Career change during boot camp?

[Mother Hummer]

Hi everyone! I'm so glad to have found this site! My question is this... my son leaves for BC on January 7th and is going in as a nuke. He has been DEP, and realized recently that he really doesn't want to be a nuke. (He's not very good at math...) He was finally able to talk to his recruiter today, and was told to go in as a nuke and transfer during BC, when they meet with counselors. His ASVAB score was high so the recruiter told him he's eligible for any program he wishes. I'm concerned because I was under the impression that once they go in, it's harder to change programs. His recruiter made it sound as if he HAS to go in as a nuke since he leaves in a week. Can anybody confim this? He's now interested in going into Intelligence and I hate to have him go through unecessary hassles. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! - Denise

[Mother Hummer]

Thanks Shane. His Dad is going to talk to him, and I've sent him your post. Once again, I appreciate the attention you've given this matter. I blame myself for doubting what his recruiter told him, and passing that concern on to him.. He really wants to be in the Navy, and I don't want to see him ruin his chances. In my experience I know that, many times, we resist what's best for us. Whatever the outcome, I hope that other mothers in the same situation learn from my mistake.

[John]

Denise, I was one of the Chaplains stationed at the Weapons Station where the Nuke Schools are located and I was fortunate enough to get to know many of the instructors and students at the Schools. I was also fortunate to be able to work with many of the instructors who have a sense of duty to make sure that they do all they can to help their students in whatever area they may be weak in. They will work with your son if he has difficulties in any area, especially Math, which by the way was not my strong point in College or graduate School either. As NCC(SW) Stec has stated the Navy does spend a great deal of money on these students and they do not want them to fail, so they will do everything in the power to make sure that does not happen. Kevin will do fine, and if he has difficulties encourage him to ask for help and he will recieve it.

[Mother Hummer]

You are all wonderful!!!! Thank you so much for all of these wonderful, supportive messages! I just got a message from Kevin and he said he IS going in next week. YAAAAAY!!!! I intend to keep my mouth shut until then... aside from the crying and blubbering I'll be doing ... I guess I need to let my one and only baby go... AARGH! I will keep you all posted. Have a Happy New Year!

Denise

[Aaron Galvan]

Denise,

I just logged on to this website for the first time and noticed your question. I'm a recruiter from the California area and I don't know your son so you can trust that I will give you solid advice. Your son did score high on the ASVAB so he does qualify for pretty much anything he likes. He can ship out to boot camp as a NUKE and when he gets to boot camp they have a day called Classifications. He will then be able to seat down a classifier and tell him what are his intentions and then switch. He can't switch now because his date is set in stay to ship out but I give you my word that he will be offered the opportunity to switch once he gets to boot camp.

[Hoppi aka Angie]

Going to add something to what Aaron said...when they talk to with classifications during bootcamp...they only thing they will be offered is the rates who have seats open for "A" school about the time they will grad from bootcamp.

I am not a recruiter, I am a Command Career Counselor who is stationed at Great Lakes IL. So I have a little insight of how things are done at Great Lakes IL.

[Mother Hummer]

Aaron -

Thanks so much ! He's on the plane to GL, as we speak, and is very excited. He met with his petty officer yesterday while at MEPS and was told the same thing. I appreciate hearing it from you as well. I'm glad that with all of the drama of the last week, he had no intention of dropping out of the DEP. I think that the posts by everyone here made him really think hard about his life and his future, so once again, I'm very grateful. Last night when we met him at his hotel for a final goodbye, I could see the shift in his attitude. It was the same look he had when he originally signed up. He was even more proud because he was 'put in charge of his group' on the plane, due to his higher ranking. I know the Navy will be an amazing experience for him and will do all it can to help him live up to his potential. Time to start crying yet again...

I know I'll be here on this site a lot! It's a wondeful 'family' of people and I'm so appreciative of my friend who told me about it! Thank you so much! I can't wait to get my first letter!

By the way, nobody believes me when I tell them that all recruits get their wisdom teeth pulled while in bc... am I mistaken about this?

Thanks again! - Denise

[Robin]

Maybe not all recruits, but the submariners do....something to do with equilibrium uner the sea! Trust.....the Navy will know during basic if he's a true candidate for nuclear engineering. It will sure look good on his resume at retirement! Better jobs DO come up! Be prepared when he sends all his belongings home in a cardboard box with NO note or anything from him. I completely lost it when Corey's arrived. I thought I had really lost my boy; and I did. I gained a responsible, respectable and dignified young man. Letters from home will be his greatest encouragement -- get everyone you know to send him a card or a note of hope during his training. Keep your chin up!!! He's the man you raised him to be and he'll be fine. The Navy is very good to their sailors!

Bless You!
Robin

[Emily]

I dont know if every recruits get their wisdom teeth pulled but I know my daughter got hers pulled.
When my husband went to Boot Camp back in the mid 80's he never got it pulled. infact he still has his and it never bothered him and Dental tried to have him say yes to have them pulled but he said it doesnt bother him and since he is already in his 40's they gave up so now in his dental record it states he can keep his wisdom teeth..
The Navy dental yanked all of my four wisdom teeth at once when I was a teenager when our family was stationed in Japan... catching the train back home was no fun either when you have your mouthful of cotton balls...lol I think of it now I must have been one tough cookie...

[Janie, proud mom of Grady]

Denise,
My son Grady, is in the same program as your son. Grady is going into the Nuke program and shipped out the 7th of Jan. from Boise, Id. This will be good for us to stay in contact and encourage eachother and find answers to our quesitions. Are you doing OK now that he has left? I was crying since Tuesday, but today I am holding myself together much better. Tons of prayer later, that is! Congrats on your son and his decisions. Jane

[Robin]

Jane, I know how you feel! It's a mixture of pride, fear and loss. Your little boy is growing into the man he was meant to be! Rest in the fact that you raised him and he's responsible enough to seek a challenging career! Good for him!! Good for you!!! It will get easier.....he'll adjust and I'm sure he's excited about the adventure before him. I remember when my son came home for the first time after basic training....that old saying about company and old fish is true! After three days, they both start to.....well, not quite that bad....lol! Ladies, keep your faith, burn those blue candles and say prayers as often as your sons cross your minds. Send lots of cards and letters......it was Christmas when my son was at basic in Great Lakes and I sent a very tiny fully-decorated Christmas tree. It ended up on his superior's desk!! That though went a long way and when I went to graduation his WHOLE class wanted to meet the "mom who sent the Christmas tree!!"" Be encouraged!!!

[Linda Z]

Denise - chances are your son is just thinking that NUKES is a lot of work and maybe he doesn't want to work that hard. My son was DEP, had a high ASVAB and went to NUKES school. Believe me he barely applied himself in high school, never took a class higher than Algebra 1. My son graduated from NUKE school in March 2008 and is proudly aboard the USS Seawolf fast attack sub. My advise is to let it be - the NAVY will really stretch and grow him. I think a lot of this is pre leave jitters. NUKE school is tough - but if he wants to pass - and is willing to put in the effort, the instructors will help him. NUKES are well respected through out the fleet. Plus, they have incredible employment opportunities when they leave the NAVY as the US has multiple new nuclear power plants currently under construciton. I wish you and your son the best.

[Mother Hummer]

Hi hoppi - Nice to hear from you again. So the A schools sometimes have an opening, but not all of them? ...oh well, I guess he'll figure it out. I'm just glad that he has people like you to help him make the right decision.

To Robin and Linda Z - Thanks for the words of encouragement! Linda, your son sounds just like mine, so maybe there's hope! :) The good news is that I don't have to worry anymore... I know he's in good hands and all I have to do is look forward to graduation ... and that cold weather!!!