Nuke School Charleston

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My husband is in Nuke school at the NWS in Charleston, SC. We are enjoying it here! This group's for anyone who wants to talk.

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connie

Morning everyone, I haven't been on here in a while. But I have been reading. Quick question. Does anyone have a son, husband or fiance doing comps today for prototype? I think my son said it is today.

Mar 17, 2011
Penny_Nuke_MM2_NimitzNuke

Sorry Connie, my son is in A-school.

Mar 18, 2011
Sharon ~ K's Mom

Diego is also in "A" school at the present time. Hoping someone can jump in and give you the info requested.

Mar 18, 2011
Dana (David's Mom)

Connie, Prototype doesn't have comps like in A or Power Schools. They have quals they have to get signatures for , a 50% test midway, a 100% test close to the end and when all signatures are gotten they take an Oral Board about a 2 to 3 hour marathon of question and answers. They don't take them together as a class but individualy as they get to that point. Not sure if this answers your question.

Mar 18, 2011
quiltblue

My son will PIR in two weeks and then go to Charleston on Saturday morning. Have most of your Sailors been able to take a black backpack with them from the airport? I have packed one, and I am hoping he can have it... what has been your experience with them taking one on board their flights out? Thanks in advance.

Mar 18, 2011
elizabeth77(USS SAN FRANCISCO)

My son took a black back pack. He also took a black lap top case.

Mar 18, 2011
amanda

same as elizabeth, took a backpack on the flight with all his electronics without any hitch. It was nice since he had a computer right away and we could begin talking once he got settled

Mar 19, 2011
quiltblue

Laptop case too? Cool! That's what I can buy him for his birthday and then I can give him more in his backpack! Thanks!

Mar 19, 2011
Dana (David's Mom)

I just read on 'Moms/Dads/Families with Nukes in Ballston Spa' group Comment by mcmeg 3 hours ago

Also, to clear up the graduation confusion, this was the first official graduation. The new CO wanted to have actual graduations so this supposedly will be the new norm. It was held at an American Legion hall.

Mar 19, 2011
Megs-Sailor Wife

Hi everyone! :-) My hubby will grad 4/22 from boot. We have a 6 yr. old daughter. Does anyone have any tips on what is going to happen after he grad? Are most Nukes GragNGo? What I do know is that he is going to fly out there (SC) and go to the housing brief. Maybe more classes not sure. Then fly back home (IL) get our stuff then drive back. This is all what the recruiter told us. Please help any info would be wonderful!!!

Mar 20, 2011
amanda

Not ever grad is grad n go. You'll find out pretty soon if he is. I'm not sure about the housing briefs though but that sounds about right. They have 2 weeks of "INDOC" where they go to those classes and I think during that time they get housing briefed if they're married, then the opportunity to bring their wife down.

Mar 20, 2011
Megs-Sailor Wife

*Amanda-Thank you so much for your help! I did not know they will have 2 weeks for "INDOC" just thought a few days and lol what is that stand for?

Mar 20, 2011
amanda

indoctrination? or something to that matter lol. and your welcome!

Mar 20, 2011
Megs-Sailor Wife

Lol sounds about right. :-)

Mar 20, 2011
Megs-Sailor Wife

*Darla-Thank you!!! :-)

Mar 21, 2011
TxLadyJane(ET Nuke Mom)

Well my husband and I keep telling him to use this time, and we told him to start studying to get his Dolphins done.

Mar 21, 2011
quiltblue

Nuke A School FAQ click on this link!
This is a great Group as well... it tells you each step that will happen for all the schools involved in the Nuke Program. Information only... no questions answers.

Mar 23, 2011
Megs-Sailor Wife

Morning ladies!!! I have a question......I am trying to put together our move and we are going to do a particle DITY move does anyone have any tips or info about that? My hubby is in boot and his PIR is 4/22 and we will be coming there (SC) when he is done. I just need a little advice or help please! :-)

Mar 24, 2011
Sharon ~ K's Mom

@Megs, When he gets to GC he will be in Indoc for a couple of weeks and will attend briefs that will cover moving and all things the Sailors need to know to bring their families down. The first couple of weeks are full of briefing.

I can share with you what our son and his wife did. Diego went to BC in September as a single guy, he and Kelsey got engaged in October. When Diego got to SC in November, he was single and was there for about a month before he got leave to come home. He attended a briefing and was able to find out about getting all the paperwork he needed for housing and moving prior to him coming home. He got home on the 18th, he and Kelsey were married on 22 December. They called housing on the 23rd and faxed all the paperwork that was needed and got a house right away. They rented a U-haul, packed up and headed to SC on 28 December and were able to get their keys to their house from Housing when they arrived on the 29th. They turned in all the necessary papers to get re-imbursed for moving. Hope this helps you some. Congrats! Welcome!

Mar 24, 2011
amanda

Thanks for the info sharon! I'll be doing this soon too. About how long did it take for them to be reimbursed?

Mar 24, 2011
Sharon ~ K's Mom

Amanda, there was some back and forth going on for them. I am not sure why, but they kept telling them they needed a certain paper. They found it and sent it in right away and they got their money recently. I don't think it should take too long. Best wishes!! Your dress is beautiful!! Diego thought they would be doing a "courthouse" wedding, but Kelsey had always wanted a "Church" wedding and she called our pastor right away and the day was booked. They got married on a Wednesday, so there wasn't any problem getting the church and the hall. It was beautiful, simple and elegant just the way Kelsey wanted. We did it all in a short seven weeks. Diego really didn't know what was planned until he came home on 18 December. Kelsey brought him up to speed pretty quick. It was so much fun and we love her as if she were our own daughter. We are very blessed to have her in our family and happy them have each other. Keep us posted!!!!

Mar 24, 2011
amanda

Thanks Sharon! Ya, we were planning on doing the whole she-bang in one fell swoop, but it was never 100% that he'd get to come home at the end of april. We didn't want to risk having to cancel everything.

Mar 24, 2011
TxLadyJane(ET Nuke Mom)

Nuke Power Card

Mar 28, 2011
mn linda (nuke MM ELT Groton CT)

what is the Nuke Power Card? Norton said it is an untrusted site.

Mar 28, 2011
Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367

mn linda - Norton and others always say that the Navy site has an expired certificate and therefore not to be trusted. Not sure why their certificate is expired, but has been since my daughter depped last May.

Mar 28, 2011
elizabeth77(USS SAN FRANCISCO)

my computer won't even let me go there...it's so protective of me

Mar 28, 2011
TxLadyJane(ET Nuke Mom)

Ok got my son's Class Number 1126T

the Nuke Power Card is information about Nuke School I found online, the site called it the Nuke Power Card

Mar 28, 2011
TxLadyJane(ET Nuke Mom)

https://www.cool.navy.mil/enlisted/rating_info_cards/nukepower.pdf

The above is the link address for the Nuke Power Card

Mar 28, 2011
Dana (David's Mom)

My computer balked at some Navy sites but I've finialy downloaded all their certificates and can now surf the Navy.

Mar 28, 2011
ginamarie935

My son leaves for BC next week then Nuke school in Charleston. My question is how much time do they usually have in between PIR and A-School? My son thinks it is a couple of weeks but everything I have read here says a couple of days at best. Any experiences would be great.

Mar 30, 2011
ginamarie935

That's what I thought. I'm not sure why he would be given the impression he may get 2 weeks after PIR. It may be just a misunderstanding. Lots of information being thrown at him right now. Thank you for your quick response. I just need to remember to keep breathing right now. That's about all I can handle. :)

Mar 30, 2011
Dodie

Ginamarie, My son pir's 12/3 and leave fly out to Goose Creek until the following Tues. Some nukes had early Saturday departures. As per the Navy Great Lakes facebook page, the only sailors that are Grad & Go are those that move across the street for their A School. If they fly out the following day, they are considered Saturday departure & not Grad & Go.

Mar 30, 2011
musicmom of a Sailor

ginamarie - I found out when my son had his PIR on 10/30 that the divisions who were first numerically tended to go on Saturday or Sunday (in his PIR that was divisions 349 and 350). My son went on Tuesday partly because his division was last numerically (he was in 354 which was the last number for that group).

Mar 30, 2011
Penny_Nuke_MM2_NimitzNuke

My son was next to the last numerically and also went on Tuesday. The first two divisions went Saturday morning. Once he arrived in GC, he was there for one week with nothing to do, then the next week they finally started indoc and then the following week the 18-20 hour days started !!!

Mar 30, 2011
ginamarie935

Thank you all so much for your help. There is SO much to process. Will I find out in advance when he will leave for Charleston or will I just have to try and guess?

Mar 30, 2011
Penny_Nuke_MM2_NimitzNuke

They don't find out until the very last week or two. So most moms just go ahead and book into a Waukegan/Great Lakes hotel starting Thursday and stay through Sunday. If their sailor leaves on Saturday, well...they have an extra day. But if they leave on Tuesday - then they have all the way through until Sunday night to spend with them (minus nights, as they have to be returned back to their ships).

Mar 30, 2011
Val-ACD-(ship 12 div 034)

My son was able to find out about 3 weeks before his PIR that he was going to be leaving to Goose Creek on Saturday so I only booked the hotel for Friday and Saturday. We got a late flight out on Saturday not knowing that he would be leaving early in the morning. Even this he was able to tell us about a week before PIR. He had to be at the airport at about 5:00am and they boarded the flight at 6:30am. We drove down and met him there at 5am and had that final hour or so together and got to meet several of his friends heading to A school in GC or elsewhere. We then drove back the hotel to get some sleep.

My son was indoctrination for several weeks and was on cleaning duty there (sure wish he was home cleaning for all those hours!). Indoc was only suppose to be about 2 weeks but he got the flu so it was extended. Then he began long hours of classes.

Mar 30, 2011
Michimom (MM Nuke Mom)

ginamarie, Are you a member of the Boot Camp Moms group? Lots of info there, and there's a discussion thread on Grad & Go. One of the important things I recall is some form you can send your son asking for his flight info; seems many forget their airline (!), flight number, time of departure, etc., and if they fill out a form they can hand it to you at PIR. Well, if they remembered to fill it out and bring it with them.

Mar 31, 2011
ginamarie935

michimom-yes I am a member of the BC group but I was just wanting to talk to other Nuke moms about what they had experienced after PIR since my son thought liberty for the Nuke grads was different. Sometimes I find the more I read the more anxious I feel. I can only read about 20 minutes then have to do something else and then come back later. I will ask him about his flight info though. Thank you all so much and if you pray just say a quick one for me. I have not cried in front if my son yet and I really don't want him to see me cry right before he leaves. I need some strength. Don't worry though I will cry buckets after he leaves.

Mar 31, 2011
SANDY ship07div056

Hey Ladies, my son has been at GC since 1/28. After PIR we spent the day with him, he had to be back that evening at 7:30. We didnt know until the week before PIR that he would be leaving early Saturday. He asked for us to be ready at 3am. He called about 5am and said to meet him at O'Hare. His plane didnt leave til 8:30am. But we spent quality time with him while we could. He spent 2 weeks in indoc before starting A School. They go to breifings and do paperwork, some cleaning and hanging out. Much better than bootcamp because they can call home and have computer access. Skype is the best. A little mini cam and you can talk to her Sailor face to face. He's maybe 6 weeks into A school. He tells me Boot Camp was the easy part! They learn some pretty harsh study habits. The communication is the best. Since we live in SC we've been to visit often. He gets to come home this weekend. The guys have free time during the weekends to see Charleston but must be back on base every nite. So far, my boy is enjoying the Navy life. Try and be strong moms. It is much easier after bc.

Mar 31, 2011
Penny_Nuke_MM2_NimitzNuke

Gina, I spent the last entire hour crying my eyes out while my son held MY hand !!!! This was just before my flight was leaving on Sunday late afternoon before our flight out and I had to leave him in Great Lakes as his flight to GC didn't leave until Tuesday morning. Don't think he ever saw me cry so much but he kept telling me that he loved me, that he was still my boy and he was going to be okay. So Giina...cry away.

Mar 31, 2011
GrandmaB

My prayers go out to all the sailors who were injured in the Fire on the USS John C. Stennis.

Mar 31, 2011
Penny_Nuke_MM2_NimitzNuke

Appears one was treated and released and the remaining three are still hospitalized but in stable condition. The pilot is fine.

Mar 31, 2011
Michimom (MM Nuke Mom)

Thanks for the update, Penny!

Mar 31, 2011
quiltblue

Well, our son will be leaving Saturday for GC for ET ~ Nuke School!!! He goes to Midway at 1AM, flight leaves a 7PM... we will probably go to the airport for most of the day. I'll be back on here once we return to TEXAS! His classes don't start until the week after next, so I am not sure of his class numbers or anything yet!

Apr 1, 2011
Maddie

My son's PIR is on 4/29 and he's told me twice already that they're leaving for GC either the day of PIR or very early the next day. When I started to look for flights for PIR, the prices seemed to be climbing by the hour. I therefore went ahead and booked the flight before I knew any of these. Won't be flying back until Monday but I figured, it's an excuse to see some of Chicago.

Apr 1, 2011
nvmomma

Maddie, he'll probably leave for GC on Saturday AM. Our son told us he was leaving GL at 3am Saturday morning, so we booked our flight out of Chicago to go home at 6am, thinking we were being efficient and would meet him at the airport as we were getting ready to go. Well, he didn't get to the airport until 5am, and we just missed seeing him before we boarded - SO disappointed. He ended up waiting at the airport until 2 pm for his flight - if we had known we would have had all that time to hang out with him. Good thing was we were able to leave his laptop for him with the USO (they are awesome!), so we skyped with him during our layover in Denver. So glad you'll have the chance to spend time with him if he has to wait long for his flight.

Apr 1, 2011
Maddie

Hi nvmomma! Wow, from what I've been reading, they stay in the airport for a long time, huh? Must be part of the training to prepare them for the 18-hour classes at nuke school. lol.

Apr 2, 2011
Dana (David's Mom)

They take all the sailors who have flights that day to the airport at the same time on a bus. Usually very, very early in the morning where they wait usually at the USO (a very comfortable area) until their flights. Family can get a pass to meet them and spend the day at the airport with their sailor.

Apr 2, 2011
quiltblue

Just did this today with ours! They arrived at 2am at MIDWAY, went to the USO and we finally got there around 6:30am. Parking is expensive $29 for all day, or $4 per hour for the first 7 hours, $2 per hour after, maximum of $50 total for a 24 hour period. We spent $23 just on parking! It was worth it! We got to go via the train to downtown and walked around, had a late breakfast (lots of food for them at the USO, but not a hot breakfast), walked the Magnificent Mile and went into the mall, he bought a pair of sunglasses at Walgreens, stopped at Hershey's and had some real sweet Hot Chocolate (no diet stuff there) and some real sugar candy! Did you know that everything at RTC is diet? Even the pancake syrup! He was so happy to have "real" soft drinks, and nothing with fake sugar! Also, no grainy whole wheat bread! The group is boarding now on Southwest, pray for their safety (in light of the airplane yesterday that had the fuselage ripped open at 35k ft)!

Apr 2, 2011