Navy Officer Indoctrination School tips

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Hello,

I'm leaving for OIS this weekend. I'm a bit nervous, as I have no prior military experience and don't know quite what to expect.

Any tips to make the next 5 weeks easier would be appreciated!

Thanks to all who respond.

Mamma3Munchkins, Thanks so much for your reply! So what is it like? What is a typical day? How hard is the work? What can I do to prepare?

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Specializes in L& D, High Risk Antepartum.

Well, for me it was a little different I am prior enlisted. The typical day starts at 0500. I actually thought it was pretty easy. The class days are long. Memorize as much stuff as you can before you go like the Sailors Creed, Code of Conduct, and 11 general orders of a sentry. Learn your ranks as well. These things can make or break you. Know now you will go to the sand pit even if it just once. Run before you go we had people with injuries because they weren't in shape before they got there. Invest in some good running shoes. How much you run depends on your Class Officer we had a tough one but it was good for me I needed the push. The food stinks but also good if you need to lose a few pounds and get in better shape. It is not as much of a joke as it used to be because OCS is there now so there are Marine Gunnys all over the place. In all reality though we get on base and off base liberty when you earn it. Let me know if you have more specific questions.

Allison

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Thanks so much for the tips! What is the sand pit? and How many weeks is ODS?

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Specializes in L& D, High Risk Antepartum.

The sand pit is a large patch of sand that you have to go PT in when you screw up or the other divison screws up. They will hose you down, make you get in the ocean and then pt in the sand but this time of year it will be a little cold so I'm not sure what it will entail for you. It was 5 weeks long.

Allison

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

I am curious-do they still have the "USS Buttercup?" It was a mock up of a portion of a ship in a swimming pool that would do down with us in it, we had to plug leaks and stuff. Scary for me since I was learning to swim compliments of the Navy.

I don't remember a sand pit. We did not have Gunny's either for instructor's.

The 5 weeks do go by very fast.:lol2:

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Hi everyone,

I was in OIS in 2003 and I remember having to do the dead mans float. Do any of you remember how many minutes we had to do that? Was it 5 min or only 2 min? Please respond if you remember. Thanks.

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Specializes in Pediatrics: Neuro/Ortho/Trauma, Now ER.
Hi everyone,

I was in OIS in 2003 and I remember having to do the dead mans float. Do any of you remember how many minutes we had to do that? Was it 5 min or only 2 min? Please respond if you remember. Thanks.

The website for OIS/ODS mentions a 5 minute prone float. I think that's what you might be referring to.

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Specializes in Navy Nurse, Med-Surg., OR, Psych, Rehab.

Hi! I was known as Navy Girl once too! I went to OIS at age...get ready...36! It was the best thing I ever did. Already a nurse for 15 yrs, I wanted to try something completely different before I got TOO old. The 1st 2 wks. were very hard for me until I realized you have to relax and just go with the program instead of asking why someone has to teach me how to make a bed when I've made beds all my life, etc. Have a ball and relax and enjoy. When you look back in a few yrs. you'll be so proud of the person you've become. I wish I had done it at age 20 when I became an RN, but back then it wasn't too cool to join the military.

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Specializes in Neuro, Surgical, Trauma and ICU..

LCDR DH,

where was your first duty station? do you remember how long you had from ODS to your first duty station?

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Specializes in Navy Nurse, Med-Surg., OR, Psych, Rehab.

I had my choice of duty stations since I came in as a LTJG. I changed my mind several times and drove my recruiter crazy. I eventually settled on Portsmouth because I thought "Hey ! Virginia Beach !" and I needed to stay fairly close to the East coast because my dad was sick. I was assigned to Psych because I was "a little older" I loved it and did Psych for 3 years. Then I asked to go to Perioperative Nurse school and did that in Charleston, SC, and did 2 yrs OR at Portsmouth. Then I begged to go to Charleston nest because I fell in love with the area. I did 3 yrs there, but the Naval Hospital closed and became an outpt. clinic. That's probably more info than you needed. Where are you headed?

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Specializes in Neuro, Surgical, Trauma and ICU..

I am doing like you did going back and forth. My app is headed to the boards I'm not sure yet if I met the Dec. one or not. I'm going in as LTJG too because I'm going in under my social work education instead of nursing. However, I'm back in forth between Portsmouth and Jacksonville. At first I was leaning toward Virginia Beach but my family is encouraging me to go towards Flordia because its closer to them and I have a young son so if hubby and I need any help they can chip in.

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Hello,

I was just picked up for the Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program, to be a Navy Nurse. I am in the Navy already; I will transition to the Officer community once I complete my nursing degree in the fall. I already hold an undergraduate in Health Care Management and currently working on my M.B.A.

I will be attending ODS, this is all new to me; and I was wondering if anyone had any tips on what I should be doing to get ready for training. I am on their website now; and I have also downloaded a running program from the site as well.

All tips are appreciated, I look forward to hearing from you all.

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