OCS Graduate Moms

 I made a  Navy scrapbook for my son and his wife. It has pictures from the OCS facebook page, Hi Moms dinner and graduation. I even made a section for his Navy Wife.  He loved looking back at his days at OCS and said that it felt like it was yesterday. The month since he was commissioned has gone by very fast. 

travel101: The Hi Moms dress for class 11-18 was cocktail attire:  dresses or dress pants with the guys wearing sport coats - some with ties, some without.  We held ours in the Officer's Club on base.

Congratulations to all OCS Graduates!

My son is going to the July 1 OCS class. Where does one find the prepaid phone cards to buy to use at OCS? I have looked up on OCS past comments but have gotten various answers and when I look online they all sound terrible. Can anyone recommend a good card to buy and if so, where to buy it, online or at a store? 

My LO is a 11-18 graduate and I got his online at ATT phone card.  They have a military rate so that is helpful.  When I bought it, I bought the most minutes but it ended up that my LO only could call on Sunday morning for 10 minutes.  That was from week 3 to week 7, then they get their cell phones back. So I went a little overboard there...lol  Hope that helps.

My son was also in 11-18. I did not send a card with him.  The Ensign who was on our FB page recommended to buy them at the NEX.  She also said that many of the Candidates shared their cards.  Like Andrea S said, they only had 10 minutes a week from week 3 - 7 and then they get their phones back!  Good luck to your son.

So my student will be a SNA.... So I think he goes to OHARP after his graduation from OCS... He will be doing that in his current city of residence (about 3000 miles from where we live) so does anyone out there know does he go immediately to his OHARP city or will he have a few days to get there? Trying to decide do we fly out the day of graduation to come home or do we stick around a day or so... He will be flying back to his city as he will not be taking his car to OCS. 

My son graduated in 2015 (just in case my info is out of date) but he didn't take a phone card. He must have missed that on the packing list. I heard about it after the fact so I also purchased an ATT card on-line. I was then able to send him the info in a letter and it didn't appear as if he was getting something he shouldn't be. I don't know that he ever used the minutes on that card as he said there were quite a few cards with leftover minutes sitting by the phones. He left the one I sent by the phone for the next person who may need one. And yes, they only get to call for 10 minutes a week for a few weeks so all the minute options probably have more minutes than they need but may benefit the next person. The card can also be recharged online if they do run out. https://www.virtualprepaidminutes.com/

redheadlass, congrats to your son on his acceptance into OCS. You will find a lot of info from others on this page.  Go thru the pages and many questions will be answered!  Also, search Facebook for his class (which should be 17-18) as his start date gets closer.  They will become a very good source of info and support!  OHARP starts on the Monday following Commissioning.  He will be responsible for his transportation home. We stayed in the area for the weekend and flew him to his home on Sunday night.

Thought I would put in a recommendation to anyone who is looking at accommodations for their upcoming Commissioning events.  We stayed in a house in Middletown that was 5-10 minutes from the base.  We had a big group and wanted to cook instead of trying to get all of us in a restaurant. This was perfect:

 https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p777113vb 

It was 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms plus a great kitchen.  If that's not quite what you want, she also has a 2 bed, 1 bath with no kitchen:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21423660?location=Newport%2C%20RI%2C%2...

If I ever get the chance to go back, I will definately stay here!

I would second the recommendation that families look in Middletown for OCS/ODS graduation accommodations, since it is actually closer to the base gates than Newport.  The hotels in Middletown are also cheaper than anything in Newport, especially in summer high tourist season.   We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Middletown, and it was close to the base. 

Families can also stay at the Navy Lodge right on base, but reservations are hard to come by for graduation weekends, and your Loved One must be with you with military ID when you check in.

The rental house idea also sounds great if you have a big group! 

Are there other areas you can stay?  Looks like the Holiday Inn in Middletown is booked.

The Navy Lodge is sold out also. We are staying at the Howard Johnson’s per a Navy Mom’s recommendation. It still had rooms.

We stayed at the Quality Inn and Suites in Middletown.  We were just a few minutes from the base.  Free  breakfast and a lot of choices for dinner.  Price was much cheaper also.

Jenna07: As others have posted, there are lots of chain hotels in MIddletown.  Just search Trivago or some other travel search site for "hotels in Middletown, RI" for the dates you are looking for.   The Howard Johnson's hotel that travel101 mentioned is right outside one of the base gates.  My son stayed there the night before he was to report to OCS.

You can always stay in Newport, but those hotels are more resort-like and therefore, more expensive, especially in summer.  They are also further away from the base than Middletown. (The two towns kind of blend together.)  We made several trips on/off the base that weekend, so was convenient to be close.

Thanks, I did look further and found some rooms.  One more question I thought I read somewhere that the graduations are at certain times during the day.  We are trying to figure out return tickets and when to leave as we are from the West Coast. Does anyone have information on the times or will I need to wait until I get a letter with that information?

It seems like all graduations are on Friday at 10:00 a.m.  I haven't seen any other times.  Allow time for pictures etc.  We were safely done by noon and didn't seem rushed at all.

Graduation is usually Friday morning, and the new Ensigns are able to leave by noon after they sign out, IF they have their orders.  My son's orders didn't come in until the Wednesday before graduation on Friday, so we didn't know if he was going to be able to leave or not. 

We had planned to spend the night on Friday, and fly back home on Saturday.  Our son was able to get a ticket on the same flight and fly home with us, which was nice.  Then he had 10 days travel time to get to his next school.  Some have to go directly to their next school on Monday, so they just can't plan anything until they get their orders.

Yes, some of the orders don't trickle in until after graduation, so they have to stay on the base until they get their orders.  And yes, sailors and their families must learn to go with the Navy flow.  I've heard that the unofficial motto of the Navy is "Semper Gumby." (Always Flexible)   haha    Some of you might remember Gumby and Pokey from your childhood TV, ---that little boy and his horse made out of rubber.  They would have made good sailors because they were very flexible!!!   :-)

My son didn't get his orders until the Tuesday after graduation. Hurry up and wait is something you get use to. 

Congratulationsto all the new OCS graduates!

My son will be in the OCS class beginning July 1, 2018. How do I find out the address to mail him letters, and also how do I find out his class name/number? 

It has been a year and a half since my son went, but right before they gave up their phones, they were allowed one last call. He called us and also sent a picture of the address which contains the class number.

My son started in April.  Within a week or two, I received a introduction letter from OCS staff and in that letter it stated correspondence guidelines and information which included the mailing address to correspond. 

redheadlass, As Nancy said, he will get one call and gave the address. They are reading off a board, and they only have a set amount of time!  Also, As sherru stated, you will receive a letter. Unfortunately, that letter was sent to his address and not ours!  You can also get the info on the  Officer Training Command Newport facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/OTCNewport/

Click on the "notes" tab and it will give you the address.  Please make sure that everyone knows to just send letters and no packages.  They can not receive anything but letters until their Candio phase which starts in week 9.  Send letters often, but don't expect too many in return.  They only have time in the evening to write and many times they are exhausted.  Good luck to you and your son.  

Does anyone know when they will post information about graduating class 16-18 on facebook for friends and family?

I mean create the facebook page.  Sorry for the confusion.

Jenna07, as of now, there hasn't been one made.  You could always create it!  They do have rollers from 15-18, so perhaps someone from that group will make it.  

Is graduation appropriate for small children ages 2 and 5 to attend?

biscuit22, we had small children at my son's commissioning.  It lasts about an hour.  If they start to get unruly, you could take them into the back room that acts as the staging area for the Candidates to walk in from.  Hope that helps!

Jenna07

They have made a facebook page for your class: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/256843911719583/

It's US Navy OCS Class 16-18 Friends and Family

Thank you.

My son just checked into OCS this morning. I got a text from him before they took his phone. I was asleep here ( I am three time zones away from Newport) so I could not get any clarification of this. His text said his OCS class name was 17-18 Charlie Company. So does anyone know if I put OCS Class 17-18 C on the mailing address or not? 

redheadlass - Yes. Use "17-18 C" where they have XX-XX in the mailing address shown on the OTC FAQ page:

OC (Your Name)
Officer Candidate School
Class XX-XX
OFFICER TRAINING COMMAND NEWPORT
1356 Meyerkord Avenue
Newport, RI 02841-1641

redheadlass,
My son went in on Feb 25 and this is how we did it:
In the beginning while he was in Indoctunation Phase:

I/C last name, first name
Class 17-18 Charlie Company
Officer Training Command, Newport, RI
1356 Meyerkord Ave
Newport, RI  02841

Once he is out of Indoc phase, then it changes to O/C

Both are correct redheadlass but it isn't necessary to spell out Charlie Company.  17-18C will get to him just fine.  The Navy is exceptional in letters standing for a whole name!!!  Navy Vet here!!!!

My son is only in his first week at OCS but I have started to think about the candio box. I am so confused- since you can't put in snacks or food, then what do you put in them? I have no idea what kinds of things he would want or need. Please, any ideas or suggestions? 

redheadlass,

I know that OCS has cut out putting sweet snacks in Candio boxes cause too many Candios were getting sick.  When I did my daughter's box back in 2012 I included magazines, some small puzzle books to have with her after OCS was over, some little drink mixes to pour into her bottled water like lemonade, Starbucks cold coffee singles, etc, and healthy snack bars.  Her last three weeks found her busier that previous weeks and she did not always get time to get to the mess hall for scheduled meals.  At least these little things could help her get through to the next meal.  I don't know if they allowed any items like that anymore but that's what I did!!

redheadlass,

My son was in 11-18. They do have a list of approved protein bars that you can send. When he received his boxes, he ended up putting much of it in his Lucky Bag as he did not have a lot of room. Things he kept: photos, sun screen, chapstick, TP, wipes, cards (we asked all of his friends to send in cards so that we could put them in the box), lint rollers, and a "count down" calander that we made. Things that went into his Lucky Bag: blanket, a little 10 piece Lego Star Wars toy, a Yoda figure, another Star Wars "toy" that was small, a book, a t-shirt, silly putty, small soccer ball. So, as we stress over what to put in this box, they are really just grateful for receiving it. They don't have a lot of room, so think small! They also need Tide pens.  I don't think the drink mixes that Anna mentioned are allowed.  Hope this helps

What kind of boot shine?  And tide pens for cleaning or for marking? These are all great ideas!  Where is the list of the approved protein bars you can send? 

My son was also 11-18 and I would add a good pen. They always have to have one and it is something that is more like a "gift" from us than a necessity (like power bars or cleaners).  Amazon had lots of nice, reasonably priced ones to choose from.
Also, I wish I had included his wireless earbuds.  He did not bring anything to OCS that was not on the list online so he did not have earbuds. He had to buy a pair at the NEX.   So if he did not bring earbuds, I would include it.  

Just get plain old black shoe polish from the drug store. It's in a small tin so should fit easily inside the box.

redheadlass:

Tide pens are spot remover pens.  You can find them in the laundry detergent section of the supermarket or sometimes in a drugstore.  They look like a felt-tip marker but say "TIDE" on them.  If the candidates get a spot on their uniform, especially those whites--yikes!-- they can rub the Tide pen over the spot and it usually takes it out, instead of having to launder the whole thing.

My son graduated OCS in 2012 near Anna's daughter, and then we could send them cookies and candy and all kinds of treats in their Candio boxes, but then they all gorged themselves and made themselves sick because they had not been allowed any snacks or desserts up to that point.  I think that's why OCS quit letting them be sent sweets, since they had all been "sugar-deprived" for 8 weeks they went overboard with the treats.

I just went to Target and picked up some of these items.  They had most of this in the travel size so that was great. I picked up multiples and have told my son to share with others when he gts his box.  Thanks for the ideas.  I was able to get one of the approved protein bars from another store.  

Where can I find the list of the approved protein bars?