OCS Boot Camp

To: New Navy Mom & Dads 

From: Navy Mom & Dad

Ref: Boot Camp (OCS)

Our daughter is in OCS in New Port .RI. Upon completion of her training she has been told she will go to aviation in Pensacola. Just 18 days before graduation and during the exercise test for her class she was injured. That was three months ago. She has recently been told she can stop using her crutches and walk slowly. Before she graduates she must take that last test again. The one that injured her. The doctors say she will not be able to take that test for another 6 months. AS a veteran myself and for you that are, you can well imagine spending almost a year in boot camp!  As advice for any of you that may have the same unfortunate ordeal I wanted to tell you how we have been dealing with it. Our daughter was getting very depressed as it looked like there would be no light at the end of the tunnel. She begin to feel her Navy career would be 4 years of boot camp!  And although she passed that same test at week 6 they were having her increase her time. It would seem that being that she passed the test once a waiver could be given, but it is what it is, and she must take the test again. The part that makes my wife and I nervous is her taking the same test that put her through a serious operation and on med-hold for a period as long as 9 months? As a point of interest this same injury has occured often to a number of recruits? Some of them had to leave the Navy. Seems this test should be looked at again for its merit or lack of?

To deal with this situation my wife and I went up to visit her and cheer her up. Our plan is to keep her mind off of the bad position she is in. She is also worried that this may side track her from aviation? . We write often, call when possible, and provided her with books, and other material to take her mind off the present situation. 

Hope this helps some other parents that may have the same problem.

Regards,

Tony Belmont

Navy Dad

Combat Veteran