "Naval Aviation" which you should join. Those moms can answer your questions about flight school, and may know how long the current wait is.
Congratulations to your son! That will be quite a photo of he and his dad saluting each other in their choaker whites!!!
Robertsmom, We were in Newport about 2 months ago for graduation and stayed in the Residence Inn Marriott in Middletown, about 10 minutes from the base. This is NOT the same Marriott that our son's class had their Hi Moms event. That Marriott is in Newport near the waterfront. We really liked the one we were at because of its proximity to the base and it is one of a few hotels offering suites of rooms. We were able to get a 2 bedroom suite with a full kitchen for only $119/night with a military discount. Just tell any hotel you book with that you are there for OCS graduation and you will get the discount. The rates might be higher in the summer; it was still winter when we were there. Don't forget that your son will likely be able to stay with you on Thursday night (as long as he's back by 5:00 am Friday) so make sure you have a place for him to sleep. There were a couple other hotels right around us. The Hampton Inn was next door and very nice. There was also a Howard Johnsons next door, which was cheaper I believe. Many OCS families were in all these hotels in Middletown. Hope this helps a little.
Robertsmom: As the others have posted, search for hotels in Middletown, RI which are actually closer to the base than anything in Newport. The places in Newport are usually resorts and are very expensive in the summer. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Middletown and it was near to the base and there were many other national chain hotels along that road.
If you have some time before/after graduation go into Newport and take a tour or two of some of those "summer cottages" of the old rich, like The Breakers. (Known as "mansions" to most of us!) Also drive around the point on Ocean Avenue for picturesque views of the bay.
There appears to be no limit for numbers at graduation--just Hi Moms. Also, we stayed at the Homewood Suites by Hilton--also reasonable, very close and really nice and very new. They also include breakfast, happy hour and dinner food for free. We met other OCS parents--had a great time. Also, some classes may not get Thu PM off. It depends on their DI. Mine did not and we did not get to see him until midday Fri. Just be prepared for whatever they are told to do.
For those that have attended OCS and attended the Hi Moms, are the Dad's also invited? After graduation, can our LO's leave? Did you leave the area on graduation day or stay over and leave the next morning? Thank you very much in advance for answering.
SWAF,
Of course dads are invited. It does throw a curve when it say Hi Moms. After graduation we left right away. The daughter couldn't wait to pack up and go home for 10 days. But that dosent happen to all. Sme may leave have to leave to their duty station.
Roberts mom,
For Hi Moms it depends on the class size. We had 5 attend. Remember that your son or daughter will be paying for you to attend this event. Hi Moms I recommend a a nice dress or suite. For graduation it was a dress causal. Don't miss the 5am run and beat down they do. That will be the same day as graduation.
Robertsmom, there is no limit but the officer candidates have to pay for each person they invite. SWAF, yes dads and any loved ones are invited. As soon as graduation is over, they can leave as long as they have their orders. We left the next day because we wanted to sightsee a little. We went back to our rooms and our son actually crashed for a 2 hour nap, then we ate dinner and just hung out in the hotel pool/hot tub that night. The next day we toured the Breakers mansion and caught a late flight home. It's really up to you all what to do, but they are free to leave (if they have orders), and most of them want to get the heck out of Newport. We are recent (March 2017) graduates.
Robertsmom: It depends on what limit for Hi Moms that the candidates themselves decide. OCS has nothing to do with the Hi Moms reception. The candidates make all the arrangements and pay for it themselves, so each candidate must pay so much per guest for their family attending. Sometimes due to the space of the venue, there may be space limitations, say four guests per candidate, etc. Hi Moms can be anything form dinner at the Officers Club to just a cocktail reception, whatever they decide. My son's Hi Moms was cocktails at a historic downtown Newport hotel. They had trays of many appetizers and snacks and provided non-alcoholic beverages, then there was a cash bar. They showed a funny video of pictures taken during their training that they had compiled. It lasted a few hours.
Your candidate will need to turn in a list of names of everyone attending graduation. When my son graduated 5 years ago, the gate guards at the base had the list and had to check photo ID's of every adult in our car against the list, so be prepared for that.
As far as the graduation ceremony, I don't think there is a limit, but seating is first come, first served, so get there very early for good seats. It was standing room only at the beginning of my son's graduation.
y'all are so helpful. we have 5 or 6 flying in from all over. If they can't go to the hi Mom
I'm sure they will be fine on their own for a couple of hours! We are all leaving from Newport to go to a family reunion in DC for the weekend. Fingers crossed that our time line remains the same.
Robertsmom, if you do end up with people not going to Hi Moms (although we saw families with LOTS of people there back in March) I would send some on ahead to get a table at a restaurant OR make a reservation. All the restaurants are very crowded and had at least an hour wait that Thursday night.
If you'd like good New England seafood for reasonable price on WEDNESDAY night, try Anthony's Seafood in Middletown. The Rhode Island chowder was amazing. Casual (pay first, then sit down). It's too casual for Thursday after Hi Moms when everyone is in dress blues or whites. It's a good place to meet up with other OCS families who are getting into town early. I don't have a good recommendation for Thursday night in Newport because I can't remember the place we went, I just remember I didn't like it.
Robertsmom - Like Nancy I don't remember the place we ate on Thursday night. I think it may have been Sardella's Italian Restaurant in Newport. It was a bit off the beaten path which was appealing to us. But it was unremarkable. Not bad but not exciting either. What was memorable was walking past an older gentleman sitting on a bench. As my son walked past in his whites, the gentleman thanked my son for his service. My son stopped and shook his hand and talked with him for a moment. When you see your LO again, you will notice many changes. That was one of those moments for me. I collected a few restaurant recommendations from the OCS class facebook page. I will see if I still have it.
Brick Alley pub on Thames street: “Awesome place and they do take reservations. We made ours for 14 folks 2 weeks early.” “ We went to Brick Alley last night for dinner. It was good!”
Red Parrot: Wonderful lobster
Flo's Clam Shack: “It is a shack but the freshest seafood. Nine of us were saying our meal was the best. We all ate different things. Flo's does have 2 different menus, one upstairs at the bar and the other one on the first floor.” (Very casual, not really a good spot for dinner after Hi Moms)
Corner Cafe on Broadway in Newport, “delicious food and so adorable.” (Breakfast/Lunch)
22 Bowens: Their website is 22bowens.com Also you can make reservations online thru opentable.
Restaurants: I will also endorse The Red Parrot in downtown Newport. Our son took us there on Wednesday night before graduation, after we had arrived that day. On Thursday night, we had filled up on the "appetizers" at the Hi Moms reception and none of us honestly felt like going out to a restaurant after that for a meal so we just skipped dinner. Can't remember where we ate Friday night. There is a diner--can't remember the name but looks like a diner-- on the main road through Middletown that all the hotels are on. It was great for lunch one day.
We were fortunate that our son graduated AFTER Labor Day when the tourists had gone. If you will be going to Newport in the summer, it will be crawling with tourists. Make hotel reservations ASAP. You may have to eat at out-of-the-way places to avoid a huge wait at the popular restaurants.
Those are all great suggestions, thanks! My son's graduation is scheduled for August 4. I went ahead and booked rooms at the Carriage House. I could see hotels filling up as I was searching. I figured restaurants would be the same. The Newport Jazz festival is that weekend too. Trying to make as many arrangements as possible but still remain flexible. Roberts got RLP today. Holding my breath.
I know that everything will fill up fast, but I am so afraid to book anything this early. Our son is also scheduled to graduate on August 4. RLP is today. Praying that they all make it through today's event.
I feel the same way, Matt's mom. As a consummate planner, I would have purchased tickets and booked hotel the day my LO began, but anything can happen...one of the parents suggested waiting until week 7, so that is what I will do. August 4 is my LO's grad date (hopefully) and Newport is going to be slammed with summer revellers and Jazz Fest attendees. When the time comes, will everyone be coming in on the Wednesday before graduation, then? How many days should we plan on staying? Thanks :D *praying for RLP to go smoothly <3
NavyDave4--- They can only leave the base if they have their orders. There are usually a few in each OCS class whose orders don't come in before graduation, and they must stay at the base until they do, which could be days or weeks.
If they have their orders, they are free to leave after they check out of the barracks, and get their medical records, etc.
We had a hotel room with two double beds, so our son stayed with us on Friday night after graduation, and then we all flew home the next day. His orders gave him ten days' travel time to his next duty, and we were able to get him a plane ticket on the same flight as ours to fly home.
As far as hotel rooms, most hotels will allow you to cancel with no penalty if you cancel by 2-3 days before the stay, so I would advise making hotels reservations NOW for Aug 4, and you can always change if your candidate rolls. As far as airline tix, not so easy, but we flew into Providence on Southwest Airlines which, at least at that time, did not charge a hefty fee for changing flights like the other airlines do.
When your Loved One passes RLP, that is a big relief. They can still roll back at any time, but the odds are better after RLP that they will graduate on time, so we made our plans immediately after!!!
We are from CNY, so we will drive to RI. I agree with M's mom. Praying to hear that our son has made it through today's RLP, I will call and make hotel reservations. Does anyone know what happens on Thursday other than Hi Mom's in the afternoon?
Navy Dave: RLP is "Room, Locker, & Personnel" inspection. It is a big deal at week 3-4 of OCS when the Drill Instructor comes in with their white gloves and inspects every room surface, and the bed, and their uniforms while the candidate is standing at attention and must scream the answers to questions of Navy knowledge posed by the DI. Everything must be just so. If they fail too many points, I think they get a re-inspection chance two days later. If they fail that, they get "rolled" back to Holding Company and must join the next incoming class 3 weeks later and start over.
If any of you get the call that your candidate rolled, just encourage them that it is not the end of the world, and tell them they must not quit, no matter what! Many of the ones who roll come back and shine as the leaders of their new class, because they have 3 weeks more experience, and they know what is expected this time.
Matt's mom: My son graduated from OCS 5 years ago, and much has changed since then, so I can't say exactly what they do now, but five years ago on the Thursday morning before graduation, they held Pass in Review, when the candidates marched in formation into the gym wearing their camo uniforms and carrying rifles. They then demonstrated their precision rifle drill where they moved the rifle through various positions in snappy unison. Don't know if they do that anymore. If not, you could do some sightseeing in Newport on Thursday, and tour some of those mansions that the old rich called their "summer cottages!"
They also used to have a Graduation Run at 0600 or so on graduation morning when the families could run along with the candidates or just watch, then we wound up at the chow hall where they demonstrated how they had to eat "Square meals" while sitting at attention. Then the families could buy breakfast and eat with your candidate. Don't know if that's done anymore either.
Any recent grads' moms who can tell us what goes on during graduation week now?
Noni
They usually get their orders a week or so before. At least my daughter did. Your son is a NFO so he may have to wait.... majority of the Ensins know where they are going and when they need to be at post. Your son will let you know all details. As parents we want all the details now. Remember this is the Navy and they are Marine trained. When they say now it's now not later.
May 22, 2017
Noni
The Navy makes the travel arrangements. Your son will have his orders and everything will have to be checked off before leaving
May 22, 2017
LucyJo
Welcome to the group!! It is so good to have this support, especially during OCS. My son just finished in March. The NFOs in his class received their orders and moved to Pensacola quickly in a week or less. It will depend on the needs how soon they move on. The pilots right now are waiting almost three months. That has been good for me since he has been home during that time on OHARP. He heads out this week for API finally. It is all very exciting for them. Good luck!!
May 23, 2017
USNmom2017
May 23, 2017
LoniJ
May 23, 2017
NukeMomCarol
May 23, 2017
M's mom
To all asking about travel arrangements after OCS, I think the Navy will pay for travel from OCS to their next duty assignment, but not to home. Our son got his orders the day before OCS graduation, which gave him 10 days to report to his next school. He had not driven to OCS, but flew, so he wanted to go home and collect his vehicle and worldly goods, and then drive to his next duty. His dad & I flew to OCS graduation, and when son got his orders, we were able to get him a plane ticket on the flight home with us. We had to pay for that, not the Navy. When he drove to his next duty from home, he MIGHT have gotten reimbursed by the Navy for mileage, but I don't remember. I know the Navy pays for travel or reimburses them from one duty assignment to another, but not to home.
May 23, 2017
M's mom
Welcome NukeMomCarol,
Read back on these posts as far back as you can and we may have answered many of your questions already. Your daughter will be able to call you during the first 48 hrs at OCS to tell you she is there, then after that you won't hear much until she gets email at about week 3-4.
Send her only LETTERS in plain, white envelopes--no gifts, no treats, no musical cards, etc. Make sure all the friends and relatives to whom you give her mailing address know this. We have discussed this in recent posts below, so read those.
May 23, 2017
Noni
May 23, 2017
Noni
Like M's mom said try to read back the previous messages. Both M's mom and I have children who graduated in 12 and 14. Things have changed for us but the new moms will be able to help with their LOs are either just in or just left Ocs. As a mother of a daughter. Join the Navy daughters blog. The only thing in that site is they don't understand us officer moms. We deal with different issues. If you want you can friend me. I tell all parent to know the color of there child gym shoes. That's is sometime the only way you can pick them out of pictures. Make sure you join OCS FB page. Join the class prior, present and Future. Prior to see what the class is presently doing. Then join your class to keep up an see pictures. The future class in case your daughter rolls. Bes of luck to your daughter in Nuke school. Goose island they say is beautiful. My daughter was going Nuke but instead is SWO/ ASWO / Nuke Engineering.
May 23, 2017
Anna
NukemomCarol,
I have a group Moms of Daughters 2 and we have moms of both officer and enlisted. I myself have an officer daughter (and a veteran enlisted daughter, and an enlisted son) who did OCS in 2012. Enlisted or officer, we understand the differences with sending our daughters off to the military!!
May 23, 2017
NukeMomCarol
May 23, 2017
NukeMomCarol
May 23, 2017
navymom1304
My son graduated OCS in summer of 2015. There is a pretty good description of the routine at OCS on a day by day basis on Navydads.com. If you search on Navydads OCS it will give a detailed description of every day for the 1st week. Some of the info (gouge) is old but it seems to get the flavor of what they are going through (according to my son). It is a challenging time for the kids, but my son told me that in looking back on it, it wasn't so bad. Good luck to all of you and your LO's.
May 24, 2017
NukeMomCarol
May 24, 2017
NavyMomNavyWife
Hello everyone,
I am a retired NavyWife. Our son started OCS class 14-17 on mother's day. Just saw his first pix posted yesterday afternoon on the ocs (fb) website. Was lucky enough to see his face. We are so proud that he decide to follow in his dad's footsteps. We are looking foward to seeing his dad give him the first salute. My husband is trying hard to make sure he fits in his chocker (dress white)uniform. I was wandering if any SNA moms might give me some insight on what are the chances our son will go straight to Pensacola for IFS versus OHARP. you see He was hoping to skip OHARP. It seems NFO go pretty much straight to Pensacola with PCS order but not sure about Pilots except for those that know what they will be flying such as HELOs. We just wanted to know if he will be coming back home for 2-3 months under OHARP or would he be assigned to A-POOL at NAS Pensacola. Which im not sure but is not that great. Thanx everyone.
May 24, 2017
M's mom
NavyMomNavyWife: It all depends on when the next SNA class starts vs. when he graduates from OCS. Classes graduate from OCS every 3 weeks, and I don't think they start flight school classes that often. Sometimes, if it will be only a few weeks, his orders may send him to Pensacola right away after OCS, but then he will just be on "stash duty," as my son called it. My son had to report to his CO upon arrival, then just had to call in every morning for 3 weeks, and basically had nothing to do until his class started 3 weeks later. It was good though, because that gave him time to find housing, and settle in.
I think someone recently posted here that the SNA's were currently waiting 3 months or so after OCS. Maybe some of the moms of recent OCS grads could help here.
There is also a group here on Navy 4 Moms called "Naval Aviation" which you should join. Those moms can answer your questions about flight school, and may know how long the current wait is.
Congratulations to your son! That will be quite a photo of he and his dad saluting each other in their choaker whites!!!
May 25, 2017
Robertsmom
Good Morning,
Does anyone have recommendations on hotels in Newport?
Looking for moderated price, need several rooms.
May 28, 2017
Noni
They are kinda far and few in RI. We stayed outside of Newport. I can't remember where. Good luck
May 28, 2017
Nancy
Robertsmom, We were in Newport about 2 months ago for graduation and stayed in the Residence Inn Marriott in Middletown, about 10 minutes from the base. This is NOT the same Marriott that our son's class had their Hi Moms event. That Marriott is in Newport near the waterfront. We really liked the one we were at because of its proximity to the base and it is one of a few hotels offering suites of rooms. We were able to get a 2 bedroom suite with a full kitchen for only $119/night with a military discount. Just tell any hotel you book with that you are there for OCS graduation and you will get the discount. The rates might be higher in the summer; it was still winter when we were there. Don't forget that your son will likely be able to stay with you on Thursday night (as long as he's back by 5:00 am Friday) so make sure you have a place for him to sleep. There were a couple other hotels right around us. The Hampton Inn was next door and very nice. There was also a Howard Johnsons next door, which was cheaper I believe. Many OCS families were in all these hotels in Middletown. Hope this helps a little.
May 28, 2017
Anna
In 2012 we stayed at the Mainstay Hotel and Conference Center in Middletown. Was very roomy room as we had our son and daughter also with us!!!
May 28, 2017
M's mom
Robertsmom: As the others have posted, search for hotels in Middletown, RI which are actually closer to the base than anything in Newport. The places in Newport are usually resorts and are very expensive in the summer. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Middletown and it was near to the base and there were many other national chain hotels along that road.
If you have some time before/after graduation go into Newport and take a tour or two of some of those "summer cottages" of the old rich, like The Breakers. (Known as "mansions" to most of us!) Also drive around the point on Ocean Avenue for picturesque views of the bay.
May 28, 2017
Rachel
Wondering how many people will be allowed to attend graduation for OCS?
May 28, 2017
LucyJo
May 28, 2017
Robertsmom
thanks for all the great info. The suites sound great...we have several coming. How many are invited to the Hi Moms?
May 28, 2017
Noni
May 28, 2017
SWAF
For those that have attended OCS and attended the Hi Moms, are the Dad's also invited? After graduation, can our LO's leave? Did you leave the area on graduation day or stay over and leave the next morning? Thank you very much in advance for answering.
May 28, 2017
Noni
Of course dads are invited. It does throw a curve when it say Hi Moms. After graduation we left right away. The daughter couldn't wait to pack up and go home for 10 days. But that dosent happen to all. Sme may leave have to leave to their duty station.
May 28, 2017
Noni
For Hi Moms it depends on the class size. We had 5 attend. Remember that your son or daughter will be paying for you to attend this event. Hi Moms I recommend a a nice dress or suite. For graduation it was a dress causal. Don't miss the 5am run and beat down they do. That will be the same day as graduation.
May 28, 2017
Nancy
Robertsmom, there is no limit but the officer candidates have to pay for each person they invite. SWAF, yes dads and any loved ones are invited. As soon as graduation is over, they can leave as long as they have their orders. We left the next day because we wanted to sightsee a little. We went back to our rooms and our son actually crashed for a 2 hour nap, then we ate dinner and just hung out in the hotel pool/hot tub that night. The next day we toured the Breakers mansion and caught a late flight home. It's really up to you all what to do, but they are free to leave (if they have orders), and most of them want to get the heck out of Newport. We are recent (March 2017) graduates.
May 28, 2017
M's mom
Robertsmom: It depends on what limit for Hi Moms that the candidates themselves decide. OCS has nothing to do with the Hi Moms reception. The candidates make all the arrangements and pay for it themselves, so each candidate must pay so much per guest for their family attending. Sometimes due to the space of the venue, there may be space limitations, say four guests per candidate, etc. Hi Moms can be anything form dinner at the Officers Club to just a cocktail reception, whatever they decide. My son's Hi Moms was cocktails at a historic downtown Newport hotel. They had trays of many appetizers and snacks and provided non-alcoholic beverages, then there was a cash bar. They showed a funny video of pictures taken during their training that they had compiled. It lasted a few hours.
Your candidate will need to turn in a list of names of everyone attending graduation. When my son graduated 5 years ago, the gate guards at the base had the list and had to check photo ID's of every adult in our car against the list, so be prepared for that.
As far as the graduation ceremony, I don't think there is a limit, but seating is first come, first served, so get there very early for good seats. It was standing room only at the beginning of my son's graduation.
May 28, 2017
Robertsmom
I'm sure they will be fine on their own for a couple of hours! We are all leaving from Newport to go to a family reunion in DC for the weekend. Fingers crossed that our time line remains the same.
May 29, 2017
Nancy
Robertsmom, if you do end up with people not going to Hi Moms (although we saw families with LOTS of people there back in March) I would send some on ahead to get a table at a restaurant OR make a reservation. All the restaurants are very crowded and had at least an hour wait that Thursday night.
May 30, 2017
Noni
May 30, 2017
Robertsmom
any restaurant recommendations?
May 31, 2017
Nancy
If you'd like good New England seafood for reasonable price on WEDNESDAY night, try Anthony's Seafood in Middletown. The Rhode Island chowder was amazing. Casual (pay first, then sit down). It's too casual for Thursday after Hi Moms when everyone is in dress blues or whites. It's a good place to meet up with other OCS families who are getting into town early. I don't have a good recommendation for Thursday night in Newport because I can't remember the place we went, I just remember I didn't like it.
May 31, 2017
CindyN
Robertsmom - Like Nancy I don't remember the place we ate on Thursday night. I think it may have been Sardella's Italian Restaurant in Newport. It was a bit off the beaten path which was appealing to us. But it was unremarkable. Not bad but not exciting either. What was memorable was walking past an older gentleman sitting on a bench. As my son walked past in his whites, the gentleman thanked my son for his service. My son stopped and shook his hand and talked with him for a moment. When you see your LO again, you will notice many changes. That was one of those moments for me. I collected a few restaurant recommendations from the OCS class facebook page. I will see if I still have it.
May 31, 2017
CindyN
Newport Restaurant notes I collected 2 years ago:
Brick Alley pub on Thames street: “Awesome place and they do take reservations. We made ours for 14 folks 2 weeks early.” “ We went to Brick Alley last night for dinner. It was good!”
Red Parrot: Wonderful lobster
Flo's Clam Shack: “It is a shack but the freshest seafood. Nine of us were saying our meal was the best. We all ate different things. Flo's does have 2 different menus, one upstairs at the bar and the other one on the first floor.” (Very casual, not really a good spot for dinner after Hi Moms)
Corner Cafe on Broadway in Newport, “delicious food and so adorable.” (Breakfast/Lunch)
22 Bowens: Their website is 22bowens.com Also you can make reservations online thru opentable.
May 31, 2017
M's mom
Restaurants: I will also endorse The Red Parrot in downtown Newport. Our son took us there on Wednesday night before graduation, after we had arrived that day. On Thursday night, we had filled up on the "appetizers" at the Hi Moms reception and none of us honestly felt like going out to a restaurant after that for a meal so we just skipped dinner. Can't remember where we ate Friday night. There is a diner--can't remember the name but looks like a diner-- on the main road through Middletown that all the hotels are on. It was great for lunch one day.
We were fortunate that our son graduated AFTER Labor Day when the tourists had gone. If you will be going to Newport in the summer, it will be crawling with tourists. Make hotel reservations ASAP. You may have to eat at out-of-the-way places to avoid a huge wait at the popular restaurants.
May 31, 2017
Robertsmom
Those are all great suggestions, thanks! My son's graduation is scheduled for August 4. I went ahead and booked rooms at the Carriage House. I could see hotels filling up as I was searching. I figured restaurants would be the same. The Newport Jazz festival is that weekend too. Trying to make as many arrangements as possible but still remain flexible. Roberts got RLP today. Holding my breath.
Jun 1, 2017
Matt's mom
I know that everything will fill up fast, but I am so afraid to book anything this early. Our son is also scheduled to graduate on August 4. RLP is today. Praying that they all make it through today's event.
Jun 1, 2017
Rachel
I feel the same way, Matt's mom. As a consummate planner, I would have purchased tickets and booked hotel the day my LO began, but anything can happen...one of the parents suggested waiting until week 7, so that is what I will do. August 4 is my LO's grad date (hopefully) and Newport is going to be slammed with summer revellers and Jazz Fest attendees. When the time comes, will everyone be coming in on the Wednesday before graduation, then? How many days should we plan on staying? Thanks :D *praying for RLP to go smoothly <3
Jun 1, 2017
NavyDave
Jun 1, 2017
M's mom
NavyDave4--- They can only leave the base if they have their orders. There are usually a few in each OCS class whose orders don't come in before graduation, and they must stay at the base until they do, which could be days or weeks.
If they have their orders, they are free to leave after they check out of the barracks, and get their medical records, etc.
We had a hotel room with two double beds, so our son stayed with us on Friday night after graduation, and then we all flew home the next day. His orders gave him ten days' travel time to his next duty, and we were able to get him a plane ticket on the same flight as ours to fly home.
Jun 1, 2017
M's mom
As far as hotel rooms, most hotels will allow you to cancel with no penalty if you cancel by 2-3 days before the stay, so I would advise making hotels reservations NOW for Aug 4, and you can always change if your candidate rolls. As far as airline tix, not so easy, but we flew into Providence on Southwest Airlines which, at least at that time, did not charge a hefty fee for changing flights like the other airlines do.
When your Loved One passes RLP, that is a big relief. They can still roll back at any time, but the odds are better after RLP that they will graduate on time, so we made our plans immediately after!!!
Jun 1, 2017
NavyDave
Jun 1, 2017
Matt's mom
We are from CNY, so we will drive to RI. I agree with M's mom. Praying to hear that our son has made it through today's RLP, I will call and make hotel reservations. Does anyone know what happens on Thursday other than Hi Mom's in the afternoon?
Jun 1, 2017
M's mom
Navy Dave: RLP is "Room, Locker, & Personnel" inspection. It is a big deal at week 3-4 of OCS when the Drill Instructor comes in with their white gloves and inspects every room surface, and the bed, and their uniforms while the candidate is standing at attention and must scream the answers to questions of Navy knowledge posed by the DI. Everything must be just so. If they fail too many points, I think they get a re-inspection chance two days later. If they fail that, they get "rolled" back to Holding Company and must join the next incoming class 3 weeks later and start over.
If any of you get the call that your candidate rolled, just encourage them that it is not the end of the world, and tell them they must not quit, no matter what! Many of the ones who roll come back and shine as the leaders of their new class, because they have 3 weeks more experience, and they know what is expected this time.
Jun 1, 2017
NavyDave
Jun 1, 2017
M's mom
Matt's mom: My son graduated from OCS 5 years ago, and much has changed since then, so I can't say exactly what they do now, but five years ago on the Thursday morning before graduation, they held Pass in Review, when the candidates marched in formation into the gym wearing their camo uniforms and carrying rifles. They then demonstrated their precision rifle drill where they moved the rifle through various positions in snappy unison. Don't know if they do that anymore. If not, you could do some sightseeing in Newport on Thursday, and tour some of those mansions that the old rich called their "summer cottages!"
They also used to have a Graduation Run at 0600 or so on graduation morning when the families could run along with the candidates or just watch, then we wound up at the chow hall where they demonstrated how they had to eat "Square meals" while sitting at attention. Then the families could buy breakfast and eat with your candidate. Don't know if that's done anymore either.
Any recent grads' moms who can tell us what goes on during graduation week now?
Jun 1, 2017