Nuke School Charleston

Too bad i didn't read sooner as my son set his forms home so I could do his taxes.  I usually use H&R Block at home, but have not looked at it yet.  Got all of the others done tho.

Hello, my daughter just got to GC a couple of days ago and I am hoping someone can give me advise on which groups to join, groups out there that I could recommend to my daughter and some ideas on how she can meet people. This is her first weekend and she doesn't have a liberty buddy. She shipped alone and hasn't met any other girls who are new.

Just saying Hi for now.  Daughter is at RTC with PIR on 5-9-14. She qualified for Nuke school and I'll be more informed as time goes on.  Meanwhile, I will be happy to read as much information as I can get.  Thank you all for sharing.

Hello all!

Zoraida--I know its hard hearing when they are down.   Keep telling him positive things.  I know when my son was at school and feeling down, I always told him to remember he was never alone.  God is always with him.   I will pray for your son.

Hi all, I am in contact via text with my son a lot. He's at PS and is struggling. He's toward the bottom of his class, but is hanging in there. He's getting help and studying tons, but I'm concerned. I feel like he's doing everything he can, but we've never had him struggling in school. But, he also didn't pursue tougher classes in high school. He took a year off before deciding to sign up for the Navy and then scored high and his recruiter pushed him toward being a Nuke. We couldn't be more proud of him, but August 1 is his grad date and he is worried...so we are worried. Does anyone know how many of our sailors actually make it through PS? Is it a low number??? 

I don't check this group often - the Nuke Mom's group is where most of the activity is....and thus a better place to pose your questions!

Zoraida - I am sorry to hear that your son is feeling down.  I am hoping since you posted that you have spoke with him and things are better for him...please encourage him to step out of his comfort zone and try to make friends.  Hopefully he has made some friends in class and once they phase up they can start doing a little more together.

JeffsMom - I'm sorry to hear that your son is struggling.  PS is a big change from A school. Tell your son to continue to ask for help and just keep working at it.....hopefully it will all "click" soon for him.  My son was about the middle of the road in his class and was always on mandatory study hours.  When it came time for PS comps he didn't pass that final test! (They have to pass comps in addition to the regular tests.) There were close to 30 of them that didn't pass (if my memory serves me right) and they had to re-comp one week later (this was in December).  They all passed the re-comp and now he just started prototype on Monday in Ballston Spa. He said he spent about 70 hours studying that week in order to pass.  Basically tell your son to try not to worry about it (that just wastes brain energy!).  Get the extra help (which he probably is on mandatory hours), ask questions and have faith in himself!  And just remind him that no matter what happens it isn't the end of the world!

Thanks B'sNukeMoM and Wendy4Cody, this helps. Yes, he's on mandatory study. He says he's happy just passing these exams, because they are so difficult for him. And he's pressing on. We live in Washington State and were planning to go to his graduation (of course), but this all puts a damper on that... not sure about buying a ticket until the very end. Guess refundable or non-restrictive is our best bet. We'll just keep praying and hoping he makes it through. I appreciate all the support! I'll post more when I hear. 

JeffsMom - Southwest is good to use - that's what we always do (we are in Cali).  We didn't get to go to PS grad because of the fact that he had to re-comp.  The test was the next week after graduation! We had tickets and were ready to go but had to cancel.  We are using those tickets this week to fly to BS to visit him.  Can't wait to see him!

Thanks B'sNukeMoM, I'll check into that! I bet... I get teary thinking about hugging him again. Been forever it feels...lol. <3

Thanks The boy wonder mom. It really is hard not to worry. But, I do agree, it's a waste of energy. I am not a worrier, unless it's my son. He seems ok. At first was depressed, but then realized, "stop worrying about being #1, just get a passing grade...get through it". Thank goodness he did, because he seems happier now. He got the 30 mandatory hour study... so, he's really studying. He just told me today he just passed his exam and is headed over to talk to the instructor about Friday's exam for help. I'm glad he's taking initiative and doing what he can. 

BTW, I'm really glad I decided to post something here. Nobody else really gets it. Just like BC. ;o) Thank you!

JeffsMom - Sorry to hear of your sons and your struggles. My son struggled a bit through PS. He said, at one point, "It's not WHAT we are learning, it's the AMOUNT of material that we have to know". I was always encouraging and told him, every time we spoke, "I love you and just do your best". He was a, "test taker", in school so memorization was not his best suit. Almost midway through and on a crazy amount of mandatory study hours it finally clicked for him. He surrounded himself with a great group of "buddies". A few were struggling, like him, and one was a "brainiac". They got in to a grove and made sure that each other got away from base, when possible, and did everything but talk about NAVY stuff. Frisbee seemed to be a constant outlet for them. Anyway, all 6 of them passed Comps and managed to stay together at BS and are waiting to class-up.  Stay strong and encouraging. Visit us here often for some support and to keep us posted. I will keep you both in my prayers. 

Wow, thank you britefuture, that is very helpful. :) He does have a best buddy that he tries to go ride (dual sport motorcycles) with on Saturdays - for a break away from it all. I think it keeps them both positive and sane! I'm hoping things will "click" for him, like you say. Thank you all for your support and prayers...both very much appreciated!

I got great news Saturday from my son! He got a 3.13 on his Physics final! Such relief. Now he knows he can do this. It's just going to be harder for him than for some. But, HE CAN DO IT! :D I was soooo excited for him. 

So happy for you JeffsMom!  I thought I was the only one who fretted over every exam my son took.  Unfortunately, I was not on this site until his last week of PS.  It would have been so helpful if I had found it sooner.  I thought I was a little over the top with my anxiety as I wanted him to succeed so badly.  It is normal that we moms want the best for our kids.  Congrats to your sailor on such a good score!  And believe me, its hard for a lot of the sailors at nuke school.  

Susiedental, yes I am soooo happy to have found this site. While my son was at BC, I came here often. Then he did so well in A school, I didn't worry much. Now, I am back. It's so helpful to know what we're all going through. Keeps everything in perspective and helps to lift us when we need. :) Love our NavyMoms group! 

Hi Moms!!

My son is in PS. Will graduate this summer. I am so proud of him. I think he also struggles with his grades and classes. But I try to be encouraging to him when we talking, telling him to work hard and he can do it and ask questions when he needs to.

I don't hear from him often these days, which I totally understand. He is SO busy, mainly with studying.

It is so nice to come here and know that others understand what you are going through. I am SO excited about going to his PS graduation, Lord willing.

Hi MomThatLovesHerSon! Welcome! Yes, isn't is wonderful that we have a place to come, where we know we're understood and not looked at like we're over-worrying...lol. Most of my girlfriends get it, but sometimes not as much as I'd like. They've not gone through this. So, I am soooo very thankful for this site!!! :D

My son's grad date is supposed to be Aug 1st. When's your son's?

Hi JeffsMom, Susiedental, and The boy wonder mom!

My son graduates June 6. So we have that in common, The boy wonder mom!

Susiedental, my son is also an ET!

I wonder, for the June 6 graduates, at this point, are they having 1 test a week or 2 tests a week?

I so hope I can afford to go to PS graduation. I am currently unemployed. I know though, that if it's the Lord's will for me to go, I will go!

JeffsMom and The boy wonder mom,

Are your sailors MM, EM, or ET?

My son is an MM. 

Hi Ladies - saw the words MM and it caught my attention as my son is also MM but already thru the program and is an instructor at BS, NY.  Best of luck to all of you and your sailors.  It is a huge endeavor but the best of the best make it thru this tough pipeline.

Wow, there's a few MM's here. :) Yes, best of luck to all! My son hopes to go to NY for Prototype. But, at the moment...just trying his best to get through PS. One day at a time. I continually remind him of this. It seemed to ease his mind a little. He just does his best each and every day. He says time is really flying by! I don't doubt it. ;o)

My son is an MM.  He is between A School and Power School right now, starts in June but will be home for a little bit before that, yay!

Happy Wednesday! Zoraida and The boy wonder mom, I will be thinking of your sons! Definitely getting enough sleep is sooo important, for their mental health and physical health. 

My husband and I got to talk with our son last night. He sounded good. Was just finishing up studying before he called. He just got done with command moral boost (Monday and Tuesday off) and really got to enjoy some time away at his friend's parent's home in FL. Both guys really needed the break and I was happy he got to spend Easter with a family, rather that at school. 

Susiedental,

My son graduates June 6 and is also an ET. Does that mean that at this point he is taking 2 tests a week?

The boy wonder mom,

I'm glad that you son passed his test yesterday!

Hi MomThatLovesHerSon - I checked with my son and he said that there are not two tests every week.  There seemed to be a lot of weeks where the exams were Tuesday and Friday.  My son is an ET.  Not sure what rate your son is.  Maybe their test schedule is different?  All I know is that I stressed every time he had an exam.  So glad its over.  I'm sure your son will do great.  Hang in there!

MomThatLovesHerSon - sorry just saw that your son is an ET also.  Didn't notice that at first.  He has his schedule for testing, so he knows how often he has them.  Stay calm and send him positive thoughts.

Good morning all. Been quite a while since I posted here. Congratulations to all passing their tests. They are hard. BUT, and I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, they are nothing compared to what they go through at Prototype. Rotating schedules, competing with everyone else to get signatures, and pressure--more pressure than they've ever encountered.  They've just got to keep their heads down, keep studying, keep up with "outside" stuff (running, working out, etc.), and sleep when they can. AND THEN THERE'S THE FLEET (which is where my son is on his sub...but that's a whole nother story.  GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!!

Oh yeah...one more thing. They can relieve a lot of self-imposed pressure by NOT worrying about having the top score in the class...passing is passing. What do you call the person who graduated bottom of their medical class? Doctor. 

Thanks The boy wonder mom, that's good to know. Since your son and my son have their graduation on the same day, I am going to assume that my son's schedule is similar, if not the same and that he has tests on Tuesdays and sometimes on Fridays. Thanks for the info!

Good advice. I tell my boy same thing too. They have enough pressure on them. No need to be top seeded, your not in a draft. :} My son is an EM 1402 graduating on June 6th from power school. Things are starting to get tough. Class got in trouble for talking and as a whole did very badly on last test with a third failing. Now they can't talk, have to wear uniforms to class etc. not a happy camper right now. 

Is there a location that shows what can be brought to A school, such as, are all laptops allowed?

Nevermind...I found it. Forgot about the Nuke A School FAQ page.

cindyb - no worries - the Nuke A School FAQ page should give you all the info you need!  I also "bumped" a couple nuke discussions up above that give some good info....and this can all be found on the nuke mom's page too!