OCS Graduate Moms

M's mom.  Thanks for the info.  I have tried to find new information, but haven't had much luck.  Someone said that graduation is at 9 on Friday.  Not sure how that could be done with the run and then breakfast.  I am hoping that they still have Pass in Review. 

My son graduated in Aug '15. They did have the morning workout but my son heard that they were going to be stopping that event. My son wished they had stopped it before his class.In Aug '15, they didn't have a Pass in Review. I haven't heard if that has come back.

Maybe I am the most recent graduate mom on this site currently, March 2017. Our son's class 08-17 did not have morning run due to weather, but 09-17 did. So that is still a thing. But there is no PIR. Our graduation started at 1000, but have heard that it has been moved up to 0900. Most of LOs stuff was moved out on Thursday. All that was left in his room was what he needed to get ready for graduation Friday morning, since most spend Thursday night with family in hotel.

Noni,   I agree that it is a shame they have done away with many of the OCS traditions, but it just depends on who is the current Commanding Officer and how they want to run things.  The Pass in Review with their rifle drill was very impressive.  I'm also sad that they have done away with the First Salutes ceremony, but I'm glad that my son got to do that.  They all lined up after graduation and the drill instructor and class Petty Officer saluted each one of them and said "Congratulations Sir/Ma'am."  Then the new Ensigns gave them both a silver dollar or other coin, as per tradition.  OCS photographers took pictures of this for each new Ensign and we purchased a copy.   That has been a tradition in the Navy for probably 200 years, so kinda sad to see it's no longer done as a formal ceremony.

Yes, they did the First Salutes in "An Officer and a Gentleman!"   But that movie was quite unrealistic even for the 1980's, because those (fictional) candidates had all that liberty time to leave base and hook up with the local sweeties!  The only time my son was allowed to leave the base was the weekend before graduation and they had to "buddy up" and knew they better not do anything stupid!  Some candidates can and do roll right before graduation for getting caught drinking or breaking some other rule.  I don't imagine that would be a pleasant phone call, to call your family and tell them not to come to Newport in three days because you just got rolled for drinking!!!!   :-O

Noni, 

Just an FYI, you can post pictures on here.  You have to have them saved on your computer and either before or after you are done typing in your comment, click on the 2nd from the left little box in the comment box, next to link.  That will open a photo box which lets you browse for a picture on your computer, align it left, right, or center, and resize.  I suggest you put in either 300 or 350 as the photo size otherwise it makes it too big.  Then click OK.  You will see your picture along with your comment before you click Add Comment!!!

I just read somewhere recently (couldn't say where I have read so much that my brain is mushy) that someone recently got rolled week 11 for "a bad decision" on liberty.  I had that conversation with my son before he left.  To get that far and make such a big mistake has got to be miserable for all.  

I did make my hotel reservations for Aug 2-4.  thought about staying another night but the rates are double and we have a reunion in DC.  I made sure they can be changed up to 72 hours.  

I have finally relaxed a little tiny bit.  I feel like we would have heard by now if he did not pass LRP.  It was yesterday with the opportunity to do over today.  ( I got that info on a 20 second phone call from my son.  They let him call to overnight his birth certificate on Tuesday...almost gave me a heart attack!)

Matt's mom - They "roll back in" just before the event that caused them to "roll out". So their graduation date moves out 3 weeks. They have almost 3 weeks to study up or work on the test that caused them to roll out. They do not have to start completely over.

CL - Thanks.  We don't know why we haven't heard from him, but if this is why, at least we know what he will be going through.  I have heard that "H" Class helps them to prepare and in some cases come out ahead in the end.  Thanks again :)  Praying that he made it through and just didn't have a chance to call home.

Matt's mom - Since you haven't heard from him, I think there is a very good chance he passed RLP.  If they go to H class, they are given the opportunity to call home right away, or at least they did in the past. If he passed RLP, he would have had to sign up for a time slot to call on the weekend and there could be lots of reasons why he didn't have the opportunity to do that. But as you have heard, H class isn't bad in the long run. It only delays your chance to see him at graduation by 3 weeks...which I do know is not a small thing!

CL - Thanks for the encouraging words. I'll be sure to pass them on to my husband.

I have a question. Do you need tickets or to check a list prior to entering the graduation location? I understand you need it to get on base if you do not have Military ID/DOD ID but i am not sure if they actually check a list for guest at the actual graduation location. Does anyone know or remember?

I have the same question as NavyMomNavyWife.  Also, is there a limited number of guests per graduate? 

There are not tickets, nor is there a limited number for graduation. But there is a list and you will need a picture ID for everyone in the car, and everyone in the car should be on the list. Your LO will supply the names for the list the week of graduation.

I'm a total newbie to military lingo... What is "LO"? Our son is reporting for OCS (just graduated thru NUPOC) sunday. 

How soon would you recommend we book our travel arrangements to Newport?  He has been advised that if all goes well, he would graduate September 15th.  when would be the last date to make sure his guests names are on the list?

The reason I asked we are retired military and we are able to enter the base and have guests with us when we enter the base (as long as they show id) . We were not sure if they needed to have our names on the list for the actual graduation event. Some of the LOs of my sons class has been having a hard time- since the do not have a Military ID/DOD id- they have given the families deadline for tomorrow on the information. Some are being requested sensitive date which they do not feel comfortable handing out via e-mail or snail mail and they are not sure how else they can provide this info unless they are call and they candidates are not allowed to call until the weekend. Did any one else have this issue?? The class is currently on the 6th week, it was the families understanding originally they didn't have to worry until the 8th week. Can someone shed a light on this?? I do not foresee having a problem myself, but i would like to help them out with information. They already got the base id office number that is all but any other input will be appreciated  I am sure. Thanks everyone.

In addition to NMNW, I heard that 2 forms of picture ID are required.  Is that correct?  I don't have 2.  Only DL my passport is expired.

Welcome Mamaplata!

LO is loved one.  As far as travel plans, don't book anything that can't be cancelled or changed.  There are numerous reasons your LO's graduation date may change, right up to the end.  If they do not pass an inspection or become ill or injured, they will get rolled into H class then join the next OCS class which is 3 weeks behind them.  

Thanks so much for all of the input! 

Mamaplata:  As Robertsmom pointed out, LO = "Loved One." It's not really military lingo, but kind of Facebook & forum shorthand, such as DS= Dear Son, DIL= daughter -in-law, etc.   When we are referring to your OCS officer candidate, we don't know if it is your son, daughter, spouse, etc. We even have some Grandmas here on N4M's, so we just refer to all the candidates as Loved Ones, because that is certain!

Robertsmom:  My son graduated from OCS 5 years ago, and much has changed, but we did not need TWO forms of ID to get on the base, just a driver's license or such for every adult in our car, and the gate guards checked them against the list, which was submitted by our son.  Back then, I don't think he had to submit his graduation list until a week or two before graduation, to be sure he was going to graduate with that class.  They are allowed email privileges after about week 4 and we just sent him our list by email.  Yes, "NMNW," they do ask for social security numbers, I believe, so they can do background checks, but you are emailing to a closed government server that handles military email, so it is probably safer than public email. If you don't give your  SS number, they probably can refuse entry.  Can't be too careful these days to let possible security risks onto a military base under the guise of going to a graduation.

Mamaplata, If your son will be reporting to OCS on Sunday, make sure he knows your phone number and email address from memory.  His cell phone will be taken and stored as soon as he arrives, and he will be calling home from a public phone, so he must know your number.  Same thing when he gets email, he will not have access to his usual email program and contacts list, so he must type in the complete address..  

To you and any other new OCS Moms, read back as far as you can on this comment wall, and also the "Discussion Forum"  topics above.  We have probably answered many of your OCS questions already.  Much has changed at OCS since my son graduated five years ago, so I have to defer to the more recent grads' moms on specific questions of how things are done now.

So the way the OCS class numbering system has usually worked is, because the Navy's new fiscal year starts every October 1st, the first OCS class that graduates after Oct 1 is 01--of the next year.   Since Class 16-17 will graduate on Sept 15, the OCS class starting on July 16th which will graduate on Oct 6th should be Class 01-18.  (But don't hold me to that. Ha!)    That may be helpful to those of you with LO's starting in the July class to find their Facebook page, but it may not be created yet.  OCS doesn't have anything to do with the individual classes' Facebook groups.  Someone from the class family usually has to start one, like Liz did for 16-17.  You may not find a FB group for 01-18 until closer to the start time, ---or start one yourself if you have the know-how. ( I don't have a clue how to do that!)

"16-17" brings back memories for me.  My son was in OCS Class 16-12 that started on Father's Day five years ago!  Time flies.

Noni,

Where is your daughter stationed now?  I think I read that she is a Surface Warfare Officer?  --I spelled that out instead of just typing SWO since we have newbies here!   ;-)

Noni,       Wow!  Good for her. You must be proud!

32 Ave base= San Diego?   What is the name of the "new million dollar ship?"

Oh yeah, the Zumwalt looks weird, but it's designed to be "stealthy" to radar, I guess.  I thought it was pretty cool that the Zumwalt's first CO was Captain James Kirk!!!  I told my son that the Navy should name one of the new ships USS Enterprise (they decommissioned the old one) and appoint CAPT James Kirk as the skipper!

Your daughter now wants to "blow things up."  LOL   I'm a medical professional myself, and trust me, she will probably be happier in the Navy than as a doctor.  We are all extremely anxious about what our illustrious Congress is going to do to healthcare.  I am in a situation where I am going to have to purchase my OWN private health insurance next year, so I see the current fiasco from the view of both a healthcare provider AND a consumer.   Counting the days to retirement........

I'm new to this site and saw this about July 16 OCS.  That is when my son starts.  He doesn't seem to have a clue what his class # is.  He is laid back and just goes with whatever which will change very soon.  I live in Alabama and will have to really plan to be able to go to graduation.  Will his recruiter give him this class #?

ANavyMom: You will get your son's class number and address when he to check-in, if it wasn't in any of his paperwork. He will be able to send a picture text of it, which is good to ensure there was no "cell phone garble" that causes you to get it incorrect.  The class that starts on 7/16 should graduate in Oct so the number may be 01-18, but you will get confirmation at check-in. I just looked on Facebook and see a group for "those joining Navy OCS class that starts on July 16th". (Search for "Navy OCS Class July 16th") Your son may want to join that group to connect with others before he gets to Newport. That group may have information on the "Friends and Family" group for his class.

Best of luck to your son and you as you all start on this Navy journey!

ANavyMom:   I agree with CL. I think the class starting July 16, which will graduate in October, "should " be 01-18, because they will be the first class to graduate after the beginning of the Navy's new fiscal year 2018 which begins Oct 1.  The class number should be on his orders that his recruiter should email to him showing when and where he is to report. 

You will need his class number to send mail to him.  Send him frequent, encouraging letters with news from home, but send letters ONLY in plain, white envelopes.  No treats or gifts of any kind, and no musical cards!  The candidates used to be able to be sent goodies after week 10, but I hear OCS has discontinued that, and they are not to be sent anything at all but letters.

Make sure everyone to whom you give your son's mailing address knows the policy!   In my son's class, someone's dear Auntie sent a candidate cookies at week 3, and the poor candidate had to do 800 (that's EIGHT HUNDRED) pushups as punishment!!!!!!!!!   My son's class could not even receive enclosures in the letters, like loose pictures, etc.  So what I did was photocopy cartoons, pictures, and newspaper clippings onto letter-sized paper and enclosed that with the letter and that was OK.  Don't expect many, if any, letters back from him though.  The only time they have to write is when they could be sleeping.  You will hear more from him when they get email privileges after week 3-4.  These kids today don't DO handwritten letters!