06 Jan 2013

[CUPike11]

Ramos hit it on the head....thats pretty much it.

I know what Body Glide is and the DIs will too, however, they will look for anything and everything they can to pinpoint and try to single you out. My DI didn't even know my name until week 6. I busted my ass when we got beat and put 110% effort, didn't suck balls during drill practice (one of the few who liked drill) and stayed under the radar. I took one of the "harder" jobs later on and that got me some points w/ a few of the DIs.

But it doesnt matter, just don't be that guy (the douchebag --- we had a few in my class) who constantly blue falcons the rest of your class to make yourself look good. But also don't be that guy who puts in half assed effort for everything when everyone else is doing it right. I went to OCS around the same time you guys did. I started on 24 Jan 2010.

This is you guys' thread so i'm not trying to hijack as I know my place is far removed from OCS now, but if I can drop small tidbits for you guys or steer you in the right direction, I'll do it.

Just remember......its going to be cold (I called it Alcatraz), its going to suck, but the days will seem like weeks and weeks will seem like days. That means nothing now, but when you look back on this after commissioning if you all make it through, it'll make sense.

Continue to work together, keep each other up, GO TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT RELIGIOUS. Its the one place you will go thats safe from DIs and everyone is cool. You still keep your bearing but you can relax a bit. Write letters to your families/spouses/kids whatever. It'll get easier. If you have priors in your class, ask them for help. Find out who's good at what for inspection and help each other out. I was the pro-ironing guy as I had been ironing shit since I was 7. Another guy was the shit at shining boots. Another guy at folding things for inspection. That kind of stuff.

Don't be a douche to the younger classes....many of them you will see again and/or become friends with later on down the road. Especially if you're heading to flight school.

 

[mgilbert1]

Words of wisdom regarding the screwing your team for personal gain. I know going through Great lakes that was a no no and it tends to work out poorly for the guy screwing everyone else.

 

[Kay]

It is hard to believe some of our team would screw us, we are all the same side and it is better if we all succeed together.

I passed my PRT today, I was a bit nervous because running around the track by yourself can make it hard to pace, I always start out too fast. But it ended well, my OR was happy with my scores. Goods on sits-ups and running and satisfactory on push-ups. I hope to be in the good standard for push-ups by Jan.

32 days left!

 

[mgilbert1]

I am surprised so many people are having to do a preship PRT. I asked my OR about it and he said it is not mandatory. I am glad to hear that everyone seems to be preparing and is in good spirits. We are lucky that we get to enjoy the holidays before heading out. I have only seen one other prior service guy post on here, hopefully there will be others

In reference to the people screwing people, I think some people just do not understand the concept of teamwork. In bootcamp we had guys who would work against the team knowing everyone would pay for it. It all works out though those people do not tend to last long with no friends.

 

[CUPike11]

It is hard to believe some of our team would screw us, we are all the same side and it is better if we all succeed together.

You would be surprised what happens at OCS. The DIs are VERY good at what they do and picking apart people. Our class president was weak and afraid of our DI and wouldn't listen to us to ask him stuff, however, he' d lie and throw us under the bus all the time. So we got him fired eventually and hated by the DI. He would intentionally screw us over, because it made us look like ass and him look awesome in the eyes of the DI and class chief.

 

[bd2575]

FS Letter generated today. Swearing in late next week. Been "hurry up and wait" since June; now it's just time to hurry up!

22/M/Non-prior/NSW/Duke University '12

 

[bdr2489]

FS Letter generated today. Swearing in late next week. Been "hurry up and wait" since June; now it's just time to hurry up!

22/M/Non-prior/NSW/Duke University '12

Congrats! I have the day off work, so I just got my push up/sit up workout done early. But I bet you'll be kickin my a$$ at PT, if you're heading to BUD/S after OCS, haha. Looking forward to meeting you in Jan

 

[LFCFan]

Ramos hit it on the head....thats pretty much it.

Continue to work together, keep each other up, GO TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT RELIGIOUS. Its the one place you will go thats safe from DIs and everyone is cool. You still keep your bearing but you can relax a bit. Write letters to your families/spouses/kids whatever.

So its understood that there will be a group of dudes quietly/respectfully doing things in the back who aren't participating in the service? Are you better off going to one particular faith/denomination over another if you aren't religious?

What happens to people who don't go to church?

Don't be a douche to the younger classes....many of them you will see again and/or become friends with later on down the road. Especially if you're heading to flight school.

Generally speaking, the first part is good advice for a whole career I'd assume. How much power/yelling do the more senior classes have over the younger ones? Is the idea to simulate plebe-ness from the academies during indoc phase?

 

[CUPike11]

So its understood that there will be a group of dudes quietly/respectfully doing things in the back who aren't participating in the service? Are you better off going to one particular faith/denomination over another if you aren't religious?

What happens to people who don't go to church?

Well the chaplain is still an 0-5/O-6, so "doing things in the back" (whatever that means), you can still glean something from the service regardless if you participate. Military bearing still applies even at church and ALWAYS assume you are being watched by someone. Second, there were lots of people who went ot church and weren't religious. You don't have to be religious and no service is better than the other. It doesnt matter, make some friends and go where you feel comfortable. There's no pressure to go to church, its just a good break from the ridiculousness of OCS at times each week. I looked forward to the morning bible studies we had in one of the other buildings prior to church.

People who don't go to church stay in Nimitz and you study, do homework, and/or get stuff ready for inspection. Normally sundays you "sleep in" until about 0600/0630 and start the day. Most DIs didn't come around on sunday, however, the minute you let your guard down, they'll show up. So don't start acting stupid on sunday or you will pay for it. Also just because DIs usually don't come around on sundays, doesn't mean they won't. I remember being a candio (the senior classes in charge of the younger ones) and the DI I was working for called me and told me he was coming in on Easter sunday. I couldn't tell the class but just to show you, they can show up sundays too.

Generally speaking, the first part is good advice for a whole career I'd assume. How much power/yelling do the more senior classes have over the younger ones? Is the idea to simulate plebe-ness from the academies during indoc phase?

You are going to get yelled at by the senior class (the candidate officers - those classes that are w/in 3 weeks of graduation) in the beginning. There's a reason for it and I was that guy too when we indoctrinated the incoming youngest class when we took over the regiment. However once your DI shows up, thats their job and your candidate officers (if they're good) should take on the role of mentors almost. The candios that work for your DI and class chief are responsible for teaching you guys some basic stuff and getting you acclimated, so after the first couple of days, the yelling done by them should be minimal. I'm friends with guys/girls who were candios for me and those I was a candio for as well too. No the idea isn't to simulate plebe summer, thats completely different. Remember, everything at OCS is a mind fuck.

Also, keep in mind.....you WILL see those older students and younger students out in training pipelines or your paths may cross in the fleet. So don't think you're hot shit just because you're almost done and can treat the lower class like shit. Sometimes it will be necessary for the older students to yell, but they should be helping you as well.

Quite honestly, I believe a TON of this has changed since I was there. I dont think you guys will be getting yelled at much from what I've heard. But either way, take everything with a grain of salt. Remember OCS is NOT the real Navy and just play the game and get through.

 

[MattEdwards]

Thanks for the advice and gouge, CUP. I'm getting set to go, and am nervous as hell (excited though). Almost every person I have spoken to says the same things about OCS.

 

[ChelseaRuthless]

In reference to the church talk: I heard that there is coffee at church. Is that true? And how much trouble does someone in their first 9 weeks get if they drink it? I'm trying to ween myself off the coffee, but it's truly one of the biggest things I'm afraid of.

Also, I am a non-prior, but I have enlisted friends that say the total opposite about church. "Don't be THAT girl that goes to church; nobody does that." Etc... But you guys are URGING us to go to church during OCS? I'll definitely take the break if it's not going to get me pegged as a sissy. I know it sounds stupid, but I don't want to set myself up to be "targeted" for any reason.

 

[MasterBates]

Go at OCS.

Sent from my PH44100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[BackOrdered]

In reference to the church talk: I heard that there is coffee at church. Is that true? And how much trouble does someone in their first 9 weeks get if they drink it? I'm trying to ween myself off the coffee, but it's truly one of the biggest things I'm afraid of.

Also, I am a non-prior, but I have enlisted friends that say the total opposite about church. "Don't be THAT girl that goes to church; nobody does that." Etc... But you guys are URGING us to go to church during OCS? I'll definitely take the break if it's not going to get me pegged as a sissy. I know it sounds stupid, but I don't want to set myself up to be "targeted" for any reason.

First off, just who exactly tells other people not to go to church if they want? That's a real jerk move and it would get ugly if someone pulled that with me or anyone else.

Second, church is the biggest "unwind" activity at OCS where you are free to socialize and act "somewhat" human. And some of the bible studies with the baby chaps were pretty fun. You would be doing yourself a disservice by not going.

Third, being a leader isn't about worrying about others thinking you are a sissy. In this case, if your personal moral convictions compel you to attend church, you shouldn't compromise that to "be cool." That's poor character.

Lastly, coffee is really at the discretion of the DI, but by the first week you really shouldn't need it.

And before you ask, I never missed a service

 

[ChelseaRuthless]

Well that's reassuring. I don't intend to drive this discussion toward one about religion, as I myself am not particularly religious, nor do I attend church regularly (though I am not opposed to the idea). However, knowing that the option is available to act, as you said, "somewhat human" is reassuring, and I can definitely appreciate the "normal" human interaction. My concern isn't so much about being ostracised (which is how I think I mistakenly presented it). I guess I'm more concerned with maximizing what little time I will have to myself when I'll be there. I suppose I won't know until I get there whether I'd rather spend my time at church with a chance to unwind and socialize or spend it studying and preparing for other things.

 

[OUSOONER]

I went to church to stuff my face full of donuts and coffee...catch a few extra Z's and to talk to people in a normal conversational tone. Nothing wrong with that.