Just graduated from ODS!

Specialties Government

Published

I just graduated from ODS! Yay! If anyone has any questions I'll try and answer. I'm stationed at Portsmouth Naval Hospital and going through the check-in process right now. Whew. Paperwork-city!

Specializes in Pediatrics: Neuro/Ortho/Trauma, Now ER.
WanttobeaNavyNurse and Midwesternboy:

Any news on your orders for ODS yet?

MiltM

Nothing yet...hopefully soon!

Congrats Midwesternboy! Hope to see you at ODS.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sassysailor,

1. I am hoping to go to ODS in January and I'm a straight southern gurl! :mad: Was the dorms really cold? What about the Pt gear was it thick. I am trying to start running in the mornings when its cold because I am stiff as a brick when its cold?

It depends on what side of the pway you were on! I was on the 4th deck and my room was cold and I slept in my Navy sweats and had a wool blanket. But the girls across from us always had their window open because they were hot.

As for PT gear, you get issued 2 t-shirts, a long sleeve t-shirt (optional, but I got one) and sweats. So you can wear how much you want. Although at first it was majority rules, so someone was always cold or hot. But after awhile they let you wear whatever. It didn't get super cold, but we still wore sweats some mornings and we only PT'd 3 times!

2. Do you need a formal civilian outfit for the Chief's dinner or will you be in uniform?

For the Chief's dinner we wore nice clothes. Alot of people went and bought clothes because they didn't have nice stuff! But it wasn't super formal. I wore dark jeans and a sweater. Some people had skirts on...the guys had variety of stuff, khaki pants, jeans, button down shirt. It wasn't fancy fancy. We had ours at the Red Parrot. Soooo good! The coconut shrimp was awesome! But some had a BBQ outside for their dinner, so that's more casual.

3. Did you put your personal household items in storage before you left for ODS?

I didn't because I still own a house and my husband is still living there until he can get stationed in VA. So I left all my stuff there, and when I graduated ODS, I drove home, rented a truck and moved my stuff myself. Made a $1500 profit!! But when my husband went to ODS, we had the movers come and get our stuff before he left. But they have someone talk to you about this at ODS and you can wait if you want to set it all up once you get there, but it just might delay when you get your stuff at your duty station. One girl didn't get her stuff until a week after she got here.

Good luck and I hope this helps somewhat. Keep the questions coming! If you end up at Portsmouth let me know and i'll give you tips on making a smooth transition or I can help you with check-in. It's a crazy process! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro, Surgical, Trauma and ICU..

Thanks smattles for all the information. I really appreciate it. I'm getting anxious ready to get it done!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics: Neuro/Ortho/Trauma, Now ER.

I received my orders yesterday! It seems they are written in Navalese :lol2:.

I will swear in early next week, leave for ODS shortly afterwards, and then report to Portsmouth.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro, Surgical, Trauma and ICU..

Congratulations!!!!!!!!

Looks like everyone is either going to SanDiego or Portsmouth!!!

Navalese thats funny! :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My household goods are being picked up this next week. Any advice besides making sure everything gets on the inventory list? Thanks in advance.

-recent BSN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You could take pictures of any major items that you hope are not damaged in shipment. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER,ICU and Progressive Care Unit,Peds.

No group PT at ODS? Man they gave it to you guys easy. All the pt we did at OIS (which is what is was called when I went 3 yrs ago)was group pt. We had no time for pt on our own.

LTJG PM

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't think I would call it easy, just that we were a good group and "earned" to have PT on our own. ;) We were still pretty busy. Just had to work in PT at night.

Midwesternboy, make sure when they are packing up your stuff they label the box and forms correctly. When my husband and I moved 4 years ago, I wasn't watching them too closely at times and they labeled my computer as "misc." So if they lost it, I wouldn't have any proof that it was a computer!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks,

the transportation office lady said the same thing. She said you had to be a "hawk" so everything got done right.

Did you get a sponsor before you left for ODS? after? during? I'm going to San Diego and I already called the command there to try to get a sponsor, but haven't had much luck. Enjoy your weekend

-recent BSN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I got a sponsor a few weeks before I left. Some people didn't get one at all. When you are at ODS you'll have a day where you meet with some other navy nurses and chat about the profession and they'll ask if you got a sponsor and will try and help you get one. From what I've heard it's kind of hit or miss on if you get one or not! I just kept submitting my online sponsor request on the NMCP website.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics: Neuro/Ortho/Trauma, Now ER.

So, the next ODS class starts this coming week. Time is running out and I may not be able to commission in time!!!! So think positive thoughts, say a prayer, do a dance, whatever....I really really want to stay positive and commission on Friday!

Did anyone else commission a day or two before leaving for ODS???

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment