My husband sent me this post by a co-admin from the NavyForDads site:
"Please understand that this is a rare occurrence. The crew saved the ship, and as many of their shipmates as possible. One man was diving back in to berthing to pull out as many as he could, until all the air pockets were gone. By all accounts, those we lost did not suffer.
Here are the official organizations who are helping the crew, as about 100 sailors lost everything, down to their wallets:
USNmom2017: I have no knowledge of P'cola, but if you join the group "Naval Aviation" here on N4M's, most of those moms have flyers who have rotated through there, and they could probably answer you.
Welcome, submom ! Will your son be going to Charleston? There is a group here on N4M's called "NUPOC MOMS." They could answer your questions about nuclear power school. Congratulations to your new Ensign. Now the real adventure begins!
Sub mom
I'm going to take a tour of Goose Island in August. My daughter is a SWO (surfacewar fare) doing ASWO (anit-submarine warfare officer) right now till she goes to school at MIT for Nuclear Engineering.
M's Mom,
The Navy actually flew her out to California to visit one of the Nuke ships. She was actually in the Nuke program. When she got there they made her attend the tour and then decided to tell her they didn't want her. No reasons why! That's the Navy! She called crying, something in her transcript from ST. Louis University. She carried a 3.8 GPA. So the Engineering program pick her up right away. No interviews like the Nuke Program. I guess they didn't see it as a mistake and it was their gain. The Navy told her this dosent happen this way getting in without interviews etc. she must be special.
Noni: Well, obviously she IS special! Sounds pretty smart, too. I'm not sure reading a dissertation in nuclear engineering would be something I would want to tackle, and I studied college-level physics and chemistry! haha
I'm confused, though. You say she WAS in NUPOC, but now is in "the nuclear engineering program." I thought those were the same thing, but apparently not.
M's Mom
You would think, but you can go like 10 different ways in engineering. I knew she would pick Nuke do to the Chemestry background from collage. The children how go Nuke are going to be dedicating their lives to school and testing. Every year they must recert. If the don't score to standards they loose their jobs. Very stressfull! When I talked to her yesterday. I asked if she was sure she wanted to be a Nuke Engineer and not the doctor she dreamed of. The answer was are you crazy. Then she precedes to tell me she told her comander she wants to deploy. My answer. Are you crazy! Why did you transfer from the Princeton then? Got no answer on that one. So she might leave the big Z and go to another ship. She wants to apply her new skills as a ASWO before going to school. I just don't understand her. Next June the big Z will leave for Rimpac. Go there! She was at Rimpac with the USS Princeton last year.
M’s mom> I don’t know anything about the ROTC or nuclear engineering programs the Navy offers. NUPOC is a Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidacy Program offered by the Navy. Recruiters canvas universities looking for candidates with declared science, math, and engineering majors who have completed their freshman year. Some of the candidates are pursuing undergraduate degrees in engineering, many are not. To the best of my knowledge, a lot of calculus and physics courses are/were required. An extremely high GPA appears to be one of the criteria however I’m sure other criteria exist/existed. It’s actually a delayed commissioning program that’s 2.5 years not 2 that presumably culminates once they are commissioned as officers.
About 15 out of a pool of 1,000 made it into the program in 2014. The screening process was extensive and lengthy. Presume it still is.
Thanks LTB and M's mom. Trying to learn what I can and not ask too many stupid questions. My son was ROTC and was selected for subs. I am assuming from what I have read that he isn't NUPOC since he has already commissioned?
I am so excited! My son is finishing up Prototype and taking his board exam this week! It has been a long stressful journey but it is finally coming to an end and he will finally be in the real world... He will be coming home for about a year (Which I am really excited about) since the sub he will be stationed on is brand new and coming out of the shipyard and is here for about a year before heading to its homeport.
submom⚓️pwm> you posted this, "I am assuming from what I have read that he isn't NUPOC since he has already commissioned"
I learned not to assume with the Navy. ;)
NUPOC is a program that they generally seek your kid out for. I'll do my best to share what little I know about the screening process and my understanding of same.
All those qualified by a recruiter and accepted are NUPOCS. As another mom said, they’re invited to fly to San Diego where they’re encouraged to explore and talk to those actively serving but also to be evaluated. I believe evaluations included a psychological component and there most likely was additional testing, it’s been three years since our son went. The candidates were flown home and were notified if they were selected to continue in the program. Those who were selected were then invited to visit Newport RI or maybe it was Charleston SC…. can’t recall. More evaluations and more testing only it was a tad bit more rigorous. Candidates were again flown home and were informed they would be notified if they were chosen to continue, Full physicals were required throughout the process. At some point in time, the Navy began the process of procuring a security clearance of some sort for candidates. Can’t recall when. Those chosen to continue who were able to receive a security clearance were invited to visit a prototype school I believe. Again, it’s been a while. Same deal with flying them out and evaluations and testing. At this point, the candidates were informed that about 25 of them would receive a formal invitation to DC in the mail and that if they didn’t receive one, they were no longer in the pool. Those chosen to move forward in the screening process would be provided with study materials and would be flown out to DC for oral exams. I got the impression the oral exams were brutal. Our son studied for weeks. Those who successfully made it through the oral exams moved on to a final interview with the admiral and he would decide after meeting privately with them which candidates he wanted to continue in the NUPOC program. Those he chose were asked to sign on the dotted line then and there and I believe they were asked to choose reactor engineer, unrestricted sub warfare officer, unrestricted surface warfare officer, or instructor at that time. About 12 or 13 ended up being asked to continue by the Admiral. Those who weren’t selected were flown home and a reception with a photo shoot followed for those who made the final cut after which they were flown back to finish their undergraduate degrees.
This was our take on the process as parents looking in from the outside but it’s the Navy and it’s an adventure and things change year to year and week to week.
Thanks LTB! We have experienced the hurry up and wait. My son interviewed on Tuesday in DC and commissioned on Thursday of last week. Everything is moving very quickly now. My son gets tired of a mom's many questions. Thanks for the explanation. Time for me to switch gears from ROTC. Sounds like there are many paths to reach their goals :)
LTB,
My son didn't hardly do any of those steps. He was approached at college by a recruiter who talked to him about the program. He then flew him out to San Diego to check out the program to see if it was something he would be interested in. He then sent him to DC to interview with the Admiral, the first day they prepped him for the interview and the next day he did his interview and after the interview they swore him in. He then had to do his physical and they started the background security check and he left for Newport, RI for OCS school, then to Power School, then Sub School and lastly Prototype which he finishes up this week. This has all taken place within the past 2 years.
submom⚓️pwm> I have no clue how many paths there are... we're just very grateful ours did an about face and chose one to serve in the Navy. He'd wanted to serve as a Missionary since he was in elementary school and we all know where they assign kids fluent in Spanish.... in third world countries with collapsed economies. The paycheck that comes with being in the Navy will be nice too. Missionaries don't get paid.
myvampress> They prepped your kid for the interview? They provided ours with materials to study and when they got out to DC, they broke out into little study groups the first night and the next day to review what they could. The following day they each had two oral interviews. One right after the next and they were long. It's my understanding all of them were sweating bullets by the time they were informed who would be interviewed by the Admiral.
Physicals and security clearances were definitely completed long before they went to DC. Our son just left for Charleston last month. Sounds as if he's at the beginning of the schooling where your son is at the tail end. I take it your son is an unrestricted submarine warfare officer candidate now?
We'd like to visit our son. Would you be in a position to tell me if we should or if we should wait until the next school?
I don't know, maybe it depends on the background of each candidate on how the process works. My son didn't have any study materials prior to his interview although he did major in Bio Chemical Engineering in college so maybe that is why? No idea. Their are still kids in Charleston who have already been through OCS who are still waiting for their clearances, my son's 3 ex room mates are still waiting and they were at OCS with my son so the Military has them working 4 hours a week in the mail room. A local friend of my son's who he met when they went to DC for the interview and to OCS together and he graduated OCS before my son just got his clearances about 2 months ago and this kid never went to San Diego, his recruiter never told him about it. I have asked my son why is it taking so long for them to get their clearances and he told me that he believes it is due to the security breach the Government had when their systems were hacked but not sure.
As far as visiting your child, yes do visit but make it on a weekend and don't make a lot of plans on what you want to do. They are in school for 12+ hours a day and are off on weekends but they still go to school and study on the weekends. Everything they do is on base, they are not aloud to bring anything home with them to study. They are not aloud to talk about any of it. I told my son when he first went to Charleston that since he was in school and his room mates were not that he could study with them and that could help them all out and he told me no, he can not discuss anything about it with his room mates.
If you would rather wait until your son goes to Prototype to visit he will have more free time but his schedule is different. He will be working 1 week 7am til 7pm, another week will be 7pm til 7am and another week 12pm to 12 am although they normally go in early to study on their own time. They do get a 4 day weekend off about once a month or 2 so my son would drive home or meet his girlfriend in NYC for the weekend or if he would drive home to see his girlfriend I would meet him for lunch since his girlfriend is an hour and a half away and I know she is more important than mom...lol
Thanks, LTB, for clarifying. NUPOC is an undergraduate college program like ROTC where they join the Navy before they graduate from college, then after college graduation they go to OCS, and then to Charleston, SC for nuclear power school. I think Noni said her daughter was originally in NUPOC, but then they said they didn't want her, so she was commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer, but now she is transferring into nuclear engineering after being in the Navy for awhile. Is that right, Noni?
My son was a senior and graduated in April of this year from college. He has friends that started NUPOC earlier in their college career. He flew to San Diego and then had a phone interview and MEPS and then was told he made it through to the DC interviews. He did that June 16th and made it in and was sworn in and flew home the next day. He reports to Newport Naval Base for OCS July 16th. He has chosen ship not sub.
M's mom your correct. She was sent to San Diego, to look at the program. There they decided they didn't want/need what ever they call it. While in SD they as for a second look at her. Still don't know what happen. Engineering picked her up right away. No interviewing which we were told is unheard off. (I so want to say her name instead of her) she had two do two years SWO, which she did on the USS P. Her orders were screwed up and they place her back on a ship. She should of went to MIT or the Naval School. So now she will do a partial tour on the Big Z. She has been having meeting with Engineering. They are working on getting her in the right place.
I need your help. My son just left for OCS in Newport RI June 25th. When he called home for the last time Sunday morning I forgot to ask him about his Class # so that I can send him mail.
Is there a way I can figure this out? I read somewhere that if a start date was the 25th of this year, then the class would be 25-17? Is this correct?
MamaMO: Another group you should join is "OCS Graduate Moms". While it has "graduate" in the name it is really about OCS questions. There is another mom on there who mentioned starting a Facebook group for the class that was starting June 25th. She mentioned the class was 16-17 but I would ask on that group and she will likely chime in. You may need to go back a page or two in the comments. There will also be a letter to the address. They divide each class into a couple of groups but I do know that they will still deliver the mail you send.
MamaMO also like the officer training command FB page. They will have pictures of the classes at OCS. I looked forward to looking for my son when he was there. it is just like finding waldo.
MamaMO: As others have written, I think your son's class is 16-17. (It's the 16th OCS class to graduate in fiscal year 2017. The Navy starts a new fiscal year Oct 1, so the July OCS class should graduate after Oct 1, so should be 01-18.) You should be able to send him mail even if you don't yet know his company letter A/B, etc.
If you do Facebook, join Liz's group, "16-17 Navy OCS Family and Friends."
As others have mentioned, join the group "OCS Graduate Moms" here on N4M's. We have answered many OCS questions recently if you read back on the comment wall.
My son did NRTOC studying engineering then during junior year he decided he wanted to do subs and did all the interviews for that and was selected. He started nuclear power last month.
He doesn't know yet if he will be staying in Charleston for next school or going to Saratoga Springs, has anyone else had someone to to NY and not stay in SC?
My son is not in aviation, but there is a group here on N4M's called "Naval Aviation" which you should join. They can answer any questions you may have about flight school, etc.
Good luck to your son! I hope you can make the trip to Newport for his graduation.
My son starts nuclear power school in September. He plans to visit in the next couple of weeks to check out apartments. Any suggestions? Best areas/ where to avoid?
There are many housing options near Goose Creek. Living closer to NNPTC will be less expensive and more suburban/rural. All the restaurants, nightlife, tourism, museums, etc are in Charleston (@ 25-30 mins).
My son spent a total of five years in the area, he preferred downtown living. So much so that he still has a house there.
Thanks! My son and daughter-in-law are visiting this weekend. Looking for the most economical and convenient location. His wife is in pharmacy school in Atlanta so they will be paying for 2 places.
My son loves clocks...we got him a ship's bell clock in a beautiful Mohegan stand with an engraved plate...it was wonderful to watch his face and see him learn how a ship's bell really works
I got polo shirts for every one who attended my Sons Winging. The gold wings were on the left above the heart, on the right we had an embroidery company "winged" and then the date underneath. on the left shoulder we put his rank and name . They looked great and was a great keepsake for my family who witnessed this amazing event !!
Thanks for the idea, I still have a few weeks to get something. He says it's not a big deal but if you're going to be a pilot I can't imagine anything bigger. Maybe it's just "a mom thing ."
It is a very big thing !!! Maybe not to get something tangible but it absolutely is a big thing. Friends of my Sons from High School, College and from Pensacola, Corpus Christi all came to see the winging. Family flew in from all over just to see the few who received their "Wings". The Wings which few can ever achieve ! If it is a Mom thing then you can feel assured your in the right boat !
CindyN
My husband sent me this post by a co-admin from the NavyForDads site:
We are all part of this Navy family whether you still have a son or daughter serving or not. If it's in your means to donate, please do so.
Thank you. Please say a prayer for the crew of the USS Fitzgerald."
Jun 20, 2017
USNmom2017
Jun 23, 2017
submom⚓️pwm
Jun 24, 2017
M's mom
USNmom2017: I have no knowledge of P'cola, but if you join the group "Naval Aviation" here on N4M's, most of those moms have flyers who have rotated through there, and they could probably answer you.
Jun 24, 2017
M's mom
Welcome, submom ! Will your son be going to Charleston? There is a group here on N4M's called "NUPOC MOMS." They could answer your questions about nuclear power school. Congratulations to your new Ensign. Now the real adventure begins!
Jun 24, 2017
submom⚓️pwm
Jun 24, 2017
Noni
I'm going to take a tour of Goose Island in August. My daughter is a SWO (surfacewar fare) doing ASWO (anit-submarine warfare officer) right now till she goes to school at MIT for Nuclear Engineering.
Jun 24, 2017
Debbie1215
Jun 25, 2017
M's mom
Noni: How long will your daughter study at MIT before she goes to Charleston? (I'm assuming she's going to remain in the Navy?)
Jun 25, 2017
Noni
Oh she's making a career of it. I believe the program is 2 years. I cannot wait to read her dissertation.
Jun 25, 2017
Noni
The Navy actually flew her out to California to visit one of the Nuke ships. She was actually in the Nuke program. When she got there they made her attend the tour and then decided to tell her they didn't want her. No reasons why! That's the Navy! She called crying, something in her transcript from ST. Louis University. She carried a 3.8 GPA. So the Engineering program pick her up right away. No interviews like the Nuke Program. I guess they didn't see it as a mistake and it was their gain. The Navy told her this dosent happen this way getting in without interviews etc. she must be special.
Jun 25, 2017
M's mom
Noni: Well, obviously she IS special! Sounds pretty smart, too. I'm not sure reading a dissertation in nuclear engineering would be something I would want to tackle, and I studied college-level physics and chemistry! haha
I'm confused, though. You say she WAS in NUPOC, but now is in "the nuclear engineering program." I thought those were the same thing, but apparently not.
Jun 25, 2017
Noni
You would think, but you can go like 10 different ways in engineering. I knew she would pick Nuke do to the Chemestry background from collage. The children how go Nuke are going to be dedicating their lives to school and testing. Every year they must recert. If the don't score to standards they loose their jobs. Very stressfull! When I talked to her yesterday. I asked if she was sure she wanted to be a Nuke Engineer and not the doctor she dreamed of. The answer was are you crazy. Then she precedes to tell me she told her comander she wants to deploy. My answer. Are you crazy! Why did you transfer from the Princeton then? Got no answer on that one. So she might leave the big Z and go to another ship. She wants to apply her new skills as a ASWO before going to school. I just don't understand her. Next June the big Z will leave for Rimpac. Go there! She was at Rimpac with the USS Princeton last year.
Jun 26, 2017
LTB
M’s mom> I don’t know anything about the ROTC or nuclear engineering programs the Navy offers. NUPOC is a Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidacy Program offered by the Navy. Recruiters canvas universities looking for candidates with declared science, math, and engineering majors who have completed their freshman year. Some of the candidates are pursuing undergraduate degrees in engineering, many are not. To the best of my knowledge, a lot of calculus and physics courses are/were required. An extremely high GPA appears to be one of the criteria however I’m sure other criteria exist/existed. It’s actually a delayed commissioning program that’s 2.5 years not 2 that presumably culminates once they are commissioned as officers.
About 15 out of a pool of 1,000 made it into the program in 2014. The screening process was extensive and lengthy. Presume it still is.
Little bit more on the NUPOC program here, https://navynupoc.com/ and much more here, http://todaysmilitary.com/videos/inside-the-nupoc-program
Jun 26, 2017
submom⚓️pwm
Jun 26, 2017
Noni
My daughter is commissioned and she will be entering the Nucular Engineering Program
Jun 26, 2017
NukeMomCarol
that is so cool Noni... MIT is my daughter's dream school... she keeps saying that is where she wants to go for her masters!
Jun 26, 2017
myvampress
Jun 26, 2017
Noni
My daughters as well....Thank God it's on the Navy and not I.
Jun 26, 2017
LTB
submom⚓️pwm> you posted this, "I am assuming from what I have read that he isn't NUPOC since he has already commissioned"
I learned not to assume with the Navy. ;)
NUPOC is a program that they generally seek your kid out for. I'll do my best to share what little I know about the screening process and my understanding of same.
All those qualified by a recruiter and accepted are NUPOCS. As another mom said, they’re invited to fly to San Diego where they’re encouraged to explore and talk to those actively serving but also to be evaluated. I believe evaluations included a psychological component and there most likely was additional testing, it’s been three years since our son went. The candidates were flown home and were notified if they were selected to continue in the program. Those who were selected were then invited to visit Newport RI or maybe it was Charleston SC…. can’t recall. More evaluations and more testing only it was a tad bit more rigorous. Candidates were again flown home and were informed they would be notified if they were chosen to continue, Full physicals were required throughout the process. At some point in time, the Navy began the process of procuring a security clearance of some sort for candidates. Can’t recall when. Those chosen to continue who were able to receive a security clearance were invited to visit a prototype school I believe. Again, it’s been a while. Same deal with flying them out and evaluations and testing. At this point, the candidates were informed that about 25 of them would receive a formal invitation to DC in the mail and that if they didn’t receive one, they were no longer in the pool. Those chosen to move forward in the screening process would be provided with study materials and would be flown out to DC for oral exams. I got the impression the oral exams were brutal. Our son studied for weeks. Those who successfully made it through the oral exams moved on to a final interview with the admiral and he would decide after meeting privately with them which candidates he wanted to continue in the NUPOC program. Those he chose were asked to sign on the dotted line then and there and I believe they were asked to choose reactor engineer, unrestricted sub warfare officer, unrestricted surface warfare officer, or instructor at that time. About 12 or 13 ended up being asked to continue by the Admiral. Those who weren’t selected were flown home and a reception with a photo shoot followed for those who made the final cut after which they were flown back to finish their undergraduate degrees.
This was our take on the process as parents looking in from the outside but it’s the Navy and it’s an adventure and things change year to year and week to week.
Jun 26, 2017
submom⚓️pwm
Jun 26, 2017
myvampress
My son didn't hardly do any of those steps. He was approached at college by a recruiter who talked to him about the program. He then flew him out to San Diego to check out the program to see if it was something he would be interested in. He then sent him to DC to interview with the Admiral, the first day they prepped him for the interview and the next day he did his interview and after the interview they swore him in. He then had to do his physical and they started the background security check and he left for Newport, RI for OCS school, then to Power School, then Sub School and lastly Prototype which he finishes up this week. This has all taken place within the past 2 years.
Jun 26, 2017
LTB
submom⚓️pwm> I have no clue how many paths there are... we're just very grateful ours did an about face and chose one to serve in the Navy. He'd wanted to serve as a Missionary since he was in elementary school and we all know where they assign kids fluent in Spanish.... in third world countries with collapsed economies. The paycheck that comes with being in the Navy will be nice too. Missionaries don't get paid.
myvampress> They prepped your kid for the interview? They provided ours with materials to study and when they got out to DC, they broke out into little study groups the first night and the next day to review what they could. The following day they each had two oral interviews. One right after the next and they were long. It's my understanding all of them were sweating bullets by the time they were informed who would be interviewed by the Admiral.
Physicals and security clearances were definitely completed long before they went to DC. Our son just left for Charleston last month. Sounds as if he's at the beginning of the schooling where your son is at the tail end. I take it your son is an unrestricted submarine warfare officer candidate now?
We'd like to visit our son. Would you be in a position to tell me if we should or if we should wait until the next school?
Jun 26, 2017
myvampress
I don't know, maybe it depends on the background of each candidate on how the process works. My son didn't have any study materials prior to his interview although he did major in Bio Chemical Engineering in college so maybe that is why? No idea. Their are still kids in Charleston who have already been through OCS who are still waiting for their clearances, my son's 3 ex room mates are still waiting and they were at OCS with my son so the Military has them working 4 hours a week in the mail room. A local friend of my son's who he met when they went to DC for the interview and to OCS together and he graduated OCS before my son just got his clearances about 2 months ago and this kid never went to San Diego, his recruiter never told him about it. I have asked my son why is it taking so long for them to get their clearances and he told me that he believes it is due to the security breach the Government had when their systems were hacked but not sure.
As far as visiting your child, yes do visit but make it on a weekend and don't make a lot of plans on what you want to do. They are in school for 12+ hours a day and are off on weekends but they still go to school and study on the weekends. Everything they do is on base, they are not aloud to bring anything home with them to study. They are not aloud to talk about any of it. I told my son when he first went to Charleston that since he was in school and his room mates were not that he could study with them and that could help them all out and he told me no, he can not discuss anything about it with his room mates.
Jun 27, 2017
myvampress
Sorry, yes my son is an unrestricted submarine warfare officer.
Jun 27, 2017
myvampress
If you would rather wait until your son goes to Prototype to visit he will have more free time but his schedule is different. He will be working 1 week 7am til 7pm, another week will be 7pm til 7am and another week 12pm to 12 am although they normally go in early to study on their own time. They do get a 4 day weekend off about once a month or 2 so my son would drive home or meet his girlfriend in NYC for the weekend or if he would drive home to see his girlfriend I would meet him for lunch since his girlfriend is an hour and a half away and I know she is more important than mom...lol
Jun 27, 2017
M's mom
Thanks, LTB, for clarifying. NUPOC is an undergraduate college program like ROTC where they join the Navy before they graduate from college, then after college graduation they go to OCS, and then to Charleston, SC for nuclear power school. I think Noni said her daughter was originally in NUPOC, but then they said they didn't want her, so she was commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer, but now she is transferring into nuclear engineering after being in the Navy for awhile. Is that right, Noni?
Jun 27, 2017
ANavyMom
My son was a senior and graduated in April of this year from college. He has friends that started NUPOC earlier in their college career. He flew to San Diego and then had a phone interview and MEPS and then was told he made it through to the DC interviews. He did that June 16th and made it in and was sworn in and flew home the next day. He reports to Newport Naval Base for OCS July 16th. He has chosen ship not sub.
Jun 27, 2017
Noni
Jun 27, 2017
MamaMO
Hi Moms-
I need your help. My son just left for OCS in Newport RI June 25th. When he called home for the last time Sunday morning I forgot to ask him about his Class # so that I can send him mail.
Is there a way I can figure this out? I read somewhere that if a start date was the 25th of this year, then the class would be 25-17? Is this correct?
Thanks for any insight.
Jun 27, 2017
Liz
Jun 27, 2017
CindyN
MamaMO: Another group you should join is "OCS Graduate Moms". While it has "graduate" in the name it is really about OCS questions. There is another mom on there who mentioned starting a Facebook group for the class that was starting June 25th. She mentioned the class was 16-17 but I would ask on that group and she will likely chime in. You may need to go back a page or two in the comments. There will also be a letter to the address. They divide each class into a couple of groups but I do know that they will still deliver the mail you send.
Jun 27, 2017
CindyN
Liz - Did you mean 16-17 rather than "16-16" in the Facebook group name?
Jun 27, 2017
Liz
Jun 27, 2017
topdog1p
MamaMO also like the officer training command FB page. They will have pictures of the classes at OCS. I looked forward to looking for my son when he was there. it is just like finding waldo.
Jun 27, 2017
M's mom
MamaMO: As others have written, I think your son's class is 16-17. (It's the 16th OCS class to graduate in fiscal year 2017. The Navy starts a new fiscal year Oct 1, so the July OCS class should graduate after Oct 1, so should be 01-18.) You should be able to send him mail even if you don't yet know his company letter A/B, etc.
If you do Facebook, join Liz's group, "16-17 Navy OCS Family and Friends."
As others have mentioned, join the group "OCS Graduate Moms" here on N4M's. We have answered many OCS questions recently if you read back on the comment wall.
Jun 27, 2017
Duchess2006
I'm a little late to the latest convo.
My son did NRTOC studying engineering then during junior year he decided he wanted to do subs and did all the interviews for that and was selected. He started nuclear power last month.
He doesn't know yet if he will be staying in Charleston for next school or going to Saratoga Springs, has anyone else had someone to to NY and not stay in SC?
Jun 28, 2017
myvampress
My son went from Charleston to Saratoga Springs.. He is finishing up this week and will be done!
Jun 28, 2017
Jen C
My son is currently in OCS and has earned the selection for an aviation contract. Anyone else in the same position?
Jul 4, 2017
M's mom
Welcome Jen C,
My son is not in aviation, but there is a group here on N4M's called "Naval Aviation" which you should join. They can answer any questions you may have about flight school, etc.
Good luck to your son! I hope you can make the trip to Newport for his graduation.
Jul 4, 2017
submom⚓️pwm
Jul 15, 2017
Chris
There are many housing options near Goose Creek. Living closer to NNPTC will be less expensive and more suburban/rural. All the restaurants, nightlife, tourism, museums, etc are in Charleston (@ 25-30 mins).
My son spent a total of five years in the area, he preferred downtown living. So much so that he still has a house there.
Jul 19, 2017
submom⚓️pwm
Jul 19, 2017
Mahtola
Is there a traditional gift for a wing ceremony ? My son's is coming up and I will be going to it, not sure what is expected.
Aug 22, 2017
HeloMOM2016
My son loves clocks...we got him a ship's bell clock in a beautiful Mohegan stand with an engraved plate...it was wonderful to watch his face and see him learn how a ship's bell really works
Aug 22, 2017
Chris
Mahtola, I got my son a set of wings from here:
http://www.flywings.com/
Aug 25, 2017
PA Navy Mom 1st
I got polo shirts for every one who attended my Sons Winging. The gold wings were on the left above the heart, on the right we had an embroidery company "winged" and then the date underneath. on the left shoulder we put his rank and name . They looked great and was a great keepsake for my family who witnessed this amazing event !!
Aug 27, 2017
Mahtola
Thanks for the idea, I still have a few weeks to get something. He says it's not a big deal but if you're going to be a pilot I can't imagine anything bigger. Maybe it's just "a mom thing ."
Aug 28, 2017
PA Navy Mom 1st
It is a very big thing !!! Maybe not to get something tangible but it absolutely is a big thing. Friends of my Sons from High School, College and from Pensacola, Corpus Christi all came to see the winging. Family flew in from all over just to see the few who received their "Wings". The Wings which few can ever achieve ! If it is a Mom thing then you can feel assured your in the right boat !
Aug 28, 2017
ljdnavigator
I am taking notes too. My son will be going through this in the future! Thank you for all of the ideas.
Aug 28, 2017