New to Navy, ODS, Portsmouth-need any help? - Page 3

CASH AT ODS: you will pay for your meals in cash and then get reimbursed later. It's about $450 total. It's usually collected on Sunday. You will have access to the on-base ATM by the second weekend at ODS. The last week you will also need cash for your class shirt ($30ish), the final dinner (you pay for your meal and your guests, ours was $15 per person). I brought $500 in cash and still went out and got more.

Also keep in mind that you will be taking a professional photo at ODS. You will order and pay for them on the spot. Mega package with CD was $250. I bought $100 worth and kept in mind that I can always go to JC Pennys with my uniform and get more photos for $40.

TIME IN SERVICE: So you commissioned already? Yes it counts as time in service. Go you!

Date of rank: determined when you go in, is when you promote next. I came into the military with experience my date was 'back dated.' Instead of having it the date of commissioning, it was 7 months earlier so I will promote 7 mo sooner, I will make LTJG before having 2 years in.

Date of commissioning/years in: the day you take and sign the oath of office.

what to bring!

space-you have a ‘war locker’ appx 6’x4’x2’ that you will keep locked at all times. there are three drawers in it and a bar to hang stuff on. my class was also allowed to use the drawers under the bed. there is also a locked storage room reserved for suitcases and anything you won’t need all the time. you have access to this throughout the program. you can fit a lot of stuff in your room but the less clutter the easier it is to clean.

no one inspects your personal belongings. you will never have your locker ransacked. the main ‘contraband’ was food. with this i brought personal items that i did not want to be shipped with my household goods-computer, ext. hard drive, ipod, all my jewelry, camera etc.

ods required paperwork/items to bring
below is the required paperwork needed for each student reporting to officer training command newport. you will receive all paperwork turned in to us back at the end of the course. for hpsp students, please scroll to the bottom of the page to see your paperwork requirements.
officer development school required paperwork
(you should bring 3 copies of each requirement) not necessary-they will make copies if they need. you should use one main set of orders for everything-getting stamped and signed etc. extra copies are just helpful.

• permanent change of station (pcs) or reserve orders and any modifications
• copies of prescriptions from civilian physicians if taking prescription medication. at minimum 1 weeks’ worth of medication should be hand carried with you. you may bring 5 weeks worth, but with a prescription you can get it filled once you are here. bring as many weeks as you can. it is not easy to get things filled at ods and you have to have an appt. with a provider at your next command in order to get things re-filled. 8 weeks worth or more is good.
• all medical/dental records and immunization records. military and civilian. i waited until i was at my command and then had civilivan records sent. if you are healthy it will be fine. if it’s convenient go for it. you will be handed your health record and transport it personally to your ultimate duty station.
• you will have a medical ‘overview’ and a dental appt. get your teeth cleaned before you come if you can, it’s a pain to schedule.
• oath of office. this is mandatory!!! this and orders are most imp. docs!
• direct deposit information (your banks routing number and your account number).
  - direct deposit is not optional. bring your bank account number and financial institution's routing number (rtn) for your direct deposit. you will be offered the opportunity to open an account with navy federal credit union but this is not mandatory.
• birth certificate. (original)
• social security card. (original) - all members must have original ssn card with them!

if the student is unable to bring originals (besides your social security card) the students must have a court certified true copy of each document. notarized copies will not be accepted.

• state or federal issue photo identification (driver's license, state identification card or passport).
• marriage license (if applicable). (original)
• spouse's identification card (if applicable). (original)
• birth certificates and social security cards for all dependents (all children/spouse if applicable). (original)
• child custody documents (if applicable). (original)
• divorce documents (if applicable). (original)
• recruiter contact information (name/phone/fax and nrd address)
• !!accession bonus information!!: if you are receiving an accession bonus, we will need:
  
  • service agreement-this is how you collect your bonus-i received mine in full, two weeks into ods.
  • congratulations letter also imp, the only doc that states the amount $$$

[img]file://localhost/users/sw88tpea/library/caches/temporaryitems/msoclip/0/clip_image002.png[/img]frequently asked questions concerning your pay/record and entitlements
for prior military service only:

• all dd-214's
• page two (record of emergency data). - it would be acceptable if you re-signed the two copies of the current page 2 on the last page under your previous signature. your new signature means that there are no changes to the current page 2, and that it is up-to-date. after your new signature, put today's date. without a page 2, we cannot pay you basic allowance for housing (bah) type 2.
• last psd point of contact info (poc name/phone/fax/and address)
• for prior active reserve service, please bring all dd-214s and reserve points capture to accurately determine all reserve and active time served.
• reservists need to bring their reserve points summary sheet in addition to their dd214.

for hpsp students only.

• you will not need the above paperwork. you only need to bring your permanent change of station (pcs) or reserve orders and any modifications.
• verify with the hpsp office that your page 2, otherwise known as your "record of emergency data" has been updated (if necessary) within the last 12 months for any changes. if not, please update your page 2 with the hpsp office.

**please note, all hpsp students pay issues will be handled by the hpsp office in bethesda, maryland. if you have questions or need assistance, please email oh@med.navy.mil and your inquiry will be processed promptly by the hpsp staff.
***all hpsp student medical/dental records will be sent to ods from the hpsp office.

immunizations: the following immunizations/labs will be administered/drawn at ods:
**if you have immunization records military or civilian) that cover these items, you will need to bring them, or you will receive them again. you will need these on day one of training.

if you do not supply immunization records of these you will get them again (not ideal).

other items:
_ **special dietary and religious needs must be expressed on the first day of training. otcn will do everything possible to accommodate all special and religious needs without compromising training.
i have sensitivities to gluten and dairy. i was required to carry an epi-pen (even though i’ve never had a reaction). eating at training was very challenging. i worked with my class team and was able to purchase some gluten-free, dairy-free protein bars and bread to make sure i was getting enough calories. i lost 14 lbs in two weeks and had a stomach ache most of training. it was manageable. you can pm me about this if you need.

· money: meals will be paid for by each student. money is collected on a weekly basis by the company mess treasurer. meals cost approximately $15/day for a weekly cost of $105. you should bring enough cash to handle the first two weeks of meals ($210). you will have access to an atm machine. true, bringing more cash is helpful, i brought $600.

required items to bring:
you will be issued all necessary uniform items upon arrival at ods. you will also receive a clothing allowance of $400.00. below are the items needed to begin training and estimates for how much of each you will require.
-you will wear pt gear first week until you get khakis. pt gear is mens sizes. i’m a size-8-10ish and wear small shirt/short is ok, can be tight after a wash. medium sweats for comfort, you always wear shorts and shirt under sweats.

uniforms cost approximately $2,500 total. you will pay this the last week and can open a ‘star card’ account to receive 10% off your first purchase, which is worth it even if you close it later.


you will wear pt shorts and a white undershirt during immunizations and uniform day. please bring and wear a white bra for this, if you don’t have one plan on wearing a sports bra otherwise you are an embarrassing.
also, i wore a sports bra 24 hours a day for the first week. invest in a good one.

_ civilian clothes. civilian clothes should be brought. you may have approximately 4-5 days of liberty where you can wear civilian clothes. plan accordingly.
_ all students need to bring a combination padlock. (key locks are not authorized)


prior service:
_ bring medals (large), ribbons, and warfare devices. if your prior service was with any service other than the navy, you will need to procure or order your medals/ribbons/devices prior to your arrival. the uniform shop here does not carry a large assortment of different service items.
running shoes:
_ please invest in a quality pair of running shoes less than six months old. you will be running 5-7 miles per week, depending on where you are in training. running is conducted on pavement, so a good pair of shoes is important. (running will be less during winter months due to outdoor conditions.) vibrams, or any other type of "five finger running shoe" is not authorized while at ods.
authorized items:
_ alarm clock, battery-operated (no radio function)
_ cell phones (will be authorized after hours)
_ wristwatch (will be authorized later in training)
_ wallet and check book/debit card

other items:
_ 2-3 black ink ball point pens
_ envelopes (for personal use)
_ stamps (for personal use)
_ scissors (tiny sewing scissors for trimming loose strings on uniforms-you will do this a lot)
_ 6” x 9” steno notebook. (basic color-not patterned)

_ cleaning supplies. students usually spend money buying personal cleaning supplies. you may bring these items if you desire. (usual items cover basic dusting and cleaning personal spaces)
-shoe shine kit (black polish/brush/cloth)
-small container of laundry detergent.
*there is a place to purchase these items if you do not wish to pack them. navy exchange/wal-mart and other locations are located on or close to the base.

other items:
spandex-i was at training when it was cold and there was some wear and tear on my legs from shirt stays
ibuprofen, benadryl (you can get it at sick call, but not at 9pm)
tide to-go pen
ear plugs
hair dryer
make up could be worn the last week and on liberty
shoe polishing kit
pillow (i’m picky) and blanket(s), some brought sleeping bags
ipod (can be used when you go to base gym/pt outside on liberty time)
laptop (no wifi but there is an internet café you can go to later in the program)
camera
hangers-10
-i also used note cards, my own water bottle for the room (you will be issued one), mini-first aid, blister pads, a small pocket calendar, a book to read, and lint roller
loofa/sponge thing-sometimes you need to scrub dirt off

things i purchased upon arrival-you can always stop at the nex (mini-walmart) the day you get there, then you probably can’t go again until the wknd maybe:
swiffer pads (swiffer is available)
clorox wipes
laundry detergent

you can bring copies of the sailors creed, anchors aweigh, marines hymn, articles of the code of conduct. you will be provided these. you will be required to memorize these, if you have a really hard time start now. yes you will sing the marines hymn and anchors aweigh, a lot.

many things were available. they are leftover from people who fly out and don’t take soap/shampoo/detergent/cleaning supplies with them. there are shower caddies for use, swiffers, envelopes, rulers, etc. just depends.

note that these are all the belongings you will have until you get to your next command, get a place, and have goods shipped. i wish i had my family bring/ship some items that would have been helpful (civilian clothes-pjs, pt gear, jeans, shorts, clothes to go out in (i was not prepared for 80 degree weather in va after rhode island).

My apologies, I suppose I was referring to those without dependents. With family it is challenging. Things are different with dependents and there are several ways you could go about it. If you return after ODS to be with your family you only have up to 10 days for that, you will be in the hole with leave, and at bigger commands you will be late in the program. I would task your family with finding a place to live at your next duty station.
If you choose to have the government do the move (recommended), have your goods shipped straight to your new home. You and your family will still be without them for up to two-three weeks.
Air mattresses, card tables, and Fleet and Family Services Loan Locker (pots/pans/dishes/coffee/maker) will be your best friends. Glorified camping. Not dealing with the stress of packing, moving, and unpacking is nice.
A friend of mine left her kids with her mom and sister until they finish school for the year and then they will come to Virginia. In the mean time she found a house in a good school district and is having her household goods moved the day she gets keys to her place. Her kids will pack their suitcases and live at grandma's until they fly to mom too.
What's best for you and your family will be different for everyone.

anchors aweigh
(out of the ods handbook written may 2011
and still used in february 2012)

verse one
stand, navy, out to sea, fight our battle cry;we'll never change our course, so vicious foe steer shy-y-y-y.roll out the tnt , anchors aweigh. sail on to victoryand sink their bones to davy jones, hooray!
verse two
anchors aweigh, my boys, anchors aweigh.farewell to foreign shores, we sail at break of day-ay-ay-aythrough our last night on shore, drink to the foam,until we meet once more. here's wishing you a happy voyage home!
verse three
blue of the mighty deep; gold of god's great sun.
let these our colors be till all of time be done, done, done, done
on seven seas we learn navy's stern call:
faith, courage, service true with honor over, honor over all.