I went through Officer Candidate School in Newport and served as a Cryptologic Warfare Officer. Everything here is firsthand — the twelve weeks, the paperwork that comes before them, and the benefits nobody explains until you need them.
Packing for Officer Candidate School is the first problem you solve alone, and almost everyone solves it by bringing too much. Your footlocker is small, your civilian bag gets locked away, and most of what you carefully bought beforehand is either issued to you in Week 1 or confiscated in the first shakedown. Below is what I actually used at OCS in Newport, what I watched...
Where should a military couple live near Naval Station Norfolk? Compare on-base vs off-base, explore VA Beach and Ghent, and learn why avoiding tunnel commutes matters.
Should you enlist as an AIRR to pay for college and then become a pilot, or finish your degree and apply for OCS? Here's the straight scoop from a retired officer.
The VA funding fee is a percentage of the loan amount that shifts with your down payment and whether you've used the benefit before. Here's the mechanism, who's exempt, and why it's worth...
Raising your OAR score from 32 to 50 is possible with a focused 31-day study plan. Learn what to study, which resources actually help, and how to approach the adaptive test.
Wondering how much house you can afford on a VA loan with retirement income and a car payment? Here's a realistic look at the math.
The VA loan occupancy rule means you must intend to occupy within 60 days of closing. PCS orders before that window don't cancel the loan, but you need to document your intent.
Looking for OAR mechanical study resources? Find free Google Drive links and tips from fellow candidates to ace the mechanical comprehension section.
Considering the NFO path? From mission planning to crew coordination, here's what to expect and why it's an awesome career in naval aviation.
A retired Navy officer explains the right order for the VA home loan process: COE first, then documents, then lender. Skip the do-over most buyers hit.
