My only son is considering becoming a Naval Officer. I am not excited. UPDATED 7-19-14 I am now very excited.

[isupportmyson]

Tthis is my first post.I raised a wonderful intelligent young man. I knew with his honors College background he would do something remarkable. When he told me he was considering becoming a naval officer it took me 3 days just to deal with it and go back to work. My son is a truly remarkable and gifted young man. But the military is literally the last thing I would have selected for his career path. But I support him, and need to learn how to change my attitude aboutbthe military. This is going to be honest, because I truly want to change. I selected Veterans Day to post, on purpose.
My father was a career Air Force man. He was a very mean and hate filled man who made our lives miserable. We always associated the military, and his time in both the Korean and Vietnam wars as the root of his hate. As a young girl I grew up thinking very VERY negative thoughts about the military, and the types of people who choose this path. My mother ingrained it in me to NEVER date a person in the military. I have passed that along to my 4 daughters, and in fact had that discussion the day before my son called to tell me he is considering the Navy, and has already been working with a recruiter and tested high on the officer exams. (please excuse my lack of knowledge on what things are called)

My son asked when a good time to talk would be, and when we talked, he communicated with eloquent detail for 90 minutes all of the details that led him to consider this path. He is a senior in college, out of state, so this was on the phone. I listened actively and support his decision fully. I am just very conflicted. I will literally need to retrain my brain. I need to be able to believe that he will not lose his loving, thoughtful ways....or have them driven out of him. I had been approached by him to do ROTC when he was a freshman, but I talked him out of it! So now that he was coming back to me with this discussion again, I immediately accepted it. Although I cried....I told him I will support him in whatever he chooses. His college path aligns him with leadership, and he has been approached to consider this. I now need to learn how to get on board.
Although I disliked my father, I have always respected the he served his country. I just held a grudge that I had to sacrifice my father. I need an attitude adjustment now....as I approach turning 50. I am willing, but ignorant on how to do it.

On the night he told me of his interest in the Navy, my son gave me this website, and I have not used it yet. But who could help me more than fellow moms? The first time I logged on, I logged back off and said " I don't want to be a Navy Mom". I have taken time, and realizing how much I love and support my son, have come back. And on Veterans Day. I thank you all for the service and future service of your sons and daughters. My son will not go in for over a year, so I have time to grow and learn. He must finish his final semester and a half at the university, and then complete some study abroad in a foreign country before entering. Also, he is applying for several different jobs and is being medically cleared, now. I have time. He may not even choose the Navy, but I know better, because these committee's will definately choose him, and pursue him. Thank you for reading my heart felt confession, and for any advise ypou can share, I thank you.

[Nukemom]

So glad you posted this!! Our only son is also in the process of enlisting as a Navy NUKE. He has always been such a fun guy. I've also had the fears that my son's personality would change.

[isupportmyson]

Cruisediva,

As time passes, I am gaining more confidence. A WWII, Vietnam & Korean war vet was at a restaurant with my spouse and I at the bar. We struck up a conversation. He was 89, and wonderful. He had been an aviator, like my son will be.

He invited my son and me to a dinner at the American Legion a couple of weeks ago, and we met the most remarkable men and their wives - all with lovely, fun loving personalities. Very welcoming, and very supportive of my son.

I am opening myself up to the other side of military life, and am gaining much from an open mind - and new experiences.

Our children are wonderful - let's trust that!

My son is home with us since graduating college, for a few more weeks. On Saturday we are going to San Diego to tour the Midway. I am now getting excited for him to enter OCS in September.

[Nukemom]

This is wonderful to hear!!!  How fun to be able to go to San Diego this weekend!!  Cherish every moment of the time you have with your son :)  On a side note, we have a married nephew who is a Marine.  Years ago, they were stationed in San Diego and then he was moved to Chicago to be a Marine recruiter.  Long story short they are now back in San Diego.  They missed it so much!!  They absolutely love the military people there in the San Diego area!!  They said that everyone there is just so friendly, so hopefully this will give you some ease of mind just knowing that.  When he gets there and gets settled in, or he wants to connect with them before, I would be happy to give you their name and he could friend them on facebook if he wanted.  Even though they are Marines, I'm sure they could help give him some pointers or answer questions.  Heck they may even have Navy friends that they could hook him up with. 

[CB'sMom DIV 186 PIR 5/30]

Yes, my son is also a very sweet young man and I also was hoping that he never changes from that.

My son is in A school right now for Nuke in SC. He seems to like it so far. He is just getting into the classes right now.  I hear they are hard. I pray for him all the time.

 

[Jodie]

My boyfriend is joining the nuke program. How long did it take from swearing in to the time he left? I'm very nervous about the whole process.

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

Jodie - my son signed his nuke contract in January 2012 and shipped on 10/23/12.  He's currently in Prototype school (the last of the 3 nukes schools) in Ballston Spa, NY.  I think for most of the nukes it's about a 6-9 month wait from the time they sign until they ship.  Of course that doesn't mean always though!  It's the needs of the navy!  And to clarify - he's enlisted not officer. You should join the "Nuke Mom's" page.  Lots of good info there......

[Nukemom]

B's Nuke Mom, our son's Nuke contract has been approved pending that he pass a pulmonary function test at MEPS this Tuesday (because he has asthma as a small child) anyways, everything else he has done so I am certain this Tuesday he will be an enlisted NUKE sailor in the DEP program,  He still has to finish out his Senior year in high school this coming year.  Anyways, hopefully as time goes along, you won't mind questions.  If I have this straight, they go to boot camp north of Chicago, then from there they go to South Carolina for A school, then power school, then prototype?  One question I have is, does the military provide them with a computer or laptop for school or do we provide this?  He has a laptop now, but I'm thinking it probably needs upgraded. . . .however, if they provide one, then what he has will do fine for another year. 

[B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)]

No they don't provide him with a computer however it's not necessary to have one. All schooling/studying is done in a secure area (the Rickover bldg). No laptops no phones no outside devices! He can use his laptop in his room for gaming, movies, skyping home! Feel free to ask any questions. Hopefully you are part of the navy moms group as you will find lots of info there.

[Nukemom]

Thank you!!

[CB'sMom DIV 186 PIR 5/30]

He is our only son as well and that has been a very hard adjustment when he has been the center of our world!  He has always loved the military and he is old enough to make his own choices now. We support him 100% and I also have a nephew in the Navy that he looks up to.

[isupportmyson]

Best of luck to him!

[Amanda1965]

Hello.  My son entered OCS this morning in Rhode Island.  Difficult day for me.  My son is similar to your graduating college with honors as well as President of his Fraternity.  Scored high on Officer exams and is extremely fit.  Where is your son now?  Would love to hear from you.