My first post

[Rosemarie]

Hi All,

My son was just sworn in and starts OCS on Oct 3, 2010. Someone please fill me in on what to expect.

I'm thrilled, very proud and a nervous wreck!

Rosecan

[dmarie]

Yes, Candio, or Candidate Officer is the last four weeks of OCS. They change to the Khaki uniform, get forks, knives, coffee, and condiments back in mess hall. Cell phones are allowed, but it seems they use them for contacting each other, not us! This is when they start to use the leadership skills they will need out in the fleet.

OCS is a unique journey, but one that our LO must do alone. It is also said that it is as much about training us in the ways of the Navy as well as our LO. Trusting that your LO has the "raw material" to deal with the challenges of OCS will help calm you. When I was able to do that, I was much less frantic. But as my co-workers can tell you, I was a crazy person at first!

Good luck to all of you as this chapter begins......

[navymom9875]

Thanks for the info! I'm so glad I found this site. I was feeling so alone with this situation - I don't know any moms with children in the military and I haven't wanted to share all my concerns with my family, especially not my son. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences because it really has helped.

[dmarie]

It does seem that only those of us that have traveled this road understand. Please lean on us, and read the discussions in the OCS Graduates group (do a search from the Groups page). Those will show you you are not alone in how you are feeling.

[Gretchen]

Thanks so much for your compassion and care. Yes it is true,
only those who have travelled this journey understand.

[LynnB]

I believe so

[LynnB]

Hi my son is in class 20-10B I started a journal for him. what is happening in the family, news, and just how I feel and proud of him. It is good for me to write and I think he will have fun reading it when he gets home. Just a suggestion to get you through. Best of luch to you and your LO.

[Rosemarie]

Yay, another mom whose son has Oct 3 start date. Do you know the class # yet? Where do you live? Is your son driving? We live in Florida. My son has decided to fly to Rhode Island. Waiting to hear from the recruiter about travel arrangements. From what I've read they have to go up the night before their report day. I am becoming more of nervous wreck the closer we get to his departure. Still not sure what to send with him. Also, Do you know if the class will be extended because of Christms holidays?

[navymom9875]

I don't know the class number - I guess I should ask my son because I'm sure he knows.
We live in Indiana. My son is going to drive - he says he has to so that he can keep belongings in his car that he can't have in the beginning weeks. I think his GF is going to make the trip with him then fly back to her college. There is a list of what they need to bring at this site: http://www.ocs.navy.mil/ocs_requiredpaperwork.asp From my understanding they can only bring items that are on the list. And, yes according to my son they will have time off for Christmas. He says that the projected graduation date for his class is Friday, January 7th assuming he is not held back for some reason.
It is an exciting time, but I am also very nervous about the entire thing - not just OCS but what awaits him afterward. I'm very proud of him and trying to focus on that aspect.

[Rosemarie]

How did he find out about the graduation date? Is there something on the OCS web site or was it from his recuiter? Also, are you having a hard time getting onto the OCS site? I can't always get it to open. I was able to print out the info a few days ago but now I can't get it to open. Has your son gotten his orders yet? Mine has nothing on paper stating that he is truly going on that date. Just a phone call from the recruiter. My son is still going to fly to RI. Too long of a drive from South Florida. If he needs his car we will drive it up to him. Let me know what info you have as his is very limited.
Thanks!

[navymom9875]

I'm not sure how he learned about the graduation date but he seemed pretty sure the information was accurate. I know that he has been participating in an OCS forum, like this one, that is for the Officer Candidates and has learned a lot about what to expect at OCS from that site. I've also learned quite a bit from looking through this site.
I haven't tried to get on the OCS site recently but I did just try and wasn't able to connect - not sure what the problem is there.
I don't know if he has actual written orders. He has only told us the date of Oct. 3. and to report between 8am -12noon. If I hear anything more I'll let you know.

[pgrlisa]

Rosemarie - the graduation date is typically 12 weeks from the day they started, but is on Friday. That may be different if your LO's OCS is during the Holidays (my daughter was in OCS in the spring, so that was not an issue). Also, the grad date for your LO may change if he gets rolled to H class (healing or holding, depending on how they look at it). My daughter spent 3 weeks in H due to knee injuries. Don't make your reservations to RI until very close to graduation as anything can change at any time.

Lisa

[2 in the service]

My candidate was in training over the holidays last year. They have a staff stand down right around Christmas. Last year many went home on leave, some stayed. The stand down will push the grad date past the holiday. Good luck to your candidates. The training they receive in those twelve weeks seems pointlessly absurd at times but every bit of it is designed to give the candidates skills that they will need when they continue on with their Navy careers. Hang in there Moms!