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Comment by B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet) on January 5, 2015 at 5:41pm

Comment by B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet) on January 5, 2015 at 5:40pm

Aw Tom - I love the way you put it!  So true!!!!  Especially the part about goofing off & not getting a scholarship....

That's why we love having you around - you tell it like it is (and you speak from experience!).

Comment by peejinator on January 5, 2015 at 5:32pm

Hi Diane,  My son tested Nuke also, and really had no idea what he was getting himself in to.  He is only 6 weeks in, but so far he is loving it.  He always tells me there are really smart people in the group, and they all help each other because they all want to see each other succeed.  When I was at the airport sending my son back this past weekend I met two sailors in the TGIF bar where I was having lunch waiting for the flight to leave...they were both in about 6 years (not Nuke), and they both said they wish they had been smart enough to go Nuke.  They said the Navy has a hard time keeping the Nukes because after they complete their 6 year contract the private sector snatches them up for 6 figure jobs.  I also date an engineer whose brother worked at the Nuclear plant in Texas and he said his brother won't even hire anyone unless they have Navy Nuke training.  I really believe there are a lot of opportunities for those trained in the Nuke field because I have heard it from people that have Navy experience, and people who are engineers that hire people for their companies.  I think he would regret it if he didn't give it a shot.  Those kids are SOOOO supportive of each other in A School.  They really help each other out.

 

Comment by B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet) on January 5, 2015 at 5:25pm

Hi Diane - sorry to hear that your son isn't hearing good things about the nuke program.  It definitely isn't for the faint of heart but it can also be very rewarding for your sailor.  It is a lot of hard work just to get through the schooling and then the hard work continues once they hit the fleet.  Maybe he's just having 2nd thoughts since it's getting so close to the time for him to leave - suddenly it's all getting "real"! It's funny because when my son was in DEP I was reading up on the program (on this site) and I was worried about what he was getting in to.  I would make sure I told him all the good, bad & ugly that I read on here to make sure he really wanted this....I even tried to talk him out of going nuke at one point!  Now today he's taking his oral boards & will graduate from prototype on the 23rd.  I gotta admit it's been a long 2 years of schooling for him and some days were harder than others but I ask him (often) if he ever regrets his choice of going nuke and each time the answer is a firm NO.  Hopefully you can have a good talk with your son and find out where his fears lie.....

And technically until your son has his final swear in at MEPS he can back out of his contract (his recruiter won't be happy & they'll try to tell him otherwise, but he can opt out).  That being said the Navy might not even make available to him a different job (if there is even anything available right now) or if they do chose to he could be delayed again for any period of time while he waits for an opening.

We've got mom's on this site with sailors in all phases of nuke school.  Hopefully others will chime in with their stories.

Good luck to him (and you) and keep us posted as to what his final decision is!

Comment by NancyJo (NNPTC) on January 5, 2015 at 5:19pm

Hi Diane, and welcome! Let me put in my 2 cents. Nuke isn't for everyone, and even if he does go nuke, there are some sailors that don't make the grade and are re-rated before they complete the program and go on to do other things. 

That's the less than good news. On the plus side, most of the sailors do complete the program. Your son getting selected for nuke means his test scores indicate he's got what it takes. Your sailor will get some of the best training in the world and will leave the navy with wonderful job prospects. Bonuses for nukes are outstanding. Once they are through with training they are ready for anything. And when they join the fleet they go in as petty officers.

It isn't easy and some sailors get scared off. Also, I believe he isn't carved in stone nuke until he actually is in BC and commits there. Somebody should speak up if I am wrong. But what I do know is that there is a lot of chatter out there that isn't always accurate. I wish your son could actually talk to a nuke and get a real opinion, not just gossip. I know a kid who heard the chatter and declined nuke, got assigned to a ship with a rate of E2 and was swabbing floors and cleaning heads. He is hoping to re-rate to something he likes which is possible.

Everyone has choices. Only your sailor knows what he ultimately wants to pursue. If he does go nuke and down the line doesn't finish, chances are he can re-rate to something good. Prayers as he makes that decision. Keep us posted.

Comment by QuilterDi on January 5, 2015 at 4:34pm

Hi all -- Have just lurked so far, but have major concern for my son and am looking for some feedback.  He's signed up for Nuke, leaves for BC in 3 weeks, but is having second thoughts because he's heard nothing GOOD about the job.  Has been told by recruiter it's too late to change.  Would really like some encouraging words to share with him that are positive from people who are there or have been there.  Thanks!

Comment by B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet) on January 5, 2015 at 12:04pm

Hi all - Happy Monday!  Quick check in...Sailor is getting ready to take his boards today - 12:00EST!  He's ready and feels good!  He'll be going to Norfolk and is happy that he can still be roommates with Mommamac's son!  Different ships, but that's ok!

Britefuture - Happy Birthday!!!  Hope your day is extra special.

Co-Twin - I will keep my fingers crossed that all works out on the sale.  And it sounds like school is going well for you too!

NancyJo - glad your sailor made it to SD and is getting situated.

8isenuff - so happy that you had everyone home for the holidays!  What a wonderful Christmas present for you ;-)

submomIll - Happy 21st Birthday to your sailor! 

Sorry if I missed anyone - hope everyone is well and off to a nice start to 2015!

Comment by CO-TwinSalorsMom on January 5, 2015 at 11:50am

Offer on house, Alittle low but I would take it. Ex hus. does not want to take it,  We shall see

Congrates to all the new assignments. Seems there is need of the navy in Norfolk? 

Happy Birthday Britefuture...You are a baby!! young thing...enjoy your day. wish I could send you a b day treat.

Comment by NancyJo (NNPTC) on January 5, 2015 at 11:03am

Big Congratulations to B'sNuke, Cybermom, and Mommamac on getting orders! Hurray! It's so exciting! Our sailors don't always get their first choice but, oh, the adventures ahead of them!

Slezaks'sMom, I think there are many of us here who share your gratitude towards the navy and the change in their children. My aimless son is a responsible, dedicated American sailor and I couldn't be prouder. He calls himself "6 feet of seafaring warrior" and he is right!

CO-Twin, I share Slezaks confidence in you. Life throws you lemons and you make some kind of delicious dessert with it! LOL Prayers that you get that offer you want on the old place. You are moving on and need to put that behind you.

My son is settled in SD, has new uniforms, and will report this week. No idea when he will join his ship. He is excited, though, to be deployed, which as his mother I don't really understand but accept. Prayers for all our service men and women, especially those in harm's way. Please God, bring them all safely home.

Comment by britefuture on January 5, 2015 at 6:56am

I believe we have a few Sailors taking oral boards today. Good luck and I can't wait to hear how they do.
Btw, I turn the big 43 today. Yay! I've survived one more year as a Navy Mom, lol. Thanks to all of you, of course. Happy Monday!

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