A couple easy OCS questions

[DeeDub]

I'm going to OCS in two weeks roughly and I had a couple easy questions about it.

1. How safe is it to park your car there? I'd assume it's safe because nobody lives on the carriers and what not, but I was stationed at NAS Norfolk before and that place was incredibly unsafe.
2. What should I bring/buy prior to showing up at OCS and how much of each item? The documentary on projo.com was unclear about that.
3. Do I need to know just general orders and rank and recognition for the inspections? They have code of conduct in a packet my recruiter gave me, but it is unclear if cramming that information is necessary.
4. Do you talk to the detailer at OCS or does that usually take place at the next training command?
5. This ties into question 4, but my recruiter keeps mentioning me helping with recruiting after OCS. What are the pros and cons of this?

In closing, I expect OCS to be rather challenging on multiple fronts, but if you have any other bits of information you'd like to share with me, I'd appreciate it. Thanks again for your help.

 

[Thunderkiss]

Parking the car is safe, noone goes out there. Dont leave anything plugged in (like your cell phone). The new trend is not getting a POV run for 3 - 4 weeks. You dont want your car battery dieing.

What you buy doesnt matter too much becuase the candio's will probably take most of it away from you. If you want to have stuff in your car for RLP like super glue or nail polish, that would be a good idea. Bring your own toiletries. Plenty of razors and shaving cream, becuase you might not get a NEX run for a month. Don't bring too many undershirts or underwear. Too many items = heavy to carry. (trust me)

Learn everything in the little blue book your recruiter gave you. I didn't and my life was alot harder for the first 6 weeks. Make flash cards for General orders, code of conduct, and chain of command.

You will talk to a detailer at OCS and don't worry about going home to recruit (OHARP) current trend is you wont get it anymore.

TK

PS: 2 weeks??? Hrmm you should really PM me your name so I can give it to my shipmates. I'm sure they will find some fun games to play with a fresh indoc like yourself.

 

[Godspeed]

I'm going to OCS in two weeks roughly and I had a couple easy questions about it.

1. How safe is it to park your car there? I'd assume it's safe because nobody lives on the carriers and what not, but I was stationed at NAS Norfolk before and that place was incredibly unsafe.
2. What should I bring/buy prior to showing up at OCS and how much of each item? The documentary on projo.com was unclear about that.
3. Do I need to know just general orders and rank and recognition for the inspections? They have code of conduct in a packet my recruiter gave me, but it is unclear if cramming that information is necessary.
4. Do you talk to the detailer at OCS or does that usually take place at the next training command?
5. This ties into question 4, but my recruiter keeps mentioning me helping with recruiting after OCS. What are the pros and cons of this?

In closing, I expect OCS to be rather challenging on multiple fronts, but if you have any other bits of information you'd like to share with me, I'd appreciate it. Thanks again for your help.

Fair questions....

1) I parked my car there and didn't have any problems (nor did anyone in my class, or the class before me. Just don't leave your laptop and IPOD sitting on the seat and you should be fine.

2) I won't get into the nitty gritty on this... But a few things i'd definitely bring that aren't on the list: Gshock watch (black with no other stupid, attention drawing colors), and an LED headlamp. Put these items in your toiletry bag, and make sure the chime and alarm are off on your watch. Also, bring some exfoliating mittens (j/k. This guy had a hard time ;-) Make sure you have enough toiletries to shave every morning. PM me for any other questions in this regard.

3)Technically, you don't NEED to know any of it, but if you can memorize the 'big four' it will help you out tremendously (by allowing you to sleep more than your peers that will be studying). The big four are: orders of the sentry, 14 leadership traits, code of conduct, and ranks (if I remember correctly). By the time you leave OCS, you will know all of the above VERBATIM. How much work you do now is up to you, but i'd know at least one or two of these down cold before you show up (i'd worry about the leadership traits last).

4)Not sure what you need to talk to the 'detailer' about... But you'll get all of the paperwork issues (like pay and what not) sorted out at the beginning. Usually your class chief will take good care of you (make sure you are getting paid, even in the beginning). If you are talking about your orders to your next command (after OCS), this will be sorted out during your candio phase (the last few weeks of OCS), after they are sure you're going to make it through.

5) This is called OHARP, and depends greatly on the command you are supposed to report to after OCS (and the respective wait time to 'class up'). Some commands will allow this, some commands won't. If your command needs you right away (for instance if you are SWO and they have a slot on a boat to fill), they probably won't let you OHARP. I don't even think they were allowing OHARP at API when I went through, and they had 300+ students waiting to class up and a several month wait. I don't think you sort this out at OCS, again, i'm pretty sure that you figure all of this out once you arrive at your follow on command. Wouldn't hurt to ask your class Chief though (in candio phase of course).

Hopefully i've answered some of your questions... I encourage recent OCS grads to post on this stuff... It's been over a year since I graduated and some of this may be a bit outdated. Good luck!

 

[LazersGoPEWPEW]

Parking the car is safe, noone goes out there. Dont leave anything plugged in (like your cell phone). The new trend is not getting a POV run for 3 - 4 weeks. You dont want your car battery dieing.

Now on these POV runs would it be out of the ordinary to just fire up the truck for the sake of starting it. The reason I ask is I've got a pretty old truck and if it doesn't get started frequently it won't start period.

 

[Lobster]

I've got a pretty old truck

Sounds like something that USAA commisioning loan could be used for...a pretty new truck .

 

[LazersGoPEWPEW]

Sounds like something that USAA commisioning loan could be used for...a pretty new truck .

No way man. I'm not letting go. I've put a lot of money and sweat into it. 2004 engine. It's got many years ahead. It just needs to get started up every once in awhile to get the fluids moving.

I'm waiting til I turn 25 to buy any sort of new vehicle. Then my insurance rates plummet and I'll be able to afford something a little nicer in addition to my truck.

 

[Lobster]

No way man. I'm not letting go. I've put a lot of money and sweat into it. 2004 engine. It's got many years ahead. It just needs to get started up every once in awhile to get the fluids moving.

I'm waiting til I turn 25 to buy any sort of new vehicle. Then my insurance rates plummet and I'll be able to afford something a little nicer in addition to my truck.

Got ya, well it will have some nice new bells and whistles then.

 

[DeeDub]

Thanks

I appreciate all of your posts. Thank you very much. I don't think I had traits of a leader in my packet, and I never heard of them before, but I'll look them up online.

As for the guy that asked for my name, here is my response --

 

[Godspeed]

No way man. I'm not letting go. I've put a lot of money and sweat into it. 2004 engine. It's got many years ahead. It just needs to get started up every once in awhile to get the fluids moving.

I'm waiting til I turn 25 to buy any sort of new vehicle. Then my insurance rates plummet and I'll be able to afford something a little nicer in addition to my truck.

You can start your vehicle on POV runs.

 

[Bugsmasher]

If you care about your car, I recommend a decent car cover. When you move your POVs to the gas station, the seagulls there will do nonstop bombing runs with clamshells and other nastiness.

 

[Morgan81]

If you care about your car, I recommend a decent car cover. When you move your POVs to the gas station, the seagulls there will do nonstop bombing runs with clamshells and other nastiness.

+1 on this, but since the cars will be right next to the bay, the winds WILL pick up, so if you don't secure it properly, it could blow off or even damage your vehicle. I wish now that I had a cover, since the salt water spray does not help the condition of your car. BTW, never park with the engine facing the water. And yes, start your car every chance you get to help the battery out and at least listen to some music for a few minutes.

 

[LazersGoPEWPEW]

+1 on this, but since the cars will be right next to the bay, the winds WILL pick up, so if you don't secure it properly, it could blow off or even damage your vehicle. I wish now that I had a cover, since the salt water spray does not help the condition of your car. BTW, never park with the engine facing the water. And yes, start your car every chance you get to help the battery out and at least listen to some music for a few minutes.

Hmm never used a car cover but I imagine it's a good idea since my truck is highly susceptible to rust right now since it needs a new paint job.

 

[Bugsmasher]

My cover had a wire that passed below the car and locked with a little padlock. More for securing it to the car than security, but it did save it from getting blown away when the front side came loose one week.

 

[scottwith1t]

Sounds like something that USAA commisioning loan could be used for...a pretty new truck .

i believe you are referring to the not required however highly suggested ensignmobile

if you are SNA don't get a corvette it is starting to look like a freaking new car lot up here in whiting.