This is all so new and scary to me

[megan220]

So my husband and I have been married for about a year new. He has been actively pursuing a career in the Navy and is going through all the paperwork, tests, etc. for OCS.

We started this process last year and got married at the courthouse right before it. When we initially talked about the Navy, I was excited and so ready for this new journey and life together. As we are nearing the final step of preparing for OCS, I am starting to freak out a bit.

He has been accepted and now we are just waiting for the date he actually leaves for OCS. I've been trying to research as much as I can, and I just can't seem to find enough information to calm my nerves.

I was hoping I could come here to find some comfort, understanding, and help! lol I have so many questions and nobody to be able to help with the answers...

How soon do they normally receive their date for OCS?

When will I know where he's stationed?

How soon after OCS do we have to go to wherever he's stationed?

[Kelley.A]

Hi Megan220! 

I'm super new to this whole process to. My boyfriend actually just left for OCS in RI and is there now so I might be able to help with some questions but by no means am I an expert :) 

When he got accepted into the Navy he found out his OCS date within the several weeks following, and then left about less than 2 months later for OCS. The dates of OCS highly depend on availability and change often. 

He won't know where he is stationed until about 6-7 weeks into OCS when he meets with a detailer to decide his station. Sometimes there are choices which is why he meets with a person to talk it through, other times if there is a specific job he is doing he may not have much of a choice. Since you guys are married he should be able to find out more info from his recruiter, he would also potentially get more choices since you would both travel as a unit. 

Date for reporting to his station also highly depends on how needed he is, how soon the job is, etc. You probably wouldn't know more until he speaks with the detailer. It could be anywhere from a few days to a few months. 

Hope this helps!

[BettinaRM]

Hi Kelley.A!

What date did your boyfriend start OCS in RI? Mine just started OCS at RI as well a few days ago. This first week without communication is extremely tough. The distance is manageable, its' the fact that I don't know when I'll hear from him again that makes it so hard at times. I'm trying to keep busy so that I don't think about it too much, but it usually hits me at night and first thing when I wake up in the morning. What makes it worse is that I know how difficult INDOC week is and I feel helpless because I want to be there for him but I know there's nothing I can do. I've been writing letters, but of course he won't receive them for a week or so (at least until he's an Officer Candidate and not an Indoctrination Candidate).

[Kelley.A]

Hi Bettina,

He started at the beginning of May. Did yours start on 5/24? There is a great Facebook group that you should join. 

Here is the link to the page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1586029298339178/. You can also search for "24 May 2015 Class Friends and Family"

This is specific to your boyfriends class and everyone apart of the group has someone who is also apart of the OCS class.

My boyfriend did receive the letters I sent prior to him being an Officer Candidate, it just took about a week for them to assign someone to the mail duty & for him to get approved. 

If you want to reach out to me directly via PM we can connect on Facebook if you want. My boyfriends class is a couple weeks ahead of yours so I can kind of give you sneak peaks :)