@ab24
I’ll ask DS (he’s in midst of a tough academic week), may be a couple days b4 I can fully reply. Perhaps someone else will post their experience in meantime. I’m sure I’m too chatty on this but want to give back when we’ve received so much guidance from SAF.
First week is typical in-processing for the Navy, and sounded a lot like enlisted intake. Afterall, that’s what Great Lakes does. The phone call home was exactly the script you can see on the videos about Great Lakes but there was no box of stuff being mailed home. Keep to the packing list. You do not want to stand out as you are there to be molded into their sailor-shaped cookie cutter.
Pretty much a lot of the introduction to sailor-ing is the same everywhere. It may be different in many ways this year from last because they’re giving you a whole extra week of training, but I bet the stress-you physically including sleep deprivation, is a key component. You will stand fire watch for an hour in the middle of the night, doing your group’s laundry or cleaning the latrine. You will not rate all sorts of privileges because you are just a candidate. There is no talking beyond the few designated phrases (at least officially). This absolutely is tough. And in the future every enlisted sailor entrusted to your care as their officer will also have experienced it. You will have earned the growth that will come with this.
For those nervous about things which naturally cause fear... DS’ mask failed on a part of the Confidence Chamber training. He not only “survived” it but got a great story out of it. A great Life is all about attitude.
The second phase was probably easier because the breakdown phase had been accomplished. DS got to do all sorts of cool training including fire fighting, weapons etc. Many people are able to accomplish the first couple levels of qualifications in training areas. You will be given information to learn, study and master, and you will be tested on it.
Even if the same program had been run for the past 20 years there’s some things you can’t know or appreciate until you experience them. Last year there was some wording in the invite to the program that lead some candidates to believe it was optional. A few candidates bagged mid way through and rumor had it (I’m sure this isn’t even fourth hand if you get my drift) that they then showed up to their unit in the fall expecting to be full scholarship. I’m relaying this sketchy rumor more to emphasize that this is serious “big boy/girl pants” training, not to question others’ commitment (or legitimize the rumor mill). Again, you will be an adult and will take an oath. Pretty flippin’ serious stuff and nothing like summer camp.
DS was glad when it was over. When we first saw him he talked non-stop (a lot bottled up over 2 weeks!) despite being hoarse. And everything he talked about he was so stoked about... it was an incredible experience. He thinks he had the best summer of all his friends. I will repeat myself no doubt, but this program is exactly what NROTC was missing/needed. You’ll know what is expected of you and have some better idea of what it feels like to Be Navy.
I’m not sure what you can do to prepare beyond what they tell you to do (DS’ group received study materials maybe a few weeks/month in advance). Run. Work out. We had no contact with DS during the 2 weeks beyond one letter he was instructed to write. Very typical of training. So be prepared to stay motivated without the family cheering section being audible.
Really, if you look at what is described for Great Lakes Indoc or Plebe Summer you’ll know as much as you can I bet. But I’ll ask DS if there was anything he wished he knew in advance.
Editing to add: almost forgot!!! There IS a swim test (and more qualification levels related to this if you are interested). So if you don’t / can’t swim that IS something you can do in advance to prepare. Navy’s website has an exact description of the test, if i recall.
