I graduated from ODS in August 2011 here are some tips. don't believe all the rumors about wake ups, etc. They change the plan from class to class so you just NEVER know what they have up their sleeve. Take the 5 weeks in Newport to get to know some amazing fellow staff corps officers and some of the finer points of being a naval officer.
1. Dont buy any of the cleaning supplies on the list before you leave home. Almost everything is for sale at the NEX or commissary and will be cheaper and tax free.
2. Dont buy a swiffer, there are LOADS here, just buy wet and dry cleaning pads here at the commissary
3. Dont buy or bring an iron or board, there are loads here.
4. There are lots of fans in the supply closet here too and they are for sale in the NEX if you check in late and they are already gone.
5. When we came, there were also plenty of laundry detergent bottles so wait until you check in to see if you need to hit up the Nex to get some. Very few people in our company needed to as there were over 50 bottles of detergent here. Likewise, all the machines are high efficiency so you can get HE products at the commissary for CHEAP
6. Buy plain black and white dress socks if you can get them for cheap so you dont need to buy them at the uniform store
7. When you go got the uniform store to get PT gear, get an extra set of pt clothes. Otherwise you will be doing laundry ALL the time. Put your name in them too!
8. Bring a good set of arch supports for your shoes. Go somewhere where they can fit you (like a running store) because the cheesy gel ones wont cut it.
9. Dont worry about the stamps and letters. You will get email after a week or so if your class doesnt totally mess up
10. When you get a ruler, get a clear one or one of the fancy ones you can slide to the length (like a caliper or whatever). You will need to measure ¼, ½, and 6 inches
11. The baby wipes are a huge help for busy days, as is a good deodorant like mitchem (if you are here in the summer)
12. Dont bring any hangers, there were plenty in the supply closet and all your uniforms come back to you on hangers from the uniform store anyway
13. Learn BEFORE you arrive: the sailors creed, the articles of the code of conduct by number, the general orders of a sentry. Some companies needed to also know anchors away and they marine corps song
14. Be prepared with tums, fiber powder (almost half my company admitted to being constipated for the first week), ibuprofen or your NSAID of choice, Benadryl or ear plugs for the first night (the seagulls are out of this world!), moleskin especially if you have new running shoes, and foot/shoe deodorizer or moisture absorbing powder.
15. I bought compression shorts (like under armor) and they help with PT and with wearing the scratchy wool/poly uniforms. I would totally suggest them, especially for guys to help secure yourself during PT and in the sweatier times of July and August
16. Tide pens are great to have because they delay laundry for a few days and work very well on the working khaki uniforms