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Comment by BunkerQB on August 4, 2011 at 9:21pm

t sounds like he is going to be just FINE. There are countless days when my son worked because he was the junior officer on watch when everyone else was having a good time. That is just the way it is. BTW, being great w gaming is not too bad. We have a huge industry with many young millionaires who spend their days and nights just playing games!

Don't be too surprised if he decides to do things his way. BTW, the more you push him to do things your way, the more likely he is to do things his way. Mine did. It's bound to happen. It'll be OK.

Comment by cinechic (07/301) on August 4, 2011 at 6:52pm

I know several nukes who have no interest in becoming officers for all the video games from Electronic Arts.

 

Hahahaha! You hit the nail on the head. He was playing video games instead of thinking about a job. I'm sending him every Nintendo article I can find while he's in BC. When he was talking to the recruiter we tried to push for OCS but his grades were not good enough. He got EITHER the signing bonus or tuition covered, he chose to pay of his tuition (smart guy).

 

He's not fit (yet) and definitely not a leader. But he works hard (when he should), is absolutely brilliant, and does everything I tell him to do. I don't think he'll ever be Admiral, but I think he'll be fine. :-)

Comment by BunkerQB on August 4, 2011 at 6:23pm

Perhaps, I can help.

1. My son is a nuke officer. He graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from a major university with a top notch engineering department. During his senior years in college, he expressed interest in joining the Navy.  After graduation from college, he finalized his decision to join the Navy. He applied for and was accepted to the Officer Candidate School.  The process total approximately 9 months from the time he talked to a recruiter to the time he was sworn in. He got a signing bonus (can't remember amount) but did not get any reimbursements for his tuition, room and board for the four years it cost us to send him to college.  Two year AA degrees and degrees/certificates from technical colleges don't count. Only degrees from accredited colleges.  Someone with a BS in Nuclear Engineering would most likely be recruited for the Officer Candidate School unless he/she shows no leadership capability at all or simply no interest. I know several nukes who have no interest in becoming officers for all the video games from Electronic Arts.

 

2. If my son had applied for and had been accepted for the Nuclear Power Program when he was a sophomore in college, he could have received aid for tuition, room and board up to $40,000 per year for his junior and senior years. Our son did not - so therefore, we were not of luck. Recipients would have to go through OCS after graduating (like everyone else). This is only for the Nuclear Propulsion Program - not available for other specialties. I don't know if the funding is still available today.  The Navy is turning down applicants for OCS left and right. An extremely smart son of a family friend was turned away cold - not the right degree - not fit enough.

3. A high school student who is strong in math and science could have apply to the NROTC program. If accepted, the student would participate in mandatory training between school years (during the summers) and be enrolled in a college with an accepted NROTC program which conducts regular training and military specific classes. This is in addition to his regular classes to get a degree. I know one student currently at MIT and several others at colleges throughout the country.  The Navy would pay for his cost of education. The student would be obligated to serve in the Navy for typically 5-6 years (depending on contract).  Upon graduation, they are assigned right out to the Fleet - No OCS (because presumably they have been training on a continuous basis).

 

4. My sailor's younger brother attended West Point (Academy for the Army). In high school, if a high school student is interested in attending one of the service academies, he should contact the appropriate offices during his freshmen year (9th grade). The process of getting an appointment is long and arduous with a number of interviews, physical test, evaluations, etc. Typically, 13,000 applicants apply each year.  Out of that, maybe 2500-3000 get a nomination (from a US Congressmen, Senator or Pres). Of this number approximately 1500 are offered appointments (comes in a super fancy bounded folder). From year to year, around 1300 start the program. Cadet training (bootcamp for West Point - there is something similar for Navy, Air Force or Coast Guards) begins in June almost immediately after graduation from high school.  Finally when graduation from a service academy comes around 4 years later, the number normally dwindles down to 980 to 1000. A service academy member can attend one of the academies for two years and leave without repercussion. At the beginning of the third year, they reconfirm their commitment to serve and sign an agreement - typically for 5 or more years after graduation (depending on the specialty). After the point, if the cadet leaves the academy - he will be obliged to repay the government the cost of estimated tuition/room/board. Academy life is extremely restrictive. There are no exceptions. Follow the rules or you are out or suffer punitive consequences. The benefits, of course are the Ivy League quality education, total support for cost of education in additiion to being paid around $750 per month. There are a number of slots reserved for deserving prior enlisted personnel. The prior enlisted must enroll prior to his 23rd birthday on the start of Cadet training. They start from the beginning - doesn't matter how much experience (or awards) you have. There are two preparatory schools (one for the Navy and one for the Army) for prior enlisted to get up to speed academically (if they need it). These schools are one year each. During this time, they participate in field exercises and training just as if they were in the regular academies. Please note the above is all from memory - don't know the current data or requirements.

 

If your son/daughter is an enlisted sailor and is exceptionally strong academically, very fit and shows leadership capabilities, he/she should look into any number of programs which will give him/her access to a career as an officer.

Good luck.

BQB.

Comment by Jo1 on August 4, 2011 at 5:48pm

cinechic,

you are right about college being just busy work and seeing a purpose in it.  my son majored in chemical engineering for 2 years but saw no purpose and just wanted to get on with his life.  he's very bright and said the math in a school is easy but it's just the quantity you are expected to do in a short period of time that makes it difficult.  he did say he finds it interesting and would rather be where he's at right now than back in college.  he eventually plans on finishing his degreel

Comment by cinechic (07/301) on August 4, 2011 at 5:27pm

I shouldn't say lazy because he works very hard when he should (he worked at a copy center for the 2 years after graduation and put a lot of time into it, even when he didn't think it was worth it). He doesn't know why he stopped caring about school. That changed when we got serious and began thinking about our future. I honestly believe that the Navy will be very good for him.

 

But he graduated with less than a 3.0 which is probably why he wasn't headhunted, and never even considered the Navy until graduation. He went in as an E3, and he has a BS in Nuclear Engineering. He told me before he left he thought he'd cruise through A- and Power School. I'm super confident in him, I was just wondering if he was underestimating school or trying to puff himself up.

Comment by swim4life on August 4, 2011 at 5:23pm

William,

  congrats on your son's accomplishments.  Enjoy your visit with him!

Comment by Jsparkle (MM Wife) on August 4, 2011 at 5:05pm

anybodys sons/SO graduating A school on sept 2nd?

Comment by susank on August 4, 2011 at 5:04pm

With a BS you would go to Officer Candidate School for college grads. The Academy is to get a college degree.

Comment by quiltblue on August 4, 2011 at 4:54pm

cinechic (07/301) is your SR's degree a BS degree? If yes, why is he going the enlisted route instead of the Naval Academy?

Comment by Heather(labellaleigh) - ETwife on August 4, 2011 at 4:39pm

Thanks everyone =) Things have finally quieted down and Sailor took me out to my favorite place here (and my #1 craving) Perfectly Franks hotdog restaurant and Babies R Us. 

 

Sailor said the math wasn't hard but draining during a-school. They are pretty much learning a 4 year degree in less than 2 years. I remember how he would wake up in the middle of the night spouting off formulas and math problems to me and would get upset because I didn't know it!! lol He has never talked in his sleep till now. But when he took comp, he made the lowest he could make to pass... but he was still happy! After cramming everything in 6 months, I'm surprised anyone is able to retain that much information in such a short time!

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