Nov 25 2018 OCS

[Monarch]

I'm currently in student pool, having been TNPQ'd from 04-19. If you guys have any questions about this place or about OCS, ask away.

Sorry that happened, but glad you're here for questions! And if someone offers to answer them (luck you), I have an endless list of them. A few main ones:
1. What is Final Selection? This may sound stupid, but I really don't know. My recruiter called me and said, "The board accepted you as SNA, your OCS date is Nov. 25th." But is that actually the final selection? It's all been very vague.
2. Are the fitness tests an averaged score of each event?
3. How many women on average arrive? I'm accustomed to being the odd one out, but I really would like to be around a few other women there!
4. My dumbest question: Does saline nasal spray count as meds? It's literally just salt water, and I would hate to get in trouble for that. Running in cold, dry air is not a smart idea without protecting your nose. I've made that mistake and I hope no one else does!

Okay, I'm done. Apologies in advance for the novel.

 

[Skywalker]

Sorry that happened, but glad you're here for questions! And if someone offers to answer them (luck you), I have an endless list of them. A few main ones:
1. What is Final Selection? This may sound stupid, but I really don't know. My recruiter called me and said, "The board accepted you as SNA, your OCS date is Nov. 25th." But is that actually the final selection? It's all been very vague.
2. Are the fitness tests an averaged score of each event?
3. How many women on average arrive? I'm accustomed to being the odd one out, but I really would like to be around a few other women there!
4. My dumbest question: Does saline nasal spray count as meds? It's literally just salt water, and I would hate to get in trouble for that. Running in cold, dry air is not a smart idea without protecting your nose. I've made that mistake and I hope no one else does!

Okay, I'm done. Apologies in advance for the novel.

No problem! I'm trapped on base for the weekend, and there isn't much to do - fire away.

1. You've guessed correctly as to what a FINSEL is. It sounds like you'll be here for 07-19. Be here or be UA!
2. Yes. But if you score below SAT-MED on any event, you will have failed the IST.
3. I couldn't really tell you a ratio, per se; there are several women on OTCN staff - including a DI, and several RDCs. Each class has a different amount of women, but I think I can safely say that every company - nevermind class - has at least 3-6 women. Now that you've clarified that you're a woman, please heed this warning: show up in the best running shape possible, and once you arrive, stretch and hydrate obsessively. Most of the injuries here are running injuries, and for whatever reason, women seem more prone to them.
4. If you have a prescription for them, and it's not in response to something that would earn you a TNPQ or NPQ status, I don't imagine you'll have trouble. The air here is certainly cold, but the humidity up here is insane - and I say that as someone who hails from the South. I wouldn't worry about running in "cold and dry air."

 

[Monarch]

2. Yes. But if you score below SAT-MED on any event, you will have failed the IST.
3. I couldn't really tell you a ratio, per se; there are several women on OTCN staff - including a DI, and several RDCs. Each class has a different amount of women, but I think I can safely say that every company - nevermind class - has at least 3-6 women. Now that you've clarified that you're a woman, please heed this warning: show up in the best running shape possible, and once you arrive, stretch and hydrate obsessively. Most of the injuries here are running injuries, and for whatever reason, women seem more prone to them.

The air here is certainly cold, but the humidity up here is insane - and I say that as someone who hails from the South. I wouldn't worry about running in "cold and dry air."

I agree with the stretching and water lol. I take a good while to work my calves so they're not stiff.
Honestly...swimming is my main exercise though. Running was mediocre at best 6 weeks ago, but today I comfortably ran 2 miles with no problems. I'm not fast by any means, but my goal is a decent 5k pace before I arrive. Hopefully I won't have any shin/ankle problems in the beginning.
As for the nasal spray, I don't think I'll bring it. Glad to know it's a little humid up there.

Thanks for the advice though! I hope all works well for you too. And one last question: are group runs split into different pace groups? My friend says that is the case in the Army, but not sure if Navy does it.

 

[Meyerkord]

And one last question: are group runs split into different pace groups? My friend says that is the case in the Army, but not sure if Navy does it.

Depends on the day. Some days they split us, some they didn't. You'll probably get more attention if you're way in the back, but as long as you're running the entire time and you don't give up, you'll be fine.

 

[zoeth]

I got injured pretty early on in indoc. Student pool has attrites, DORs, NPQs, TNPQs, and OCS grads who are waiting on waivers, security clearances, or orders. Unfortunately for me, I’m getting fully separated from the Navy, so I’ll be starting from day 0. Fortunately for me, OTCN staff seems eager to have me back, and I’m practically already recovered. I just have to wait out a mandatory wait period.

Hmm, interesting, does that mean that 'Student pool' is similar to 'H-class' and that it receives people who 'rolled'? Are you just waiting to be sent home and coming back, or just healing up in student pool to give it another go?

edit* also it's weird that there are people there with clearance issues because I got pushed back into this class after I had finsel and orders in hand for the 4Nov class (tomorrow) and I already had my interview (albeit only like a week ago so maybe not enough time to process fully). I was under the impression however that is not all that uncommon to go to OCS and have your interview there, so I am kinda scratching my head as to why me and another guy that was supposed to be in my class got pushed back.

 

[Jim123]

Depends on the day. Some days they split us, some they didn't. You'll probably get more attention if you're way in the back, but as long as you're running the entire time and you don't give up, you'll be fine.

Twenty years ago, one of the duty vans had a motivational/guilt placard on the dashboard, "You can't lead from the van." During the morning formation runs, that van would trundle along behind and pick up the run drops. Some wag scratched the last name of one of my classmates, who dependably did not finish most formation runs, on the end of that placard.

Dunno who is was who damaged government property scratched the name on that placard (I pull crap like that all the time, but that time it wasn't me) but we were all thinking it and it was funny as hell. I'm put money on it that the staff thought it was funny as hell too.


@Monarch , it sounds like you're tracking along and you'll do just fine. When you get there, don't beat up your legs with the marching. When everybody's heels, in a troop formation, solidly hit the ground at the same time then it makes a smart, "military" sound. It also sounds good because it starts happening a few weeks in when you feel your class coming together as a team. But what I mean by all this is don't get carried away and think you're doing your part by driving your heels to the deck extra hard.

 

[Skywalker]

Hmm, interesting, does that mean that 'Student pool' is similar to 'H-class' and that it receives people who 'rolled'? Are you just waiting to be sent home and coming back, or just healing up in student pool to give it another go?

Ehhh, not really. H-class is for people who rolled an event or are too injured to complete an event - but not so injured that they are removed from training. If you're injured to the point that you need to be removed from training, you land in "Med Hold." I spent a few weeks in Med Hold before ending up in student pool. If an injury lands you in Student Pool, it's because you're NPQ or TNPQ. My injury required a surgery, and that was instant TNPQ status for my designator (SNA).

 

[Meyerkord]

When you get there, don't beat up your legs with the marching. When everybody's heels, in a troop formation, solidly hit the ground at the same time then it makes a smart, "military" sound. It also sounds good because it starts happening a few weeks in when you feel your class coming together as a team. But what I mean by all this is don't get carried away and think you're doing your part by driving your heels to the deck extra hard.

I agree with this, but marching around "training country" at OCS is a joke and looks like complete garbage tbh. Since there's a new section leader every day and we often had literally no time to call out the drill body from the formation, we had people calling cadence with zero rhythm and it was absolutely atrocious. No one stomps their feet together anymore, and no one knows how to execute a 90 degree turn in formation at all. Plus, you ALWAYS get 2 or 3 people in the middle of the formation who are out of step and it's SO obvious because their head is bobbing the opposite of everyone else.

I remember specifically seeing MSgt with his class practicing marching/formation movements out on the field one weekend because I think he got frustrated with everyone looking like garbage. I wish we got the same training in our class. I'm all in favor of adding practices like that to rifle drill, since half of that time is spent slaying bodies anyways.

/rant

 

[Skywalker]

I agree with this, but marching around "training country" at OCS is a joke and looks like complete garbage tbh.

Hey man, speak for yourself. The classes currently marching around look and sound great.

 

[jk3752]

Pertaining to security clearance, I've gotten my orders and finsel letter and haven't gotten a call from OPM about an interview. Would that mean I'm in the clear or should I be expecting an interview in the middle of OCS?

 

[zoeth]

Pertaining to security clearance, I've gotten my orders and finsel letter and haven't gotten a call from OPM about an interview. Would that mean I'm in the clear or should I be expecting an interview in the middle of OCS?

You can have an interview over the phone, in person at a local area, or at OCS. I also had my Finsel, Orders in hand, AND my interview complete (over the phone) and was STILL pushed back from a November 4th OCS date into this class and so was one other person from that class. It's really a crap shot, clearances are notoriously a complete PITA.

 

[jk3752]

You can have an interview over the phone, in person at a local area, or at OCS. I also had my Finsel, Orders in hand, AND my interview complete (over the phone) and was STILL pushed back from a November 4th OCS date into this class and so was one other person from that class. It's really a crap shot, clearances are notoriously a complete PITA.

Maybe because you guys are going for a TS clearance? Really am hoping I don't get bumped another 3 weeks.

 

[zoeth]

Maybe because you guys are going for a TS clearance? Really am hoping I don't get bumped another 3 weeks.

Nope, both of us are SWO and only going for a T3 (Secret). I am even prior service and previously held a clearance which was SUPPOSED to make things a bit smoother. Like I said OPM and their process is a pain and often one hand doesn't know what the other is doing. It also doesn't help they are a separate entity and the Navy has very little to do with them whatsoever. All your OR/Processor really have for clearance contact is NASIS...cross your fingers.

 

[Meyerkord]

Pertaining to security clearance, I've gotten my orders and finsel letter and haven't gotten a call from OPM about an interview. Would that mean I'm in the clear or should I be expecting an interview in the middle of OCS?

Nope, both of us are SWO and only going for a T3 (Secret). I am even prior service and previously held a clearance which was SUPPOSED to make things a bit smoother. Like I said OPM and their process is a pain and often one hand doesn't know what the other is doing. It also doesn't help they are a separate entity and the Navy has very little to do with them whatsoever. All your OR/Processor really have for clearance contact is NASIS...cross your fingers.

You also might not have an interview at all. I submitted the forms to my OR and didn't have to do anything else for my clearance.

 

[calidude620]

Nope, both of us are SWO and only going for a T3 (Secret). I am even prior service and previously held a clearance which was SUPPOSED to make things a bit smoother. Like I said OPM and their process is a pain and often one hand doesn't know what the other is doing. It also doesn't help they are a separate entity and the Navy has very little to do with them whatsoever. All your OR/Processor really have for clearance contact is NASIS...cross your fingers.

Yeah, I can't help but wonder if being priors has something to do with it. Logic would suggest that they have our info, we've both likely held at least Secret before, so the process should be easier, but logic and military processes don't always go together. Oddly enough, I had an interim Secret just last year with an interview conducted in person and everything. My recruiter has gone radio silent since telling me I got pushed, so I'm admittedly a little anxious, but hopefully it gets sorted out. There seemed to be several people in the Nov 4th class that had been pushed to that one from the previous Oct class, so it's not uncommon. I'm hoping to not get pushed again; I don't imagine the next class starts until 2019, but I could be wrong.