Anyone been through Navy OIS?

[JohnnyBoots]

[Geoff R. Casavant]

1. Yep. Me, in 1992.

What's on your mind?

[JohnnyBoots]

2. My girlfriend is up there now, just wondering if you could

elaborate a biton it. I guess they aren't allowed to use the phone the first week. What where you in for?

[Geoff R. Casavant]

3. JAG

All staff officers (MDs, nurses, dentists, chaplains, lawyers) go through OIS, it's a 6-week course that could be done in 3. Assuming it's the same as it was in '92, the first two weeks are the "hardest" (but still a relative cakewalk to any who have not been pampered all their lives -- we had a bunch of complainers in my class, who griped for a week, until an actual OCS class arrived with marine drill sergeants in their faces, and that put it in perspective for us).

Her company will be required to attend classes as a unit to learn general military protocols and customs, recognize ranks, etc. They are usually restricted to the base for two weeks and must remain in uniform when not working out. They pretty much travel everywhere together, including dining halls, etc.

I expect phone calls are restricted during those two weeks, but if it's an emergency she should have left you a number where you can leave a message for her. She should also have givenyou an address where correspondence can be sent. My suggestion is to show her you're thinking of her in a Navy way -- general custom is that an officer gives a silver dollar to the first person who gives them a salute (usually that's the drill instructor who sees them through OCS, but if she's at OIS she's an officer already). Buy her a silver dollar at a local coin store and mail it to her for use.

Let me know if you have any other Q's. If you don't have an address or phone number let me know and I'll pull what little strings I have to find them for you.

Peace.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

4. PS

When she is finally let off base, she really needs to see some of Newport while it's nice. There used to be a seafood restaurant that gave military folks a 50% discount on any non-lobster entree.

[JohnnyBoots]

5. Greatly appreciated. She is

is in to be a D.O. I have the address and plan to send the coin tomorrow, great idea. We used to live in Boston and we went to Newport once, but have been there many a time. A truly great summer town, a bit pricey, but beuatiful non-the-less. Thanks again. She was looking forward to all the PT. Almost a week down, four to go. Thanks again.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

6. DO?

Dental Officer?

[JohnnyBoots]

7. Doctor of Osteopathy, a more

holistic approach to medicine, less drug based. Equivalent of the M.D., but a more lefty version.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

8. Still - cool.

Just on the proportions of vocations at my OIS class, I would have guessed she was a nurse (about 80% of my class was nurses). I would now say she is Medical Service Corps. If this is so, then your letter should remind her to get epaulets with big twigs. She'll know what you mean.

[Sgent]

9. DO

DO=MD

Allopathic medicine (MD) is the most recongized, but Osteopathic Medicine (DO) has been around for just as long. They both have the same residencies and internships after medical school, and are essentially the same with a small difference in the approach of their med school -- but they both learn the same things. DO's also have to take some additional coursework in manipulative medicine, many of which never use it after that point.

GOOD LUCK to her. I've got a lot of MD's in my family who were in the Air Force/Navy/Army Medical Corp at one time or another. They all enjoyed their experience and learned a lot.

[JohnnyBoots]

10. Thanks

[Geoff R. Casavant]

11. I stand corrected

And a little bit of my ignorance disappears . . .

Peace.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

12. Yes, Newport, R.I.

I don't know if they changed it (mid 80's), but it's not that hard. 6 weeks. You are grouped with the other "non line" military types, i.e. lawyers, doctors, nurses, dentists etc.

Basically they try to introduce you to the culture of being a Naval officer, a bit of the culture and ways of the Navy. Rules, procedures.

There's room and personal inspections, but they teach you how to prepare for that stuff.

In spare time, assuming it's Newport and not Pensacola, visit coastal R.I.

And do have the lobster special at the Boathouse if that restaurant is still there in Newport.

They might have changed it if they are not allowing any calls for a week though. I don't remember that at all.