HIMOMS

[Charlyn]

My son graduates on Nov 18th. I understand there is a function the night before called HIMOMS. Ok....so I'm really ignorant about this. Since I have so little communication with him, what is the proper dress for this event?

[jimsuz]

When our son graduated last April, there was everything from Sunday dress to after five.  Mostly the young wives wore the after five and the mothers wore the Sunday dress.  It's such a neat week-end.  Make sure you get up early the day of graduation and go to their PT and eating by the numbers demonstration.  You will have time to change clothes before graduation.  This brings back so many good memories.

The last three weeks are pretty tough on them and they don't get alot of sleep during that time, so don't be surprised if your loved one has dark circles under their eyes. 

Good luck and enjoy your week-end in Newport. - Suzie

[Marisol]

Hi, my son is also graduation on November 18th.   Have you joined our group in facebook.   There is a lot of good information there

 

[Marisol]

Charlyn, I saw in your profile that you are from Auburn, IN.   We live in Indianapolis.   Are your driving or flying to the graduation?

 

Marisol

 

[Sunshine]

My Husband graduated a year ago and I would have to agree. The wives wore mainly little black dresses and the mothers wore more of a Sunday dress. I did notice that the theme on graduation was Navy blue. Have a good time and take lots of pictures. The whole weekend is such a whirlwind, you might not know which way is right side up, but it is lots of fun and will be a proud moment for your entire family.

[navymominohio]

My son graduated OCS about this same time 2 years ago (yeah!).  Newport can be quite cold and windy so bring some toasty  clothing!   I'm originally from New England and even I had to dash out while there and buy some warmer items.   Congratulations to you and yours on a great achievement.

[NOAM]

Let me know if you'd like to join our facebook support group.  Our LO graduates Oct 28th.  We have learned a lot through the class that just graduated last Friday.

 

[navymom9875]

Congratulations to you and your son from another Hoosier!  My son graduated last January and, as someone mentioned, it was quite chilly in Newport! 

Hi Moms is lovely event held the evening before graduation.  It's basically like a cocktail party.  There is a cash bar and appetizers.  Most classes hold it at the Officer's Club but I believe each class makes those decisions so you'll need to get the details from your candidate as it gets closer to the event. There is time to mingle and eat which is followed by a program.  The candidates put together a slide show illustrating their OCS journey.  You'll love this!  It will give you an idea of what they went through - good and bad - and it will both make you laugh and make you cry.  Another fun thing about this event is that it is a great time to meet other parents that you may have communicated with through your class FB group or N4M site.  I made friends that I still check in with once in a while.  You'll also get to meet the Drill Instructors and the friends your son made over the course of the 3 months.

As others have said, it is a wonderful weekend.  Be prepared to swell with pride when you see your son in his dress uniform!  The confidence and maturity he will have gained is astounding!  Be sure to keep kleenex in your pocket because you will need it!!  Enjoy!!

[Charlyn]

Thanks everyone for your informative replies.

My daughter and I are driving out for the graduation. Can anyone tell me how long the drive will be from northern IN?

Some of you mentioned the weekend. Are there other functions besides the HIMOM and actual graduation.

My son is in class 03-12.

 

 

[navymom9875]

There is PIR (Parade in Review) Thursday afternoon which is another event you don't want to miss.  Everything concludes after graduation on Friday (at least that is the way it was when my son graduated in Jan.)  He was completely done by 12noon on Friday.  Some Ensigns stayed to get their new ID cards but it was going to take several hours so my son just waited and got his when he reported to his duty station.

We flew from Indiana for graduation but my son drove when he left for OCS.  From Lafayette it took him about 15-16 hrs.  He did it in two days. 

[NOAM]

We drove straight through from a vacation on Newport earlier this year...with a 40 minutes stop in Mystic CT for pizza (had to do it!) and traffic, took us about 18 hours to Indianapolis.

We were also told they get a few hours liberty on Wednesday evening (heard times between 5 and 6pm).  My LO is in 02-12, so will advise more when we get back in 3 weeks.

 

 

[kab]

 Hi, my LO graduated a little over a year ago and it was a great few days in Newport. As they marched in for PIR we could pick our LO out of the group of young 'almost Ensigns'. It was such a nice feeling of accomplishment for him and great pride for all of us watching- and that our LO survived the 12 weeks and looked okay. It was hard to get good pictures in the gym since it was dark but the up close ones were great. At one point they have the class stop and the audience can go out to the ranks and get 'close up' pictures of their LO's -- and they just have to stand at attention and not move.   We were not able to see them the evening before - depends on the DI and each class is different. But, after the PIR we could spend some time - of course they had a few things that had to be finished before heading to the Navy Lodge. A lot of the class took time and raised their 'flag' on the flagpole outside their dorm - it is theirs to keep and can do the same at each place they are stationed and get a plaque for each assignment.  The HI Moms was that evening and was a very nice affair at the Officers Club. All of the details were given to us a few weeks prior once their class committe made the  arrangements. The run the morning of graduation was cancelled due to possible bad weather - but graduation was just a wonderful experience. Such a great moment for the new Officers and the speaches by the Admiral and Commander were enspiring.  It was a truely a great experience - and I hope it is the same during your time in Newport. Have a geat time --