Well, I am nearly mid way through ODS at Officer Training Command Newport on the lovely Naval Station Newport in Newport, RI. (The picture is not mine, nor is it my class, or our Class Chief Petty Officer)
The first week was pretty rough with a lot of PT, blood drawings, classes, administrative days, power point lessons, and a lack of sleep. We typically rise around 0400 (although we aren't supposed to until 0430) and are on the line ready for PT at 0450. The days did not end until around 2100, and we were not allowed to go to bed until taps (2200) so on average, the maximum amount of sleep we were receiving was about 6 hours per night (noone was actually getting this though between studying, shinning, showering, shaving, etc... were were typically up past midnight, and back up around 0400).
Our first weekend consisted of sight seeing liberty, meaning we could check out the sights visible from our room's windows. No phone privilege, so I had to sneak a text to my family and Jas letting them know it would be a little longer before we could speak again. Additionally, we were officially allowed to wear our Service uniforms (Khakis) starting on Saturday of the first weekend after wearing PT sweats all week. In order to get this privilege, we took a tour of the OTCN facilities running between buildings and floors and hallways immediately getting on our faces and doing push ups, squat thrusts, etc... at every stop as the Chief Petty Officers told us about what each area was, and who's offices were there. We also got to take some nice trips through sand pits where we did PT and rolled around getting sand everywhere... EVERYWHERE!
Last week was a little more laid back, we were able to wake ourselves up and get on the line instead of having our class Chief pounding on our doors and yelling at us at 0430 every morning. We only wear PT gear in the morning and are back in our khakis the rest of the day. there are a lot of classes to sit through, and many of us end up standing in the back of the rooms in order to stay awake through the dull but informative lessons on little sleep. We were done between 1800 and 2000 each day, and had a little bit of free time to work on our NKO (Navy Knowledge Online) lessons, shine our shoes, shower, shave, etc... and were able to get a little (note LITTLE) more sleep each night. We had our first Room inspection on Wednesday afternoon, and returned to our hall with mattresses in the hallway, in other peoples rooms, stacked on top of each other, shoes scattered around the hall, chairs tipped over, and anything that was out of place during the inspection in general was strewn about. My room was nearly untouched as I got a 4.0 on the inspection (no deductions), but my shoes were still off my locker and thrown on my desk, and I discovered later that night when I went to take a shower that my door had been locked, and I had to have someone go to the quarterdeck to get someone to unlock it for me... Our Chiefs have a sense of humor.
Thanksgiving began a 96 hour liberty for us where we are allowed to travel around base to the various locations such as the NEX (Navy Exchange), Internet Cafe, track, gym, pool, etc... We would march to breakfast as a company, but the rest of our meals we handled on our own. we are allowed to use our phones this weekend which has been wonderful as I was able to talk to my mom on Thanksgiving and pass on my love to my family as they are all gathered at my Aunt and Uncle's in San Jose; and speak to the love of my life multiple times and just listen to her voice, and hear about her weeks. I was hoping to skype with Jas today, but a meeting with the Command Senior Watch Officer (I am the company Senior Watch Officer for my class) at 1400 is smack dab in the middle of the period of time I had hoped to skype so I will have to go another week before seeing Jas' lovely face. It is difficult not being able to see or speak to her for these short periods of time, but it is good preparation for the future when we may not be able to speak for weeks at a time again in possible deployment situations.
This coming week will include many more classes, vaccinations, another PRT (Physical Readiness Test), a graduation required exam and a room/dress blues inspection (which will determine whether or not we have off base liberty over the weekend), as well as the possibility of phone usage during our off hours (around 1800-2200). Things are starting to move along nicely, and things really are going well, soon enough I will be graduating from ODS, and off to Denver for a week to embrace the object of my heart, mind, and soul's desire.
-ENS Schlimgen
(Ryan)
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