The First Week of Navy Officer Candidate School

Survivors Guide to Navy Officer Candidate School


"The First Week of OCS"



The first week of Officer Candidate School is easily the most difficult. It is hard due to
the shock and change from being at OCS, not because it is the hardest week of your
training. Each day will be broken down to give a better understanding of what is
happening in your new environment. Though this first week is difficult, reading this
information will help you immensely and hopefully prevent you from becoming a
casualty of “Poopie Week” (indoctrination week).


The first week of the program is Indoc week. Try to arrive at the ‘seawall’ to check in
around 1030. If you show up at 0800 you will leave the candidate officers more time to
screw with you, but if you are late (after1200) the ‘seawall’ will be shut down. Don’t be
late.


Early = On Time


On Time = Late


Late = Dead


If possible, it is highly advisable that you drive your own car (referred to as a Privately
Operated Vehicle, POV, at OCS). If you are prior enlisted or entering through a college
program (NUPOC, BDCP, etc.) you will be reimbursed for travel from your old duty
station to Newport. Nonetheless, having your own vehicle will be very beneficial during
the last phase of training and when you are leaving after commissioning/graduation. You will quickly realize how much extra luggage you will be leaving with and this causes
some problems when traveling by air.


If you arrive the Saturday before training begins, it is advisable to have reservations at the
BOQ (Bachelor’s Officer Quarters), the Navy Lodge, or another local hotel. Most
candidates stay at the BOQ; however, it is not required. The Navy will pay for your
travel to Newport; however, do not expect to be reimbursed for expensive hotel rooms or
expensive meals. The usual way for the Navy to pay for your travel is to pay you a per
diem rate for each day of authorized travel. With the per diem mode of payment, the

Navy does not gather receipts; the rate is an all-inclusive rate to cover all of your
expenses. However, do to ever changing circumstances, save your hotel, gas, and food
receipts as they may be taken on the first day.