2010 Navy ODS Class

I'm Kelsy; it'd be nice to go in knowing a couple of people already. If you don't mind my asking, what has you worked up about the swimming part?
I'm kind of nervous about how cold it's going to be out there; I'm a desert rat, raised in AZ.

Hello guys

I graduated May 2009. I submitted my application to the boards end of January 2009. i got finally selected just two weeks ago. I am here at New Jersey. I have been working as a nurse since 2005 (as an associates). I spoke to my recruiter in NY/NJ area and said the he is waiting for my orders for commissioning. The detailer is yet to contact me regarding on when I am going for ODS. I got really frustrated that it is taking too long. I thought I would be in October (2009) ODS thats why I did not participate in many seminars, CEU's and MEd-Surg certification. I would have been taking an exam in Med-Surg certification on October 24 but I told my manager at that time that I cant take the exam since I might be gone to the Navy. Now I learned October is full so the earliest I could go for ODS is November, which is of course not guaranteed. This is not a complaint. I realized I have to be patient. I will be patient as long as it takes. I already sacrificed a lot for the Navy so I might as well take all the patience as I possibly as I can. So my suggestion to you guys, is if you can contact the detailer as soon as possible and get as guaranteed date on your ODS, do it. I dont know who the detailer is in NY/NJ area but I am hoping he would give me a call anytime soon so I know when I am going. In that way. I can determine what certifications, seminars I can attend to so I would be more rounded nurse going to the Navy. You guys are lucky at least you know who the detailer is and you spoke with him. My recruiter told me he spoke with the detailer and will call me last week. But I have not gotten any calls from the detailer. Well, I just wanna tell you that try to get an exact date of your ODS so at least your not in the dark. Best of luck to oyu guys, y wish lists are San Diego, Hawaii and Washington D.C.

Telly,
Me too! I'm afraid of the swimming part. I know it must seem weird that I'm afraid of the swimming part when I live in an area where I am surrounded by water. I'm not a very strong swimmer and I get freaked out when I can't hold my breath long enough. The prone floatation freaks me out too. That just doesn't seem normal to me. When I first saw that, I went over in my head all the body positions (supine, lateral, prone, etc.) that I learned in nursing school and I was like "that can't be right!" Then I saw on the website that there are actually people floating prone in the water. WTH!!

Kelsy,
I'm afraid of how cold it might be, too! I think it will be a huge adjustment for me as far as the area and weather. I'm sure I'll be fine though. Question for you...if you didn't do NCP, what program did you do?

Do not stress out too much about floating prone it is not as hard as it seems. Using your clothes for floating devices is pretty easy once you get the basics down. When I was assigned to the Marines we had to go swimming with our Alice Packs on and carrying our weapon which sounds like you will sink to the bottom real quick. It really wasn't that bad because our pack was packed to help us float.

Remember they will have instructors in the pool with you and they will help you pass.

It seems like everyone on here is stressing out about ODS. I am stressing out about getting accepted. My recruiter seems to think I am a lock to get accepted but I have had my package in since August and haven't herd anything back. I am applyign to the NCP so I dont know if that makes a difference or not, I am just really anxious waiting feel like I need a Xanax!

Delta,

thanks comrade. My recruiter is very good in responding to my concerns. He did tell me he spoke with the detailer and that the detailer will get to me. So I'm going to wait at least this week for the detailers call. If I do not get any calls by friday, then I'm going to have to call her (Frances Smith) next week.
After Nov, 15, the next date would be January. I prefer going as soon as possible. Thats why I am hoping the detailer will call me as soon as possible so there will still be availabe spot for me in November.

Can I ask a favor from you, Delta? Please email me at my yahoo email add. There is something I want to ask from you.

To all those worried about swimming: Remember, whatever positions you will do (supine, prone, lateral), whatever swimming strokes you will use, how deep the pool or ocean is, You first Have To be Comfortable. Thats the golden rule. What that means is, the moment you jump in the water, the first things comes to your mind is not (oh my god, this is deep, I cant breathe, etc, etc). Instead, think about how it feels so good, how it feels relaxing and how your skin feels fresher and cleaner. Then everything comes as it is. You will start waving your hands and flipping your legs like you are Michael Phelps.

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Thanks- the mod team

If they offer me a commision I will be commissioned as a new grad with a sign-on bonus instead of the NCP benefits. I'm in contact with a couple of recruiters and a nice man who helps me through the paperwork and sent in my packet to the board (I don't know if his title is detailer or not) so getting a hold of someone isn't really a problem.
I'm feeling pretty anxious right now too, Thipp, just waiting to hear back on my application for commission; everyone seems confident they'll take me but I'm not so sure with the economy being the way it is and so many other people applying.

Hey...don't worry about the swim! I'm a club swim coach (I coach swimmers year round at all competitive levels). I coach the learn to swim kids all the way to the competition, six days a week kids. Don't worry. It's easy! If you REALLY want to learn to swim, figure out where the nearest club team is (USA Swimming's website would be a good source of info) and contact one of the coaches. You can either do the Masters team (for adults), maybe get an assistant coach to help you, or even one of the older kids to help you. The BIGGEST piece of advice I can give is don't wait until the last minute, learn to LOVE and relax in the water, and get someone with experience (even if it costs a bit more...it's a LIFELONG skill)! Good luck!