Katryn and jsefamily,

What you say about the envelope color is basically true!!  I don't think there will be any kind of 'extra PT" because of a simple colored envelope.  What I will say tho is that not all DIs run their companies the same.  What one DI will overlook another will make an issue about it.  My daughter's DI was a real hard-a88!!!  He may not give extra PT for something like that but he will razz the candidate as a way to humiliate them.    I found that anything that brought unnecessary attention to my daughter was not a good thing - he had an issue with her and even admitted at her commissioning that he was trying to get her to quit!!  I wanted to have a few choice words with him after graduation but she took the high road and let it all go.  She outranked him then!!!!!

Thanks Anna and jsefamily...That makes me feel much better...I also wondered about clippings so thanks for mentioning that..I didn't know until yesterday that they basically had to access to current events for the first few weeks...I'll be sure not to send a thick envelope though...again everyone on this site is awesome and I really appreciate all the advice...I'll pay it forward for sure ;)

Katryn and others, 

We were told just to send white envelopes only, because as Anna wrote, so as not to draw the DI's attention to your candidate with anything different than the others.  Small clippings as others have said might be OK, but no fat envelopes that might be "contraband."  I would say NO musical cards either, even if it is playing "Anchors Aweigh."   Each Drill Instructor has leeway to be as nasty as they want to be over things like that, so you don't want to send anything that brings the DI's attention to your candidate.

My son graduated OCS in 2012, and at that time, they received email privileges after week 4.  Could be different now.  If you don't think your LO knows your email address from memory, send a letter listing it.  They will be emailing from a closed government server, and will NOT have access to their usual email program where they could just scroll down and click on "MOM,"  so they will have to type in the entire email address.   Be aware that they are told that their emails can be monitored by their DI, so don't be surprised if they use a very formal tone in their emails to you. My son gave very few details in his emails to questions I asked, because he assumed the DI was reading it, and he didn't dare complain at all, only after graduation!  haha

This is my first time here. My son is at OCS in Newport and his graduation date is Oct6th. Does anyone know about the Hi Moms dinner?

Tunabeche:

The "Hi Moms"  the night before graduation can be anything from cocktails at a hotel to a full dinner at the Officer's Club.  The candidates themselves plan and pay for the Hi Moms, not OCS, so it's whatever the candidates want and decide they can afford.  It's not just for Moms, of course, but anyone the candidate wants to invite.  The candidates form a committee to plan Hi Moms in the last weeks of OCS, and work with the venue to decide how much it will cost per person.  Each candidate then decides how many of their family they can afford to invite!!!!  Some families leave the "kids" back at the hotel, and just Mom and Dad attend, but up to your family. Candidates may have a guest limit due to space.   My son's class had a cocktails and snacks reception at a historic Newport hotel downtown.  Some classes have a full dinner.  You will be invited by your son when the time comes.  They usually give out class awards at Hi Moms, and show a funny video of their training. (They can finally laugh about it then.)

Each candidate must turn in a list of names in advance of all those attending graduation, so be prepared to provide this as well as Social Security numbers, to be checked for security reasons.  All adults going onto the base for graduation must show a photo ID at the gate and it will be checked against the list, so be prepared for that.    Can't be too careful these days..... 

Thank you M's Mom

Hello Moms,

So i just ordered the Code Alpha Garment Bag for hopefully my soon to be graduate and was wondering if there is anything specific we have embrodiered on the bags and how we go about using the Navy logo?  I just want to make sure mine is acceptable.  Thank you for any suggestions.

Hi all, My son is leaving soon for OCS. As prior military, I know a bit of what he will be facing, but some of what I am finding online  seems like it may be even rougher than what I endured in enlisted boot camp!  I am going to scroll the great info here and see what I need to share with him before he goes.  Thanks for being here!

Thanks Noni! I saw the tip about white envelopes and that works great because it's all I have without going shopping. I plan to let his GF know that also, plus tell her to hold the perfume!  I am pretty overwhelmed by the list online of the things he has to bring (much of which he has to buy!) but luckily we have the Navy Exchange nearby so he can make sure to get the right items. So far this has been a good journey though and he is looking forward to leaving!

Hi Liz! My son graduated about six months ago and this is what he summarized about packing for OCS (his info from recruiting office was outdated):

1. Underwear - You do NOT need white briefs. You may wear whatever you want, as long as it is in a subdued color: white, gray, black, navy

2. Socks - You do NOT need to pack 6-8 pairs. Just pack a pair or two to get you through first day. They will give you a 6-pack containing socks of the right dimensions to make easier folding for RLP.

3. White T-shirts - You do NOT need 6-8. Just pack one maybe. They will issue all. When choosing your sizes at the uniform place, go small, because during inspection, the collar must fit tight and should not roll or gap, as it sometimes does with too large shirts.

4. Shoes - Bring any type of running shoes, color doesn't matter (Bright colors actually help your LOs pick you out of the class pictures on facebook pages, but you may want to avoid bright colors if you're afraid that will call too much attention. Son said no one was ridiculed for color of shoes, and there were some bright ones!)

5. Don't waste time writing your name in anything prior to going. They give you a stamp and teach you how to precisely stamp your name in all clothing.

6. Shoes again - If you want to get ahead on one thing, have your shoes laced correctly ahead of time. It is one less thing to get yelled at for. Son says: "Top lace under the flap, than outboard over inboard, then TUCK the ends inside your shoes, NOT TIE them." Hope that makes sense.

Don't worry too much about packing. They get to go to the NEX the first Saturday (or maybe Sunday?) and they can pick up whatever they don't have.

Thanks Nancy. Those are some helpful tips, as he plans to shop in the next few days.  Too late though on the tee-shirts. He bought a bunch last week!  I kind of thought the Navy provided the first round of socks and tee-shirts to OCS students just like they did for enlisted in boot camp, but nowhere does it say that; we only have this huge list of things on the web!  In any case, all those t-shirts will eventually be put to good use! 

He also got his running shoes because he had to break them in...totally black shoes. I guess I'm not going to find him in any facebook photos!  He's really noticing the difference by getting some padded inserts.  I'll make sure he sees the note about lacing shoes...who knew??

Thanks Noni. Since my son is going in with an MBA, he wanted a career at least remotely related, so he is going Supply Officer. He is a "navy brat" so he knows about the military star card. He's financially literate and also a bit frugal so I think he'll stick with his credit card which has been giving him good reward points.  One item he wasn't expecting to be on the list is Digital wristwatch with alarm. I don't think he's ever owned a watch.

He has heard conflicting reports about shaving gear. He read somewhere that he could only bring/use a manual razor.  The supply list says though, that electric razors are authorized.  Can anyone here confirm if he can indeed bring his electric razor?  Thanks!

Thanks CTNM! Now I need to google Dritz sewing gauge!

Oh yes...Marine Corp Hymn...must tell him!  I think I read that elsewhere here.  Thanks!  He uses his cell phone as his watch, and after years of wearing a watch, I do the same now!  But with no phone, he'll have to go old school and wear a watch.

So far my son has made it through the first two weeks...yea!!  RLP is this week and I know he is frantically prepping for that, but I'm feeling so good about this I'm going to start planning ideas for the candio box, even though it is weeks away! 

Liz in Norfolk:   Good luck to your son on the RLP inspection! I thought there would be no way that my son would pass his RLP when I heard how meticulous it was, because his room at home and at college always looked like a tornado went through, but he rose to the occasion when it counted and passed, --I'm sure with the help of his fellow candidates!

Better check with the classes ahead of your son's, to see if Candio Boxes are still allowed.  It was fun when my son became an OCS Candio, to decorate a box in a Navy theme and send him homemade cookies and such, but that was five years ago, and I think someone posted here recently that OCS has forbidden that now, and they cannot be sent any goodies at all. 

Anyone here with a recent OCS grad who knows if the Candios are allowed to be sent treats?

My DS graduated from OCS in June. He said candio boxes are allowed, but it can be uncomfortable to receive one because they must be opened in front of staff. He advised against it. I don't know how others feel.

My DS commissioned in August.  Most people did receive candio boxes.  They have just changed the rules as far as any food in them.  There is a link on the Navy Command page that has a section about the boxes and what is considered contraband.  We did have a lot of fun decorating the box.   Look for the 13-17 or  14-17 OCS facebook groups.  they had a lot of good information and ideas on what to send.  

Liz in Norfolk- we just returned from OCS graduation!  My LO did NOT pass RLP the first time and he said his classmates (there were 28 that didn't pass the first time) made an assembly line of sorts to help each other out -one folding, one ironing, one placing etc.  They all passed the second time because it is in their nature to help each other be successful.  We did send a candio box even though he said I didn't need to. We sent NO food but magazines, books a planner, razor blades, chapstick, moleskin and bandaids as well as pics from home.  It was so worth the work that went into it when he called and said THANKS MOM (he got his phone back that week too I think as a candio).

Eaglemom01 - I love your story about all the classmates pitching in together with an assembly line to help each other out!!

Hello.  Anyone have a son/daughter starting in the Jan. 15, 2018 class?  Many thanks.

Comment for BoomMom.   Check out Facebook.   Look under OCS Navy Family and Friends.   My son graduated in 03-18, November 2017.  He originally entered 01-18, but with an injury he was rolled back to 03-18.   The class group that you place on your letters to your son or daughter is what group you will find on Facebook.  You can join the previous groups too.  You will find out useful information and pictures.  Hope this helps.  If you need additional information just let me know.  Congrats.  This is a very exciting adventure.

Many thanks, NewbieNavyMom.  I appreciate the info.  Congrats to your son.  I'm sure you are (rightly) very proud.

I am so thankful to find this forum.  I am totally novice concerning military anything so I don't think I even know what to ask.  My son is in this new class, 9-18 that begins today.  He is very excited and we did get the "I made it here" text this morning.

What are some recommendations anyone may have to help me prepare for the next 3 months?

Thank you.  

My son also started OCS today.  I heard from this morning letting me know he got there safely and sending me his mailing address. I am planning to send a lot of letters!

I'm so glad I discovered this site as I know there will be lots of useful information.  I was also happy to find the Facebook page for OCS.  Does anyone have any idea when they'll start posting pictures of Class 09-18 on the Facebook page?

Also, is it too soon to make travel arrangements for the trip to Newport?  I know there's a chance that he'll roll over, but I'll save $$ if I book sooner rather than later.  Also, I read that there is a dinner the night before.  When should we plan to arrive?

Good wishes to all the other moms out there dealing with this new experience for the whole family.  

Comment for OCS2018Mom:  I had a month before my son's graduation to book our flights.  They were pretty reasonable than, being so close to Thanksgiving too.  During the potential month of his/her gradation I would put a search out for flights and they will continue to send updates regarding costs.  It's about the time frame when they finish all the class work.  The Holiday Inn in Middletown/Newport is a good hotel to stay in.  There were several families staying there.  It is about 5 minutes from the Navy station.  You will need to rent a car to get from Providence to Newport.  Middletown/Newport are sister cities.  The drive from Providence is about an hour.  We arrived Wednesday afternoon.  The dinner is on a Thursday evening.  Location is dependent upon the OCS Class.  Ours was at the Officers' Club.  That was really nice.  Thursday afternoon we had a chance to go on station to pick up our son's bags.  We even had an opportunity to see him for a while before the dinner that night and Graduation is on Friday.  Hope this helps.  Take care

Welcome to all new OCS Moms!    Remember, for the first few weeks at OCS, NO NEWS is GOOD NEWS.  You probably won't hear much from your candidate for 3-4 weeks until they are granted email privileges.  They will be allowed to call you if they fail something or get injured, and therefore get "rolled" back to the next incoming class. 

Snail mail letters are their only contact with the outside world at first, because they are deliberately kept isolated from TV, newspapers, and the internet. 

Write lots of encouraging letters with all the news from home, but BE ADVISED: do NOT send anything but LETTERS.  NO treats or gifts of any kind, not even magazines, or it will be confiscated as contraband, and the candidate will likely have to do extra PT (physical training) as punishment, even if they didn't ask for it to be sent!!    When my son was at OCS five years ago, one candidate's dear Auntie sent him cookies at week three, and the poor kid had to do 800 (yes, EIGHT hundred) pushups as punishment!  I'm not kidding.  So make sure everyone to whom you give your LO's (Loved One's)  OCS mailing address knows this!     When my son was at OCS, they were allowed to received a box of goodies at week 10 when they became Candi-O's (Candidate Officers) but I heard that OCS has forbidden that now, so just don't send anything but letters, unless your officer candidate requests it and knows it's OK.  Sending them pre-paid phone cards to be used with the pay phones used to be allowed also, but I'm not sure now.  Policies change frequently, so I usually have to defer to advice from Moms of more recent graduates.

As far as reservations for graduation, hotels can always be changed, but be careful of getting plane tickets too soon.  The candidates can and some do, get rolled back sometimes.  Southwest Airlines flies into Providence, and they used to  be the only airline that did not charge a re-booking fee, but not sure now.

The dinner the night before graduation is called "Hi Moms," and the candidates themselves book the venue and have to pay for each family member attending, so keep that in mind if you are bringing a big crowd! 

Just wait until you see your new Ensign at graduation in dress blues/whites!  You will be bursting with pride!!!   Take tissues unless you are less emotional than most!!!!

PKM - Welcome to the Navy family. I do not think you are an anomaly at OCS. When my son was there ~3 years ago, he may have been the anomaly as he was only 21 . He said many of his classmates were 26-28. I am sure each class has a slightly different mix but I don't think 28 is unusual.

The first 3 or so weeks of OCS was the hardest for me. I sent a letter every 2 or 3 days with a bit of "what we are doing" type news and then just current event news I cut and pasted into letters. My son did send a letter very early on and asked for "pictures of friends and family". So we started taking selfies with friends. We are not good at selfies so they ended up quite funny and that became our theme. The pictures were included in the word doc letter I had typed so it was only "pieces of paper" in the envelope, in the event that mattered to the DIs. When they get to the point where they get phone privileges, I still sent letters, just not quite as often.

If you haven't found the friends and family group for your son's class, that is a great source of information and comfort during the OCS roller coaster. Look for some variation of "Navy OCS 09-18 Friends and Family".  The Officer Training Command Newport facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OTCNewport/) will occasionally post photos. The have an album for each class. Generally, they post photos of the week on the following Monday or Tuesday. There were a few weeks they missed and the families just about had a mutiny. I haven't looked at the page in quite some time so I don't know how regular they post now.

Best of luck!

How do I know what class he is in?

We received a text from our LO with a picture of the address and phone number and on the tag was the number of the class.  He started on this last Monday and the number is 9-18. 

Anyone out there balancing being a mom with a son in OCS whose married? I want to do the mom things, but be respectful his wife and not overstep. 

hi we are extremely new with the whole military life. Our son was in the 09/18 class but we received a call on friday night from him telling us he didn't make it thru the physical test so he is on hold and will now be graduating April 27. this past week has been extremely hard with lots and lots of tears. I would like to reach out to other moms in the same situation for mutual support and any helpful advice 

For cosmic67:  We were in a similar situation in April 2017--our son (Class 14-17) didn't pass the first physical test and was "rolled" and placed in Holding class.  Although it wasn't the desired outcome of his first week there, I think it turned out to be a blessing.  I think most people who have had experience with a loved one "rolling" will state the same.  Whenever they are in Holding, there are people in place to work with them on whatever their deficiency was.  Also, this gives them extra time to be studying everything they need to know, stamp all their belongings, etc.  When they pass and hopefully class up to the next incoming class, they usually end up being more prepared, know what to expect, and are usually looked up to as a leader by many of the incoming candidates.  Write encouraging letters (I wrote two a week), and be as positive and encouraging as you can. While in Holding, they typically get phone privileges on the weekend to call you (once), and they also get to call one person when they class back up to the next incoming class.  My son stated in his letters that it didn't matter how long it took him, he was going to finish. The silver lining in our situation was that if he had graduated with 13-17, he would have had his orders to report and miss his only sibling's wedding (his sister).  However, his rolling made him graduating 3 weeks later, and able to be home for her wedding.  Our August 2017 was busy--OCS Graduation one weekend and a wedding the next.  Encourage, encourage, encourage--we kept telling him he could do it, this is what he has worked for, and what an honor to be selected, believe in yourself because we believe in you, etc. Best wishes to you and your loved one (LO).

I totally agree with cosmic67, encouragement and more letters.  My son rolled twice, once for the physical test and another for an injury.  Many tears on both sides.  Keep up with words of encouragement and praise.  Blessings to you both.

Opps.  Sorry for the confusion, I mixed moms around--cosmic67 and lew64.  

cosmic64: Many of us moms/families have been where you are, either for PT or an injury and know what you are going through. After you get past the initial disappointment, you will likely come to realize that the only downside is that rolling into H class pushes out your reunion by 3 weeks. The upside is that you should have a chance to talk to him for a weekend or two which allows you to "ease" into being cut off a bit. It really does allow them to master what it was they may have missed but also prepare for future tests. This time and prep does enable them to become a leader of the class they roll into because they have had more time for figure out the "game".  In the first letter my son sent he explained "Everyone tells you it’s a game here, but not in the way you would expect. As it turns out, you play the game by trying to learn the rules. Very little is written down, everything is word of mouth and networking.  In between yelling at you (it’s all an act) the upper classmen will drop into a whisper and give advice on how to properly fold a garment or perform a maneuver. In H class, there are even letters with advice hidden all over. All the students here are helpful and extremely kind to one another."

If you haven't joined the Friends and Family facebook page for the class that your son started in, I would still do that. It will give you information on what is coming and you can relay that insight to the F&F of the class he rolls back into.

Best wishes. You are not alone.

THANK-YOU all for your replies. I am so happy to have found  this site to be able to get and share support and advice with you strong women. I know our son can do this and I will stay strong for him thanx again, PEACE

For the Class 09-18 mom who asked when they post pictures on the NAVY OCS facebook page, it looks like they posted photos this morning. There is now a "OCS Class 09-18" album on that page where they will post that classes photos on occasion through graduation. I hope you can spot your LO but even if you don't, at least you will know what they are doing.

To the new OCS Moms:

You will hear more from your loved one after they receive email privileges, usually after they pass the big "RLP" (room, locker and personnel) inspection at week 3-4.  

The RLP is a meticulous inspection of the candidate's room, gear, and uniforms, while the candidate is standing at attention and screaming out the answers to Navy knowledge questions posed by the drill instructor, who is inspecting all the candidate's gear and bed with a ruler to measure that it is folded just so.  It is nerve-wracking, as you could imagine, but the candidates usually work together as a team (which is expected) to help every classmate pass.   My son was good at shining shoes, so he shined others' boots and shoes, and others tightly made his bed, etc.   My son said the DI measured his boot laces with a ruler (as he was wearing them) to see if the hanging tails of the laces were exactly the same length!   They are that picky!!!!   Those who don't pass on the first try usually get a second chance a few days later, and their classmates pitch in to help them, but some still do "roll back" if they don't pass a second time.

When they get email privileges, you will get an email from something ending like: @navy.mil.   They will be emailing from a closed government server, and will NOT have access to their usual email program or Facebook, etc. or their own phones, so they will have to type in your entire email address including the @ and won't be able to just scroll down their contacts list and click on "MOM."  If you think your loved one may not remember your email address from memory, send them a letter now with a list of all the email addresses they might want.   

OCS policies change constantly, but it used to be that they were not allowed access to their personal phones until they became "Candi-O's" at week ten, but were sometimes allowed to use the pay phones with a pre-paid phone card on the weekends.  They will be allowed to call you if they get rolled, so no news is good news for the first few weeks!

Hello!

New here. My fiance just rolled from the 09-18 class and will be starting up with 10-18 soon. He was prior service in the army, so though not new to the military, we are completely new to the way the navy does things!

Would like to keep up with any questions or information anyone has to offer here! Look forward to getting to know you all.

PS. Would definitely love to get to know any wives/fiances/girlfriends whose significant others will be in the 10-18 class!

Also, here is the facebook group for family & friends of the 10-18 class, just in case!

OCS Class 10-18 Friends and Family : 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1969559913305046/about/

Welcome heyloworld and other newbies,

Scroll back through the posts on this forum and the above "discussion forum" and read as much as you have time.  We have probably answered many of your questions already in prior posts. Especially note the policy of sending ONLY letters to your candidate!

 My son was in OCS five years ago, and policies are constantly changing, so my knowledge may not be exactly current, and I may have to defer to the more recent OCS moms, but we are here for you!  OCS is a stressful time for the families as well as the candidates!  I found lots of support here when my son was at OCS, so I try to "pay it forward."

Welcome Peanut!

Thank you so much M's mom!