ASVAB

[soproud]

Just looking for some help, my son was looking forward to going into the Nuke program and just got home very dissapointed about his ASVAB scores.  He's so upset, he got a 68 and was expecting to get much higher. he studied for 2 straight weeks and was doing well on all his practice tests.  Any advise would be greatly appreciated.  Should he try to take the test again? 

[Concernedad]

I doubt you would appreciate my answer.

[sailorwifenmom]

He could take it again, but he might want to look at other jobs.  The Nuke program is highly competitive and extremely difficult.  Even getting in does not mean success in that you complete it (lots of people get dropped from it).  

There are a lot of opportunities in the Navy that might be a better fit that he could absolutely love, he just hasn't considered or heard of.  Keep in mind, the ASVAB isn't like an SAT in that it just tests knowledge, it's about testing your aptitude, or where your particular gifts are.  

It might be a good idea for him to sit down with his recruiter and see how, exactly, his scores break down as far as categories go, and see what sort of things they suggest.

Good luck!

[soproud]

Thank you so much for your response :)

He did talk to the recruiter and he was told the exact same thing.  He is very excited about the possibilities now and is doing his research on different rates.  

I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Kelli

[BunkerQB]

Most nukes score between 98 to 99 on the composite score. 95 might do it if scores on the math related stuff are superior. More importantly, you have to have an engineering mindset. Your son could buy the "ASVAB for Dummies", study and retest again. Being a nuke is not the only job in the Navy. As his mother, you probably have some idea where his talents lie. Please tell him that it's OK not scoring high enough for the nuke program. My son (x-sailor was a nuke officer on a sub) would tell your son to consider himself to be a lucky guy - being a nuke on a sub is tough work. Your son may have intelligence in other areas. Find those areas and concentrate on a career path that will take advantage of them. Good luck.

[Angie]

Keep in mind if he takes it again and scores lower that is the score he gets.  Also not being rude, but two weeks of studing isn't very much for that type of test. 

[Concernedad]

Yes, just one of my thoughts. Two whole weeks spent studying?!!! All that to earn a $30k bonus. Would someone spend two weeks studying the SAT and expect to get into Yale or Harvard?

Perhaps soproud is unaware of just how elite the Nuke program is.

[amandamomof4]

You might want to consider his age also my son took the ASVAB early in his Junior year and scored fairly well, but if he had taken it early his Senior year he would have done even better since he learned some of the electrical things on the test durring the school year after the test. If he retests it does not have to be right away.

[BunkerQB]

Haven't we all at one point or another had a "grand idea" about what we are capable of doing? or wish we could do?  When I was in college I thought I would be with a team of architects and planners who would come up with something glorious, provide cheap, energy efficient structures to shelter billions of people. I didn't make it. I got my degree (2 of them actually). I have been a successful professional woman, a devoted wife and mother. I didn't do anything earth shaking but I am quite happy with my lot in life. I get a great deal of satisfaction from being on Navy For Moms - just a little social network.

Some of us are blessed with the gene that makes us highly proficient in math and science, while others have the knack for writing. Some kids are just great test takers. It's OK to dream a little. I am a better visual communicator than a verbal communicator. Writing is excruciating for me. But I carry on even if I think I am going to make a fool of myself.

Soproud's son wanted to be a Nuke. Perhaps he was uninformed. Perhaps he was unrealistic. Perhaps he was not feeling well when he took the test. Perhaps he was extremely nervous. He got a score back that made it crystal clear that it would probably be unlikely that he would score in the range to qualify for the Nuke Program even if he were to study night and day between now and the next time he takes the test. Nobody makes up 30 points. We are not in a position to conclude that he wanted to be in the Nuke Program solely for the purpose of collecting the $30K bonus. Let's cut the this kid some slack and be thankful that he wants to be a Nuke. I am sorry he won't make it. It's difficult job. Some wouldn't take it for all the money in the world.  For example, my son was offered a jaw dropping amount to reup as a nuke officer. He turned it down without a second thought; however, if there was a threat to our nation, he would be back in a second. The oath he pledged when he was commissioned would still apply. He would consider it his duty and his job. No questions asked. No bonus necessary.

Thank you Angie for pointing out that it's the latest score that is considered. soproud, please thank your son for us.

[soproud]

Thank you GoldnG8r.  I love the positive feeback here!!!

[soproud]

Thank you BunkerQB,

He isn't the best test taker, that is for sure but I have never seen him put so much effort into anything.  2 weeks or 2 months, I am not sure that he would have done any better. 

He is now very excited after talking with the Recruiter's Supervisor, he's looking forward and at other rates  and hasn't looked back as far as the Nuke program is concerned. 

No matter what he does I will be proud and love him unconditionally.

 

 

[BunkerQB]

My x-sailor is now working and doing very well in the civilian world. In less than a year, he has made some astute observations about future job opportunities. He is using what he learned in the Navy for work but not that much of the math & science classes he took in college. However, he would NOT have been hired if he did not have his electrical engineering degree (graduated with honors). If you son is mechanically oriented (good with his hands, good at tinkering), please make sure he selects a rate that will allow him to work with his hands. In the next 5-10 years, many of the current mechanist and trained skilled workers are retiring. We will have a shortage of young workers to take their place. A college degree is not required or necessary. Of course, your son will want to take advantage of the educational opportunities offered by the Navy. You know the old adage, the more educated you are, the better off - but class in more practical areas (like how to run a business, how to use all the business software popular today - everything is in MS Excel.  My son thought many kids who really don't like being chained to a desk doing "paper shuffling" should focus on the technical trades. Going to college and studying law & society, political science or sociology makes no sense for someone who could become a great mechanist and get instant employment. 

My personal belief is that if a young person is not joining the military, he/she should go to college for a few years - to be with other young adults who are doing the same things, to experience "the college scene" and to get some general education and to get away from home (opportunity to create some separation from mom/dad).

My apologies for going on and on. We all just want our next generation to do well. After all, we'll need them to be gainfully employed so they can support the social security system (for us :).