Comment

Comment by BunkerQB on May 19, 2009 at 2:12am

Therese, don't feel bad about being emotional. When our younger son started at West Point, NY (USMA), I was paralyzed with fear & anxiety. I was a hard-charging, very successful real estate agent. Made lots of money. Nothing stool in my way. Well, there I was in '06 & '07 crying my eyeballs out everyday. I surfed the net for every tidbit of info about the Army. Counting the days left until graduation (1311, 1310, etc. thinking Oh, God, only 1259 - you get the picture). If he even hinted that he wanted to fly home to CA for the weekend, I had the tickets ordered before call ended. I had cadet accounts set up at five restaurants (w delivery to the posts) in case he got hungry late at night. Hubby thought I was close to being certifiably nuts. Our younger son is no longer at West Point. We are relieved but at the same time, we know he is feeling terribly guilty for leaving his many, many close friends - they all stay in contact.

We now only have to worry about our older son, the LTJG. They may be officers but these are our babies we are talking about. I have to admit I don't share this stuff with just anyone.In the business world, some wouldn't understand and some don't care because of their political stands. It back fired a couple of times, so now I am very careful with information. But here on N4MS we can all let it hang out because we are all on the same boat!

Comment by BunkerQB on May 18, 2009 at 11:53am

Unbelievable! Neither you nor Sandy, Chris' mom got packets. It looks like your son is on a Destroyer. You'll probably hear from him before Sandy and I will hear from our guys (they are on subs). Keep trying. Maybe someone will answer on a weekday. We are also empty nesters but we have not change one iota in our sons' rooms. We're keeping them as shrines (just kidding - half). Regards, B.

Comment by BunkerQB on May 17, 2009 at 1:13pm

Therese,
Shortly before your son deployment, you will get a "Pre-Delpoyment Booklet" from the boat's Ombudsman with the toll free number for Red Cross (here it is 877-272-7337). Between OSC and deployment, I am not sure but I would imagine there will be plenty of people to help at any base with a process established (Ombudsman, chain of command, CO). Since the package comes by USPS, make sure your son gives the Ombudsman the right address for you. We got our packet within one week prior to deployment. If for some strange reason, you don't get one, find another mom on his boat to get the name and phone number of the boat's Ombudsman and contact her/him directly. Remember depending on sensitivity of your son's mission, the message may or may not be relayed to him immediately.
Take care.
B.

Comment by BunkerQB on May 17, 2009 at 12:55am

I am in this group because my older son joined the Navy after graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Looking back, HE is the one who should have attended one of the service academies; but he had a great time in college - what is there not to like - his engineering school was a block from the beach. He wore flip flops and T shirts for four years. OCS was a real shocker. He was dismal at folding his underwear, ironing his shirts and shining his shoes. He was rolled back once. He passed the second time only because a couple of prior enlisted guys help him with ironing, shoe shining in exchange for tutoring in math and physics. He is currently a nuke officer on a sub on his very first deployment.
Regards, B.

Comment by BunkerQB on May 17, 2009 at 12:46am

Hi Jan. Welcome to the group. Since your son is between a Youngster and a Second Class, you have plenty of time before you have to worry about deployments, lack of communication, long separations. Enjoy his remaining two years at Annapolis. Do go to next two Army Navy games and any and all events you can get to. I am sure you belong to the Parent Groups for Annapolis (general and local). It sounds like your son is certain that this is his career path but it's a long commitment to ask a 20 year old to make. If your son changes his mind - it OK - life will go on. We know first hand. Our younger of two sons attended West Point for two years. During high school, going to West Point was the only thing he wanted. He did not find the USMA difficult academically (you get a lot of help, if you do get in trouble) and physically, he was at top of the heap; however, the structure and restrictive life style was not for him. Intuitively I never thought the military was for him. He thinks West Point is more restrictive than Annapolis. We too were caught up with the magnificence of the whole thing - the pageantry, the prestigious reputation, the historical post, the "special" privileges given to cadets and midshipmen (besides all money you save on tuition) - people would assume we were great parents because our son was attending one of the service academies. We definitely were taken by surprise when he did not continue after his second year. I just want you to be aware that anything can happen and stress again that your next two years should be wonderful - enjoy them.
Regards, B.

Comment by kgrmom on May 16, 2009 at 2:48pm

OMG- I'm so sorry- giving out the wrong information yikes! I guess I should have known there would be another weird acro out there like CORTRAMID.
Thanks Jan-
Paulette

Comment by kgrmom on May 16, 2009 at 11:17am

Hi Chris-
I believe PROTRAMID might have been meant as CORTRAMID- stands for Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen.

I made a comment above needing an acronymn dictionary even to understand my own daughter sometimes. They use this stuff for everyday languange as well.

Comment by KatK on May 14, 2009 at 2:06pm

Good article on Blackfive.net called "Jimmy Carter's Navy...Again (halfway down the page) Scary reading

Comment by BunkerQB on May 13, 2009 at 11:18pm

Kathy,
I copied and pasted this information below from http://www.navy.com/officer/nuclear
It's explained so much better than anything I can provide. Although, I had to read it several times to understand it. The second time I read it, I figured if my son had thought of and had applied and gotten it before his junior year in college, we would have saved a bundle in tuition, room and board - 55 to 60K. My son joined the Navy AFTER graduating from college. We just got back from seeing him in Hawaii. He is doing very well. Anxious but excited.

JOB DESCRIPTION:
You will learn the ins and outs of nuclear propulsion plants, the heart of over 80 submarines and aircraft carriers in the U.S. Navy. You will apply this detailed knowledge while supervising top-notch Sailors as they enable submarines to gather covert intelligence and aircraft carriers to launch round after round of sorties. Officer candidates for the Navy nuclear power program are carefully selected based on a high aptitude for math and science and their abilities to handle responsibility and to work well under pressure.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?
If selected as an Officer in the Navy nuclear power field, you will have joined a world leader in applied sciences. The Navy excels in nuclear engineering and nuclear power plant operation with the world’s most comprehensive technical training in nuclear energy and nuclear propulsion. You may find yourself approving technical designs for new nuclear components, observing propulsion plant performance and crew performance, or even assuming watch in the control room of a $2 billion warship. As a Nuclear Power Officer, some of your responsibilities may include:

* Maintain and operate sophisticated nuclear propulsion plants and modern weapons and sensor systems on ships or submarines.
* Direct projects to improve nuclear power plants in ships or submarines.
* Assist high-level officials in creating policies for developing and using nuclear technology.
* Oversee nuclear engineering operations and navigational duties on ships or submarines.
* Conduct advanced research and development in concepts, materials, design, and operation of nuclear propulsion plants.
* Develop equipment, procedures, and specifications for nuclear propulsion plants.
* Monitor reactor safety and radiological controls.

SKILLS AND TRAINING:
With its advanced courses, state-of-the-art facilities, and exceptional instructors, the Navy nuclear power program has earned a reputation as one of the finest engineering programs in the world. Training for three different Nuclear Power Officer positions is described below:

Nuclear-Trained Naval Officers.
Two and a half years prior to college graduation, future Nuclear Power Officers can enter the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program (NUPOC). This program offers you a monthly stipend from $2,990 to $5,000 per month for up to 30 months depending on location, a $15,000 selection bonus, and an additional $2,000 bonus upon completing nuclear propulsion training. After completion of the 12-week course at Officer Candidate School, Nuclear Power Officers then begin training at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) in Charleston, South Carolina. This 24-week course helps students understand the complex nature of nuclear propulsion through a broad background on theory and operations mechanics. Once you’ve successfully completed NNPTC, you’ll begin training at a Nuclear Power Training Unit for real-life work on an actual operating reactor. You’ll work at all junior watch stations and eventually assume the role of Engineering Officer of the Watch in charge of the entire plant. Submarine Nuclear-Trained Officers attend Submarine Basic Course, a 12-week course that will familiarize you with submarine safety and operations and all of the necessary aspects of submarine life as an Officer. Surface ship Nuclear Power Officers will first attend Officer Candidate School, complete a sea tour, and attend Surface Warfare Officer School prior to receiving nuclear power training.

Nuclear Power School Instructors.
If you’re pursuing or possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a technical field, consider this career. If you’re in college and not quite sure what the future holds, consider a teaching opportunity in one of the most prestigious, up-and-coming fields today. The Navy Nuclear Power Instructor program offers you from $2,990 to over $5,000 per month for up to 30 months to help you complete college and provides a guaranteed position as a Nuclear Power School (NPS) Instructor. You’ll attend a five-week course at the Officer Development School in Newport, Rhode Island. Nuclear Power Instructors are responsible for training future Nuclear Propulsion Officers and Nuclear Field Enlisted Personnel in mathematics and physics, electrical engineering, heat transfer and fluid flow, chemistry, radiological controls, and reactor plant engineering at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Charleston, South Carolina.

Naval Reactors Engineers
While finishing college as a future Naval Reactors Engineer, you will be paid from $2,990 to $5,000 per month for up to 12 months. Following graduation, you will attend a five-week course at the Officer Development School in Newport, Rhode Island. The Naval Reactors Engineer training program offers new Naval Reactors Engineers a Postgraduate education in nuclear engineering at the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After completion of this training, Naval Reactors Engineers are assigned five-year positions at Naval Reactors headquarters in Washington, D.C., approving, confirming, and planning the design, operation, and maintenance of over 100 nuclear reactors.

Special Pay/Bonuses
Because of its level of specialization, Officers in the nuclear field are not only rewarded with excellent salaries, they also receive generous bonuses and unique benefits not widely available anywhere else.

Candidates attending college may enter the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program (NUPOC) up to 30 months prior to graduation. This program awards students a $15,000 selection bonus and a salary (with all military benefits) of $2,990 to $5,000 a month, depending upon location while in college. Students aren’t required to wear a uniform or attend military training during school. You study hard in school to maintain the required grade point average — then, after graduation, enter Officer Candidate School to gain a commission as a Navy Officer, prior to starting the Navy Nuclear Propulsion Officer Training program.

If you’re a qualified Nuclear Propulsion Officer candidate, the Navy offers a two-day VIP trip to give you a chance to tour various Navy warships and submarines. The Navy will fly you and other prospective Officers to a Naval base so you can interact with Navy Officers, tour the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, walk through the torpedo room of a Los Angeles-class submarine, and ask questions about Navy life.

Career OutlookNuclear
Officers gain valuable lifelong experiences, including nuclear training and leadership roles that may even include being in command of one of the world’s most sophisticated submarines or being in charge of the entire propulsion plant of the world’s largest aircraft carrier. You may be responsible for designing and maintaining the safe operation of the most advanced reactor plants in the world or ensuring that a ship’s nuclear systems are running smoothly so that it is mission-ready. The highly specialized skills you will acquire as a Nuclear Officer in the Navy will make you an extremely valuable asset in the elite nuclear community.

Comment by Sherry James on May 12, 2009 at 5:12pm

Hi Susan,

Glad that your surger went well and you're on the mend! Continue to get better and stronger.

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