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Comment by CarlaB on May 13, 2020 at 7:13am

John and Yvonne - my son has only been in Hawaii less than a year and was deployed for 6 months, and then COVID-19 has had them all isolated since shortly after he got back from deployment so he really hasn't had a chance to get settled yet.  He is leaving again soon to ride along with another boat for a change of home port, so will be gone for a couple of months again.  Someday hopefully he gets the chance to get settled and enjoy it!

Comment by LindaGirl on May 12, 2020 at 10:39pm

Catherine, keep in mind, as a single sailor going so far away to Hawaii sounds exciting and adventurous, but for many young, single sailors, this is their first assignment away from home, besides boot camp and A school and it can sometimes be overwhelming and frightening, until they make friends and are actually working on a sub for what they are trained for.  For married sailors with or without a family, it is an adventure, as you have a family to come home to at the end of the day, someone who you know is waiting for you. You can explore together, knowing that you have a spouse who has your back.  A single sailor does not have that support which makes it more difficult for them being so far from home, without family support, but from a distance. 

Comment by John and Yvonne on May 12, 2020 at 10:00pm

CarlaB, My husband and I were stationed in Hawaii twice and we loved it! There is so much to see and so many beautiful beaches and the water is wonderful! And there's the opportunity to see the other islands also.  My husband was actually the Sub-base chaplain from '87 to '90. He loved it! I hope your son can find great things to see and do!

John and Yvonne

Comment by CarlaB on May 12, 2020 at 9:35pm

Welcome Catherine. My son was being encouraged to go Nuke as well, but didn't want to do that either.  He also signed for SECF and really wanted FT and that is what he got.  He is currently stationed in Hawaii on a fast attack sub. He got to Hawaii last July and headed out on Deployment in August for 6 months. Hawaii was his first choice coming out of A-school and he graduated top of his class so that's where he ended up, and now he's not sure he loves Hawaii.  It is really hard for them to know until they get there. 

Comment by Cath Bubblehead mom on May 12, 2020 at 8:25pm

Welcome Catherine! My son has been in for 6 ½ years. He was on a boomer out of Kings Bay and is now on a sub tender out of Guam. He definitely likes the tender (a surface ship) to being under water. He just returned from a long deployment. There are many moms here who can answer questions!

Comment by LindaGirl on May 12, 2020 at 7:50pm

Catherine, he couldn’t wait to get back to the mainland.  He missed the 4 seasons we have here in New England, he missed his friends and family, as Hawaii is so far away, that he wasn’t able to come home as often as he would have liked.  Because Hawaii is so expensive, he did like the benefits of the pay he was making because his “cost of living” allowance was so much more then other Duty stations, plus he was getting more money, being he was on a sub, getting the extra sub pay. When he came back to the States his pay was cut by almost 25% - 33% because he wasn’t on a sub anymore and was no longer living in Hawaii.  Like he said, You are stuck on a big Island filled with tourists, Military, and the locals, who don’t exactly like the Military.  Once you see all of the Island, there is no where else to explore.  My son is a winter person, enjoying all the winter sports, not so much a summer person, unless you are into the beach and surfing. He does miss the friendships he made on his sub, but they all leave eventually  as well, either to another Duty Station, or they are getting out of the Navy. 

Comment by Catherine on May 12, 2020 at 7:25pm

5 years in Hawaii!  Did your son enjoy that duty station?  Sending good thoughts your way that he gets his first choice with reassignment.

Comment by LindaGirl on May 12, 2020 at 6:50pm

Catherine, my one son is a sonar tech, currently on Shore Duty in Virginia Beach after being stationed in Hawaii for 5 years, right out of A school. He is re-enlisting later this month in the hopes that he is assigned to a sub at Groton, Conn. next year when his Shore Duty in over in the hopes of being stationed where his younger brother is, so they can share an apartment together, and be closer to home. His second choice is Norfolk, Va. so he can keep his current apartment and stay where he is in Virginia. 

Comment by Catherine on May 12, 2020 at 6:04pm

Thank you Sally & Linda!

My son was really being encouraged by recruiters to go Nuke, but he ultimately signed for SECF (hopes to get ET or Sonar) which I think is a better fit for him.  I'm not on Facebook - been resisting it for years, but maybe this is finally the time to join - hah!

Comment by SallyCG on May 12, 2020 at 3:55pm

Hello all!  News from Charleston is that the Nuke group graduating 5/29/20 received "soft orders" on Sunday (LOL OF COURSE ON MOTHER'S DAY!).  My ETN son is heading to Groton (his 2nd choice) but IS on a sub (which many other peers got Carriers and are salty about that!).  He is pumped!  I am too!  Anyone with kiddos out of CT, please private message me!

Catherine - Mine graduated boot camp August '18 and has been in Nuke school ever since.  Long time but the sub is finally in sight!  Good luck to you and yours!

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