7/20/14 OCS

[nickstermom]

How do you know the class number? My son reports to OCS 7/20 (and we just found out 7/9. Any help finding out what he should bring, how he does his travel, etc. would be appreciated.

[Dawn]

This is the web site for officer training command that has information. They also have a face book page you will want to join. Information on what to bring letter writing etc on the site. Join face book page for classes going on now so you get an idea. Make sure he memorized phone numbers and emails as he will not have access to his phone for some time
http://www.ocs.navy.mil/ocs_program_overview.asp
Class17-14 started July 6 so July 20th should be 18-14 I think

[Anna]

nickstermom,

Didn't his recruiter give him all the information on what he needs to bring?  I'm not sure about guys but my daughter had a list of things she needed to bring.  Also his recruiter should be giving him the information on travel.  Not sure where he will be coming from - my daughter drove to Newport and kept her car parked on base until graduation day.  And like Dawn posted, certainly make sure he has memorized the important phone numbers he will want to call and your email address which he will be sending a test email to around week 4.  He won't have his cell phone or contacts list or his personal email.

[M's mom]

My son did not want to drive from Indiana to Newport, so the Navy emailed him a plane ticket confirmation to fly from Indianapolis to Providence on the day before he had to report.  I think my son was also emailed a list about what to take with him.  He had to have his birth certificate, vaccination record, social security card, etc.   As Anna said, he should be getting these answers from his recruiter.  My son's recruiter was very helpful throughout the whole process, and he met with my son after he was accepted to explain what was expected of him, Navy knowledge that he needed to memorize BEFORE he got there, etc.  Sounds like your son got VERY short notice to report!   He should contact his recruiter.

[nickstermom]

Thanks for the info.  His recruiter just sent him a link or list with what to bring.  He was a last minute insert into the July 20 class, just notified on July 9th,so we are really busy trying to get everything together (e.g. medical records, immunization records, etc.)  And we still haven't discovered what class (xx-14) he is in.  His reporting orders say that he is driving, but don't provide any details on mileage, time allowed, per diem, etc.  Are there any other moms of someone in the 7/20 class on this site?

[Anna]

nickstermom,

Wow it sounds like he is really hopping to get everything ready in such short time.  My daughter had lots of lead time and there was a lot she had to do.  I can just imagine having to do all that in a short period.

I can double check with her but I'm pretty sure that she kept all her receipts for gas and one hotel stay, her meals and the mileage from Ohio to Newport.  At some point she turned all that in for reimbursement.  I know she made sure she was there the night before, I can't remember where she stayed but I know she met with several other candidates who were starting the next day and they all went out to dinner.  She said many were so nervous and could hardly eat anything, but they knew they had to get a good meal cause in those first few days you don't get much chance to eat!!!  And of course, there was no way she could sleep that night!!!!!!  Hope everything goes well for him!!!

[Anna]

nickstermom,

I also just read M's mom post and I do remember Jenn had a bunch of Navy knowledge she had to memorize before she reported.  Some of it is how to respond whenever someone speaks to you in OCS.   He should ask his recruiter for this info as well so he doesn't start off not knowing what they expect him to know!!!!

[nickstermom]

Thanks everyone for your comments.  I learn a little more each day.  He found out today that his class is 01-15 and he has found and joined the page for his class.  As soon as I have a little time, I will try to find out the FB page of the moms for that class.  

[M's mom]

nickstermom:   The reason your son's class will be 01-15 is because the Navy starts their new fiscal year on Oct 01 every year, so your son's class will be the FIRST OCS class graduating in the fiscal year 2015, even though the graduation date will be (I think) Oct 10, 2014.   That's why the weird class numbering system.  The Facebook group for his class probably IS the family support group, because the candidates themselves will NOT have any access to Facebook or open internet at OCS until they are allowed to use their personal phones at week ten, I think.  Search Facebook for "Navy OCS Class 01-15 Friends and Family" and you should hopefully find the group.     Even though he has very little time, he MUST try to memorize before he goes everything they will expect, such as ranks, general orders, etc.  I think my son was given a booklet by his recruiter with all that in it.

[Anna]

nickstermom,

There was an OCS survivors guide on the internet that my daughter and I read.  I found a link to one.  I can't say if it's 100% accurate or not, but even if you and your son get a little insight as to what to expect and what kind of things he needs to know, it might make him feel a little more confident going in!!!!  Here's the link I found:

http://www.navydads.com/group/navyocsdads/forum/topics/survivors-gu...

[pbmcdaniel]

Question about the First Salute....what type of silver dollar is acceptable and where can we locate them?

[Anna]

pbmcdaniel,

Posted a reply on the group page, but forgot to mention that any reputable coin dealer can get silver coins if they don't have them on hand.  Don't exchange any money until you see the coins.