Daughters in OCS

[pgrlisa]

There's a whole other group for people with kids going to OCS, but I couldn't find one specifically for daughters.  MY LO is in class 15-10, starting 07-March.  Are there any other moms of daughters either in OCS or who have recently graduated?  I'm so proud of her I could just scream! 

Lisa

[T's mom]

thank you so much

[sunsetmom]

Thanks for passing on the story. Many of us have had LOs in H Class, as yours was, and it is a tough situation. It's not whether, it's when!

[MM]

Lisa,

I just dropped my daughter off yesterday. She is in class 16-10, starting today. I'm so very proud of her too. But, I'm a wreck about it as well. I'm full of questions and brand new at this site.

[Anna]

MM,
Well this is the place to be to help with that wreck you are feeling!!! You should be feeling so very proud of your girl, but that doesn't mean that we don't still miss them like crazy!! Jump in and join our chats on the main group page and let us get to know you and your sailor. We have many offcer moms here so you will find plenty of support to help you through!!!! Congratulations to your daughter!!!

[pgrlisa]

MM,

My daughter got rolled to H Class from 15-10, due to injury. She joined 16-10 this evening after chow. The ones rolling back into regiment have been tasked with making sure the new ICs (Indoctrination Candidates) understand chow procedure, room entry procedure and making their racks by the end of the week. Hopefully, they are up to the task.

Welcome to our little group. You'll find lots of support as well as many knowledgeable ladies who will answer your every inquiry. I know a little, others know much more. Feel free to ask questions, as there is much to learn. And be sure to visit the other pages / groups to see what else is going on.

[MM]

pgrlisa,

Thank you for the welcome. I'm glad your daughter is doing well now and has joined 16-10. There is so much for them to learn, as well as me being a new Navy mom. I'm very thankful for all the knowledgeable ladies and look forward to having the support and giving support as I progress on this journey. I'm trying to learn to navigate around the other pages, etc. Again, thank you!

[dmarie]

Welcome, MM!
My daughter was a member of 08-10, commissioned in January, in VA right now for more training.
Ask ANYTHING! someone knows the answer. Vent, we understand what you are going thru.
Our daughters have chosen an honorable path, and they have worked hard and overcome many obstacles to get to this point. She is probably tougher than you think, and she'll be fine at OCS. Start repeating "No News Is Good News(NNIGN)", the official mantra of OCS. The first phone calls will be difficult, her voice will be hoarse, she'll be sleep deprived, she'll probably say she's just trying to make it thru. Around week 4 she'll sound better and she will have adapted to the routine. OCS intentionally stresses our LO's, but it makes them stronger in the end. Start writing letters now, it will be a while before she receives them, and a while before she can respond. Just don't send glittery or musical cards, and no care packages.

[MM]

Thank you, dmarie, I really appreciate your info. You've been through this part. Congratulations to you & your daughter!! Mine too, hopefully, once commissioned will be heading to VA for more training. Yes, it is such an honorable path. I keep telling myself she'll be okay. I just have to convince myself. She's done so much already with getting her degrees and being away, but somehow, it's just seems so different. It's just my heart is breaking for her, and all the rest, thinking about what they have to go through. But, you are probably right, I need to give her more credit for being tougher than I think she is. I will start repeating NNIGN. I mailed her first letter today...no glitter, music, or care packages. She warned me about that when I dropped her off. Once they are commissioned, do they get any time off before going on for more training? Thank you, again.

[sunsetmom]

Welcome to the other new military moms. My daughter is close to graduation and the OCS experience has been the hardest thing I've ever been through with her - and there has been plenty of drama over the past 10 years having nothing to do with the military!
You are correct that there is something different about this, but you are now a member of a dynamic group of moms who see their job as supporting each other, their respective LOs and each other's LOs.
We are here for you at every step of the way and by private message as well.
Remember that if you post it here, it is public information and you don't want to say anything that might identify your LO to the OCS staff or anyone else.
Welcome again!

[2 in the service]

Hi, MM! My LO is in 13-10 and I've also walked in your shoes. I worried so much after we dropped our LO off at the base. I listened to the other N4M's and adopted the NNIGN mantra and it was a huge help to me. It took me awhile to relax but I've learned that these young women are determined and strong and very capable! OCS really brings out the best in them. It is a rough road, but everything they do has a purpose and the end result is truly remarkable! These wise women on N4M have become a second family and I've shared the joy as their LO's have rec'd their commissions and joined the fleet! Watching their classes progress helps you understand what will be coming up for your LO. It is so much better than wondering and worrying. Ask questions here and on the OCS Graduates discussion too. No question is too silly or trivial. We've all been there.

I've written every day to my LO. She asked for news articles, so everyday I make a newsletter from internet clippings, I include her favorite comics and sports news too. I also include a short personal note. I don't have a lot to say everyday but I reinforce how much she is loved and respected. There are days that just knowing somebody was thinking of you will make a really bad day, better. I include pictures of family and favorite local news columns too. As long as it will fit in a legal size, white envelope, I'll send it. Also, if your LO doesn't have a phone card or stamps with her, send those right away. When she is able to write home and call home she will have what she needs to do it. And, no packages or food of any kind until your LO give you the"okay" to send any of it. I just sent my first package last week...9 weeks into training.

I've bent your ear enough, welcome !

[MM]

Hi, Unfortunately, the NNIGN mantra didn't work for me...I got the call from my LO, rolled to H class due to injury. Now I really have questions and don't know where to begin. It's only been 2 days. I am so very proud of her and so very afraid for her. I don't understand what's going on. I have sent cards already but now I don't know how to go about addressing them. Thank you so much for the advice. We've just started this journey and we've hit a bump in the road already.

[dmarie]

MM - Sorry to hear of the rolling..... This is delay, not defeat. Don't worry about the mail you have already sent - it will catch up with her. Use the same address, just substitute "H Class" where you had written Class 16-10.
In the OCS Graduates group there is a discussion called "For those with LO in H class" started by a dear friend of mine, Cheryl S. Her son spent two months in H, and was commissioned last Friday.
Sunsetmom is another great source of info on H class, her daughter spent some time there as well. PM her, and she will be happy to help.
At this point, she is most likely in H for a minimum of three weeks, until the next class starts. While in H, (which sunsetmom likes to say stands for Healing), and injured, she will be on light PT, and this will allow her some time to heal. She will spend time learning her gouge (OCS for important info) and there will be other things she'll be assigned to do.
It isn't uncommon to roll the first week. It happens to several of them each class. Other reasons for rolling include failing inspections, illness (H1N1 and the flu FLEW thru OCS last fall), failing a PFA, attitude, disciplinary. As her physical condition improves, they will help her get into shape so that she will be able to class up as soon as possible.
Yes, she's hit a bump, but if she keeps a positive attitude and works at her physical condition, she'll be back on the road very quickly. This isn't neccessarily the end of her career. Keep us informed!