NUKE moms

Thanks B'sNuke Mom & Nancy Jo!  It sure was a nice surprise for me :).

Grannyofnine, I'm sorry that your Nuke seems down.  My Nuke tells me that all Nukes (including herself) are introverted nerds and it takes a lot to bring them out of their shells.  She would go down to the common area and play video games or watch Harry Potter movies with the rest of the gang.  That really seemed to perk her up!  I'm sure once he gets into class he'll come around.  Hugs to you, I'll keep him in my prayers in the meantime.

Grannyofnine - is your grandson an ET, MM, or EM? My son just started school today too - ET. Maybe they will meet. My son says that he isn't friends with any of his classmates but he has found a couple of people to hang with from other classes. Takes time. They're still figuring out who they are.

ProudNavyMomma - my son just started real classes today too for ET.  Wonder if they are in the same one?

Grannyofnine and ProudNavyMomma, what class number are your Sailors? My ET son, class 1807, told me last week he thought he was going to start class this Wednesday...but maybe he started today? I'm hoping he does start this week, he said he was getting bored :(

And Grannyofnine try not to worry - my son was never social in high school and I was worried about him being alone and being able to meet people, but he has found a group he likes to hang out with and really seems to be settling in. Your grandson will find his place, give him time.

Pretty cool - Gary Sinise was named the 2018 Rose Parade Grand Marshal.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/gary-sinise-named-2018-rose...

Ladies - I find it interesting as we are talking about our sailors getting to know each other or haven't meet people yet. My ET has been encouraged by his fellow BEQ mates and a few others to make sure he is socializing, such that he has a set time on Saturday's from 12 - 4 pm in the Nautilus Lounge I think, that he is to come play games and such with them. I told him that was fine, but it was also okay for him to tell them that is the best time for him to call home or for him to get on Skype with his little brother who I think is suffering withdrawals and homesickness for his big brother, more than the other way around. Mine is class 1801 for those that I haven't friended yet.

I do think once they get into the actual routine of classes and studying that it helps, but it is still important for them to take a break and make friendships, so the best clues are listening to your sailors when they call and talk to you. Don't be shy to continue to ask or seek help for them if you think they need it.

Grannyofnine, missing the girlfriend could be a large part of it. Hopefully, getting into a class routine will help.

Grannyofnine, my ET son is in the same class as your grandson.  When was his PIR/Division.  Maybe they know each other??

NNLori - I had to chuckle today when I read your comment about ETs having the lowest scores in PT.  My son is an ET and honestly I was far more worried (like nail biting worried) about him passing the final PFA at boot camp than I was about him passing A school COMP. 

And then the last few weeks of A school the ETs (and apparently only the ETs) don't have PT during their ICE class. And then right after that my son was home for a week.  I did get him to go on a 6 mile hike on one of our hills with me but other than that I think he's had very little physical activity for the last 4 or 5 weeks.  Now he's back for T-track and I think PT is going to be a rude awakening.  I told him I hoped they have a few weeks of PT before they have an assessment so he has a chance to get back in shape.

So  I can attest that my son is in line with the statistics you heard.  :-)

jjckjj, Each room has a combination refrigerator/microwave. He will also have two week stand-down over the holidays.

jjckjj - my son picked up whatever they needed there - like a coffee mug, I think he may have picked up an iron.  I've found it best to check with my sailor before sending or getting anything for him as they also don't want anything extra.  Just makes it harder to be ready for inspections.  I would wait until your sailor is in GC and then check with them what might be helpful.

Grannyofnine - I feel for your grandson - and for you - I think sometimes we hurt for them more than they do.  But like others have said - I bet now that classes have started he'll start making some connections - and also won't have time to be bored.

And B'sNukeMom - I meant to comment on the picture of your husband and son at the game - wow do they ever look alike!  Nice pics!

Thanks Buzzbeck!  Hows your sailor doing?  

jjckjj, I agree it's best to wait until they get to GC to see what they want.  My daughter called me which I was on my way home from PIR with a list of items that she wanted.

Also, there is a two week stand down during the holidays but that doesn't mean that your sailor will have both weeks off.  They usually split them up in two groups and one group is off over Christmas the other over New Years.  It all depends on the needs of the Navy.

Proudofk- That is funny!! I'm guessing my son is the exception to the rule of ET Nukes. He is actually very athletic and plays many sports. Baseball (his favorite),basketball, he also golfs and bowls. He played soccer when he was much younger. He loves anything with a ball. Don't get me wrong, he has definitely enjoyed plenty of time as a couch potato as well!! I guess they will figure out the balance in order to pass their PFA's as required. 

Rebecca J that sounds perfectly normal to me.  Our Nukes prototype grad date seemed to be a moving target.  It ended up happening on the day they'd scheduled, but not all the Nukes were qualified.  They walked then had to go back to finish classes.  I made reservations at a hotel where I could change my reservation without penalty.

MoMom - Congratulations!!! 

MoMom - do you have one at GC, one in BC, and one in HS?

I sent a friend request, feel free to reply there if you prefer. I just noticed you had also mentioned missing your 3 week call from son in boot camp.

Does anyone have any advice for all the stress the nukes are under?  Mine seems to be getting more and more discouraged.  His roommate has been in trouble for being late a couple of times.  I try and tell him to keep a positive mind set and just do what he's there for, but it doesn't seem to make much difference.

Rebecca J, my daughter took her oral exam at 2:30 am the day before graduation.  We got a call from her while we were driving down to GC.  Don't worry, he's come this far so I'm sure he'll have no problem with the last little bit.

mjnavynukemom, you're doing the right thing by supporting him, but ultimately only he can decide what attitude to have.  My daughter said she frequently felt pulled down by those with negative attitudes.  She said she just focused on what she was doing and tried to ignore the others.  I know that must be hard but she knew she had to work for what she wanted and put her head down.  Encourage your son to find friends with positive attitudes.  Easier said than done, I know, but it will probably  help.

NNLori-Garbage collector!  I would guess it makes them really happy to be in school.  My sailor said Indoc told him it would be 3 weeks to class start.  He knows he will have "jobs" in the meantime!   My sailor is a runner and swimmer.  He was surprised to find out the pool is only open in the summer months.  He will actually enjoy the running.  That is a stress reliever for him.  He is a very social guy and it would make him crazy to be in his room.  They are all so different!  

mjnavynukemom: We've had our share of upset phone calls from DaughterNuke.  We're not a military family, so we don't have access to information about the Navy beyond this GREAT blog!  But a Navy officer we met by chance said, "Remember, the Navy wants her there, but they're going to put up every possible obstacle in training.  But overall, they WANT these kids to succeed.  It’s called "A school" because it's school--they don’t expect them to know everything at this point."  That helped put it into perspective, and now we remind our daughter that she doesn't have to be perfect.  It's the attitude to not being perfect, the "get back on the horse" thing, that seems to matter most.

Good Morning NUKE family

Happy Tuesday!!

3 days until my son's PIR. I am ready for him to be at A school.

I am excited, proud and a lot of other emotions.

Thank you Rebecca J I am very proud of all of our sailors. I also have a ABH (aviation) and I was a little down. He said "Mom, if anyone says something about me and brother going to the military remind them only 1% of the U.S. People can do what we do." OMG I was in tears. Now I tell ppl just that. Makes me proud it really does.

I'm proud of all our sailors and I'm proud of us moms too. We raised them, after all. :^D  I didn't know much about the military either beyond that my SIL was a vet. But he's quiet and doesn't really talk about it. This blog changed my life all those years ago. BTW my nuke doesn't talk much about it either.

My son is on the Carl Vinson which was the first ship sent to the waters off Korea when that flared up this spring. After he was home from the deployment we were talking ship movements and I said it  didn't seem right that a certain ship was being sent again to the coast of Korea that had been there when he was there. I thought they needed to be home for a while and let somebody else do that. He told me that all those underways the ships go on serve a purpose and if the CV was called to go that day they were battle ready. Yup, he's one of the 1%. Sure, I want him home and safe but boy am I proud of him. Heads up, Mamas. Our sons and daughters are making a difference in the world.

SailorsLIMom:  I guess I'm just afraid for him. I worry that all the stress may cause him to assume he is going to fail before it even happens.  I worry that the fear is breeding a lot of negative self-talk and he is causing himself more stress than he needs to be.  I do feel like they are making every effort to keep him in the program because they see potential in him.  I'm just a worried Mother like the rest of us. :/

mjnavynukemom - my son called me some weeks back in tears. He was second guessing himself. I was crying too. I guess they all go through it. I do know my son was like your son. I was so worried I called his brother the ABH and I cried to him. I was so worried he was going to fail because he had a result before things even happened. Before I found this beautiful group of people I was trying to handle it like if he was at home and that was not working. Then I read someone on here saying to write to them send encouraging words. I started writing sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. So for about 4 weeks he got like a thousand letters. When he got a chance to call he was like "Ok Mom, I'm good" And "thank you I really needed that" mjnavynukemom  think of something that might brighten his day and put it writing. I think everything that gives them a little piece of home helps a lot. Oh yeah I can't draw but I made drawings and added that too. Me and this son are very corny so I knew he would love that.

mjnavynukemom.....so this is the balancing act where you have to keep reminding him that the Navy wouldn't have put him in the program if they didn't think he could make it.  It's difficult when there is a high fallout rate, but to even get to this position means your sailor passed a lot of hurdles.  As long as he is trying his best at all times he will make it through.

Yes, I know what you mean--I still wonder if maybe, maybe if it gets too tough, I can just go down there and gently explain to the Navy how to treat my daughter...but I have a feeling they wouldn't really listen...;) lol

My son is at boot camp now - Thank you God!- and should graduate the friday before stand down.  Assuming that he heads to Goose Creek following graduation and isn't stuck in Chicago over christmas, what does that look like for him?  Will he actually get to leave the base or have anything special over christmas?

Hi all - Happy Tuesday!

I think the main thing is to keep encouraging your sailor and most of all remind them that no matter what happens it isn't the end of the world. Being a nuke isn't for everyone and that is ok.  They'll have good days and bad days but there is always tomorrow.  Often times they just need to vent their frustrations and that's what we are good for.

Erin - double check & make sure she can have the diffuser & essential oils in her room.  I'm not sure about regulations and wouldn't want there to be a problem with room inspections.

Prototype graduation can be hit or miss.  B's was changed 3 times but finally did happen (his was in Ballston Spa).  We were lucky enough to make it and then he got a month's leave after. He had taken his orals about 3 weeks before graduation though so he spent a lot of time sitting around at the end.

MoMom - BZ to your son!

I just want to make sure everyone understands if you "send message to group" it will send the message to everyone in the group but it goes to the email address that you used when you signed up for N4M.  It doesn't go to your inbox on here.  You don't need to worry though that the sender sees your personal email address.  This is just how the website works.

**Edited to add - I don't know if you can respond directly to a group message either.  So it's best to post your message on our board here if you want a response.