vitamins

[gin_e]

so what is the rule on vitamins at ocs? i take vitamins for long term health benefits and eat healthy organic fresh food, no dairy or red meat. i've heard the food at ocs is less than adequate. it would be ridiculous of them to lower your nutrition while at the same time increasing your activity level.

but if you do stash them in your car for after liberty, do you still have to hide them or are the rules relaxed by then? how many weeks does it take till liberty?

 

[farkle84]

alright, at Marine Corps OCS there was no vitamins or supplements allowed at all. and you were on the honor system while on liberty. dont worry about not taking them. its only for several weeks and i am sure you can last without them. our food was great. i loved it, lots of carbs and some protein. if you are worried about organic and healthy food then i would keep that to yourself because the Sgt. Instructors might have fun with that. good luck

 

[EODDave]

gin_e

What you can do is take them with you and put them in the bag/suitcase that you take into ocs with you. You wont be able to access the bag for the first week, but after that, you will have access to it when ever you need. It will be in a room designated just for all the suitcases and baggage that candidates bring with them. The room will be right down the hall from you and is easy to get to after the first week. Just keep it to yourself and dont tell everyone what your up to.
Your not supposed to self medicate. However, it happens. If vitamins are the only thing your are taking its no big deal.


Dave

 

[megan620]

I wondered about that same topic when my boyfriend was at OCS. It seems like if they aren't going to allow people to self-medicate, then they should give out a multi-vitamin to everyone at breakfast since the benefits of a daily multi-vitamin to health and nutrition has been proven over and over and over.......But maybe I am just biased towards the multi-vitamin because of my educational background (BS in nutrition science).

 

[gin_e]

i suppose they just want to make sure you can manage despite it all. but everyday food just isn't as nutritional as it used to be, they should be aware and adjust their policy.

i'm mostly concerned about calcium since i'll be building bone mass with the additional exercise, but if i can't strengthen my bones i could injure myself. especially since i highly doubt they'll be offering soy milk to supplement my non-dairy diet.

 

[gin_e]

if i manage to get a doctor's prescription for my vitamins, then how does it work? do they keep all your medicine and divy it out at the prescribed times? i'm sure i'll be picked on for having to take vitamins

 

[EODDave]

No,

If you have a prescription you will be fine. You could then keep it in your locker.

Dave

 

[frogggystyle]

Your doctor's vitamin prescription will more than likely not be honored at OCS because it is not a necessary medication. Any type of vitamins or over the counter medication is considered contraband and can get you kicked out of OCS for not having them prescribed to you. You aren't going to develop any vitamin deficiencies while you are at OCS. If you are concerned about vitamin intake, eat two boxes of cereal during breakfast and you’ll be set for the day.

Seriously, do not push your luck with vitamins and over the counter drugs. Being kicked out of OCS is *NOT* worth that risk for sneaking vitamins or OTCs. If you need medication, it will be provided to you at sick-call. And, yes, they do have surprise inspections. Right before I graduated in Feb ’02 they had one and they confiscated three garbage bags full of contraband.


"The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his." - General George Patton (1885-1945)

 

[frogggystyle]

And, gin_e, if you are worried about calcium intake you have the option of drinking milk there, both white and chocolate. There are various breakfast cereals to eat there as well. They all contain some amount of calcium. Eat as many boxes as it takes for you to get your daily amount.

The only way you are going to get a prescription for vitamins by the medical clinic is by proving to the doctors that you have a deficiency problem. Doing so, however, will run the risk of you losing a designator, depending on what you are coming in the Navy to do, if it is a major problem. Probably the only way you are going to get a vitamin prescription is by having a serious medical necessity for it.

I have never heard of anyone being vitamin deficient at OCS. They feed you lots of food there. Your body will get what it needs to get through training.

"The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his." - General George Patton (1885-1945)

 

[Kim]

I would ask for a prescription for vitimins if I wanted them, can't hurt to ask the doc. Also, as aviators we are allowed, even encouraged to take a daily multi-vitimin (no other supplements though) but we are not allowed to self-medicate, so after OCS no problems. Good luck.

 

[robbyg]

I graduated from OCS last October, and might be able to help you out with your questions. Taking multi-vitamins while at OCS probably isn't a good idea. Nutritionally, of course it is, but the meals that you get there are diverse enough to supply your basic needs. Plenty of different fruit juices, salad, vegetables, etc. Don't risk having the contraband, you might roll back a class if the powers that be find it. As for a doctor's prescription for vitamins, like said before I don't think it would be honored.

Don't worry, you'll be nutritionally fine. Just hungry from all the workouts.

The first oppurtunity to become a secured class (and earn weekend liberty) is the 4th week RLP. After that is the 6th week personal inspection. You can keep whatever you want in your car, but won't be able to get to it constistantly until you secure. While unsecured, if you have cool Candy-Os, they might escort you to your car every now and then.

After you secure, nothing relaxes contraband wise. Keep all the things you shouldn't have in your locker in your car until you graduate. I've heard of classes losing their secured status becuase of found contraband.

Rob

 

[farkle84]

i tell you what, if you cant make it through OCS without vitamins for 10 (Marine OCS) or whatever navy ocs is then thats pretty bad. i took a mulit vitamin every day for the past six years and when i went to OCS i didnt need it. i dont know about you but i didnt need it. i guess you gotta do what you gotta do though.

 

[gin_e]

i choose not to drink milk, do they offer milk substitutes at meals?

 

[0ctopus]

Well...in the Marines there were plenty of options to choose from for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When there were box lunches they even took care to pack vegetarian ones. Nobody makes you drink milk.

Now, I don't know about the Navy OCS. I can only assume it will be similar. My biggest concern then and now is eating too fast.

Good luck! Maybe I'll see you there.

-Becky-

 

[jaerose]

Can I have your milk??? Well, only if it's skim, since I don't want to get any fatter =) I'm actually worried about gaining weight from eating 3 squares and not working out as much. Currently I'm doing 90 minutes of 0-light hundred cardio, then lifting with 30-40 minutes of cardio in the evening. I know it sounds overkill, but I'm just trying to get back into shape after a tonsillectomy...not too mention get lean and mean so I can not bust up my shins during OCS runs in August.

JR