Need help with OCS decision.

[futurepilot113]

Hello all, I am in a bit of a rocky situation right now and need help. Here is my story.

I was slated to go to Navy OCS back in mid June. Three weeks before Navy OCS, I got into a deadly car accident with my brother and unfortunately he was killed. I was lucky to come out with minor injuries to my knee and a few scratches. I was able to push my OCS date back to an November class because I had a right knee bone bruise (Bone Marrow Edema). Initially, It was hard to walk on my right knee and I couldn't run on it in July. Now, it has improved significantly but It does not feel 100% when I try to run on it. Right knee still feels a little wobbly. In the past few months, I have also been applying to jobs as well but have been rejected from all of them and it's not easy getting a job in this economy. My doctor told me my knee injury could take longer to heal maybe until early next year. Here is the problem, I want to go to the Navy but I am afraid my knee may completely give out once I am there since it is not 100% healed, recovery has been extremely slow. I am still applying for jobs right now but despite the 500 applications put in, I still have not heard anything or was not selected in the final interviews. I want to go to the Navy but want to make sure I don't permanently damage my knee, but finding a job in the Private Sector is almost impossible right now. I don't know what to do and sometimes I just want to jump off a cliff. If I can't go Novemeber, I will lose my slot. Any advice? Also, just graduated in May of 2020.

 

[NavyHoops]

Take a deep breath first and foremost. I am so sorry for the loss of your brother.

What is your ideal outcome? Push OCS to next year? Find a job until then? Hey nothing wrong with doing gig jobs to pay the bills too. With seasonal work coming up companies are hiring tons of stockers, drivers, driver assistants, sorters, custom service. Tons of customer service you can do work from home too. If your knee is recovering I would focus on things that don’t put you on your feet.

Have a realistic and honest convo with your doctor about recovery. Are you doing everything they are saying? Talk to your recruiter about options. Right now it’s a bunch of hypotheticals... focus on what you can control, talk to your doctor, talk to your recruiter. Good luck.

 

[BBF2003]

Hello all, I am in a bit of a rocky situation right now and need help. Here is my story.

I was slated to go to Navy OCS back in mid June. Three weeks before Navy OCS, I got into a deadly car accident with my brother and unfortunately he was killed. I was lucky to come out with minor injuries to my knee and a few scratches. I was able to push my OCS date back to an November class because I had a right knee bone bruise (Bone Marrow Edema). Initially, It was hard to walk on my right knee and I couldn't run on it in July. Now, it has improved significantly but It does not feel 100% when I try to run on it. Right knee still feels a little wobbly. In the past few months, I have also been applying to jobs as well but have been rejected from all of them and it's not easy getting a job in this economy. My doctor told me my knee injury could take longer to heal maybe until early next year. Here is the problem, I want to go to the Navy but I am afraid my knee may completely give out once I am there since it is not 100% healed, recovery has been extremely slow. I am still applying for jobs right now but despite the 500 applications put in, I still have not heard anything or was not selected in the final interviews. I want to go to the Navy but want to make sure I don't permanently damage my knee, but finding a job in the Private Sector is almost impossible right now. I don't know what to do and sometimes I just want to jump off a cliff. If I can't go Novemeber, I will lose my slot. Any advice? Also, just graduated in May of 2020.

I don't know anything about OCS but I'm truly sorry about your brother. I can't even begin to imagine. However, I believe you'll make him proud. Best of luck to you.

 

[futurepilot113]

Take a deep breath first and foremost. I am so sorry for the loss of your brother.

What is your ideal outcome? Push OCS to next year? Find a job until then? Hey nothing wrong with doing gig jobs to pay the bills too. With seasonal work coming up companies are hiring tons of stockers, drivers, driver assistants, sorters, custom service. Tons of customer service you can do work from home too. If your knee is recovering I would focus on things that don’t put you on your feet.

Have a realistic and honest convo with your doctor about recovery. Are you doing everything they are saying? Talk to your recruiter about options. Right now it’s a bunch of hypotheticals... focus on what you can control, talk to your doctor, talk to your recruiter. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice, I actually got offered a job with a Top Defense Company so that is good news. I won't be able to push OCS back. If I can't go in Novemeber, I will lose my slot. I really do want to be a Naval Officer, I just don't want to go to OCS injured just to get kicked out. Do you think I can still apply for the program after two years down the road when my knee is fully recovered? Thanks for the advice.

 

[kinnem]

Thanks for the advice, I actually got offered a job with a Top Defense Company so that is good news. I won't be able to push OCS back. If I can't go in Novemeber, I will lose my slot. I really do want to be a Naval Officer, I just don't want to go to OCS injured just to get kicked out. Do you think I can still apply for the program after two years down the road when my knee is fully recovered? Thanks for the advice.

As long as you don't exceed age limits you could re-apply.

 

[Capt MJ]

As long as you meet age and other requirements, you can always apply. The needs of the Navy, most particularly, OCS, will drive everything, including whether you would be offered a seat again.

Ensure you document your declination in a formal letter stating your reasons, your appreciation of the offer of OCS and your desire to re-apply and serve at a later date. If you do re-apply down the road, you will be dealing with all new people, but the fact you already declined once will likely still be part of the record.

Do care for yourself during the phases of grief you are likely still enmeshed in. I can’t imagine what a blow the loss of your brother was in those circumstances, and I am sorry that happened. Take the time to heal.

 

[Anguswarrior112]

Sorry about your loss. If you reapply years down the road, they will have a record of you declining the first time. However, it seems like this accident was completely out of your control. When your knee gets better and your able to explain that you still have a passion to serve as a Naval Officer, then you will definitely have a chance. Going to OCS with an injured knee isn't a good idea, if you have knee problems now they will only get worse if you go to OCS. My advice to you is focus on healing your knee, then take everything one step at a time. Also would recommend you look into the Navy's DCO program if you happen to enjoy your job in the Defense Company.

 

[justdoit19]

I’m so sorry about your loss. As a mom, my heart aches for you and your family. Hang in there! And my addition to this convo, would be to make sure and take care of your mental health, as well as physical. You have been through, and are still going through, a lot. Make sure and have a good sounding board. Whether a formal or informal one!

Another piece I will add is that my oldest ended up with some necrosis in his knee bone due to a traumatic football injury. Sever bruising. It took a long time to heal, but it did (Ultimately he had a few surgeries, removing the necrosis and adding a resin which allowed for new bone growth). My point in sharing is that his ultimate success from the injury, was after seeking a second opinion. Not sure where all that is with you and don’t need to know...but it’s something I can relate to in your story. His journey has been a long one, but he is currently fulfilling his dream in the USAFA via a different route than he originally planned. He didn’t give up, ultimately healed to 100 pct (took about 5 years), and is at training now!

Your path may not be what YOU planned, but honestly, most people’s aren’t. The journey is full of twists and turns. Be open to the path, knowing that what you are going through presently will someday only be an interesting blip on your life’s radar. A story you will tell about how you got where you are!

Best wishes to you. And thank you for your desire to serve our country

 

[Impulsive]

Hello all, I am in a bit of a rocky situation right now and need help. Here is my story.

I was slated to go to Navy OCS back in mid June. Three weeks before Navy OCS, I got into a deadly car accident with my brother and unfortunately he was killed. I was lucky to come out with minor injuries to my knee and a few scratches. I was able to push my OCS date back to an November class because I had a right knee bone bruise (Bone Marrow Edema). Initially, It was hard to walk on my right knee and I couldn't run on it in July. Now, it has improved significantly but It does not feel 100% when I try to run on it. Right knee still feels a little wobbly. In the past few months, I have also been applying to jobs as well but have been rejected from all of them and it's not easy getting a job in this economy. My doctor told me my knee injury could take longer to heal maybe until early next year. Here is the problem, I want to go to the Navy but I am afraid my knee may completely give out once I am there since it is not 100% healed, recovery has been extremely slow. I am still applying for jobs right now but despite the 500 applications put in, I still have not heard anything or was not selected in the final interviews. I want to go to the Navy but want to make sure I don't permanently damage my knee, but finding a job in the Private Sector is almost impossible right now. I don't know what to do and sometimes I just want to jump off a cliff. If I can't go Novemeber, I will lose my slot. Any advice? Also, just graduated in May of 2020.

First of all, my sincerest regrets on not only losing your brother but being there, that is a VERY difficult thing. Also, you sound almost as if OCS is a fallback to not being able to get a job right out of college? That's fine, but be careful going into OCS with physical limitations. I don't know which looks worse, declining twice due to no fault of your own, or going and not being able to keep up physically or worse injuring your knee worse. Definately agree with Anguswarrior112 and justdoit19, get your doctors opinion and if needed apply again when you are 100%.

 

[futurepilot113]

First of all, my sincerest regrets on not only losing your brother but being there, that is a VERY difficult thing. Also, you sound almost as if OCS is a fallback to not being able to get a job right out of college? That's fine, but be careful going into OCS with physical limitations. I don't know which looks worse, declining twice due to no fault of your own, or going and not being able to keep up physically or worse injuring your knee worse. Definately agree with Anguswarrior112 and justdoit19, get your doctors opinion and if needed apply again when you are 100%.

The Navy is not a fallback to my plans, the Navy is my priority. I was ready to go to OCS in June but the accident wrecked everything. Im applying to jobs because at this point, I don't know if my knee will heal by November. Again, I don't want to show up to OCS injured just to get dropped and leave with nothing.

 

[justdoit19]

I’m so sorry about your loss. As a mom, my heart aches for you and your family. Hang in there! And my addition to this convo, would be to make sure and take care of your mental health, as well as physical. You have been through, and are still going through, a lot. Make sure and have a good sounding board. Whether a formal or informal one!

Another piece I will add is that my oldest ended up with some necrosis in his knee bone due to a traumatic football injury. Sever bruising. It took a long time to heal, but it did (Ultimately he had a few surgeries, removing the necrosis and adding a resin which allowed for new bone growth). My point in sharing is that his ultimate success from the injury, was after seeking a second opinion. Not sure where all that is with you and don’t need to know...but it’s something I can relate to in your story. His journey has been a long one, but he is currently fulfilling his dream in the USAFA via a different route than he originally planned. He didn’t give up, ultimately healed to 100 pct (took about 5 years), and is at training now!

Your path may not be what YOU planned, but honestly, most people’s aren’t. The journey is full of twists and turns. Be open to the path, knowing that what you are going through presently will someday only be an interesting blip on your life’s radar. A story you will tell about how you got where you are!

Best wishes to you. And thank you for your desire to serve our country

Outside the ability to correct this but my autocorrect went wonky. He is NOT at the USAFA. He is in the Air Force. ANG. Want that cleared up! His knee for the USAFA was a problem.