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.
Mamaplata,
This may sound really silly but make sure he knows the Marine Corp Hymn. He will be trained and beat down by Marines. My daughter Graduated OCS October 31 2014. She was class 02-15 Hotel. Meaning the second class of the fiscal year 2015. Her class was devided in two groups, Golf and Hotel. Your son may be Alpha/Bravo , Charlie/ Delta etc. The two classes will compete in drills. With my daughter being out three years there have been many changes. I have been told Candio boxes are no longer, First Salute is no longer, things that our LOS looked so forward to. If I can be of any help you can friend me. My daughter is a SWO / ASWO / EDO. She has spent 1 tour on ship (2years) and is doing a partial year (1year) until she leaves for MIT , in Boston. Where she will become a Nuclear Engineer.
I've started a Facebook page for the 16 June17 OCS group that reports on Sunday June 25. Search for 16-17 Navy OCS FAMILY & FRIENDS and request to join. Please spread the word to all F&F of our LO's class!!
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.
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! ;-)
ASWO is Anti- Submarine Warfare Officer. She had to be place somewhere until her schooling for EDO comes up. EDO is Engineering Duty Officer. She wants to specialize in Nuclear sense she is a chemist.
Yes to 32 Avenue Base. The USS Zumwalt. That ship looks like it's upside down. Take a look at its pictures. Lol! She wanted to be a Doctor when she graduated from St. Louis University. Took the MCAT. Did like her score and joined the Navy. She is really hard on herself. She one of this students that can figure things out in her head but has a hard time putting it on paper. Her scores were at the right spot for the Navy, but she lost interest in medicine. Didn't like the way our healt care system was going. So instead she rather learn to blow things up
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!
Thanks to those of you who responded about July 16th OCS. My son is infantry in Army National Guard and when he went to basics there was no sending goodies or everyone in his group got in trouble.
My LO will be commissioning next month and will be heading to Pensacola. Any suggestions on housing? His longtime girlfriend won't be transferring for another year. thanks
Matt's mom: Congratulations to your son! Try the group "Naval Aviation" here on N4M's. Many of those moms have had LO's go through Pensacola, and they could probably offer suggestions. I have seen others comment that there are certain areas of P'cola in which the Navy suggests NOT to live.
Hi Matt's Mom. My son graduated OCSin March and he is currently in Pensacola. He is living in the Angel Cove apartments. They are towards the back entrance to the base, which makes for easy access for their 6:30A report times. He is living with 2 other guys from OCS and the apartment is pretty nice. It is close to a Target, Walmart and 10 min from the Commissary and the NEX. My son had it recommended by previous guys. I would definitely have him check it out. Is he SNA or NFO?
Hello Matt's mom. My son is graduating next Friday. Class 13-17. He will report to Pensacola, NFO. He too will be living at Angel Cove Apartments. Just google ...apartments to rent in Pensacola. There are several all there together from what I have read. Good luck!
Congrats to Matt's Mom and USNMom! It will be over soon for your DS. The graduation is very moving--enjoy. (And take them out for some good food!) We went to the White Horse Tavern after graduation and it was exquisite. http://whitehorsenewport.com/ There is also an upscale Mexican restaurant in the historic home of a famous Naval Officer called Decatur House and the restauarant is Perro Salado http://perrosalado.com/location and then lots of terrific seafood restaurants on the bay--the Black Pearl and the Mooring are our favorites. (We have family there.). Good luck to both NFOs. They will be flying soon!!
Yes Newport.... Been a frustrating summer... She's a NUPOC just graduated from University of Miami but live in NY.... She keeps having to fly back to Miami for bloodwork and now MEPs.... Her recruiters have put her off all summer with paperwork....now saying Aug 17th but who knows....now she hopes to go to MEPs when she goes to Miami next week and passes
My son is NUPOC too. He just graduated from University of Alabama at Birmingham. After he went to DC recruiter failed to send paperwork. Keep me posted on when she goes. I'm not familiar with any of this. My other son is Army National Guard
Does anyone have a child starting in the OCS class of Aug.6th? I am new to this, and need some guidance. I don't know my son's class number yet either.I would like to get on to a facebook page. I have questions about how we can contact them once they are there.
New mom - your LO will text you the morning he gets there. It will have his class number and address to write him. Shortly after they arrive keep checking Facebook for the class page. Also, every Tuesday the Command Center will post pictures of each class. You will receive a letter from the Commander the first week he is there with important information. We heard this week that they are shortening the school to 10 weeks from 12. That sounds good. The best advice I got was to write as many letters as possible. Many families shared that their loved ones told them that's what got them through the first few weeks. God Bless
Our son read this article before he left, and we read it each week while he was there. It lets you have an idea what they are doing each day/week. Navy For Moms and Navy Dads have been great resources.
Am thinking ahead to graduation in October. Where can I find a timeline of events so I can prepare my travel plans. As a teacher I am taking a week off to travel to Newport so those plans have to be made in advance. Thanks for any insights I need to prepare for.
Eaglemom01
Don't plan to far in advance. I understand being a teacher for I dothe same. You LOay roll and then everything will change. You should be able to hook up with your LOs class on FB. What is the tentative graduation date
Tentative grad date is Oct. 6th. No plans will begin until after first RLP and GQ at the end of this week my teacher nature has me thinking ahead! What kinds of things happen on Thursday-Friday? I have heard of hi moms and then graduation but nothing else. What do I need to plan on while there? We are driving in from Texas and hope to see "FALL" on the east coast.
It is not good to make any reservations that can be changed before the end of week 8. There are rollable events up until the end of week 8. And if for some reason your LO rolls, graduation date will change by 3 weeks. Although with the new timeline of 10 weeks, I am not sure how the rollable events will play out.
I appreciate the comments/replies. I am hearing that now the classes are only 10weeks long?? I had my LO check with recruiter, and they said it was still 12 weeks for the Aug 6th class. Are the recruiters not up to date?
You LO Is 02-18. My daughter was 02-15. She graduated on Halloween. It was nice do to we have and institute day and was able to take the 3 days. You won't need any more. Is you LO going to flight school? Yes I will tell you the date can change. It never happen to my daughter but many either rolled for grades, agility, physical. Don't plan anything yet. Wait till you get closer to the 10th-11th week. I know thing have changed sense my daughter graduated OCS.
New mom,
Things change all the time. I have been told no more Candio as we were able to send all their fav treats and a box of goodies. Don't send anything until Candio unless you were to to. Your LO and his class will suffer terribly. I thought it was still 12 weeks. I have to say it but the recruiters are never right unless they are officers themselves.
M's mom
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.
Jun 21, 2017
M's mom
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.
Jun 21, 2017
Noni
This may sound really silly but make sure he knows the Marine Corp Hymn. He will be trained and beat down by Marines. My daughter Graduated OCS October 31 2014. She was class 02-15 Hotel. Meaning the second class of the fiscal year 2015. Her class was devided in two groups, Golf and Hotel. Your son may be Alpha/Bravo , Charlie/ Delta etc. The two classes will compete in drills. With my daughter being out three years there have been many changes. I have been told Candio boxes are no longer, First Salute is no longer, things that our LOS looked so forward to. If I can be of any help you can friend me. My daughter is a SWO / ASWO / EDO. She has spent 1 tour on ship (2years) and is doing a partial year (1year) until she leaves for MIT , in Boston. Where she will become a Nuclear Engineer.
Jun 21, 2017
Mamaplata
Jun 22, 2017
Liz
Jun 22, 2017
Noni
Jun 22, 2017
M's mom
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.
Jun 22, 2017
Noni
Jun 22, 2017
M's mom
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! ;-)
Jun 22, 2017
Noni
She is at 32 Ave base on our new million dollar ship. She getting ready to go to advance ASWO class at Point Loma
Jun 22, 2017
Noni
Jun 22, 2017
M's mom
Noni, Wow! Good for her. You must be proud!
32 Ave base= San Diego? What is the name of the "new million dollar ship?"
Jun 22, 2017
Noni
Jun 22, 2017
Noni
Jun 22, 2017
M's mom
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........
Jun 23, 2017
ANavyMom
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 #?
Jun 23, 2017
CindyN
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!
Jun 23, 2017
M's mom
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!
Jun 23, 2017
Noni
Jun 23, 2017
USNmom2017
Jun 23, 2017
Noni
Jun 26, 2017
ANavyMom
Thanks to those of you who responded about July 16th OCS. My son is infantry in Army National Guard and when he went to basics there was no sending goodies or everyone in his group got in trouble.
Jun 27, 2017
Matt's mom
My LO will be commissioning next month and will be heading to Pensacola. Any suggestions on housing? His longtime girlfriend won't be transferring for another year. thanks
Jul 5, 2017
M's mom
Matt's mom: Congratulations to your son! Try the group "Naval Aviation" here on N4M's. Many of those moms have had LO's go through Pensacola, and they could probably offer suggestions. I have seen others comment that there are certain areas of P'cola in which the Navy suggests NOT to live.
Jul 5, 2017
LucyJo
Jul 6, 2017
USNmom2017
Jul 6, 2017
Matt's mom
USNmom2017 - congrats to your son. My son is in 14-17.
LucyJo - My son is NFO.
Thank you ladies, for the information. I did see Angel Cove listed under the NAS page.
Jul 6, 2017
Matt's mom
M's mom. I tried to find the Naval Aviation page. Didn't have much luck. I will keep looking. Thanks
Jul 6, 2017
Anna
Matt's mom,
My daughter also stayed at Angel Cove apartments and she had a really cute place.
Try this link for the Naval Aviation page:
http://navyformoms.ning.com/group/navalaviation
Jul 6, 2017
JediGrey
My son also stayed at Angel Cove. That seems to still be the place to go.
Jul 6, 2017
LucyJo
Jul 7, 2017
ANavyMom
My son got delayed in going to OCS due to paperwork issues. He is supposed to start on Aug 27. Is there a FB group set up for them yet?
Jul 28, 2017
NukeMomCarol
Jul 28, 2017
ANavyMom
NukeMomCarol, is she going to Newport also?
Jul 28, 2017
NukeMomCarol
Jul 28, 2017
ANavyMom
Jul 28, 2017
NukeMomCarol
Jul 28, 2017
newmom
Does anyone have a child starting in the OCS class of Aug.6th? I am new to this, and need some guidance. I don't know my son's class number yet either.I would like to get on to a facebook page. I have questions about how we can contact them once they are there.
Jul 30, 2017
Matt's mom
Jul 30, 2017
Matt's mom
Our son read this article before he left, and we read it each week while he was there. It lets you have an idea what they are doing each day/week. Navy For Moms and Navy Dads have been great resources.
Jul 30, 2017
newmom
Thank you Matt's mom!! much appreciated!!
Jul 30, 2017
Matt's mom
Jul 30, 2017
Eaglemom01
Am thinking ahead to graduation in October. Where can I find a timeline of events so I can prepare my travel plans. As a teacher I am taking a week off to travel to Newport so those plans have to be made in advance. Thanks for any insights I need to prepare for.
Jul 31, 2017
Noni
Don't plan to far in advance. I understand being a teacher for I dothe same. You LOay roll and then everything will change. You should be able to hook up with your LOs class on FB. What is the tentative graduation date
Jul 31, 2017
Eaglemom01
Noni,
Tentative grad date is Oct. 6th. No plans will begin until after first RLP and GQ at the end of this week my teacher nature has me thinking ahead! What kinds of things happen on Thursday-Friday? I have heard of hi moms and then graduation but nothing else. What do I need to plan on while there? We are driving in from Texas and hope to see "FALL" on the east coast.
Jul 31, 2017
newmom
Noni...my LO should graduate Oct.27th. I have the same concerns as Eaglemom. can that graduation date change?
Jul 31, 2017
USNmom2017
Jul 31, 2017
newmom
I appreciate the comments/replies. I am hearing that now the classes are only 10weeks long?? I had my LO check with recruiter, and they said it was still 12 weeks for the Aug 6th class. Are the recruiters not up to date?
Jul 31, 2017
Noni
Jul 31, 2017
Noni
Things change all the time. I have been told no more Candio as we were able to send all their fav treats and a box of goodies. Don't send anything until Candio unless you were to to. Your LO and his class will suffer terribly. I thought it was still 12 weeks. I have to say it but the recruiters are never right unless they are officers themselves.
Jul 31, 2017