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DCOIC Gouge for those about to commission as a DCO

AQ-AT-NAVCIV

Citizen Sailor, Gentleman Farmer
My gouge: Show up with all your uniforms good to go. Dry cleaned and ready. I know they say you will have time to get them at Newport, but much easier if your not getting uniforms with 40 other dudes. If you cant get to a NEX prior to DCOIC, then do it there. Make sure you try them on and have them checked, lots of guys showed up with uniforms that were wrong size. That creates a new set of problems.
Show up with PT gear, if any chance its cold, have sweats.

Don't create or take part in any drama of any kind

Figure out who has a POV or rental car within the first few days and become friends.

If you really want to show up on Saturday, then OK then. I preferred to show up on Sunday, mid afternoon would be my goal. Our class officer showed up at 1800 for weigh in and a intro brief, just make that.

Class Chief shows up first thing Monday morning, to welcome you to DCOIC.

Read the DCOIC website, pay mess bill in cash, expect to be able to leave any time Friday. We had guys leave as early as 0600 Friday on the last day.
 

PenguinGal

Can Do!
Contributor
Are they still doing the super sized classes? My buddy went through back in December with a 'super class' of around 120 people. It was the first time they did one like that, have they continued or did they go back to single company sized classes?

Good gouge @AQ-AT-NAVCIV . Another thing to consider is learning all of the general information that the OCS guys talk about, 11 general orders etc. We were quizzed on those during our inspections. Also, get out and about when you get the chance. Newport and the surrounding area is great. Visit Boston, tour the USS Constitution, do the touristy stuff with your new friends. It is totally worth it, especially if you aren't from the area.
 
I have a CAC and can get to Reserve Homeport and have been through the material there. I have extra questions:

1. What's the PT like? I'm kind of a duffer runner (9 min/mi for shorter things, I clear the PRT Good with over two minutes to spare, but I'm a 2:20 half marathoner so by no means speedy over long distances).

2. What's good to have that's not on the packing list? I'm thinking ruler, scissors, ibuprofin, lint roller, and alarm clock. None of that? Some of that? Other things?

3. Aside from the NKO classes listed, the gouge sheet, and the FY2017 GMT, anything else good to go over before I go?

4. How much of it is Powerpoint vs. military training things? Mostly presentations or do we actually do some hands on stuff?

Thanks, all.
 
And also, I'm coming in from left coast on a red eye. Anywhere to shower before I report so that I don't look like long-flight-doom? Is there a USO at Providence?
 

AQ-AT-NAVCIV

Citizen Sailor, Gentleman Farmer
Don't sweat the PT, if you can complete a PRT, your good.

Ruler, yes..... Scissors, yes....yeah take all that stuff! I used my iphone for an alarm clock. The power plugs are in the desk in your room. I found it really helpful to have a 6ft long charging cord.

Just memorize the stuff on the gouge card. But the no shit stuff is the Creed and know how to "sing" anchors aweigh. But know all of it, you will be asked about these during Khaki inspection.

Its all Power Point! and its designed for you not knowing anything about the military, navy and navy reserves. Some in your class might not know anything, and you might have a 26 year navy LDO in your class.
 

AQ-AT-NAVCIV

Citizen Sailor, Gentleman Farmer
And also, I'm coming in from left coast on a red eye. Anywhere to shower before I report so that I don't look like long-flight-doom? Is there a USO at Providence?

I don't remember a USO at Providence, not sure where you would shower prior to checking into king hall.
 

AQ-AT-NAVCIV

Citizen Sailor, Gentleman Farmer
Are they still doing the super sized classes? My buddy went through back in December with a 'super class' of around 120 people. It was the first time they did one like that, have they continued or did they go back to single company sized classes?

Good gouge @AQ-AT-NAVCIV . Another thing to consider is learning all of the general information that the OCS guys talk about, 11 general orders etc. We were quizzed on those during our inspections. Also, get out and about when you get the chance. Newport and the surrounding area is great. Visit Boston, tour the USS Constitution, do the touristy stuff with your new friends. It is totally worth it, especially if you aren't from the area.

I do not think so, seems after they did the super class they had to canx classes throughout the year due to low number of students. Prob did the super class to get caught up when they finally stopped approving AT orders for people who did not do DCOIC.
 

fieldrat

Fully Qualified 1815
I have a CAC and can get to Reserve Homeport and have been through the material there. I have extra questions:

1. What's the PT like? I'm kind of a duffer runner (9 min/mi for shorter things, I clear the PRT Good with over two minutes to spare, but I'm a 2:20 half marathoner so by no means speedy over long distances).

2. What's good to have that's not on the packing list? I'm thinking ruler, scissors, ibuprofin, lint roller, and alarm clock. None of that? Some of that? Other things?

3. Aside from the NKO classes listed, the gouge sheet, and the FY2017 GMT, anything else good to go over before I go?

4. How much of it is Powerpoint vs. military training things? Mostly presentations or do we actually do some hands on stuff?

Thanks, all.

The packout says two sets of PT gear, but you want three. Definitely bring tiny(manicurist?) scissors to snip the flyaway threads on your uniform. Lint roller goes without saying. Please don't forget shower shoes, as the head is grungy, even after cleaning. Everything is pretty much PowerPoint. The only hands on is the pool evolution, mock PRT, and when you get smoked for not functioning as a unit. Right or wrong, do everything together, then get that one Schmuckatelli in line after Chief and OIC are off the deck.
 

AQ-AT-NAVCIV

Citizen Sailor, Gentleman Farmer
Yeah, good catch with the two sets of PT gear. I bought another set while there (even though they are overpriced and I would never need a second set again) just so I did not need to wash a set every night.
 

fieldrat

Fully Qualified 1815
Yeah, good catch with the two sets of PT gear. I bought another set while there (even though they are overpriced and I would never need a second set again) just so I did not need to wash a set every night.
Right, the laundry is free, but my sleep is more important.

What's good to have that's not on the packing list?

Forgot to mention to bring some laundry pods, or detergent/softener combo sheets. Also, consider a small mesh laundry bag. Depending on circumstances, you'll end up doing 'group laundry'. This ensures that your stuff stays 'your stuff', and that it doesn't get mangled in the washers.

A wise JO would do laundry around 2AM, so that by the time you finish your morning shower, you can stop by the dryer on the way back to your room. Result: Never wait for washer/dryer, and have more than five minutes to shower in the morning.
Pro-Tip: if the showers are full, go up/down a floor and use the showers there. Unless specifically prohibited, it's a great way to skip the lines.
 

ABMD

Bullets don't fly without Supply
Thanks for the gouge. I'm hoping to attend DCOIC sometime this Spring. As previously mentioned, the old links are dead and any current gouge is much appreciated.

RE: Uniforms. The OTC site mentions which uniforms to bring: SDB, Khaki and NWU, but not how many. Should we bring more than 1 set of Khaki's and NWU's? To avoid washing the same thing everyday? Also, @EtoileDuNord55455 mentioned a packing list. Is that provided once you are assigned a quota?

Thanks in advance.
 

fieldrat

Fully Qualified 1815
RE: Uniforms
Yep, once assigned a quota and officially in the class, you'll receive a pack-out list. It's essentially the same as what's on the OCS/DCOIC website. Back in JUL, two sets of khakis were required, but only one set of NWUs. If you don't mind spending the money, having two sets of NWU will make your evening/early mornings significantly easier, since one wear one set while the other is being cleaned. I know Type I is being phased out, and some commands are delaying the Type III 'at Commanders discretion', so do what seems best to you...

Forgot to mention: bring some Downy/Febreeze with wrinkle release if you can find it. Some folks will try and put their Khakis through the washing machines. Please don't; can't stress this enough. Unless they're heavily soiled, just give them a good misting with Febreeze and let them air dry. At $120 per set, you really don't want to have to make an extra trip to uniform supply.

If you have money to burn on two sets of SDB, well you don't really need gouge. You can afford to charge your problems away...:D
 

fieldrat

Fully Qualified 1815
RE: Uniforms
In JUL, the fleece/parka/eisenhower jacket were effective optional; folks who didn't have it, were not ordered to buy it. This time of year, you might not have/want a choice. In fact, you might even end up buying the all-weather jacket (black double-breasted, lined trench) for use with the SDB if the weather really starts to foul up.
 

ABMD

Bullets don't fly without Supply
If you have money to burn on two sets of SDB, well you don't really need gouge. You can afford to charge your problems away...:D

I just purchased my full SDB for commissioning, yikes. Surprised at the cost, and I didn't go with the Brooks Brothers option.

Side question, the uniform shop I visited only had a pair of awful, mate finish, Bates oxfords. Can we also wear high-gloss oxfords with he SBD? I would much rather wear something like the patent leather high-gloss oxfords the Marines wear.
 

fieldrat

Fully Qualified 1815
You can absolutely wear the high-gloss corfams. In my opinion, they are the most uncomfortable shoe I've worn in years, but that shine can't be beat. If you are going to be an everyday "black shoe', the 'dull' oxfords will probably feel better and last longer (real leather...), you just have to polish them.

I just purchased my full SDB for commissioning, yikes.
If you purchased at the uniform shop, you should at least be able to get free alterations on the jacket. Wasn't an option for me, as my closest supply options are non-Navy, and won't do free alterations on stuff not purchased there.
 
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