NUKE moms

Gwen - ditto MomofJoseph and Chipmunk. My son was a combo of theirs it sounds like except he hated Math lol but he is crazy smart and loves a challenge and loves getting paid for both of those things. he had his first swearing in May 31 of 23, did the DEP and graduated high school at the end of May 24. He made a list of everything he wanted to do that last year and we were not allowed to talk about his decision except when it was time for that monthly meeting because he was definitely having reservations but knew it was the thing he needed to do. Like MomofJoseph, we didn’t care what he did but living in our basement playing video games was not an option. He was the most scared we have ever seen him boarding that plane for BC but he did it. We told him that was hardest thing he ever did and everything else would be up from there. His “why” was not wanting to let us down and in that moment, I’m glad it was us that kept him committed even though we didn’t tell him he owed us anything. We did tell him to think of his future self and would his future self have regrets if he decided not to go. A year out from then now and having just passed PS, he says his future self is so glad he stuck with it. No regrets and I’m happy for him that he doesn’t. I think it helped that there wasn’t more than 10 days between graduating high school and leaving for Boot Camp because I think having that summer may have changed everything. As Chipmunk said, the why has to be his because that’s what will keep him going even when he doesn’t think he can or doesn’t feel like it. Hope this helps!!!

Gwen, encourage him to focus on physical training now; being in the best shape he can will make boot camp easier.

Also, get a driver's license now! And starting thinking about access to a car which is a necessity for Prototype, when they have to live off base and commute at all hours of the day & night. Ditto for life in the fleet...boats/ships spend almost as much time in home port as they do at sea.

Boot camp is scary but it is only 2 months...easy for us to say, but it will soon be in the rear view mirror as they move on to bigger and better things with new friends.

Click on the picture to make it bigger and easier to read.

CanukaVet - Good reminders!! Thanks!

Congratulations to all of our upcoming Nuke Pipeline graduates!!

My Sailor is graduating from the Nuke Pipeline in a couple of weeks. What a journey this has been!! Can anyone tell me what the dress code is on the USS Yorktown, and any other words of advice for graduation. Is it outside? Is it a large group similar to Powerschool? Thank you!

G'sNavyMom - Congratulations to your Sailor AND to you and your family for your support!  There's no specific dress code for the USS Yorktown, but it is a long walk from the gate to the ship, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes.

Graduation size is smaller than Power School, but larger than A School.  I'm guessing about 100 Sailors graduated with my son.  They divide the graduates into groups (For our son's graduation, there were 3 groups.  One around 8:00, one around 9:30 and one around 11:00.)

After graduation, there is a merch table and they only take cash.  There is an ATM but it is back up at the gate.  If you think you might want merch, bring cash.

During the ceremony, they invite families to come to the front to get pictures, so feel free to get up from your seat to get a good shot of your Sailor walking across the stage.

G'sNavyMom - I think my son's graduation was the 11 AM one. - There is no food on the USS Yorktown itself and since we were able to tour it, and did not want to walk off the ship back up to the snack shop & merch store, we all got very hungry. So, I suggest taking some snack bars, beef jerky or something that may be snacked on, if you wish. I think my son got a parking pass for us (just a paper that went in the window), but I don't think we actually needed it, they did not charge us for parking or for admission, but our sailor did come meet us there. My son's graduation was in April, it was a very windy, cloudy day, I was so afraid his cover was going to blow off as we walked down the long gang plank ramp to the USS Yorktown. 

And Ditto on what MomofJoseph shared. 

Thank you very much for this information! Greatly appreciate it. This is very helpful!! 

G'sNavyMom - BZ to your son on completing the pipeline!  I have nothing to add for the graduation since B graduated in Ballston Spa....but it looks like you got some helpful info!  Enjoy your time in Goose Creek!

B'sNukeMoM - thank you! Seems like yesterday we were talking about him going to SC. Yes, the information received was helpful! 

The kids got a new pup!  Welcome to the family Duke!  He's a Bernese Mountain Dog....

B'sNukeMom - Duke is beautiful, so precious!  How exciting for the little one and family!

Thanks Seahawks12 - they say he's just the sweetest pup and is so good with Oliver!

I've got my RED on!

Best buds!

Happy RED Friday!! Is the graduation on the USS Yorktown outdoors? Thank you!

G'sNavyMom - I believe it is actually onboard the USS Yorktown.  Hopefully someone will chime in to confirm!

Right click on the picture below and say "open in new tab".  That will make it larger so you can read it lol!  And it does mention that families "board the USS Yorktown and find seats" at 0730.

And there are 3 different ceremony times and it says seating is limited!  So I would arrive early if you can.

Thank you. Yes, waiting for my son to let us know what time. They are still waiting to be told? We plan to arrive early. Just wasn't sure if it is indoors or outdoors

G'sNavyMom - You will be sitting inside the USS Yorktown for the actual ceremony, but there are areas outside to visit and there is a long walk from the parking/ Ticket office down to the USS Yorktown. Most likely, they will offer to take your picture before you head to the ship (tourist photo shot for sale.) And yes, there are 3 ceremonies, they gather the sailors in a larger area in another part of the ship to await their turn for their ceremony. After the ceremony, you are welcome to tour the ship, and adjacent submarine and anything else that is part of the tour. As I recall, it was a windy day for us and being up on the flight deck in the wind was an experience. 

I have my RED on as well!! 

Click on the picture to enlarge....

The aquatic center is closing for the season so soon? It is plenty hot in Charleston well after Labor Day, which isn't until Sept. 1st.

WearsLargeHats - Our pools and water parks close early here as well, with just weekends until Labor Day. They rely on their lifeguards and many of them are high school or college students who start back to school mid-August. We have very hot days thru September as well.