Job options if a sailor fails nuclear power school

[tam17730]

I just spoke with my son who is in Power School in Goose Creek, SC.  With each conversation lately, he tells me about more guys who are being dropped from the Nuclear Engineering Program.  He sounds very sad watching this happen, and is probably wondering if he will make it through.  For those students who end up released from this program, what are their job options in being re-designated?

[Anti M]

Much depends on WHY they are dropped, and at what point in the program.  If it is academic, and they qualify in other ways, they go into a different rate according to their qualifications and the needs of the Navy at the time.  They may or may not have a say as it will depend on what options are open.  They won't get anything like SEALS, but they won't automatically be boatswains mates either.  Many go into the conventional side of their rate, ET, MM, or EM if they've gotten through the A school portion.

 If it is for disciplinary action such as underage drinking, then something without a security clearance, undesignated seaman, or even being discharged from the Navy.  

My nephew is a nuke EM, out of his original class, he said only two made it all the way through prototype.  Lost most of them to underage drinking,  

[tam17730]

Thanks for your reply.  My son made it through 'A' school in August and is currently a third of the way through Power School.  Besides classroom time, he spends about 35 additional hours studying per week.  He says he feels like he is just keeping his head above water.  If he does not make it through the program, will they take into account his diligence and hard work in re-assigning him?

[Anti M]

If possible, yes.  But since he's through A school, that is likely what rate he'll be.

[Jsmom]

I would like to know why the Navy treats those that are dropped so badly?  My son didn't make it through, that doesn't mean that he shouldn't be treated with some respect.  I tell him everyday that I am proud of him for getting in the nuke program.  It's the hardest program in the Navy.   These sailors are all very intelligent or they wouldn't have been chosen in the first place.  The nuke program wasn't even my son's first choice, he was pretty much talked in to it after he scored so high on the ASVAB.  He got a 93.  He wanted to be a corpsman.  He started school doing well, but with 3 weeks left his finance broke up with him and he lost all concentration.  I'm not trying to make an excuse, I just want all the parents out there that read this to know that these sailors can not have any distractions.  If they get behind just a little, they may not be able to catch up.  My son is now painting and cleaning.  He's never gotten into trouble, but now he feels that he is looked upon as "not good enough" 

My son is down and depressed.  I try to encourage him every time I talk to him, but it's so hard with him being so far away.

Why does everything take so long?  The Navy can "remove" someone in the program in a single day, but it takes weeks for them to put them somewhere else.  Doesn't make any sense.

[BunkerQB]

Even though these young men are over 18 and adults legally, it doesn't mean they automatically become experts in dealing with emotional issues. To eliminate psychological/emotional distractions, he had to basically tell his girlfriend you don't come first, my career as a nuke comes first. Of course, that won't fly with many young women. It's too bad that the recruiter did not explore more what your son wanted to do. He probably should have gone in as a corpsman. 93 is an excellent score. I understand that most of the nukes going in right now score in the 98/99 range. The difference in the score most likely was in the math area. He was competing with sailors whose math scores might have been slightly higher. That is not very much difference; however, it might have made a difference when his fiancee broke up with him.

The following is from a discussion I posted in the Nuke Moms group.

    http://navyformoms.com/group/nukemoms/forum/topics/surviving-nuke-s...
"13. Not making it in the Nuke program may be a blessing in disguise - there are plenty of jobs that someone with a "nuke" brain can do. It's not failure in life - just not as able as others to cramp a huge amount of material into the little old brain. NOT A BIG DEAL - just go on to something else."

Please tell your son there are many doors out there. Hold his head high. Don't get discouraged. He still has the same characteristics and abilities that made him the wonderful person he is today. Hit the restart button. Many have gone on to other programs and have done extremely well. 

40 years ago I relocated from one part of California to another. I couldn't find a job for the life of me. I remember making it to the "preliminary" 50 out of 400 applicants for ONE job. I didn't make the final 10 who were interviewed. I called the personnel director who reviewed my resume and told me over the phone that there had to have been a mistake. He said he would speak to the hiring committee and get back to me.  Well, he discovered that the 10 final candidates all had one more degree that I had (and I have Bachelor and Master) and/or they had 2 more years of experience. I had been looking for a job for 12 months, sending out hundreds resumes. Finally, my father suggested that I try sales. I was discussed with the suggestion given my educational qualifications - thought it was beneath me.  His response was, "It's better to have a job and eat than starve." So, I got my real estate license. I love it. I still work. I have had a wonderful career all because I failed to get a job for which I had spent 6 long years training for, working my butt off, getting two degrees and spending an outrageous sum of money on tuition. You are welcome to share the deviation in my career path with your son. Oh yes, there were lots of times when I felt like a stupid failure. 

There are many doors out there.

[Jsmom]

Thank you very much for your reply.  I am going to copy it and send it to my son.  It's hard to tell a 19 year old that sometimes things happen for the best, but I'm going to try.  I honestly believe that when one door closes another opens, but he just can't see that yet.  It's hard for him right now, as his roommate is graduating tomorrow. 

 

[Jsmom]

Thank you so very much for your reply.  Sometimes, as a mom, I just need to hear the positive in a situation. 

Sounds like everything worked out for you, and I will certainly pass on your advice.

[Baby jay's mama]

I don't understand, as my son just entered bootcamp and is nuke bound; to which I've been nervous about this whole time. If something should happen in nuke, he will be left without a job assignment?

[Jsmom]

I was nervous too, as it wasn't my son's first choice.  You are correct, he will not have a job assignment, and he can "get dropped" at any time.  My son has been in GC in his first school.  He was dropped with a week and a half before he was to graduate.  He is still taking it very hard.  A friend of his was dropped 2 weeks before he was to graduate his second school.  It can happen any time.  Now, both of them are cleaning and painting classrooms in the school.  I just don't understand the Navy.  These are smart kids, and by no means should they be made to believe they are "less than".  I wish your son the very best, but as I've said in my previous post, they can not have any distractions.  They have a very busy schedule in school. 

[Anti M]

His first school would have been his A school.  He's on hold not just because it takes so long to process paperwork, but because there is someone looking for an opening for him.  They do look at his qualifications, and then what rate may be needed, and where there's a seat open in a school for him to fill.  If they truly didn't care, he'd be headed to the fleet undesignated... where he'd clean and paint.  Encourage him to be patient for now, that means they're trying to find a good place for him to be.

As for the painting and cleaning, everyone gets a turn at that.  Nukes tend to see it less often, but someone has to do it, he's an able body who is not currently going to school, and why hire a civilian when you have a sailor at hand who needs to be kept busy?   Lots of highly trained sailors get to the fleet and are surprised when they have to "crank" for weeks or months.  That's helping in the kitchen or laundry.  Again, nukes usually avoid this because they jump straight into their quals, but every menial chores have to be done, we don't have a janitor rating... so all the junior sailors take turns at it.  

[Jsmom]

I understand that eveyone gets to clean, or paint or whatever. My son is not upset with what he's doing, he likes the fact that they are keeping him busy.  I didn't know that paperwork was sent to TN to get a sailor reassigned.  But, then again, this is the first time I've been involved with the military.  I'm learning a lot.  Just like in BC, I guess "no news is good news." 

Thank you.

[BunkerQB]

Jsmom,

My son completed his service in 2012. He was a nuke officer. He didn't have to clean. He went in anyway to help his guys keep the sub in ship-shape. He believe in working WITH his team. Everyone pitched in. No job is not worth doing well. Tell him to remember he still has a job, possibilities for advancement. His attitude will be noted. Be patient. I am sure seeing his friends graduated is a bitter pill to swallow at this time. Remind him you are in his corner. Others will be in his corner. There are very few "perfect" people in the world. NOT succeeding on one thing or another is a fact of life. There are ups and downs. During the "down" times, keep his faith - in his family, in himself, in God (regardless of his religion). I believe having a positive attitude accounts for 90% of how well a person rebounds from setbacks. One thing for you to remember is that occasionally they really let out steam to loved ones, repeats over and over again how bad things are.  YOU have to find the strength to keep encouraging him - he is looking for that. If you don't remember his triumphs (large and small), start writing them down, refer to your list. Remind him everyday of the things he can do well and how that balances things that he is not as good at.  Good luck.