10 Things I Wish Someone had Told me Before OCS
1. Expect Zero Contact in Week One
I wish there was someone that could have grabbed my face and said "Chelsea, he has not forgotten about you, he simply doesn't have a phone and can't send mail yet" during the first week. Mail is very slow for them and it feels like that first letter is never going to come, but when it does it is GLORIOUS. Their first week is a blur and while SOME people end up getting a phone call or some how send mail right away, for the sake of everyones sanity, just assume that week one will be a communication cleanse for you and your LO.
2. Facebook Groups are Lifesaving
Just at the end of week one when I had spent two hours googling any information I could get my hands on about OCS and had just about given up; I found a OCS Friends and Family Group. This network of people was probably my most valuable resource the entire 15 weeks Will was away. It was moms, dads, wives, girlfriends and anyone wanting to keep up with their sailors along the way. Not only did it give me updates, but there were files and instructions for Candio Boxes, graduation and even the proper way to send letters. An added bonus to this group was when I showed up to Newport for graduation I felt like I already knew so many people! The sense of community within the Navy is amazing!
3. OCS Aint Cheap
While OCS is part of their job and our LOs do get paid while they are there does not mean that it doesnt cost money to be there and graduate. This was something that I never gave an ounce of thought to until Will wrote or called saying "Oh money for food comes out of my paycheck and we have to pay for uniforms before we leave". Trips to the NEX every other week and travel expenses for graduation also added up very quickly and fortunately we were able to drive. However, the big monster at the end was the uniform bill. The excitement at the thought of seeing them in their dress whites at graduation eases the blow as you dish out what feels like a down payment on a car. It is all very worth it but definitely something to think about beforehand.
4. RLP is from the pits of Hell
While there are many many evolutions that are rollable, I think there is one that stands out to most as the worst. This would be the Room, Locker, and Personnel Inspection. It is tough for everyone, the Indocs and their loved ones. The wait for an email from your sailor on the day of RLP was the most stressful day for me by far. This was one part that took me out at the knees, and I wish that I would have been more aware of its suckiness(is that a word?) before hand!
4. RLP is from the pits of Hell
While there are many many evolutions that are rollable, I think there is one that stands out to most as the worst. This would be the Room, Locker, and Personnel Inspection. It is tough for everyone, the Indocs and their loved ones. The wait for an email from your sailor on the day of RLP was the most stressful day for me by far. This was one part that took me out at the knees, and I wish that I would have been more aware of its suckiness(is that a word?) before hand!
I had always thought since the military seems to be such a well-oiled and structured machine that there would be many absolutes and everything would happen in a timely manner. I have since come off of that little cloud and realized that many aspects of Navy life include waiting and many times till the very last minute. Will, along with many others, didnt recieve his orders until the day of gradution. Also, the training and schools that these officers attend after OCS does not always have spots open which can result in longer OHARP(which I dont hate). However, waiting seems even worse when graduates have to stay after graduation to wait for orders or the dreaded NAMI letters(for pilots).
6. 12ish Weeks
I think most LOs go into OCS thinking "its just twelve weeks, its just 12 weeks" and then at some point in those twelve weeks someone decides that 15 weeks sounds much better. The word ROLL will never be the same to me as long as I live. The sound of it makes my blood turn cold! After Will rolled, I spent the rest of his time there in fear that every event could be the one that pushes him back another three weeks.
7. Rolling isn't always Fair
I assumed the only reason someone would roll into H Class at OCS was because they clearly didn't reach a goal or pass a test. I didn't realize how subjective all of these tests and inspections were! While Will rolled into H Class for very obviously not passing an evolution, there were many that rolled at inspections or tests over one point or because the DI was grumpy and had a personal vendetta. I know so many LOs(including myself) left scratching their heads as to why their sailor was rolled back a class for something so "stupid". However, there are many that don't ever have to experience this and make it through in just 12 weeks!
8. The Opportunity of H Class
Initially I thought nothing could possibly ever come from H Class, and was very set in my ways about that idea until the end of week two. I had realized that Will was able to take a step back and take time to learn and perfect things for his inspections. He was also able to start a devotional and have time to share his testimony with some of the other guys in H Class and was able to write me a lot more. While it is definitely three weeks of sitting on your hands and not moving forward, it goes by quicker than you think and I am certain that it gives most a chance to grow their knowledge and most importantly their confidence.
9. Write Write Write
I can't stress enough how much those at OCS look forward to getting mail. Will said it was like christmas every time the mail carrier came and it was an even bigger deal when he would have a stack of letters. I did great on the front end but really dropped he ball after email and phone privileges were in play. I wish I would have stuck with it the whole time, writing him was like a journal just from updating him on our days. It was nice because I could put all of long things I needed to talk about on the letters and the short and important things were saved for the phone. Also, having envelopes addressed and stamped on hand made it so easy to write a letter real quick and pop it in the mail. I can't wait to go back and read our letters to each other in 10 years!
10. The best way to get through OCS is with a little determination and a whole lot of JESUS!
I could give you a list of 50 things that may help this process be a little easier and less confusing but the ONLY thing that got me through those 15 weeks with my sanity is giving every day to Christ. Trusting in God alone and knowing that His timing and His plan were best is what made us stronger. He was the one that opened the door for Will to become an officer and he is the one who got him to graduation. I wish I could say that is was my own doings that gave me comfort on bad days but it was most certainly Jesus and his sovereignty and grace! It is so sweet to look back and see where God shapes and molds us in times that are tough and overwhelming, he is begging us to cling to Him for joy and encouragement!
I hope this list didn't just shine negative light on OCS, because that was not my intention at all! Will and I are both so happy we walked into this opportunity and really think t has forever changed our family for the better and further grounded us in our faith! Also, thank you to everyone who gave their input to help make this list! I hope that someone who is completely new to Navy life can find this and know a little more than I did when I began this journey!
7. Rolling isn't always Fair
I assumed the only reason someone would roll into H Class at OCS was because they clearly didn't reach a goal or pass a test. I didn't realize how subjective all of these tests and inspections were! While Will rolled into H Class for very obviously not passing an evolution, there were many that rolled at inspections or tests over one point or because the DI was grumpy and had a personal vendetta. I know so many LOs(including myself) left scratching their heads as to why their sailor was rolled back a class for something so "stupid". However, there are many that don't ever have to experience this and make it through in just 12 weeks!
8. The Opportunity of H Class
Initially I thought nothing could possibly ever come from H Class, and was very set in my ways about that idea until the end of week two. I had realized that Will was able to take a step back and take time to learn and perfect things for his inspections. He was also able to start a devotional and have time to share his testimony with some of the other guys in H Class and was able to write me a lot more. While it is definitely three weeks of sitting on your hands and not moving forward, it goes by quicker than you think and I am certain that it gives most a chance to grow their knowledge and most importantly their confidence.
9. Write Write Write
I can't stress enough how much those at OCS look forward to getting mail. Will said it was like christmas every time the mail carrier came and it was an even bigger deal when he would have a stack of letters. I did great on the front end but really dropped he ball after email and phone privileges were in play. I wish I would have stuck with it the whole time, writing him was like a journal just from updating him on our days. It was nice because I could put all of long things I needed to talk about on the letters and the short and important things were saved for the phone. Also, having envelopes addressed and stamped on hand made it so easy to write a letter real quick and pop it in the mail. I can't wait to go back and read our letters to each other in 10 years!
10. The best way to get through OCS is with a little determination and a whole lot of JESUS!
I could give you a list of 50 things that may help this process be a little easier and less confusing but the ONLY thing that got me through those 15 weeks with my sanity is giving every day to Christ. Trusting in God alone and knowing that His timing and His plan were best is what made us stronger. He was the one that opened the door for Will to become an officer and he is the one who got him to graduation. I wish I could say that is was my own doings that gave me comfort on bad days but it was most certainly Jesus and his sovereignty and grace! It is so sweet to look back and see where God shapes and molds us in times that are tough and overwhelming, he is begging us to cling to Him for joy and encouragement!
I hope this list didn't just shine negative light on OCS, because that was not my intention at all! Will and I are both so happy we walked into this opportunity and really think t has forever changed our family for the better and further grounded us in our faith! Also, thank you to everyone who gave their input to help make this list! I hope that someone who is completely new to Navy life can find this and know a little more than I did when I began this journey!
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