Comments

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  David August 29, 2024 at 7:26am

  Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS) is often described as a challenging and demanding experience. Many participants and their families find it to be one of the toughest parts of their military careers, sometimes even more difficult than deployments[1]. The program combines elements of Navy bootcamp with additional responsibilities and schooling, and includes aspects of Marine Corps bootcamp[3]. Despite the hardships, OCS is viewed as a necessary step towards becoming an officer, serving as a "means to an end"[5]. The phrase "embrace the suck" is commonly used to encourage candidates to accept and tackle the challenges they face[2].
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  Scott Shiley June 12, 2024 at 1:07pm

  Thank you Jim for the welcome!  I just watched the Boot Camp: Creating a Sailor video.  Urging my entire family to watch it.  I told my son he should be doing sit-ups and push-ups every day but my wife thinks that I'm overdoing it.  I told her to watch the video and then tell me again if she thinks I am.  One thing for sure, thanks to her, he should be used to getting screamed at.  ;-)
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  Jeff Hotem June 5, 2024 at 4:25pm

  Thanks for the warm welcome, Jim.  My son begins OCS 6/16/24 and couldn't be more proud.  Father's Day this year will take on a whole new perspective.  While there are a ton of questions, I'm finding out that less is more.  My wife and I are driving up to Newport for the weekend to drop him off.  Is it best for him to take a taxi from our hotel to the base, or will we have access merely to drop him off?  That's probably the biggest question I have at this point.
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  Ruel Knudson February 29, 2024 at 10:22am

  Hello and thank you for the welcome. 

  This site has already been a huge help for me. I have been using its content to clarify many of the gaps in my knowledge while writing about my family's experience with RTC, PIR, and the early days of our daughter's service. I am adding this page as a resource for my readers, and acknowledgement to my book (I hope this is ok).

  My book is almost finished. I am only working on some final information and resources. When I get closer to wrapping up in the next couple of weeks, I would be honored if you and any other admins would be willing to accept free copies of the book and provide any feedback or insight before publication. While I have my daughter and several other resources helping me to ensure accuracy, the more eyes on it the better.
  
  Also, what are the policies on me adding this site and the facebook in the book, on my webpage, and in my facebook pages?

  Thanks again for welcoming me. Furthermore, thank you for creating and maintaining such a wonderful resource for parents. This is an amazing site, and I am glad to be a part of it.

  
  Regards,

  Ruel Knudson
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  Erika Cashin February 29, 2024 at 6:39am

  Thank you Jim!  I appreciate the time and effort you and the team put into keeping military parents informed.  My husband spent 10 years in the Navy.  I retired after 26 years with the AF, and am still an AF civilian employee.  So we both know that your work here to keep families informed goes a long way!
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  Curt Pavia November 6, 2023 at 9:02pm

  thanks for the welcome message, Jim. That is what I am hoping to get out of this site...answers to questions, advice, and support. My son hasn't been in boot camp a week yet and the post on When is PIR and What is Their Mailing Address has already helped. I know now that I have to wait for his first form letter with Ship/Div assignment and address.

  I am excited and nervous, but certainly proud of him for taking on this responsibility. It is the start of an incredible journey for him!
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  Jay Spicer November 3, 2023 at 7:17pm

  Thanks for the warm welcome. My son has his PIR next Thursday November 9. Looking forward to seeing him and see the man he is becoming! Can't wait for this new journey to begin. 
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  Barbra Georgellis September 19, 2023 at 6:47am

  Thank you for the warm welcome, Jim.  Looking forward to connecting with those who understand what we will be going through as our son embarks on his Navy journey starting with OCS and who can help answer questions we have or provide advice. We are very proud of our son for taking this big step, but both he and we approach this major change and step into the unknown with some trepidation! 
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  Joseph Hernandez January 24, 2023 at 4:15pm

  Thank you very much Jim.

  Receiving  letters from our son has given us pride for all the young men and women that have sacrificed and dedicated their livelihood to serve and defend. 
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  Joe Marquez January 19, 2023 at 10:05am

  Thank you Jim, for considering my request to join. My Grandson is very excited to start the OCS training and will fly out tomorrow 01/19/2023 Class 09-23.