What happens if sailor fails nuke program studies?

[Toni Sasso]

Hi, My nephew is concerned he will be kicked out of the Navy if he fails to keep up his grades in the Nuclear Power Program. He's currently last in his class in SC. Does anyone know what happens if he fails? I suggested he speak to his commanding officer to seek a tutor before he falls to far behind. He's a nice kid and is trying very hard to stay on course.

[Shereen]

Toni, My sister's Son is the program too. They sent him to it 4 months after his mother (My sister) committed suicide. He has no father so My older sister and I are doing our best to give support. But he's having a Horrible time with school too. I wish they had given him about 6 moths to get his life (and mental self) straightened out. It breaks my heart.

[Toni Sasso]

Cindy, Thanks for the rely. I believe they are trying to scare them. Alot of kids are not used to working and studying at this pace. I'm sure he'll find his way.

[Sherry Goodman]

If the changes have been made it would only be because of the situation we are currently in. No one has time to be training newbies when we need our trained and skilled. That's the only thing that might have to do with letting one go at this time, wartime. I pray not, for the sake of all our sailors our there. I have one out of three still in. Sherry

[whunter2904]

They will not send them to CO Mast and kick them out of the Navy for failing the Nuke program. My husband failed out and he was going to be rerated pending a med board eval due to an injury he suffered in A school. He ended up getting out, but only because of his injury. If he had passed his med board, he would have gone to sub school in Groton, CT.

[Janice]

My son told me as of last week that they had so many new recurites that they are indeed sending Nukes that fail out of the Navy. My son struggles also. So I am praying for all those Nukes that are worried that they can make it. I know the program is really tough but I also hope they will ask for help when they need it. He said they do need alot more Nukes in the program but the enlistment rates are up due to the bad economy that I guess they can afford to let them go without placing them in another area. My prayers to all our kids in the program.

[Jim Gramza]

Hey even the guy who graduates last in medical school is still called Doctor! The navy does not want any one to fail, and I know that they will help him. Like John said, if he goes into the fleet as undesignated, he may wind up somewhere he doesn't want to be. If he was good enough to even get to nuke school, he should make it. Good luck. GO NAVY!

[Chris N. Proud Nuke Mom of Mike]

Toni,

My son is currently in Power School. He has a friend who worked his rear off in A school, but it just wasn't to be for him. The young man did everything ask of him and even went for all the help he could get, because of this when he failed out they worked with him and placed him where he wanted to be. Encourage your son to get help and to ask ask ask when he doesn't get it. I will be praying for him.

[Grace]

How wonderful to have a uncle who cares like you do. Whatever happens, as long as they have someone who believes in them, encourages them and listens to them, they will be able to go the extra mile. It is tough and my husband and I are constantly telling my son how proud we are and that I know he is a champion. .keep encouraging him.
We will for sure pray that he will begin to fill confident in himself and keep pressing on to stay on course.
Even if he is at the bottom of his class he is still a champion to be in nuke school. He already is the cream of the crop.
Bless you for investing in your proud sailor. Keep us posted.
Grace

[Cassandra S.]

My husband is in the Nuke program right now and also says that at this point, because the Navy is so overstaffed right now (all recruiting for the Navy is closed for this year, except for Nukes and I believe two other jobs) that those who fail out of Nuke School or don't pass their PFA (not the ones that they have every few months, but the big one that actually counts) are being out-processed. There just aren't any other jobs in need of more sailors right now, thanks to severe budget cuts. I believe that they might have the option to go to another branch of the service, although he's heard if they were to choose Army or Marines they would have to go to whichever branch's boot camp.

[amanderson]

Whoa. I thought your husband looked familiar. He's in my section. :)

Nukes who fail are being out processed, but the PFA is a different story. According to navpers documents we have to fail 3 official PFAs in 4 years, which is only possible in a few very extenuating circumstances at NNPTC. If you fail the PFA while in power school, you'll be put in special programs to change that. If you don't pass before graduation- you'll be put on hold and move sandbags and exercise with the restricted personnel until you do pass.

There are only three "jobs" that are understaffed right now (Nuke, Seal, EOD) so if you fail the program you are out unless attrition rates in other fields increase and they can find a spot for you there because someone got pregnant, broke a leg, didn't make it out of boot camp, etc.

[Mary]

This is what i heard from my son also.

[Kathy]

My son told me that a lot of Nuke go into to his job field when they get kicked out of the Nuke Program. If your nephew is having a hard time, I would tell him to go talk to his Petty Officer about may be changing his rate, that way he would get some thing he would like.