ODS Questions

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So I'm currently sitting here about to start week 3 of ODS in Rhode Island. I just wanted to start a thread for anyone who has questions to go on and start posting them. I'll check back here whenever I can and answer what I can. I can also give an overall thoughts and whatnot after I finish April 8th. So without further ado...fire away!

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Hey there!

I'm considering the military as a nurse. The navy is very appealing to me (my dad was navy). So why did you choose navy? and what has your experience at ODS been like? living conditions, etc? (i have my BSN, CCRN, and 7 years critical care experience)

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I start ODS for the Navy on April 10th-May 13th. What should I know, bring, study, rules? Im excited yet nervous about starting my military career. Any suggestions would be helpful. Also is the reception the night before graduation formal or casual? Thanks!

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Hey there!

I'm considering the military as a nurse. The navy is very appealing to me (my dad was navy). So why did you choose navy? and what has your experience at ODS been like? living conditions, etc? (i have my BSN, CCRN, and 7 years critical care experience)

They navy has always been more appealing than the other services in my eyes just simply because navy = station on the coast for the most part which in many places = beaches...or close to. ODS is okay so far. Pretty much what I anticipated. We stay in a dorm like building that is like 70 years old so lots of wonderful nosies to keep you up at night.

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I start ODS for the Navy on April 10th-May 13th. What should I know, bring, study, rules? Im excited yet nervous about starting my military career. Any suggestions would be helpful. Also is the reception the night before graduation formal or casual? Thanks!

Bring everything the website says to bring plus stuff like envelopes/stamps (you don't get your cell phone at all during the week. So far we are only able to use it during weekend liberty), tape, a few note cards, some cleaning supplies, something to clean your water bottle with. It says to bring a rag for the shower but I have a loofa. It is 10 times easier with my shower gel. You will be coming in the class right after I finish and so I think you guys might have to wear your summer whites more since the summer months for the navy start about then. You get a week to learn all that stuff on the website plus more. There are uniform inspections but they have been going over each uniform teaching us how to wear it. I have no clue about the reception. Our social people have only told us our projected cost per person. Be prepared to get yelled at a ton initially....and to be on your feet pretty much all of the time. We've been on our feet for hours at a time. This is to get you used to it since during graduation you could be standing for 2-3 hours. Also, be ready to spend a ton of money on all of the uniforms. You don't pay for any of it up front. My shipmates and I will easily be hitting the $2500 mark between all the uniform pieces required, PT gear, seabag, and various other things.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing (CEN).

Hi Izzycat-

I am in NCP and graduate 2012 and will be going, but still already gearing up for it! Is it true no caffeine? How is PT? I have heard a couple of different stories. What about women's hair, are they picky about keeping it out of the way? What kind of hairstyle would you suggest? Any other hints of extra stuff to bring to make life easier? Do they keep your cell phones and only allow you to get them on weekends? Thanks so much for being willing to do this!

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Hi Izzycat-

I am in NCP and graduate 2012 and will be going, but still already gearing up for it! Is it true no caffeine? How is PT? I have heard a couple of different stories. What about women's hair, are they picky about keeping it out of the way? What kind of hairstyle would you suggest? Any other hints of extra stuff to bring to make life easier? Do they keep your cell phones and only allow you to get them on weekends? Thanks so much for being willing to do this!

Nope. No caffeine. We just started being allowed a cup of coffee at breakfast this weekend. You can't put sugar in it either. You can only drink it black and bitter or with some creamer. Women's hair must be up starting the first day and within regulations. I use a sock bun with my hair. Also make sure your hair ties/bobby pins are as close to your hair color as possible. Get coat hangers as there aren't any in the lockers. We originally got to keep our phones off in our lockers but some people didn't turn them off like told. Thus they took them away and stored them in the Class Officer's office. We did get them back a day or two later but they had to stay off. Only allowed to use them the sunday of the first weekend and then all of this past weekend thus far. Get a dial lock...like what you had in highschool. And for the love of all that is holy make sure you and your shipmates LOCK YOUR LOCKS every time you step out your door.

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Thanks for the reply, so ur saying we never Get to use our cellphones except weekend? What is a typical day like? Do you get time to read or allowed togoto church on Sunday? How much money should I bring? Credit card/ debit okay?

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Thanks for the reply, so ur saying we never Get to use our cellphones except weekend? What is a typical day like? Do you get time to read or allowed togoto church on Sunday? How much money should I bring? Credit card/ debit okay?

No cell phones until they tell you to. They are very serious about that. While you are at ODS you are supposed to be concentrating on the task(s) at hand. It sucks for people like me who are used to talking to family every day. You get used to it. Now, if there is some emergency you can ask permission to call but it's up to your class officers to say yes you can make that one call or no you can't. So far only one person needed to do that but that was because she had someone stationed in Japan and was trying to find out if they were okay. In that situation the class officers also used their sources to find out if my shipmate's family was safe. You can read for pleasure if you can find time. Church goers can go on their Sabbath days. I only read a few minutes at night right before I sleep. You will have what is called a gouge book to carry around everywhere so you should probably really concentrate on it for reading for a while as you have to know most of the info in it. All but two days so far have started with getting up at 0415 to muster by 0445 and then PT. Days go solid until dinner chow...sometimes even past that. I think the latest day we have had ended at 2000. I would highly suggest about $400 in cash as you don't have access to an ATM right away and you have to pay for the chow hall to your class mess treasurerer. That's about $80 a week. I have my debit card but I havn't used it until this past week when we had a little down time and I bought a 3rd PT shirt. Speaking of I would get at least 3 of the PT shirts. You wear them all the first week. We spend lots of time in a class room. You will hear the phrase "death by powerpoint" and they aren't even kidding. I think today we have 3.5 hours of class time in the morning, then lunch chow, then another 2+ hours.

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Hello,

I am also going to be in the 10 April ODS class and have one quick question. I've read all the information on the ODS site about PT, but I was wondering if you have any additional suggestions on getting ready for the PT. Any specific workout I should incorporate into my usual routine to make my life a bit easier, or just continue with pretty general strength training + running?

Also, I second the information about the reception when you hear something.

Thanks for the information!

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Hello,

I am also going to be in the 10 April ODS class and have one quick question. I've read all the information on the ODS site about PT, but I was wondering if you have any additional suggestions on getting ready for the PT. Any specific workout I should incorporate into my usual routine to make my life a bit easier, or just continue with pretty general strength training + running?

Also, I second the information about the reception when you hear something.

I didn't do anything special. Former swimmer, kickboxed at an MMA gym for the last year. Worked on my push-ups and abs. Coming with a strong core will help you out. Also just running. We have been running 1.5 miles three times a week these first two weeks. Were supposed to do our first 3 miler today but the weather was too cold. It's actually snowing right now. Make sure you can do at least 3 miles with as much ease as possible.

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Wow 3 miles... I can do 2 currently at 8.5 mph, but not 3. How fast do u have to run? Again thanks for all this information it is helpful.

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