OCS Saturday of Week 3

Some of the LO's got to email and call home today.  They informed their families that the majority of the day was spent getting fitted for Khaki's, Whites, and Blues.  They also said that they will be allowed to make calls tomorrow, as well as Monday because it is President's Day.  I received 2 letters from Samuel today!

OCS Week 3

The majority of this week was spent preparing for RLP, which was moved up one week because of the transition to the new building for OCS.  I didn't receive any letters on Monday or Tuesday, but on Wednesday and Thursday I received 5 letters total.  Valentine's Day was Thursday, which happened to be the day of RLP.  The letters talked about how excited he was to learn that he'd be a daddy, and what he's spent his days doing.  Mostly drill practice, preparation for RLP, studying the gouge, sleeping on top of his made bed, going to the NEX.  He also said that the class divided the RLP preps up so that each person had a specific task, like folding, stamping, shining, etc.  Each person was able to specialize in one thing, and benefit the entire company.  He said that no matter what you do, all OCS Candidates should buy size MEDIUM shirts because they fold perfect with the 6x6 required fold. 

He also surprised me with chocolate covered strawberries yesterday from Shari's Berries. :o) Apparently, he ordered them before he checked into OCS. My Sweetheart <3 I love that boy SO freaking much! In a letter I received yesterday, he mentioned that he wanted me to give my mom and Sophy (our beautiful Weimador) a strawberry. :) He almost blew the surprise! But his letters were mailed in PERFECT timing!

Apparently his Company (A) had 3 that failed RLP on Thursday, ruining their chance at being an Honor Class (winning all events against Company B).  The entire class will work with those 3 so that they get another chance at passing tomorrow (Saturday). 

I had my first Dr. appointment on Wednesday!  The Baby is 7 weeks as of today, due October 4th! :o)

OCS Day 13-15 Friday-Saturday of Week 2, Sunday Week 3

Not much going on that I'm informed about.  They moved RLP up one week, so it's Valentine's Day (Thursday).  I received a couple of letters in one envelope from Samuel on Friday, and then another envelope with letters on Saturday.  These letters are so amazing!  He keeps telling me in every letter how much he loves the poem I wrote and put in his wallet before he left.  He says it pushes him through each day and has given him a different outlook on the entire thing.

Here are the highlights from Friday:
Training Highlights

OCS Class 09-13 (By Class Officers LT McQuiddy and LT Thorn)

Class 09-13 completed their 2nd week of training at OCS. This was the first week that the class wore the Navy Working Uniform (NWU). This past week the class participated in daily PT, a swim qualification test, attended medical appointments for their commissioning physicals, learned about wearing various uniforms, began preparation for their first inspection, and participated in rifle drill. The class has now learned all the required rifle movements and is in the process of perfecting them. You will be able to see the finished product during the Pass in Review on the Thursday of graduation week. The class will begin their academic classes next week with Sea Power, also known as Naval History and will be busy preparing for class, drill and future inspections over the weekend.

On Saturday at about 12pm, I received a call from Samuel.  He said that the DI found out via facebook that I was pregnant, and wanted him to call me.  He had FIVE minutes to talk!  So much time!  It was so good to hear his voice.  He said that he'd lost the stamps in the move.  He said "you're writing twice a day, right? please write more!" These letters really are their life, guys.  His letters mean the world to me, and I have my family, friends, internet, phone, puppies, everything but him! He has nothing but letters.  He said it's getting much easier and that the Officer Candidate are way more relaxed now that they have classed up from Indoc to Officer Candidates.

I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT'S ALREADY WEEK 3!! It takes about 3 days for the letters to reach him, in addition to one day for sitting in the mail box, post box, post office, etc.

There is a giant winter storm up there called Nemo, I think, and it's shut down power several times.  He also said that the heater in his dorm room is broken, so him and his dorm mate have to sleep in their sweats and all, and then when their rudely awoken in the morning, they have to take it all off as quick as they can, post up in their underwear, and then put it all back on within 10 seconds.  He also said that the way they require the beds to be made, it takes two people and about 10 minutes; so they just all sleep on top of their made beds.  How terrible! No heater, no blankets! He said they should be moving into a new dorm after RLP, which is why they've bumped RLP up one week, because of the old building, the storm, and how cold it is.  So they need to get them all to the new dorm.

He said "RLP is on Valentine's Day, nice timing, huh?" But, after RLP, at about noon, they will get to send out an email stating that they made it through RLP, and got email privileges!  I hope the class does well!! Email privileges would be so great!!

He said that the only way they get to study, is my standing at attention with their feet at a 45 degree angle, left hand out holding the gouge packet, right hand with thumb in trousers and pinky bent back.  That's what they have to do four about 10 hours each day.  He said his legs hurt so bad and he's so tired and just wants to crawl into his bed and sleep forever.  He also said he wants to leave and get on a plane and fly straight into my arms, "I'd be there by six, easy." :(

Sundays are the only days they can study sitting down, because they're allowed to attend church, and they just bring their gouge books to church and study.  He said he wished he had had more time to study the gouge before he went up there.

That's all for now. Maybe I'll get another letter tomorrow (Monday)!

OCS Day 12 - Thursday of Week 2

I didn't post yesterday out of tears of joy and excitement.  Sam called me around 630 RI time to tell me that he received my "I'm pregnant" letter and is "amazed" and "so happy"!!!! He sounded all choked up like he was going to cry.  I asked him if he'd lost his voice and he said "No! I'm just amazed!! I got your letter! You're pregnant letter!!!! Congratulations!!"  He also asked me to send him more stamps.  The service was bad and the call dropped but he called back to talk a little bit more (20 seconds of 'are you there?') and then it dropped again and I haven't heard from him since.

He called me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He got special privileges to call.  The phone number was from Maine, so he probably borrowed an upper class man's cell phone really quick.  :o) YAYY!!!!

He also said "I've been getting all of your letters, please keep writing me.  I've been writing you every day, I don't know if you've gotten them yet.  But I'm writing you too, Baby."

I love him so much. :)

OCS Day 11 - Wednesday of Week 2

No updates today!  That's a good thing, though.  Apparently Company B hasn't been given their mail, but A (Sam's company) has.  No pictures from Facebook.  I know they are finishing up their swimming, taking their naval history class, and taking drill lessons (rifle handling).  No big news other than that.  They might not have gotten to their drill lessons, yet.  But they are for sure PTing, swimming, and studying naval history.  One of the LOs said in his email that he was allowed to start writing letters this past Saturday, so maybe Sam has put a letter in the mail!  Time will tell.

OCS Day 10 - Tuesday of Week 2

Tuesday of week 2.  Not sure what Samuel did today.  Most likely academics.  The rest of the companies did their swimming and Sam was not in any of those pictures, but LOs from company A were in them.  Not sure why Sam got to go yesterday with only a few candidates, but the group today was SO BIG!   So, I really have no clue what his group got to do today, maybe relax? Go to the NEX? No word from him, or anybody on the Facebook page.  BUT, I am 4 weeks pregnant today and my first doctor appointment is next Wednesday! Yay!!  He most likely hasn't received his "I'm pregnant" letter yet, maybe tomorrow!  Maybe he can show his DI and they'll let him call home for a minute?! hehe :)

This is 4 weeks pregnant. :) How crazy! A wittle Dinosaur! :-P

OCS Day 9 - Email

I received my first email from Samuel today at 1400.  I don't know how often they are allowed to check their email, but hopefully I hear back from him soon!  It was SO good to hear from him!!!

Did you not receive the last messages I sent you? I just wrote two long messages to you, but I'm pretty sure they didn't send. This military mail server is shabby :( I love you, Baby.

OCS Day 9 Week 2 Swim Qualification

They posted pictures of the Swim Qualification!  This is a rollable event. I believe they have to stay in deep end water for an extended period of time, and this will show that they are capable of surviving if they ever had to float in water for awhile.  I didn't receive a phone call so that's good!  They should get mail privileges today, as well.  And they also should start their Naval History class. They also start rotating section leader so that everybody will have an opportunity to lead.

4 from the closest, after the girls. :)

 With the tattoo in the back :)

 Jumping!

 In the front row, 4 from the closest, after the girls.

 Front row, 2nd from left, turned around. :)

 Peeking out from behind the instructor, first row. 

OCS Day 8 - Sunday of Week 2

Today they are supposed to get laundry privileges and possible phone call privileges IF their class did well enough this past week to "secure."  I have not heard from Sam today, but they're saying it's a possibility.  It's Super Bowl Sunday...but who really cares? lol
They might be allowed to run to the Navy Exchange or NEX today, and they also have picked up Battalion cleaning assignments.  Sam is in Company A, but one of the moms who has a son in Company B said that she spoke to him and he said they would be allowed mail privileges on Saturday (yesterday).  I think her son WAS in Company B, but rolled into H-Class, and that would be why she heard from him.  They are definitely supposed to have mail privileges starting tomorrow, and will be allowed to read mail every day.  I'm not sure about how often they're allowed to write, though.  I told Sam to not spend his study time writing me because I'd much rather hear from him seldom, than hear that he rolled and will be there for an extra 3 weeks!
The OCS guide book says under WEEK TWO: "Sundays, reveille goes off at 0630 and there are Protestant, Catholic, and other services available on base, the rest of the day is yours."
I'm assuming that they don't have much going on today!  Quite possibly, I'll get a phone call from my Baby! :)

OCS Day 7 - Black Friday

Luckily, I did not hear from Samuel on Saturday!  The class was welcomed aboard to the regiment and transferred from being "Indoctrination Candidates" to "Officer Candidates," although now, they've extended indoctrination week until week 3, instead of it ending week 1.  Here is the summary of the day:


Day Seven (BLACK Saturday)
Today will be your last test of Indoc week. Prepare to PT like you never have before. There are any number of ways your Drill Instructor can decide to put your class through this last test so its hard to say what will occur. Drill Instructors will be circling like sharks and there will be many, many RPT sessions. Keep your bearing, give all you’ve got, yell loud, and it will be over before you know it. Realize one thing, today nobody
will do anything right in the eyes of the Drill Instructor. By the end of the day you will be exhausted, filthy, your uniform will be drenched in sweat and you will stink beyond comprehension. More importantly, you will be a part of Battalion. You are no longer Indoctrination Candidates but Officer Candidates and have survived the first week at OCS.
In the afternoon, your Class Drill Instructor will normally brief you on your RLP that occurs during the 3rd week. There will usually be examples laid out of how he wants everything folded and stamped. Be prepared to pay close attention and even take notes if you can on what he says. You will need to start preparing for the inspection this afternoon even though the inspection is two weeks away. Your Drill Instructor may also
assign class billets. These include Class President, Class Vice-President, PT Body, RLP (or MTT, this will be explained later) Body, Knowledge Body, Drill Body, Watch Bill Coordinator, and 1st Lieutenant to name a few. These are positions of leadership within in your class and could be a good way to distinguish yourself. However, be careful if you decide to pursue one of these positions. You don’t want to over exert yourself and end up causing yourself more heartache in the future. 
Tips for passing Indoc Week 
 Sleep is valuable (especially Tuesday and Thursday nights) – do not waste time staying up after taps talking with your shipmates. Some candidates will want to get the class together and try to have class meetings. Try to limit these meetings to 15 min. or less. No matter how hard you try, you will not get things perfect the first week; there is just too much to take in. Cover the most important things then get your sleep. It is far more important to be well rested to be able to stay awake in your briefs and be able to withstand the demanding physical requirements. 
 Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – It is very important that you keep enough water in your body so that you will not suffer from heat stress or cramps. You will be issued a canteen on your first day at OCS. You will carry this canteen with you everywhere you go, including the head. You will find hydration posters in the head. Based off the color of your urine, it will suggest how much water you 12 should drink. Basically, if your urine isn’t clear, you aren’t drinking enough water. If you aren’t getting up at least once in the middle of the night to make a head call, you aren’t drinking enough water. Do not worry about interrupting briefs to make head calls; the staff at OCS understands how much water you are drinking and will not deny you a head call. So, hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate. This cannot be stressed enough!!
Your class will not get everything perfect the first week. Do not think that you are off to a bad start or already doomed for failure. You will screw up and your Class Drill Instructor will yell at you and RPT your class. This is typical and every class goes through a similar process.
Listen to what the priors have to say and ask for their advice. Also, the roll-ins that are added to your class are an invaluable tool. They have usually been at OCS for a while now, usually rolling for failing the in-PRT or other medical problems. However, do not write them off as useless failures; most people who have been  to H-class emerge as class leaders since they have been at OCS for a while and know how things are done. Talk to them and listen to what they have to say, they usually have very useful insight on how to make life at OCS a lot easier.

The Greatest News of All Time :)

Earlier today, I found out I'M PREGNANT! :o)

Pardon, if my blog becomes a mix between OCS and Pregnancy.

YAYYYY!!!!!!

I might hear from Sam tomorrow (Saturday) or Sunday.  They're saying that they get to read their mail tomorrow though.  Saturday they become part of the regiment and are "welcomed aboard" :)

3 months no longer seems an eternity away when 8 months to go is your next count down!!

OCS Day 6 OUTPOST IS OVER!

YES! No phone call from Samuel today!! It's already 4:30 their time and Outpost has been completed. :o) See pictures below!

Samuel is the 2nd from the front in the first picture below. :)

OCS Day 6 OUTPOST

Day Six (Friday) OUTPOST

The main evolution of today is Outpost. The format is much like that of the 3rd week RLP, which is as follows:

The Class Officer enters your space and “Attention on deck” is called. DO NOT use ballistics with officers. Other Class Officers enter and proceed to gouge you the “Big Three” Knowledge (General Orders of a Sentry, Code of Conduct, and Chain of Command, which will be discussed later) and inspect your uniform. This first week will be a ton less stressful if you have the big three memorized before arriving at the seawall. Class Officers will not make you push or do any RPT. Simply keep your bearing and do not become frustrated. If you do not know the answer to a question, reply “Sir/Ma’am this Indoctrination Candidate does not know but will find out.” If you make a mistake while answering knowledge questions keep your bearing and remain confident in your answer. This is an important quality to have throughout OCS with regards to required knowledge. Confidence will often give you a second chance to answer the question correctly.

This is the one part of Outpost where you really want to put your best foot forward. You shouldn’t be up all night preparing your locker for inspection. Drill Instructors hardly even look at it. However, you want to make sure you know your knowledge and have a squared away uniform for the Class Officer’s part of the inspection. If you have to stay up after taps the night before, the only things you should be worried about is making sure your uniform is IP free, and reviewing your knowledge. Do not waste sleep making sure your PT gear (or any other item in your locker) is folded to the exact dimensions – that is not what is important now.

You should already have your knowledge memorized verbatim before you get to OCS. This includes everything at the end of this Guide. The Candidate Officer’s will give you Gouge packets with all of the gouge in this Guide plus more. The easiest way to not fall behind is to learn everything you can before you arrive. Do not fall into the trap of trying to cram the night before Outpost. If any studying is done, it should be review only. It is very, very important that you get enough sleep the night before.

Once everyone has been inspected by the Class Officers, they will leave at which time you will call “Attention on deck” again followed by the greeting of the day. You will then wait for the room inspectors to enter (both Drill Instructors and your Chief Petty Officer). Be as loud as you can. Make sure all Officers are out of your space before being ballistic with the Class Drill Instructors. It will be noisy, stressful, and just plain ugly; however, it will last for a maximum of 15 minutes. The Drill Instructors will immediately have you on the deck pushing. While you and your class is pushing, doing flutter kicks, you name it, the rest of the Drill Instructors will ransack your locker finding IP’s (Irish Pennants, which they know full well you have not had time to remove), clothing not folded to the correct specifications, you name it, they will find it. 

Regardless, you are not expected to do well. It is meant to serve as a “welcome to the real world” experience.

After the inspection you will be instructed to pack your sea bag. You should have already filled it the night before with all your extra clothes that weren’t needed for the inspection. Things will still be hectic. Your Drill Instructor will be yelling out commands for you to return to your locker, grab certain items, return to your spot on line and pack it in your sea bag. By the end of this process, your locker will be completely empty. Be prepared to have your things thrown about Squad Bay, and even mixed with other candidate’s stuff. The Drill Instructors love taking your sea bag and dumping everything out and the yelling at candidates to clean everything up. There isn’t time to split everything up, so just be prepared to stuff whatever is on the floor in your bag and have your things mixed with others.

There is one important tip for getting through this evolution. You will have rack drawers on the side of your rack in addition to your wall locker that you can store things in. You will not be required to empty these drawers when you are packing your sea bag. You will come back to Squad Bay later this evening to gather the rest of your things and clean. Therefore, if there is anything that you want to make sure does not get lost or broken, put them in these drawers the night before. You will not have time during the packing of sea bags to ‘organize your things.’ Also, be creative on how you can minimize things being thrown about the room. You will be issued small laundry bags at ‘Poopie Christmas.’ You may consider packing some of your things in these smaller bags and tying them tight before they are placed in your sea bag. Therefore, if your sea bag is dumped, only smaller laundry bags fall on the floor and not all of your clothes. Of course, this should be done the night before.

You will then march over to Battalion and leave your things in your new space. The remainder of the day will be spent in briefs, unpacking, and receiving other issue. What is key at this point is that you recognize the nature of OCS. Each time you complete a difficult and stressful evolution, you will move to something you have to fight falling asleep in. This is how everything works at OCS!

The evening is basically yours. You will spend it unpacking, cleaning, and organizing the mess of clothes the Drill Instructors made. You will also make a trip back to Squad Bay to gather the rest of your things and clean. Try to enjoy this time. Get a good night sleep and drink plenty of water, as Saturday is a physically demanding day. 

OCS Day 5

Today was called "Throw down Thursday" and supposedly the DI's make things pretty rough.  I didn't see any pictures posted to Facebook today.  I didn't get an "I rolled" phone call, though!  No news is always good news!  I wrote a 2 page letter earlier and plan on putting it in the post drop box tonight.  They are only allowed to do laundry on Sundays.  Sam only went with 7 pair of briefs and I think he regrets that, so make sure you go with at least 14 pair.  Being on the clean and safe side is much more comfortable and better.  You can never bring too many socks and briefs, especially if you only get to do laundry once a week, and you're constantly sweating in them and getting dirty and probably would like to change into a new pair halfway through the day.  If you have too many upon arrival, I'm sure they will just put them in your store away locker.  But, I doubt you can have too many unless you bring like 40 pair of each.  I did, however, start seeing pictures of the CandiO boxes from previous classes that were insanely decorated.  I'll post a picture of them below.  I decided that I'll start working on his box or boxes this weekend.  They can't open their CandiO boxes until they become Officer Candidates which is week 8.  Make sure these boxes have "CandiO Box" written all over it.  Send it by the 7th week, and they'll hold onto it until the 8th week.  Also, you should get flat rate shipping boxes that are about $15.  These boxes can have anything and everything they've requested in their letters, as well as what you think they might want.  After seeing pictures of these crazy boxes, I need to start NOW. lol

In my letters I've been including the weather forecast for the following week.  I think I already said that, though.  I also feel like I'm running out of things to say.  But, I'm sure I'm not.  I just ramble on about random things and I'm sure he'll be so happy to hear that I need to trim my toe nails, clean the hamster cage, etc. LOL

I love that boy so much!  Today, my Moma and I were looking at our pictures from high school, in 2007!  I am the happiest girl in the whole world!  I married my high school sweetheart. :o)

What to expect today, it sounds like a blast!  -_-  Tomorrow is OUTPOST!!!!! That boy better not call me tomorrow! In my letter today, I wrote "Always remember that they will salute you at the end of OCS!" :)

Right now, they are referred to as Indoctrination Candidates.

If you have not made your DI's acquaintance by now, today will be the day.Be prepared. It will be loud, stressful and he will RPT (push, flutter kicks,bear crawl, curl ups, etc) you a lot. You will do nothing right and you willnever move fast enough. His requests will be impossible. Let there be nomistake, today will be one of the more unpleasant days at OCS. However, it is a"weeding out" process implemented to break those who really do not want to be Naval Officers. Push, be loud and put forth effort and the day will end beforeyou know it. Just remember that it does get better. 

The evening will be spent doing busy work, being yelled at and doing plenty of RPT. Get used to the RPTsessions because it will be a common occurrence at OCS. Also, try not to worry about the RPT sessions because your body will adjust to them over time. Not only will your DI and possibly even your Class Chief Petty Officer RPT you, but you will get RPT'd by other DIs as well. At the risk of sounding redundant, keep your head in the game and take nothing personally. No matter what is said, these people know nothing about you nor are they saying anything different than what they said to the Candidate Officers when they first arrived. Always remember that they will salute you at the end of OCS. 

The Class Officer enters the space and “Attention on deck” is called. Other Class Officers enter and proceed to test candidates on the gouge - “Big Three” Knowledge (General Orders of a Sentry, Code of Conduct, and Chain of Command) and inspect uniforms. Once everyone has been inspected by the Class Officers, they will leave. Candidates will then wait for the room inspectors to enter (both Drill Instructors and the Chief Petty Officer). It will be noisy, stressful, and just plain ugly; however, it will last for a maximum of 15 minutes. The Drill Instructors will immediately have candidates on the deck pushing. While you and your class is pushing, doing flutter kicks, you name it, the rest of the Drill Instructors will ransack your locker. Regardless, Candidates are not expected to do well. It is meant to serve as a “welcome to the real world” experience. 

After the inspection ICs will be instructed to pack their sea bag. The Drill Instructor will be yelling out commands for ICs to return to your locker, grab certain items, return to their spot on line and pack it in the sea bag. By the end of this process, the locker will be completely empty. The Drill Instructors love taking sea bags and dumping everything out and the yelling at candidates to clean everything up. 

Candidates will be able to come back to Squad Bay later this evening to gather the rest of their things and clean.IC’s will then march over to Battalion and leave their things in the new space. The remainder of the day will be spent in briefs, unpacking, and receiving other issue. The evening is basically “free”. ICs will spend it unpacking, cleaning, and organizing the mess of clothes the Drill Instructors made. 

OCS Day 4 Wake up Wednesday

Today was Wake up Wednesday and that was quite obvious by the pictures that were posted to the Facebook page by 7am!  The OC's participated in rigorous PT and constant screaming.

It's almost the end of week 1!!! Well, it's past the middle! I'm so SO proud of my Samberry.

Today is the day they started preparing for Outpost and received their uniforms.  Or rumor has it. I was able to get my 2 letters out before 4pm, so they went out in the mail today!  By now, he will have 7 letters waiting for him on Monday.  Apparently Sunday they might be able to call, so maybe I'll hear from him then!  Not getting my hopes up, though, and certainly not asking for an "I rolled" call!  The descriptions are trickling off.  Now, I'll just have to go by what he tells me.  I am writing to him about what to expect next week.  They don't have track of time, and they have no idea what they're doing until they're doing it.  So I've been including the weather forecast for next week and what the expected schedule is for them.  Hopefully that helps him prepare his mind a little better.  He looks so callused in the pictures! Thank God! Today, the only way to roll is if the DI notices that they are giving up on themselves.  I didn't receive a call today so NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!

OCS Day 3 - Initial Strength Test is OVER

OCS Day 3

This morning at about 8am Rhode Island time, pictures were posted to the Newport Facebook page of the 09-13 class doing their IST (initial strength test).  In all 39 pictures, I couldn't find Sam in any!  How depressing.  I was so excited when I saw they posted, and looked through them probably about 10 times and still couldn't find him.  So, I know for certain, though, that they did their push ups, sit ups, and 1.5 mile run today in the gym.  At least they didn't have to do it out in the snow!  I'm positive that Sam passed the test.  He could do 50 push ups and 60 sit ups with over 30 seconds to spare.  While he was training for the 1.5 mile run, he ran up and down hill in the Texas hill country..1.9 miles in 14 minutes.  So I know for sure he did well on the IST.

The rest of the LO's called home today.  I kind of wish Sam didn't call me until today, so that he could tell me about IST and how he did so well.  They were wearing gold long sleeve shirts and navy blue shorts.  They had their personal tennis shoes on and their socks were pulled up high. Their heads were bald!  They looked pretty worn out in the pictures.  I hated running around the gym...it always made me so dizzy and I could never keep a steady pace!

My spirits are a little higher today.  I make sure to sound super happy in my letters to him.  I'm back at home with my Moma and puppies and I'm already so much happier.  Working just isn't for me right now while he is away.  I know that he is up there making money for us, so that we can live out our dreams of starting our business.  He wouldn't be happy if he knew that I wasn't happy and working - and not working on our business plan.

I left all of our legal documents in Houston at my brother's house! -____- It has our birth certificates, social security cards, marriage license, everything important in it.  That was a crappy realization once I was almost back home.

They say that the LO's get mail time everyday, so they're able to read and write letters once a day.  I cannot wait until next week.  I bet it will get so much easier once we can communicate and know that we're both okay.

I just found out that they made the "I rolled" phone calls today to let their family members know that they will be at OCS an extra 3 weeks because they didn't pass the IST.  I haven't received one of those calls from Sam and let's hope it stays that way!! I'm so proud of him. They said that 12 rolled this morning.  Apparently he wasn't one of them! YAYYY!!! :o) I want to get up and dance now in celebration!  They will have 2 more IST's.  One in the middle, and one final one.  But, if they pass today, than of course they'll be able to pass it again after rigorous training! Oh, I wish I could talk to him now.

I looked through the pictures again with my Moma and we think we might have found Sam peeking out for the camera, in his attention line.  I saw his eyebrows and glowing white scalp. :)

Here is what was supposed to happen today, and it seems pretty well in line with what they did.  They also finished out the rest of their physicals and hair cuts.

The most important evaluation today is your PRT. Other than physical problems
discovered at the Newport Naval Hospital, this is the first evaluation that can
cause you to roll. The PRT consists of three parts: push-ups, sit-ups and the
1.5 mile run. The standards are low, however, you want to do as well as
possible, so put forth as much effort as you can into it. Males should be able
to do at least 50 push-ups and 60 sit-ups in the two minutes allowed, as well as
complete the run in less than 12 minutes. Keep in mind that push-ups and sit-ups
must be done properly or they will not be counted.

The CandiOs will be administering the PRT. Your Class DI and other DIs will be there watching. They will correct you if you are doing the push-ups or sit-ups incorrectly. If you fail to correct your form, they will deduct push ups or sit ups from your count. The DIs may also yell at you or run alongside you during the run to encourage you to run a faster time. This will especially happen if you are one of the slower candidates in your class. It is highly advisable to be ready to perform in the upper portion of your class from day one. That way, the DI will develop a more positive impression of you right of the bat. This may also allow you the
opportunity to gain a leadership position early on.

The rest of the day is spent completing physical evaluations at the hospital for those who didn't complete on day two. The rest of the class will study. Make sure you get plenty of sleep tonight and hydrate. Tomorrow morning will be very intense and you want to make sure you are well rested and hydrated.

By this point in the program, you will have noticed the number of people in your class decreasing. Your entire time at OCS, people will be joining and leaving your class. People will "roll out" of your class for physical problems, academimc and military deficiencies. A standard "roll" is two weeks, into the next class that enters the program. Candidates who have rolled will be kept in what is called H-Class (holding) until they are ready to class up. You are there to complete the program in 12 weeks and not one day longer. It should be your goal not to roll. Keep your
priorities straight and this will not happen.

OCS Day 2

This morning I started that job I spoke of.  I'm not sure if I want to stay with it, only because I would much rather be at home with my puppies, laying in bed talking to my Moma and hanging out with her watching tv all day and crying to her about how much I miss my Samuel.

At about 1230, I received my "I arrived" phone call from Samuel.  It lasted for exactly 2 minutes.  It was very loud and he was so very soft sounding.  He sounded so depressed, it hurt me so bad.  He said "I don't know what to tell you, Baby.  They just came at me so fast with that needle, they didn't even tell me it was coming.  It was a flu immunization. They just stabbed it in my arm without me knowing." He certainly sounded full of regret and doubt and my heart aches because of it.  He is in Alpha-A company, and said yesterday was terrible, today is a little better.  How awful! They haven't even started PT yet, and they've already made them feel so belittled and depressed.  I don't understand why they think they have to tear them down.  JUST BUILD THEM UP! What is the military's mentality? They aren't cattle. They aren't guinea pigs! I'm so angry and frustrated.  We aren't a vaccine family, so it infuriates me that they wouldn't even tell him "we're giving you a shot" before stabbing it into his arm. He said his hair was cut.  I told him I was so proud of him and to stay strong.  He did a sarcastic laugh that sounded like he knew I was told to say that to him.  It was all so rushed and he was in such a hurry to tell me "I love you so much and I miss you terribly. Please tell my family I love and miss them." :(

I just want to go pick him up and rock him forever in my arms.  I can't wait until graduation and I hope to God that my Baby is that same boy and mind I fell in love with.  I hope they can't change him. He's so strong minded and to hear him sound so depressed was like a million pounds of weight on my heart.  I've already sent off 3 letters.  2 went in the mail this morning, and I just put another in the drop box.  I want him to receive so many letters on Monday.  My goal is to write 2 letters per day and I certainly cannot do that while working a job.  I don't think I will continue working.  I don't see a need to.  Sam told me that he doesn't know what to think and he isn't happy. UGH!!!

BE NICE TO MY BABY! PEOPLE LOVE HIM, YOU KNOW?!

His father is a 23 year commander and captain and he told me to tell Sam that these 12 weeks will be the hardest, and that the rest is all an easy ride after this.  I hope that's true.

Some families didn't get called today, it made me really sad.  I would hate to be by the phone waiting all day, knowing other LO's are calling, and mine hasn't gotten to it.  My heart aches for the ones who haven't gotten a call, and are going to sleep tonight knowing some got calls, and they didn't.

I asked Sam to call and leave me a voicemail yesterday morning before he checked in.  He did, and I just want to listen to it over and over again.

This is rough.  I can't imagine how rough it is for them.  How much he just wants to curl up and cry.  I wanted to all day at work, but I couldn't and it hurt so much more.  Imagine how they feel.

I thought I was exaggerating a bit, but his call earlier made me know for certain that they are treating them poorly and breaking them down and depressing them so much.

I wish he really knew how proud of him I am even on this 2nd day.  I would have turned that phone call into "I arrived, come get me, Moma!" :'(

I love that boy so much. My Samberry is sad. :(

This is what Sam had to go through today. It doesn't talk about cattle herding or stabbing you with unexpected needles. He said he thought his run was on Wednesday, but this says that it's tomorrow. Who knows. I guess we'll find out from him in a week or so.  I can't wait to get a letter from him.  I wish they weren't such jerks and let him write home on the first day.  I don't get what the week delay is. GRRRRR!!! Let them love and be loved! They're serving our country, for Heaven's sake!

You will spend the majority of today at hospital for a physical evaluation. Take advantage of the time to study gouge, more importantly, however, take the time to relax. The day is relatively easy if you keep your head in the game and recognize what is going on around you. Until you complete your physical evaluation and PRT (physical readiness test), no one can make you do any physical activity. However, make sure you regain your military bearing and be locked on when you leave the clinic because it is likely that your Class DI will be watching.

Today is also the day to begin paying close attention to the procedures at chow hall. Once you have met your DI, one of his primary concerns will be your adherence to chow hall procedures. If your class knows these well, you will be more likely to escape very difficult RPT (remedial physical training) sessions right before you eat. The class cannot do RPT within 30 minutes of eating.
At around 1700 (5pm), your class will receive haircuts. No matter how short your hair is when you arrive, you will still receive a haircut today.
Before hitting your rack tonight, it may be advisable to do a short set of pushups and curlups to remind yourself of proper form and to briefly loosen up the muscles. Do not try to max out tonight, just make sure your form is good and that you are good and loose before bed.

OCS Day 1

Ok.  So I didn't post yesterday because 1) I was super depressed, and 2) I got a job offer and had to immediately travel to another city to start work Monday.

Here is OCS Day 1:

I talked to Sam this morning before he checked in.  He didn't eat breakfast and that was a mistake.  They don't feed them until dinner time Sunday night.  He was able to catch a ride with another candidate and he kept his phone in the guy's truck along with his charger, so that he could call me if he had any free time.  Instead of letting them take it from him for 9 weeks. Hopefully he can get away within the next couple of weeks and call. ;) Probably not, though.

Here is the summary of today's happenings:

On the day you are to check in, it is highly advisable to get enough sleep the night before and get a good breakfast, brunch or any other meal before checking in. Your first encounter will be with the Candidate Officers (CandiOs). These are candidates in their last two or three weeks of training so realize that they have been in your position as well. You will refer to yourself as Indoctrination Candidate for the first week. Emphasis will be placed on military bearing, ballistics (being as loud as possible and teaching you information crucial to your survival. You will check in at the seawall and move all your belongings to a clear trash bag. From there, they will shuttle you and some of your other classmates that have arrived to the Regimental Building, where you will get your poopy suits, war belts, canteens and chrome domes (helmets).

The majority of the first day is spent receiving your first issue (poopy greens, gouge book, locks, etc), unpacking and learning the basics of OCS. You will meet your Class Officer and possibly your Class Chief Petty Officer. Beware, your class Drill Instructor (DI) will be watching, though you will not see him.

By the end of the day, you will feel belittled, filled with doubt and ready to sleep when the time comes. Take advantage of your sleep. You need not fear people entering your space in the middle of the night - sleep is required and you cannot be disturbed between 2200 and 0500 (10pm to 5am).

I made sure to get two letters in the mail tonight so that they would go out Monday morning and for sure be there by Monday next week, which is his first day to open mail. 

Today was really hard.  I tried not to focus on thinking too much about how long he will be gone and how bad they will treat him.  There's nothing I want less than somebody making the Love of my Eternity feel like he's worthless and little. :( It was very hard to get through today without randomly bursting out in tears.  I keep reminding myself that HE is the one who is going through hell, not me.  At least I feel like it's hell. 

This morning he called me at 630 and we talked until he went to check in at 930.  He said "Hey, Baby! I just opened a bag to open a bag to open a bag to get to my Q-tips." :o) LOL! I told him he'll appreciate that when they dump all of his stuff out and he only has to pick up 5 bags.  Hopefully they aren't mean enough to make him take all of his stuff out of his bags! He said "I already appreciate it!"

I miss my Samberry already so much. 12 weeks is going to be an eternity. 

Arrived on base at Newport, RI.

This morning at 6:00 I hugged and kissed my Samuel goodbye.  
He arrived on base at 1:00 and slept for a couple of hours.  He woke up in search for food and was directed by the front desk worker to order pizza, as that was his only choice because he did not have a military ID yet to travel off and back on base. 
He said it's very cold up there and snowing.  Not a surprise, coming from a Texas boy. 
While looking for a water fountain, Sam ran into a group of Candidates that were in the lounge area eating pizza.  During his water fountain adventure, he also ran into another candidate that offered him a ride to check in tomorrow morning.  Sam was really worried about how he would get to check in tomorrow morning, so this was a relief!  I've joined the Facebook page dedicated to his class (09-13) and it's already eased my mind tremendously!
Earlier he told me he was going to try to get some more sleep and he'd call a little while later.  Showing up to OCS not feeling well is definitely not an exciting start! 

Just to help future candidates prepare.  Sam's recruiter made copies of all of Sam's documents and attached them to his file before sending it to Newport, so Sam didn't have to bring anything important up there.  I also read that the DI's enjoy dumping out all of the indoc's seabags and yell at them to pick everything up as quick as possible.  Because of this, I grouped all of Sam's stuff in about 5 - gallon ziploc bags. Socks in 2, briefs in 1, toiletries in another, etc.  This way, instead of having to pick up 30 items in 10 seconds, he only has to pick up 5 bags.  MAKE SURE YOU WRITE THEIR NAME ON EVERYTHING, including the ziplocs. 

Because I already have Sam's class number, I can start writing him letters!  He isn't allowed to receive them until week 2, but hopefully he'll have a stash of letters from me to keep him going by week 2. 

Well, that's all for now.  Hopefully I hear from him before tomorrow morning!  I know he needs rest, but it is our last night of communication. :(

Tomorrow....check in. OCS day 1 begins. 

Sam and I were high school sweethearts.  We got married January 10, 2013! He is a Texas State graduate of BA, and I am a Texas Tech graduate of Wind Energy. 

:o)