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.