Reply #3: JAG [View All]

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.