I was in this group when my son enlisted as a Nuke...then he got a NROTC scholarship, so I left...he has always wanted to be an aviator, so I didn't think I should stay here. Now after just a month at his Auburn NROTC unit, he is saying that he may end up as a Nuke after all because the Navy can "draft" him into that program if they need him there. One of his officers basically told him, "You can be a pilot with any major, but the really smart guys we need as Nuclear officers." He is an Aerospace Engineering major, so it seems they have "targeted" him already....The good news is that he is really okay with it.
I just wondered if anybody else had a son who went the NROTC route with other plans and ended up as a Nuclear Officer, and how it all turned out.
Glenni - I don't have an answer for you, but just wanted to say Welcome Back! And I'm glad to hear your son is ok with the change (however it may turn out!).
Glenni - My son is almost the opposite. He was enrolled in Naval ROTC at the Univerisity of Michigan, wanting to go in after getting his Aeronautical Engineering degree, and his dream was always to be a pilot. Suddenly, he decided he would just go right away to the Navy and let them pay for school. After the ASVAB, they steered him to Nuke and told him if he goes for officer the second time it's offered, he will have to choose another job, and he would likely be able to go aviation then. I'm not following the train of thought, but he's happy either way and he is excited. He's doing his overnight stay right now before his swearing in tomorrow morning.
Sorry, I really have no insight. I just found it funny that our boys paths were directly opposite.
NukeBoyzMom, My son was steered towards the nuke program after his ASVAB, too when he took it during his senior year. He actually enlisted in the DEP and would have shipped in October, but then he was awarded the NROTC scholarship. I hope everything goes really well for your son and he ends up getting what he wants!
B'sNukeMom - Thanks for the welcome! I have quickly realized that I need to be flexible for whatever happens with our son this coming summer!
As far as the IP and the frozen chicken goes, I never seem to have time for NPR with my chicken. Also, I'm pretty impatient! It works fine for me, but then again this is chicken I'm preparing to shred and throw into other dishes. So I'm not really focused on making sure it's tender and juicy. I am also lazy, so I just throw the chicken in the pot, no trivet or anything, and either add a can of chicken broth, or a cup and a half of water and that's it! I need to cook more this weekend, so I'll try less time (probably 17 minutes) and NPR and report back!
CSW - Thank you for the welcome and the comments! I will definitely share that info with my recruit. He seems very excited about the program, but he's not much of a talker so whenever I try to share what I've learned I just get a little smile from him and that far off "when is she going to stop talking so I can go..." look. Maybe as the date gets closer, and as he attends his DEP meetings, he'll start paying more attention to free advice! LOL!!
From this mother's perspective boot camp is about building loyalty to team and making sure the individuals are mentally and physically able to contribute their fair share. Nuke school is still team focused, but the pressure on the individual to perform builds. Our sailor was a football player and was just saying that he was going to write a letter to his high school coach who is struggling with a very small team and not much talent to remind hiscoach that the lessons and experience he gained as a part of the football team has been most helpful in his pursuit of a career in the Navy.
CSW - I'm sure that would make his football coach's day to receive that letter - it would be a very nice gesture for him to do.
Havasu - even if he doesn't "listen" to what you have to offer you'll feel better knowing more about what is going on. And once he realizes you actually DO know what you're talking about he'll probably start coming to you for info! My son was always (and still is) amazed at what us mom's know lol.
I made applesauce for the first time in my IP last night - it was yummy ;p
CSW - are you talking the little red-hot candies? That sounds pretty good - gives it a cinnamon flavor, right? I did 8 Gala apples (cored/sliced with peels still on), 1/4 cup water & 1 tsp cinnamon. 2 minutes on manual high pressure and then I mashed it up with my potato masher. Quick & easy. The Instant Pot is pretty cool - there's a lot you can do with it - I'm still learning but so far so good. I even got one for B!
CSW & B'sNukeMom, thanks for the encouraging comments! When something is brand new to me, I do as much research as I can to understand it. My kids roll their eyes because they think I go overboard... I'm not sure that they're wrong, but I am a firm believer in gathering as much data as possible so you aren't too surprised in the future. I asked my husband (the kids' step-dad) if I should just shut up about this for a while and he told me "absolutely not!" He told me that our recruit is still soaking up the info, even if he's acting annoyed by it. Also, my son's dad hasn't been very supportive at all, and my husband thinks that our recruit is appreciative of the support and interest, even if he's not showing it!
As far as staying in physical shape, I am going to get him a membership to a local gym. We live in a really hot area, and it's Monsoon season... So the heat and humidity have not lent itself to exercising at all. Winter is coming, so the weather will finally cool enough for being outdoors, so he said he plans on doing a lot of running when that happens. The gym membership will have to be in the May-Jun-July months before he ships to RTC.
I haven't tried applesauce yet... And red hots in applesauce sound amazing! Definitely gonna have to try that!!
Yep those little red cinnamon candies and sometimes add just a pinch of salt! I'm thinking of trying to make apple butter this year because we have so many apples.
Havasu, I have a daughter in Kingman so I understand the weather! Love Haveasu...beautiful place. GC is HOT and in some ways worse than Havasu because it's so humid. My sailor said he actually had to take one pair of his dress whites to the dry cleaners because it rained and he thought it had let his uniform dry enough before he had to lock it up, but when he took it out for next inspection the patch was BLACK with mold! Fortunately he had a second uniform, but the humidity is crazy in GC. Yes...GC is very strict on PT because many nukes are brainiacs and not so much fitness focused. They have to pass a PT test every 6 months which requires regular training. On some days he goes 4:45 to 23:45 with PT, school and study.
Don't feel bad about researching, I am the same way and even though my bf and son tease me about it they appreciate the info!! There is a t-shirt shop we often walk past that has a shirt in the window that reads "I don't need GOOGLE, I just ask my wife"....bf laughs every time we walk past and says "it's true!!" :)
Since my son started at BC in July, he has mentioned a number of different tracks that he can pursue. Personally, I think this is good - especially if he finds something that he feels suits him better. I just encourage him to explore his opportunities. I don't want him to be frustrated later down the road because he didn't check things out. A lot of this, I believe, comes from talking to more experienced people.
Hello, I am new to the group. My grandson is in boot camp now and he will be going to Charleston for Nuke school. He is afraid he will not cut it. What if he doesn't. What are his options?
Chellebelle, it isn't a simple thing to change rating tracks in DEP. It certainly can be done, but it takes a request called a DAR that isn't guaranteed to happen at all. It is maybe a bit more difficult to get out of a nuke contract as there is such a demand for them. It sounds to me like he is understandably nervous and not sure how to process it. Just reassure him that he is capable of more than he knows and, while it is ok to explore options, he should also honor his commitments.
Granny, as long as he gives it his best effort and maintains a good military bearing he will be fine. If he doesn't make it they will re-rate him to something else.
I made applesauce today. My parents have a fantastic Gravenstein apple tree, and sent me a box of apples. They make the best applesauce in the world! Just apples (peeled and cored) and a little bit of water = perfection!
How difficult is the nuke pipeline? Depends a bit on how your sailor learns most effectively. My son sailed through, academically, but had a harder time in prototype with the schedule of watches. Others struggle academically, but adjust to the schedule just fine. One thing is certain: They all do a lot of maturing during BC and the nuke pipeline. You'll be amazed at how grown up your sailor seems when you get to see him/her.
My son, who has spent time in NC every summer of his life, was astounded at how humid and miserable the weather was in GC. The base is in the middle of a swamp, and it feels like it!
Hope everyone is having a good week. The weather has changed drastically here in the last week or 2. It was HOT (90s) and dry, but is now cool (58 today) and rainy. It suddenly feel like autumn. Bring on the pumpkins!
Grannyofnine - Not everyone makes it through the Nuke program. There is a lot of studying to stay on top of. My son didn't have the distraction of having a girlfriend or wife during Nuke school. To be fair, others may have and benefited from having that additional moral support. If your grandson stays out of trouble (no underage drinking) and focuses on studying, he should do just fine. If they are falling behind on their schoolwork, mandatory study hall will be assigned.
CSW what great detailed information. Any advice from your daughter for someone starting out? Also, any good ideas on what you are sending in periodic mom care packages specific to the nuke program and where she is located?
As usual, great advice offered by our members to one another!
Familyof6 - When my son was in school I would send about 1 box every 4-6 weeks. I included lots of beef jerky & flavored sunflower seeds (the hotter the better!). My son is not a sweet eater so it was hard to come up with things. Once I ordered him a case of the Tiger Milk Bars & had them sent directly to him. That worked out nicely - and was convenient for those mornings when there wasn't time to hit the galley before class. I also included gum (which I think they weren't allowed to chew much), flavored pringles, vienna sausages (again they have all sorts of flavored ones). Just things that were easy to grab either before or after class. He had a lot of mandatory study hours so often he would miss the galley times for meals. What he didn't eat himself he shared with others.
Familyof6 - an especially good discussion to read is "Surviving Nuke School" by BunkerQB. It's up above in the discussion forum and I also have it posted on the right side under member profiles (10) pages.
TX Mom of Far Away Nuke, thanks for your input. He does have a girlfriend but hopefully she won' t interfere with his studies. I will continue to pray that he does well.
I'm so thankful that my son had his girlfriend for support throughout A School, Power School, and Prototype. She was the one he told when he was stressed out. She always knew the right thing to say to him. Thankfully I can say he just Qualified this week! YIPPEE! Now onto ELT.
Hi. Read lots of the comments and love this group even though I don't post often. My son is at GC in prototype. He told us today that graduation for the group that was going to graduate next week will likely be canceled completely and his possible Nov graduation is probably going to be moved and likely canceled too. Has anyone else heard that? Any idea why that might be happening and what would happen to the sailors?
OK with all the talk on here of girlfriends I just have to share something my coworker said and lunch today. First her father was a nuke officer and actually worked some with Rickover. She said she learned from her father a quote that was attributed to Rickover (I don't know if it actually was but I found it very funny). Here's the quote - "If the navy wanted you to have a wife/girlfriend you would have been issued one with your seabag". (I actually don't remember if it was wife or girlfriend).
Pooh'sMom - way to go! Congrats to your nuke - that has to feel great!
ProudofK - Thank you. As for girlfriends, that is very funny! My son told us this phrase for girlfriends, "If she's in blue, she's not for you." Saying it's easier not to date another Navy person. I realize that doesn't always hold true, but . . .
Pooh's Mom, congratulations to Pooh on graduation! You'll have to let me know where he is stationed after ELT. It would be funny if he ended up with my daughter or SIL since he's the one who married them.
As far as girlfriends/boyfriends go it probably depends on the couple. My daughter's BF gave her a ring and then decided that he didn't want to wait around when she was deployed. She married a fellow Nuke and it's worked out very well. They both understand the waiting and are committed to each other and the Navy life that they chose. I'd rather her be married to the person who will be true to her.
Tulip, it seems that prototype graduation is not a promised thing. The sailors finish at different times and I think it's hard to set a date. When my daughter graduated she was qualified but most of her class was not. They graduated them anyway then they continued their qualifications. My daughters graduation was moved twice. I think with her class they tried a little harder since their power school graduation was cancelled due to a hurricane.
Thanks, JayDee659! That makes sense. His GF had told us that she was going to graduate next week but still would have at least one or two more watches before heading to her ship. So I guess she will now just finish and leave and not have a graduation.
Tulip - Prototype grad is the one that's all over the place. My sons was changed at least 2 times (he was in NY) and at that time they weren't even doing ceremonies in GC. If it's cancelled your sailor will most likely just get his orders and then have (hopefully) 30 days to report to his ship. You know the drill - be flexible!
Hi everyone. I have been part of this group since my son graduated BC in March. He is now at GC and will graduate A school in October. His graduation date, from A School, was pushed back a week, due to IRMA. I read a couple of moms mention their son's/daughter's, graduation was pushed back too. I was wondering if there son/daughter is graduating with my son. I would love to connect with other mom's in my son's class. This group is wonderful and so helpful, it's an amazing group of ladies. It's so comforting to know that other mom's are going through the same worries and joys, that I am. I so appreciate the ups and downs shared. I have not chimed in yet, but will more often now. My son will be home in October and I am counting down the days. I miss him, but I know what a wonderful opportunity has in being a NUKE. His siblings and I are super proud of him. I am in Albuquerque, NM, would love to hear from other NM NUKE MOMS.
ABQnukemom - what is your son's class #? Hopefully someone else here will have a sailor in the same class. I'll bet you are looking forward to October and having your son home for a visit! There is a NM group on here but it's not been active in quite some time. Maybe if you join & post on there it will stir up some activity.
Just got my second real phone call (other than the "I'm here" call)....lots of info packed into those few minutes!!!! My boy sounds really good, so my day is suddenly a little brighter :) He got ET, which is what he wanted so I'm happy for him, and he got his dress uniforms - he sounds pretty proud of that; one unexpected bit was the news that he got his wisdom teeth pulled.....I asked if they had been bothering him, he said no, they just saw that he had them in his dental evaluation and told him they needed to come out so he didn't have to worry about them later on. Lots of stories about what they've been tested on and how many tries it took them to pass lol....It was great just to hear his voice!
That's funny! I got a letter from my grandson and he said they took his wisdom teeth out. He also said there were lots of them having theirs taken out. That sounds like it's a routine thing to do. bigsky21, when does your son graduate? My grandson graduates on Oct 13th.
bigsky21- Sounds like you were able to have a nice long visit with your recruit, that is great! My sailor is an ET as well and is suppose to start actual classwork on Monday. They had some preliminary days with the new class after being Indoc for awhile and then he went on a ropes course or climbing outing, don't recall which. I called him a little bit ago, but he was eating dinner. I need to scoot and get more work done before he possibly calls.
Grannyofnine, congrates as well on upcoming graduation. Wisdom teeth pulling seems to be common, thankfully my recruit didn't have to have his pulled, but instead he did a lot of night watches the first couple of weeks due to the number of recruits who were sick in quarters (SIQ) and he just called so bye.
Granny, my son is Oct 13th also - are you going?
Chipmunk, it was a nice long call, and I wasn't sure I would be getting another one before they completed BS so it was a nice surprise as well!!
My son had his wisdom teeth removed while he was in A school. Not sure why they didn't do it during BC. His prototype graduation was also cancelled. They kept changing the date, and in the end decided not to have a grad ceremony. I think I was more disappointed than he was. LOL
I had a nice long phone visit with him last night. He's not exactly the most communicative person ever. I exacted a promise from him to either call or text at least once a week. We'll see how much he fulfills that promise. :/
I am planning to go see him at college over my birthday next month. I'm really looking forward to seeing him in his new surroundings. It's in a state I've never been to, so I'm really curious to experiencing a new place.
I'm getting the external trim on my house painted this week. It's been far too long since it was last done. Nothing fancy, just basic white. They also power washed the house. It's going to look SO much better when it's done! The downside is that when they power washed, they evidently disrupted an ant colony. For the first time ever I have ants in my kitchen. Yuck! Anyone know a way to get rid of them that will not risk poisoning our cats?
Well my youngest is still on the phone with his brother, catching up on his trip the OK State Fair yesterday - "all educational"!! - and either Minecraft or Pokémon!! probably.
I did receive clarification that my sailor still has probably another week of "life skill training and study skills" before they actually start classes, so I guess I jumped the gun. Nicknukmom - did your son class up last week as well?
PacNWmom - enjoy your visit with your son next month. As I recall, he is in my birth state, but we moved when I was two. Very few hills and for sure no mountains!! But if I can get use to living in KS and OK after my Ozarks, I have come to realize that many areas have their beauty that should not be despised, just because it is flat.
Re: ants - when they are really bad, my husband sprays on the outside of the house. They come in through the drain areas sometimes and wet spots. Buy the Raid Ant Bait traps, google them. In my childhood home, we had them under the kitchen sink and in the window sill. Here I put them by the one vent in the kitchen and then in the kids bathroom under the toilet. I also use a sharpie pen and date them. Set them down, the ants come eat the bait and return to the nest. The cat should leave them alone. You also can spray a trail in your house with Lysol, but you need to get right on them and I still wipe up with a paper towel. But the bait has to get carried back to the nest for it to get fed to the other ants and it may take a little bit to see the effect, but no awful smelling spray or harm to the pets. Lysol also works to spray directly on spiders, especially the ones that like to run from you before you can squish them or for girls who scream over them instead of smash them.
Well now past dinner - salad it is - and hopefully something accomplished today. We went to a movie in the middle of the afternoon so my husband could do yard work when cooler, but it cut into my sunshine time for me to stay awake at the computer and work. - by the way, Kingsman Golden Circle should be watched with caution - any queasy stomachs or issues with eliminating visual imprints from your mind should steer clear. Didn't have the same impress as the first movie but it was decent. - If you want more details Wikipedia has it!
Bigsky21, yes I am going to Great Lakes but won't be at the graduation. But I will be watching via Internet. Then I will get to see him. Can't wait. I'm assuming you are going?
Chipmunk - you can use Borax for ants. Check it out on Pinterest.
Grannyofnine, that is fine. I actually almost replied to Bigsky21. It wasn't meant as a correction, I just wanted PacNWmom to notice it. I personally don't do Pinterest. I spend more time on here than I should and would definitely never accomplish anything if on Pinterest, but there are a lot of neat ideas to be found there. You have a great night and enjoy your trip to PIR when the time comes.
Just had a great skype session with our nuke - he is at the end of A school so going through ICE right now - so he is definitely being challenged. He seemed to kind of sail though the rest of it without breaking a sweat. Those of you with ETs that are further ahead in the process will understand.
And just got his flight booked for his first trip home since he left for boot camp - yeah!
PacNWmom - I feel your pain with the ants. I have often said that I think Tri Cities was built on one giant ant hill. We had a really bad problem in our kitchen a few years ago.
We read that if you mixed Borax with honey that would get them because the honey would attract them and the Borax would kill them. Apparently our ants were say to smart for that - they managed to eat all the honey and leave the Borax sitting there even though it was all mixed together. We also tried other inside traps and none of it worked for us.
What finally solved it and we haven't had problem since, is those ant 'hotels' I think their called. There little traps that you stick in the ground around the outside of the house - the trap part is above ground but it's all enclosed so pets can't get to the poison part. As long as we keep some of these outside we have no problem with ants inside. Good luck - hope you win.
ProudOfK - that is funny, I don't recall having any problems with ants when we were in the Tri Cities. It might have been that we were in an apartment and they probably sprayed outside. I know they come in around the water entrances to the house as well. I saw those outside traps when I Googled to make sure I had the name correct for PacNWmom.
I gather your son is ET. Mine is just starting. So what is ICE? so I know what to expect. I assume that is the final testing for A school. He just gave me the ombudsman information yesterday, now I have to figure out what/ when I use that.
Erin - I will try the peppermint oil another time as well. I have plenty for baking, can you use that kind or does it have to be an essential oil type?
Time to get ready for church - enjoy your Sunday, hope some of our new moms got letters or calls from their recruits this weekend.
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Welcome to our newest member ~ Grannyofnine!
Feel free to ask any questions you may have ;p
Sep 19, 2017
Glenni
I was in this group when my son enlisted as a Nuke...then he got a NROTC scholarship, so I left...he has always wanted to be an aviator, so I didn't think I should stay here. Now after just a month at his Auburn NROTC unit, he is saying that he may end up as a Nuke after all because the Navy can "draft" him into that program if they need him there. One of his officers basically told him, "You can be a pilot with any major, but the really smart guys we need as Nuclear officers." He is an Aerospace Engineering major, so it seems they have "targeted" him already....The good news is that he is really okay with it.
I just wondered if anybody else had a son who went the NROTC route with other plans and ended up as a Nuclear Officer, and how it all turned out.
Sep 19, 2017
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Glenni - I don't have an answer for you, but just wanted to say Welcome Back! And I'm glad to hear your son is ok with the change (however it may turn out!).
Sep 19, 2017
Glenni
Thanks, B'sNukeMom!
Sep 19, 2017
NukeBoyzMom
Glenni - My son is almost the opposite. He was enrolled in Naval ROTC at the Univerisity of Michigan, wanting to go in after getting his Aeronautical Engineering degree, and his dream was always to be a pilot. Suddenly, he decided he would just go right away to the Navy and let them pay for school. After the ASVAB, they steered him to Nuke and told him if he goes for officer the second time it's offered, he will have to choose another job, and he would likely be able to go aviation then. I'm not following the train of thought, but he's happy either way and he is excited. He's doing his overnight stay right now before his swearing in tomorrow morning.
Sorry, I really have no insight. I just found it funny that our boys paths were directly opposite.
Sep 19, 2017
Glenni
NukeBoyzMom, My son was steered towards the nuke program after his ASVAB, too when he took it during his senior year. He actually enlisted in the DEP and would have shipped in October, but then he was awarded the NROTC scholarship. I hope everything goes really well for your son and he ends up getting what he wants!
Sep 19, 2017
Havasu
B'sNukeMom - Thanks for the welcome! I have quickly realized that I need to be flexible for whatever happens with our son this coming summer!
As far as the IP and the frozen chicken goes, I never seem to have time for NPR with my chicken. Also, I'm pretty impatient! It works fine for me, but then again this is chicken I'm preparing to shred and throw into other dishes. So I'm not really focused on making sure it's tender and juicy. I am also lazy, so I just throw the chicken in the pot, no trivet or anything, and either add a can of chicken broth, or a cup and a half of water and that's it! I need to cook more this weekend, so I'll try less time (probably 17 minutes) and NPR and report back!
CSW - Thank you for the welcome and the comments! I will definitely share that info with my recruit. He seems very excited about the program, but he's not much of a talker so whenever I try to share what I've learned I just get a little smile from him and that far off "when is she going to stop talking so I can go..." look. Maybe as the date gets closer, and as he attends his DEP meetings, he'll start paying more attention to free advice! LOL!!
Sep 19, 2017
CSW
From this mother's perspective boot camp is about building loyalty to team and making sure the individuals are mentally and physically able to contribute their fair share. Nuke school is still team focused, but the pressure on the individual to perform builds. Our sailor was a football player and was just saying that he was going to write a letter to his high school coach who is struggling with a very small team and not much talent to remind hiscoach that the lessons and experience he gained as a part of the football team has been most helpful in his pursuit of a career in the Navy.
Sep 20, 2017
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Hi all - Happy Wednesday!
CSW - I'm sure that would make his football coach's day to receive that letter - it would be a very nice gesture for him to do.
Havasu - even if he doesn't "listen" to what you have to offer you'll feel better knowing more about what is going on. And once he realizes you actually DO know what you're talking about he'll probably start coming to you for info! My son was always (and still is) amazed at what us mom's know lol.
I made applesauce for the first time in my IP last night - it was yummy ;p
Sep 20, 2017
CSW
When I make applesauce I don't season with anything but those little red-hots, plus it makes the applesauce pink!
I'm thinking I need to get one of these gadgets!
Sep 20, 2017
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
CSW - are you talking the little red-hot candies? That sounds pretty good - gives it a cinnamon flavor, right? I did 8 Gala apples (cored/sliced with peels still on), 1/4 cup water & 1 tsp cinnamon. 2 minutes on manual high pressure and then I mashed it up with my potato masher. Quick & easy. The Instant Pot is pretty cool - there's a lot you can do with it - I'm still learning but so far so good. I even got one for B!
Sep 20, 2017
Havasu
CSW & B'sNukeMom, thanks for the encouraging comments! When something is brand new to me, I do as much research as I can to understand it. My kids roll their eyes because they think I go overboard... I'm not sure that they're wrong, but I am a firm believer in gathering as much data as possible so you aren't too surprised in the future. I asked my husband (the kids' step-dad) if I should just shut up about this for a while and he told me "absolutely not!" He told me that our recruit is still soaking up the info, even if he's acting annoyed by it. Also, my son's dad hasn't been very supportive at all, and my husband thinks that our recruit is appreciative of the support and interest, even if he's not showing it!
As far as staying in physical shape, I am going to get him a membership to a local gym. We live in a really hot area, and it's Monsoon season... So the heat and humidity have not lent itself to exercising at all. Winter is coming, so the weather will finally cool enough for being outdoors, so he said he plans on doing a lot of running when that happens. The gym membership will have to be in the May-Jun-July months before he ships to RTC.
I haven't tried applesauce yet... And red hots in applesauce sound amazing! Definitely gonna have to try that!!
Sep 20, 2017
CSW
Yep those little red cinnamon candies and sometimes add just a pinch of salt! I'm thinking of trying to make apple butter this year because we have so many apples.
Sep 20, 2017
CSW
Havasu, I have a daughter in Kingman so I understand the weather! Love Haveasu...beautiful place. GC is HOT and in some ways worse than Havasu because it's so humid. My sailor said he actually had to take one pair of his dress whites to the dry cleaners because it rained and he thought it had let his uniform dry enough before he had to lock it up, but when he took it out for next inspection the patch was BLACK with mold! Fortunately he had a second uniform, but the humidity is crazy in GC. Yes...GC is very strict on PT because many nukes are brainiacs and not so much fitness focused. They have to pass a PT test every 6 months which requires regular training. On some days he goes 4:45 to 23:45 with PT, school and study.
Sep 20, 2017
bigsky21
Havasu,
Don't feel bad about researching, I am the same way and even though my bf and son tease me about it they appreciate the info!! There is a t-shirt shop we often walk past that has a shirt in the window that reads "I don't need GOOGLE, I just ask my wife"....bf laughs every time we walk past and says "it's true!!" :)
Sep 20, 2017
Rumace
Since my son started at BC in July, he has mentioned a number of different tracks that he can pursue. Personally, I think this is good - especially if he finds something that he feels suits him better. I just encourage him to explore his opportunities. I don't want him to be frustrated later down the road because he didn't check things out. A lot of this, I believe, comes from talking to more experienced people.
Sep 20, 2017
Grannyofnine
Sep 20, 2017
WearsLargeHats
Chellebelle, it isn't a simple thing to change rating tracks in DEP. It certainly can be done, but it takes a request called a DAR that isn't guaranteed to happen at all. It is maybe a bit more difficult to get out of a nuke contract as there is such a demand for them. It sounds to me like he is understandably nervous and not sure how to process it. Just reassure him that he is capable of more than he knows and, while it is ok to explore options, he should also honor his commitments.
Granny, as long as he gives it his best effort and maintains a good military bearing he will be fine. If he doesn't make it they will re-rate him to something else.
Sep 20, 2017
PacNWmom
I made applesauce today. My parents have a fantastic Gravenstein apple tree, and sent me a box of apples. They make the best applesauce in the world! Just apples (peeled and cored) and a little bit of water = perfection!
How difficult is the nuke pipeline? Depends a bit on how your sailor learns most effectively. My son sailed through, academically, but had a harder time in prototype with the schedule of watches. Others struggle academically, but adjust to the schedule just fine. One thing is certain: They all do a lot of maturing during BC and the nuke pipeline. You'll be amazed at how grown up your sailor seems when you get to see him/her.
My son, who has spent time in NC every summer of his life, was astounded at how humid and miserable the weather was in GC. The base is in the middle of a swamp, and it feels like it!
Hope everyone is having a good week. The weather has changed drastically here in the last week or 2. It was HOT (90s) and dry, but is now cool (58 today) and rainy. It suddenly feel like autumn. Bring on the pumpkins!
Sep 20, 2017
Grannyofnine
Sep 21, 2017
Tx Mom of Far Away Nuke
Grannyofnine - Not everyone makes it through the Nuke program. There is a lot of studying to stay on top of. My son didn't have the distraction of having a girlfriend or wife during Nuke school. To be fair, others may have and benefited from having that additional moral support. If your grandson stays out of trouble (no underage drinking) and focuses on studying, he should do just fine. If they are falling behind on their schoolwork, mandatory study hall will be assigned.
Best wishes!
Sep 21, 2017
Familyof6
Sep 21, 2017
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Hi all - Happy Thursday!
As usual, great advice offered by our members to one another!
Familyof6 - When my son was in school I would send about 1 box every 4-6 weeks. I included lots of beef jerky & flavored sunflower seeds (the hotter the better!). My son is not a sweet eater so it was hard to come up with things. Once I ordered him a case of the Tiger Milk Bars & had them sent directly to him. That worked out nicely - and was convenient for those mornings when there wasn't time to hit the galley before class. I also included gum (which I think they weren't allowed to chew much), flavored pringles, vienna sausages (again they have all sorts of flavored ones). Just things that were easy to grab either before or after class. He had a lot of mandatory study hours so often he would miss the galley times for meals. What he didn't eat himself he shared with others.
Sep 21, 2017
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Familyof6 - an especially good discussion to read is "Surviving Nuke School" by BunkerQB. It's up above in the discussion forum and I also have it posted on the right side under member profiles (10) pages.
Sep 21, 2017
Grannyofnine
Sep 21, 2017
Pooh'sMom
I'm so thankful that my son had his girlfriend for support throughout A School, Power School, and Prototype. She was the one he told when he was stressed out. She always knew the right thing to say to him. Thankfully I can say he just Qualified this week! YIPPEE! Now onto ELT.
Sep 21, 2017
Tulip
Sep 21, 2017
ProudOfK
OK with all the talk on here of girlfriends I just have to share something my coworker said and lunch today. First her father was a nuke officer and actually worked some with Rickover. She said she learned from her father a quote that was attributed to Rickover (I don't know if it actually was but I found it very funny). Here's the quote - "If the navy wanted you to have a wife/girlfriend you would have been issued one with your seabag". (I actually don't remember if it was wife or girlfriend).
Pooh'sMom - way to go! Congrats to your nuke - that has to feel great!
Sep 21, 2017
Pooh'sMom
ProudofK - Thank you.
As for girlfriends, that is very funny! My son told us this phrase for girlfriends, "If she's in blue, she's not for you." Saying it's easier not to date another Navy person. I realize that doesn't always hold true, but . . .
Sep 22, 2017
JayDee659
Pooh's Mom, congratulations to Pooh on graduation! You'll have to let me know where he is stationed after ELT. It would be funny if he ended up with my daughter or SIL since he's the one who married them.
As far as girlfriends/boyfriends go it probably depends on the couple. My daughter's BF gave her a ring and then decided that he didn't want to wait around when she was deployed. She married a fellow Nuke and it's worked out very well. They both understand the waiting and are committed to each other and the Navy life that they chose. I'd rather her be married to the person who will be true to her.
Tulip, it seems that prototype graduation is not a promised thing. The sailors finish at different times and I think it's hard to set a date. When my daughter graduated she was qualified but most of her class was not. They graduated them anyway then they continued their qualifications. My daughters graduation was moved twice. I think with her class they tried a little harder since their power school graduation was cancelled due to a hurricane.
Sep 22, 2017
Tulip
Sep 22, 2017
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Hi all - Happy First Day of Fall!
Tulip - Prototype grad is the one that's all over the place. My sons was changed at least 2 times (he was in NY) and at that time they weren't even doing ceremonies in GC. If it's cancelled your sailor will most likely just get his orders and then have (hopefully) 30 days to report to his ship. You know the drill - be flexible!
Sep 22, 2017
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
Sep 22, 2017
ABQnukemom
Hi everyone. I have been part of this group since my son graduated BC in March. He is now at GC and will graduate A school in October. His graduation date, from A School, was pushed back a week, due to IRMA. I read a couple of moms mention their son's/daughter's, graduation was pushed back too. I was wondering if there son/daughter is graduating with my son. I would love to connect with other mom's in my son's class. This group is wonderful and so helpful, it's an amazing group of ladies. It's so comforting to know that other mom's are going through the same worries and joys, that I am. I so appreciate the ups and downs shared. I have not chimed in yet, but will more often now. My son will be home in October and I am counting down the days. I miss him, but I know what a wonderful opportunity has in being a NUKE. His siblings and I are super proud of him. I am in Albuquerque, NM, would love to hear from other NM NUKE MOMS.
Sep 22, 2017
B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)
ABQnukemom - what is your son's class #? Hopefully someone else here will have a sailor in the same class. I'll bet you are looking forward to October and having your son home for a visit! There is a NM group on here but it's not been active in quite some time. Maybe if you join & post on there it will stir up some activity.
I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!
Sep 22, 2017
bigsky21
Sep 23, 2017
Grannyofnine
Sep 23, 2017
Chipmunk
bigsky21- Sounds like you were able to have a nice long visit with your recruit, that is great! My sailor is an ET as well and is suppose to start actual classwork on Monday. They had some preliminary days with the new class after being Indoc for awhile and then he went on a ropes course or climbing outing, don't recall which. I called him a little bit ago, but he was eating dinner. I need to scoot and get more work done before he possibly calls.
Grannyofnine, congrates as well on upcoming graduation. Wisdom teeth pulling seems to be common, thankfully my recruit didn't have to have his pulled, but instead he did a lot of night watches the first couple of weeks due to the number of recruits who were sick in quarters (SIQ) and he just called so bye.
Sep 23, 2017
bigsky21
Chipmunk, it was a nice long call, and I wasn't sure I would be getting another one before they completed BS so it was a nice surprise as well!!
Sep 23, 2017
PacNWmom
My son had his wisdom teeth removed while he was in A school. Not sure why they didn't do it during BC. His prototype graduation was also cancelled. They kept changing the date, and in the end decided not to have a grad ceremony. I think I was more disappointed than he was. LOL
I had a nice long phone visit with him last night. He's not exactly the most communicative person ever. I exacted a promise from him to either call or text at least once a week. We'll see how much he fulfills that promise. :/
I am planning to go see him at college over my birthday next month. I'm really looking forward to seeing him in his new surroundings. It's in a state I've never been to, so I'm really curious to experiencing a new place.
I'm getting the external trim on my house painted this week. It's been far too long since it was last done. Nothing fancy, just basic white. They also power washed the house. It's going to look SO much better when it's done! The downside is that when they power washed, they evidently disrupted an ant colony. For the first time ever I have ants in my kitchen. Yuck! Anyone know a way to get rid of them that will not risk poisoning our cats?
Sep 23, 2017
Chipmunk
Well my youngest is still on the phone with his brother, catching up on his trip the OK State Fair yesterday - "all educational"!! - and either Minecraft or Pokémon!! probably.
I did receive clarification that my sailor still has probably another week of "life skill training and study skills" before they actually start classes, so I guess I jumped the gun. Nicknukmom - did your son class up last week as well?
PacNWmom - enjoy your visit with your son next month. As I recall, he is in my birth state, but we moved when I was two. Very few hills and for sure no mountains!! But if I can get use to living in KS and OK after my Ozarks, I have come to realize that many areas have their beauty that should not be despised, just because it is flat.
Re: ants - when they are really bad, my husband sprays on the outside of the house. They come in through the drain areas sometimes and wet spots. Buy the Raid Ant Bait traps, google them. In my childhood home, we had them under the kitchen sink and in the window sill. Here I put them by the one vent in the kitchen and then in the kids bathroom under the toilet. I also use a sharpie pen and date them. Set them down, the ants come eat the bait and return to the nest. The cat should leave them alone. You also can spray a trail in your house with Lysol, but you need to get right on them and I still wipe up with a paper towel. But the bait has to get carried back to the nest for it to get fed to the other ants and it may take a little bit to see the effect, but no awful smelling spray or harm to the pets. Lysol also works to spray directly on spiders, especially the ones that like to run from you before you can squish them or for girls who scream over them instead of smash them.
Well now past dinner - salad it is - and hopefully something accomplished today. We went to a movie in the middle of the afternoon so my husband could do yard work when cooler, but it cut into my sunshine time for me to stay awake at the computer and work. - by the way, Kingsman Golden Circle should be watched with caution - any queasy stomachs or issues with eliminating visual imprints from your mind should steer clear. Didn't have the same impress as the first movie but it was decent. - If you want more details Wikipedia has it!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Sep 23, 2017
Grannyofnine
Chipmunk - you can use Borax for ants. Check it out on Pinterest.
Sep 23, 2017
Chipmunk
Grannyofnine - Thanks for the info on Borax and ants, hopefully PacNWmom sees it as well.
Sep 23, 2017
Grannyofnine
Sep 23, 2017
Chipmunk
Grannyofnine, that is fine. I actually almost replied to Bigsky21. It wasn't meant as a correction, I just wanted PacNWmom to notice it. I personally don't do Pinterest. I spend more time on here than I should and would definitely never accomplish anything if on Pinterest, but there are a lot of neat ideas to be found there. You have a great night and enjoy your trip to PIR when the time comes.
Sep 23, 2017
ProudOfK
Just had a great skype session with our nuke - he is at the end of A school so going through ICE right now - so he is definitely being challenged. He seemed to kind of sail though the rest of it without breaking a sweat. Those of you with ETs that are further ahead in the process will understand.
And just got his flight booked for his first trip home since he left for boot camp - yeah!
PacNWmom - I feel your pain with the ants. I have often said that I think Tri Cities was built on one giant ant hill. We had a really bad problem in our kitchen a few years ago.
We read that if you mixed Borax with honey that would get them because the honey would attract them and the Borax would kill them. Apparently our ants were say to smart for that - they managed to eat all the honey and leave the Borax sitting there even though it was all mixed together. We also tried other inside traps and none of it worked for us.
What finally solved it and we haven't had problem since, is those ant 'hotels' I think their called. There little traps that you stick in the ground around the outside of the house - the trap part is above ground but it's all enclosed so pets can't get to the poison part. As long as we keep some of these outside we have no problem with ants inside. Good luck - hope you win.
Sep 23, 2017
Erin
Sep 23, 2017
Glenni
Sep 23, 2017
Chipmunk
ProudOfK - that is funny, I don't recall having any problems with ants when we were in the Tri Cities. It might have been that we were in an apartment and they probably sprayed outside. I know they come in around the water entrances to the house as well. I saw those outside traps when I Googled to make sure I had the name correct for PacNWmom.
I gather your son is ET. Mine is just starting. So what is ICE? so I know what to expect. I assume that is the final testing for A school. He just gave me the ombudsman information yesterday, now I have to figure out what/ when I use that.
Erin - I will try the peppermint oil another time as well. I have plenty for baking, can you use that kind or does it have to be an essential oil type?
Time to get ready for church - enjoy your Sunday, hope some of our new moms got letters or calls from their recruits this weekend.
Sep 24, 2017
ProudOfK
Chipmunk - yes my son is an ET. ICE is their last class in A school - about the last 5 weeks and by far the hardest one.
Interesting that you mentioned ombudsmen information. Our son never mentioned that. I may need to ask him.
Sep 24, 2017