Comment

Comment by B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet) on June 11, 2013 at 2:02pm

NF Mom - wow!  Thanks for the information - I have printed it out and will refer back to it over time.  (Sailor just finished A school and is waiting for Power school to start.)  You've given a lot of information to process and I know my son doesn't need to worry about it yet but I will put it in my file for later use!  Thanks again....

Comment by NF Mom on June 11, 2013 at 12:35pm

NancyJo, did your SIL ( or was it your SIL's husband? ) go back to college with the post 911 GI bill ( which kicked in July 2010 ( or maybe 2009 ) or under the Montgomery GI Bill ?

My husband tells me the post 911 GI Bill is far superior, more like the post WWII GI bill.

Comment by NancyJo (NNPTC) on June 11, 2013 at 12:26pm

When my SIL went back to college after his Navy Nuke stint, the money he had earned in the navy almost but not quite paid for his education including living expenses. His living expenses were bare bones, no cable tv, basic cell phone, really ssmmmaaaalllll place to live. He went to an in-state school so tuition was better, but U of MO in Rolla has a reactor on campus, or did when my daughter and SIL were there. Great education.

Now my SIL is trying to talk my lawyer daughter into going into the air force to join JAG. It might erase some of her school debt, she'd go in as an officer, probably never see combat, and get military benefits. I don't think she wants to do it but I told her to just think it over before she dismisses it out of hand. Of course, it's her decision. I'm way past trying to tell any of them what to do, as if they would listen.

Comment by NF Mom on June 11, 2013 at 11:10am

Negative reasons for not Star Reenlisting as early as possible:

A "fast burner" Sailor may make E-5 early anyway, like Williams son did.

You can go to school full time on the GI bill, and eat,  after you get out at the end of a six year first term.

Top grades with a four year degree in Nuclear Engineering are better for getting a good job than "just any old four year degree". It is easier to go to school, get  top grades,  on the GI bill after doing one term and separating.  It is hard to work full time, go to school full time, and get top grades. A Nuclear Engineering degree ( as opposed just completing another type of four year degree ) will require more classes and more time than going to school part time during a two year Shore Duty assignment would allow.

Rules in the Navy change. The country could go to war with China or some other major adversary.  The U.S. armed forces may be drastically downsizing in the next few years.  For any number of reasons the 53 months of Sea Duty might change to the rest of your eight year ( 8 year ) Navy Career.

You can make more money than you Navy salary plus reenlistment bonus if you just get out and get a good paying civilian job.

Submarine commanding officers change every two years on average, you may get a horrible commander and Sea Duty may not just suck, it may become a living hell.

The above are some of the negative considerations I and/or my son have considered. I would be interested if anyone knows of any other negative considerations for not reenlisting ... he has just put in his papers ... not actually completed the reenlistment process yet.

Comment by NancyJo (NNPTC) on June 11, 2013 at 10:50am

J's mom that is so sweet.  I have all my sailor's stuff, too.  Every now and then I pull it out so it feels like he is closer. You will have 2 sailors! Good for you. Since my son enlisted, I have a whole new appreciation for the armed forces. It's not always easy for Mom, but it has done my boy good. I would encourage anybody to look into it to see if it's right for them.

Comment by NF Mom on June 11, 2013 at 10:46am

Positive reasons for Star Reenlisting as early as possible during a Nukes First Tour at Sea:

Nukes first Tour at Sea will be longer if they re-enlist than it will be if they do not.  First term Nukes will separate from the Navy before they complete the standard 53 months at sea for Nukes on their first Sea Tour.  This makes "career sailors" who have reenlisted ( Early in their first Sea Duty ) more desirable candidates for the  boat's commanding officer, and the Nuke's chief,  to invest limited training resources in training for advanced qualifications in the Nuke field.  In addition first term Nukes may not even be eligible for some training that "Career Sailors" are.

Reenlisting LATER during the first Tour at Sea will not have the same benefits because by that time the remaining time on the first sea tour ( even with the slight increase in tour length ) will not justify expending the boats  limited training resources on advanced qualification training for the "late re-enlister."

Engineering Watch Supervisor ( EWS ) qualification and experience during the first Sea Tour is much more feasible for "Career Sailors".  A boat that trains a "Career Sailor" Nuke as soon as possible for EWS will have the benefit of an additional EWS watch stander for the remainder of the Nukes 53 months on the boat.  EWS qualification and actual EWS experience is a big plus when seeking a civilian job.  This is just one example of the above considerations.

By Star Reenlisting as early as possible the total portion of ones life contractually committed to the Navy will be less.  Obviously if a sailor has two years in the Navy,  and then reenlists at that point your will be contractually required to stay in the Navy a total of eight ( 8 ) years.  On the other hand if a Sailor waits longer and  re-enlists at the Five year point, he will he will be contractually committed to a total of Eleven ( 11 ) years in the Navy.

Shore duty will never occur for first term Nukes who do not re-enlist, they will separate from the Navy during their first Sea Tour.

Shore duty provides better opportunities for completing college degrees while still in the Navy, as in my Son's case where he needs one additional year to complete a four year degree.  Having a four year degree is a huge advantage when seeking a high paying job in the Commercial Nuclear Industry.

Most of the increase in the Military Service obligation will occur during Shore duty, not Sea Duty.   In my son's case Sea Duty will increase by ten ( 10 ) months leaving two ( 2 ) years for Shore Duty. 

Opportunity to teach at Nuke Power School on shore duty  is opened up if qualified for EWS and other high standards are met.

Opportunity for a position as recruiter on Shore Duty.

Option to focus on Nuke technical qualifications training and Nuke career advancement during Sea Duty and not struggle to complete college degree during Tour at Sea by deferring getting a college degree on Shore Duty.

For single Sailors opportunity to get married and start a family during Sea Duty rather than committing all free time to completing a four year degree during Sea Duty.

Automatic promotion to E5 comes with Star Reenlistment.  Being E5 provides benefits, such as to BAH for single Sailors and also benefits as to the types of extra duty assignments.

Earlier, subsequent,  merit promotion to E6.  Possibility to make Chief in eight years for fast burners.

Reenlistment bonus of up to $90,000.00 for Nuke ETs.

The above were some of the understandings my son considered when deciding to put in his Star Reenlistment papers as early as possible during his first Sea Duty.  I would be interested if anyone knows these understandings are wrong ... he has just put in his papers ... not actually completed the reenlistment process yet.

Comment by NancyJo (NNPTC) on June 11, 2013 at 10:23am

Hmmm, I remember the "goodie bag" of stuff but I don't recall the book.  Bummer, I would have like that.

Comment by NancyJo (NNPTC) on June 11, 2013 at 9:31am

What is this "Navy Moms" booklet?  I don't know that I saw that.

Comment by NF Mom on June 11, 2013 at 9:25am

Star Reenlistment ( and all reenlistment as far a I know ) is not an extension of their first enlistment contract like the ones that occur when they accept their promotion to E4 Petty Officer after graduating  A School, nor is it like the extension of their first enlistment contract from  to 6 years, that occurs automatically after graduating from prototype.

Star Re-Enlistment is canceling their first enlistment contract and replacing it with a new six year contract begging at the time they re-enlist.  When they re-enlist they are no longer "first termers" and they become "career sailors" ( or "lifers" to use a more derogatory term).

Comment by NF Mom on June 11, 2013 at 9:11am

My son was home during a four day Liberty after just under two months at his first sea command.  During that time he was at sea on his submarine for about 15 days ( he was flown out to join them at sea ) and working on the boat in port for remainder of the time.

He spent most of his time at  home sleeping, however he was very confident that he had made the right decision volunteering for Submarine service and in fact he put his papers in to Star Reenlist just before coming home for Liberty.

Reenlisting is a somewhat controversial subject both on this Nuke forum for moms and among first term Sailors.   Strong opinions on both sides of the argument.

I certainly had strong emotions about it.

I am going to share the positive reasons for, and negative reasons against, Star Reenlisting sooner, rather than later ( or  not at all ) that our Nuke considered before putting in his papers.  I hope it helps other moms understand the important considerations their sons and daughters most confront when they take, or do not take, ( very early in their Navy career ) the life changing decision to commit more years of their lives to Military Service.

I also hope it does not bore everyone tears  :)

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