Hi — I’m Paul, the person behind VeteranWiki. I’m a retired U.S. Navy Cryptologic Warfare Officer, and I commissioned through Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Newport, Rhode Island.
Why this site exists
When I was preparing for OCS, I couldn’t find a straight answer to the question every candidate asks: what is this actually like, day to day? The official material tells you the requirements; it doesn’t tell you what the experience really feels like once you’re there. So I started writing it all down, week by week, while it was fresh — the routine, the challenges, and the small things nobody warns you about.
What you’ll find here
- My full Navy OCS journey, broken down week by week.
- Practical guides covering the requirements, the application process, and what to expect at each stage.
- Honest notes on life after OCS, including my path into the Cryptologic Warfare community and, eventually, the tech industry.
A note on accuracy
Everything here is my personal experience and recollection — not official U.S. Navy or Department of Defense guidance, and not an endorsement by either. Programs and requirements change and vary by designator, so always confirm specifics with your recruiter or chain of command. See the Disclaimers page for more.
Have a question, or want to share your own experience? Get in touch — I read every message.