need some reassurance, please!

[SonandSea]

Hi Nuke moms! My son signed his contract in Nov. He will be graduating in June and is leaving for boot camp in early August. He scored very well on his testing and is excited about becoming a nuke (MM). 

I am getting so freaked out about the schooling. I have read the worst things about about how terribly hard and stressful this program is. You hear of high rates of attrition, mental break-downs and even suicides. YIKES! 

My son is bright, but has never had to study. He is very motivated and is excellent at problem solving. His grades are just okay, but he tests very well.

He is a hard worker (when he is interested in the subject or sees a reason for learning said subject) and an innovative thinker. He has a entrepreneurial spirit and loves to think of new and better ways to do things, which might not be so great in the Navy.   He has friends and a sweet girlfriend, but had no desire for the college scene. He wants to get on with his career. 

I worry about his lack of study skills and the stress. I am hoping you all can "talk me down"! LOL! I am a positive thinker and I do believe he can succeed, but I am having a moment! 

I tell myself that most sailors make it through this program. Ah, help me out here, ladies!! :)

thanks so much! ♥

~dale 

sonandsea.blogspot.com

[SANDY ship07div056]

Seadream - My son never cracked a book during high school and managed to graduate "something cum laude" whatever, sorry?  My biggest and worst time was while he was away at bootcamp.  He had the time of his life and I worried myself to death.  He said it seems it lasted only two weeks but for me it was a lifetime. He left the week of Thanksgiving.  So he missed Thanksgiving, Christmas, his b-day and mine.  What a sad mess I was.  Now that he's in A School, the studying and learning is very intense, but if he keeps his mind right and keeps his eye on the "prize" he will do well.  My son seems to be driven, I think he will do well.  For some its difficult, but who knows.  Encourage him, believe in him and pray for him.  Thats all you can do.  Best of luck to you and your future Sailor.

[SonandSea]

Sand!~ Ah, see~ that is just what I needed to hear! Sounds like you sailor is doing well!! That is fantastic! 

My son is pretty goal-oriented, so I think that's a plus. 

He is trying to be super cool about boot camp. Hopefully his attitude will help him do well there. As for me, well

I think I am on information-overload (thus this freak-out) and am thinking I might not survive boot camp even if he does! :)

I appreciate the encouraging words!! Thank you so much! 

And I hope things continue to proceed well for your son! 

♥~Dale 

[OneluvdNukeMom]

Same with my son.  scored a 96 on the ASVAB, & was at a concert the night before.  I think it will be good for all our "brainiacs" to get challenged.  This field I believe will "make" our men & women, I've read that the instructors "want" them to succeed. 

[Penny_Nuke_MM2_NimitzNuke]

Dale, he's going to be just fine.  One of the first things you need to realize is that at this point, he does not have a guaranteed rating.  About the 5th week into bootcamp he will put in his request in 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices and then they throw them all into a hat and pick one.  It may or may not be his 1st or 2nd choices, however, most nukes I have spoken to have gotten their 2nd choice and sometimes their first (don't know what's up with that).

 

Your 2nd and 3rd paragraphs could have pegged my son dead on, as well as most parents of nukes may say the exact same.  Very bright, hates doing homework but give them a test and they ace it !!!  Typical nuke material...lol  My son, however, did the college scene and did very well with magna cum laude (3.72 GPA) in engineering.  That said, he felt he was still missing out on something and went the course of the Navy.  At that time he knew nothing of Nuke School, Nuclear Propulsion or Goose Creek, South Carolina.  But after scoring 99% on his ASVAB and looking at his college grades they determined that he is a perfect candidate for nuke school. 

 

He is now in his 4th week of A school as a Machinist Mate and is carrying a 3.78 GPA.  So far they have had mostly math but just now getting into the machinery portion of it.  Yes, it is stressful as they cram a lot into their heads at a time.  But he has also found that the school does everything they can to make sure you get it.  They have plenty of instructors on hand after school, mandatory study hours and homework to make sure they get it.  If for any reason a student is having problems getting the material, they up the mandatory study hours and put someone on them as a mentor to help them understand.  While it is rare that they kick somebody out of Nuke School, they will do it if there is an attitude of defiance.  However, for the most part, these nukes were chosen because of their ability to succeed and most will.

 

The first week or so they are spending in indoctrination, learning what is expected of them as a representative of the US Navy, what school is going to be like and what is expected of them as a Nuke.  Then school starts and it will be 18+ hour days for a bit, but as they get the hang of studying and they keep their grades up, the mandatory study hours will come down and they will get more and more free time. 

 

Dale, your son will make it if he puts his head down and WANTS to succeed.  He will be given a roommate that he probably went through bootcamp with and then on the other side of the wall and sharing a bathroom will be two nukes that are further advanced in the process that they can learn from as well.  The good thing is that once they walk out of the classroom, the book, the material and everything associated with nuke school is left behind and they can simply go back to their room and take a break until the next morning.  Weekends are a welcome respite from the daily grind, where they can sleep in, take a cab into town, run to the local Subway for a sandwich or just play video games or watch a movie.

 

All in all, this is a wonderful program and they are well taken care of.  You, however, as a mom will always wonder if somebody is watching out for your son and I can assure you, THEY ARE!!!

 

All the best to you and your sailor.

[Sharon ~ K's Mom]

Well, to be this stressed you are at the right place. The people here are awesome and they will "talk you down." It is very stressful for us moms as we watch our sons make a decision for the lives and future. It is not easy to let them go. Our son was in the DEP for about a year, he received a nomination to the Naval Academy, though didn't get an appointment. It was disappointing at the time, but God has other plans for him. He signed final papers in January 2010 and entered BC in September. He PIR'd on 12 November, came home for Christmas break on 18 December and was married on the 22nd. They left for GC on the 28th to get their housing needs taken care of and to start their lives. We have gone through many changes in a short time.

When they test high and are going to be "Nukes" it is a proud moment, the reality does set in once they are at GC and starting the program. It is not an easy program, it does have a high rate for those that don't make it. He will have to like the job he chooses, that is half of it, he will have to learn the Navy way for everything and I am sure he will do just fine. He will have to study, they do learn so much in a short amount of time. Remember though, whether he is at the top of his class or the bottom of his class, as long as he passes what he needs to pass, then he will be a "Nuke." Wishing you all the best!! We are here for you and each other. Feel free to ask any and all questions no matter what they are, there will be an answer for them.

[SonandSea]

Oh, thank you all SOOOO very much! I am so glad to read your responses! It is good to hear about sailors that are succeeding in this stringent program. I know you are all proud of your sailors and justly so! 

My son is a very hard worker. He has had a summer lawn care business since he was 15 (with employees!). We did not make him do this. He just wanted to. He works a lot~ installing car stereos, handyman stuff~ always working a deal and making money. He is interested in the MM rate because he likes hands-on work. If he will apply his work ethic to nuke school I think he stands a good chance of suceeding.

I am just so thankful for your insightful and encouraging responses. They made me cry a little to be honest. 

hugs and thanks to all~Dale 

 

[Lynn R]

Hang in there ,Dale! You are only focusing on the bad news! My son, who is almost through prototype, was not a good studied either. He wasn't really interested in being a nuke... He had his sights elsewhere but there were no openings. It has been a challenge and they are required to study specific hours, in the classrooms, in accordance with how they are doing. They have every opportunity to succeed!! My son is not a social guy but that part has turned out okay too. He has hated it at times but now he says he has the study skills to make it through anything he would choose to pursue after the Navy. He has gained so much, including perseverance and endurance. Be sure to go to his A school grad and his Power school grad if you can.
The biggest thing I can think of is that he will be tempted to go out drinking and he will get in HUGE trouble for underage drinking. My son watched several guys go through Captain's Mast and he said it was really nasty.
He will be fine. It will be hard and he will grow up and be very proud of himself, deservedly so!
Remember he can tell you the worst of how he is feeling and then he will feel a bit relieved, but you will feel worse!
Just keep telling him you are so proud of him and you believe in him!

[Penny_Nuke_MM2_NimitzNuke]

Just spoke to my son yesterday and he said that he didn't want me flying form Washington to South Carolina for A-school as it isn't any big deal at all (that's what I've heard too).  And also the fact that he will be granted leave that evening and can fly out the very next day to come home for 10 days so I should save the $$$$ for the Power School graduation which is WAY BETTER !!!

[SonandSea]

Thank you Lynn! I promise I am not focusing solely on the negative! :) I just had a wee break-down from too much googling, I think! LOL! 

Our family is so excited for our future sailor! I think Navy life will suit him well. He likes things done right. He likes order and responsibility.  As to the drinking~ yep, that sure can derail them! My son always says he thinks that it is stupid and he seems to  realize what is at stake. Now, I'm not a fool. I know these young people get tempted being out in the world on their on, but I don't think that will be an issue. I pray it won't. We have talked about this quite a bit (even before the Navy) and I THINK he will use good judgement. His only vice is X-Box. LOL!

I appreciate your advice so much. I'm glad your son is doing well. That rocks! 

♥~dale 

 

[Penny_Nuke_MM2_NimitzNuke]

Dale, are you seeing a theme running on the mentality of these genius braniancs (lol) !!!!  Bright, shining stars that hate homework and have horrible study habits!!  I would venture to guess that most hate cleaning their rooms as well and LOVE computers and could almost be considered a nerd/geek of sorts.  My son is also a gifted musician and am hoping that at some point we can get one or more of his guitars down to him as I know that will help him to relax as well in the evening.

[SonandSea]

Penny~ Yep, I am thinking of asking his recruiter to order him to keep his room clean!! ;)

That is cool that your son is musical. That can be a great creative outlet and de-stresser! 

♥

 

[SonandSea]

Jeanne~ Well, that certainly is a cautionary tale! I am glad  your son came out okay! 

I can see why the standards have to be so high. It is a crash course is growing up , isn't it!??

thanks ~Dale :)