NUKE moms

Welcome to our newest member ~ Julie!  Please be sure to read the ***NEW MEMBERS*** section up above, and of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have!

DannysDad - we're from CA so we don't get anywhere near the humidity that SC gets.  It took some adjustment for B - I don't think he ever really got used to it and he was so happy to go to NY for prototype.  Even though there was snow in NY he enjoyed it much better than SC.  And then he went to VA so back to those humid summers lol!  And now off to MI where he'll get to enjoy some really fun winters lol.

Just a note on Ballston Spa vs. Goose Creek...we found out at my son's A school grad Friday that their class will be the first to get the new reactor - the sailor's didn't even know ahead of time, it was news to them as well!! Anyway, I asked my son when he would find out whether he'd be staying in Charleston for proto or going to BS, and he said they are shutting down BS because GC will be the only location to have the new reactor. Just a little FYI....

@BigSky - do you know if that means all future Proto will stay in GC?

@B - I'm hoping my son is always in warmer climates.  It will make visiting him much more pleasant!  Maybe he gets stationed in Hawaii.  Marries a local girl and stays there.  I can visit frequently and play with the grand kids.  .... shhhh! don't say anything.  Just let me dream.

Chipmunk my son spent the last 5 years with a blackout curtain to keep the sun out of his bedroom.  During the summer I would once a week make him go spend an hour in the pool just so I could confirm he had not turned into a vampire.

I wonder how hot their work environment is.  For us it's not hot outdoors until it's over 100F.  The AC in our house is typically set at 80F during the summer (there it goes kicking in again).  But I grew up in Canada and remember back then 80F outdoors was oppressively hot.  These days 80F is just finally warm enough to be pleasant.  

DannysDad, I'm not sure when the cutoff will be, but my son is supposed to start power school July 5 so it sounds like all the classes from his on will be staying in GC....I haven't heard anything official, just what my son told me, so don't count on it yet :)

DannysDad - your son definitely sounds like sub life would be the life for him lol!  But either way, carrier or sub, as a nuke he won't see much daylight.  This is always one of my favorite's:

I was also hoping B would stay in warmer climates but that didn't work - he met a fellow nuke from MI and now that's where he'll (they'll) be for the next couple of years.  Lucky for us when she visited CA for the first time a couple of Christmas's ago she fell in love with our weather and they do plan on coming back to CA at some point.  I just have to patiently wait for that time to come.  (And I'd really like grandbabies  - B is going to be 29 next month!)  Lucky for us our youngest is still in CA and his GF is also from here and she doesn't want to go too far from her family.....(so I won't tell if you don't tell!)

bwaahaaahaa B'sNuke, I think that is one of my favorite graphics. Also, such good news on B. He will be living where I spent the first 13 yrs of wedded life. So beautiful and while they get snow, it's not as cold. Lake effect is not just snow but temp as well. But I am with you on eventually getting that boy closer to home. Babies do love their grannies!

Also, my son is home for a few more days (yippee!) and has actually started talking about taking classes while he is in GC. Huzzah! B'sNuke, he was talking about Old Dominion and I just keep thinking of you. He is getting good counsel on all that from my daughter and her ex-nuke husband. Both are nuclear engineers. My son is leaning toward mechanical engineer.

DannysDad, my son also said "no way" to subs. He may have worked deep in the belly of the boat, but the top of his vessel always saw sunlight. Those nukes always have water bottles nearby because it gets really hot. But that's also why a lot of them like the flavoring you can add to water when they get pkgs from home. Desalinated water doesn't always taste so great although when you are really thirsty it will do.

I was off-site for awhile and have tried to catch up. Just too much to comment on. Bravo zulu to all new grads and their proud parents. Love the pics. Hooyah!

bigsky21 - it was nice to meet you, your husband and your sailor at A school graduation.  Thank you for taking the photo below! (I think it's okay for this, right? No names are visible)

My son was also very surprised to learn during the graduation speech that they will be the first class (the guinea pigs) for the new training.

When it gets to that point... my son has volunteered for sub duty.  Not sure why, he doesn't do well with heat and humidity.  Should be interesting for him this summer in GC.

KayCee, it was nice to meet you too! That's a great pic of you two - and it's fine since you can't see the name :)

Congrats to all the new grads. :)

KayCee, what an awesome pic! Congrats! What a handsome lad. I'm sure we all have noticed how handsome (and beautiful as the case may be) our sailors look in uniform. ;D Mama looks very pretty too.

As far as subs go, not all sailors have the make-up for subs and if your son wasn't suited the navy would figure it out. Sub moms here could speak to this better (my son was surface) but I wouldn't worry about that. The Navy doesn't want them not coping when they are underway. I bet he'll be fine.

I think mine has had it in his head to be on a sub from the beginning.  As long as he passes the tests to be on one (I think there is some sort of physical dive/surfacing test) I suspect that's where he'll be in part by choice and mostly due to supply and demand with so many subs in the fleet.

I love those flavorings for water.  Personally I notice that they work better with some rum or vodka added!  

DannysDad, I do believe you fit right in with this group.  :D

jjckjj - I am not exactly sure. I know there was one in my son's A school that didn't pass his dash for cash, but I never pushed him for more details and I am not sure he knew exactly. Hopefully, someone that has experienced the same thing will chime in with further information for you. - Hugs!

 It's an exciting morning. I have lot to do before I leave but my daughter and I are leaving this afternoon to start our trip to Goose Creek for my son's graduation from A school!! I has been a stressful last couple of weeks but it's finally here. I can't wait to get down there and give him a hug! I haven't seen him since January!! I've got lots to do so I can't chat long but I have caught up on all the comments below. 

PattiP - I'm so glad to hear things are finally starting to fall into place. I would have been extremely frustrated as well by that situation. It seems no one wanted to fix the issue. All it takes is the right person who can get things done!! I'm so glad you finally found that person. 

Also, I was following the situation with the new reactor. I had heard from my son that there was a possibility that they would be shutting down both reactors to replace them. There was talk about sending them to a local college while they waited for the reactors to be upgraded. So, is there confirmation now that there will be a new reactor in GC that will be ready by the time they graduate Power School???? I've been wondering what was going to happen so just trying to get the latest scoop. Will there be a delay for some due to only having one reactor as opposed to two? Just curious. 

Well ladies I'm off!! Got lots to do before I pull out! Have a great Memorial Day weekend. I'll read the posts on my phone but I won't have my computer so I won't be able to respond!! 

I'm looking forward to meeting anyone who will be down there on Friday for graduation!! :)) I will be the one crying like a crazy person juggling a camera and a phone and taking way too many pictures. LOL!!

Does anyone know what a casualty watch is during prototype?

Also congrats to all the sailors about to graduate this week!

Its a huge accomplishment for the sailors and their families.

Bravo Zulu

NNLori - Congratulations to your son!!!  Glad to hear the good news. Safe travels.

NancyJo - thank you and enjoy every moment with your son for a couple more days :)

NNLori - have a safe trip and Congratulations to you and your son!  Enjoy A school graduation.  Your son will most likely be in PS with mine.

PattiP - hope all goes smoothly now and best wishes that he can find a great job soon.

Happy Wednesday everyone!!

I asked my son about the new reactor on GC and he said he will be on the old one, and will probably be the last crew assigned to it before it is taken down. So ultimately they will have 2 new ones.

Is the new reactor simply a new one or is it a different one?  I was under the impression that they Navy ran the same technology all on the nuclear vessels.  

The science is the same but each plant is a little different. My son was happy with being assigned to the Carl Vinson because of the kind of plant they had.

Tom,

Thank you. My son tried to explain but I wasn't completely following. You helped quite a bit.    So much to learn and I'm not even in training!

Remember today marks the start of Fleet Week!

http://militarynews.com/app/fleetweeknewyork/faqs.html

Hi all - Happy Wednesday!  B made it to MI so he is a happy camper ~ now on to the next phase of life for him ;-D

DannysDad - mmmmm yes, rum or vodka sounds great in the drinks - either would go well with the Mios water!

KayCee - beautiful picture!!!!  That's definitely one to frame <3

NancyJo - glad you still have the family home for a few more days - have you had the memorial already?

Patti - All I can say is FINALLY!!!! Thank goodness for the Ombudsman - the whole situation is rather embarrassing for the command on his ship.  SMH  Now he can move on to the next adventure!

NNLori - woohoo -  enjoy A school grad on Friday!  Have fun exploring Charleston and be sure to get lots of hugs!

And congrats to all the grads on Friday!

2 new members!  Welcome to andsant89 and Labtech1.

Please be sure to read the ***NEW MEMBERS*** info at the top of the page, and of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Yes, B'sNuke, we had the memorial on May 15. I don't know how his wife felt about it. As the mother of the kids, I had a large part in the planning, and I was mentioned by the priest at the memorial service as one of the family. But we had been married for 23 yrs and the kids leaned on me quite a bit. Oh well.

A neat thing was that all the kids rented an airbnb house that was fantastic. 5 BR, I think I counted 4 baths, heated pool, swingset, 2 kitchens. They spent 4 days reminiscing, playing games, eating, and laughing. Very healing. My sailor has had a very good visit at home. They are leaving Monday for GC.

PattiP, I'm so glad your son got all his stuff in order. What an ordeal! Keep us posted on where he lands, job-wise.

BTW, DannysDad, you can google navy nuclear reactors and get a ton of info. 

jjckjj, I asked my son about what happens if a sailor doesn’t pass the dash for cash and said they just don’t make petty officer with the accompanying increase of pay. They have another opportunity to promote, he thinks after Power School.

NancyJo - I'll bet it was a beautiful memorial service and it's nice that you were able to be a part of the planning.  I'm sure that meant a lot to your kids <3  The airbnb sounds awesome and what a great way for all the kids to be together.  I'm sure it was definitely good for all of them - like you said, very healing.  Hugs to you my friend as you say your "see you later's" to your son and DIL and the grandlittles.

YES. There are angels hovering around GC.  I had made a request for a graduation program for class 180 Power School.  Today I received in a golden envelope postmarked as far away as you can get from Disney World magic kingdom that contained a Program.

Thank You  so much!!!

Sgtsixpack - glad you got a program - yes indeed, angels are watching over us ;-D

Here is what I have heard about the new reactor in GC: it is still being prepared at another base, and was due to be in GC a while back but the preparations are not finished. No word on when it is expected.

Sgtsixpack - so glad to hear it got there!  Sorry I was a little slow in getting it mailed.  Yes we are just about as far away as one can be from where you are - at least in the lower 48. 

And congrats to those having A school graduations Friday!

PattiP - glad to hear things are getting resolved. 

I was going to comment on the references to GC being swampy.  I believe that is why my son really did not take a liking to the Charleston area at all - he's now at BS.  I was teasing him the other day that I was figuring out that when he gets out of the navy I think the chance is pretty much 0% that he is going to go job hunting in Charleston.  I on the other hand loved Charleston - of course I was only there a 3 times and always as a tourist and never in the middle of the extremely hot and humid summer - that could have something to do with it.

Hi all - Happy Almost Friday!

ProudOfK - we only visited GC in April and the weather was nice. (I thought it was a little on the cool side but definitely much better than their hot/humid summers!)  And thank you for sending the program to Sgtsixpack!

Haha - no surprise on the delays for the reactor.

Welcome to our newest members ~ Noabre2025 and 8462marie.  Please be sure to read the ***NEW MEMBERS*** section up above, and of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have.

I am so blessed to be within driving distance to Goose Creek. Our boy is going to make a quick trip home for the holiday weekend and is bringing three Nukes along! I am so excited to see him and host his friends. We have met them before and they are all wonderful young men. Looking forward to a wonderful visit! 

Ahhhh Nukelukesmom - lucky you and lucky Sailors!  I'm sure they (and you) will have a wonderful weekend.  Be sure to get lots of hugs ;-D

Welcome to our newest member ~ A'sNavyMom!

Please be sure to read the ***NEW MEMBERS*** info at the top of the page.  And of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have!

Hey everyone - don't forget to wear your RED tomorrow!

Mooooo! Love the cow, B!

Regarding my garden, I planted strawberries and potatoes in early May. Everything else has to wait for warmer weather. 

Got my red shirt laid out for tomorrow!

We veterans all know how B'sNuke loves her cows. LOL This one has no tongue...

Hi all - Happy RED shirt Friday!

Yep, love me some cows lol!

Buzzbeck - sounds like a good start on the garden!

Getting ready for vacation - we leave tomorrow.  This about sums it up (click on the picture to make it bigger/easier to read).

Have a great time on vacation, B'sNuke! Will you be gone all next week?

NancyJo - yes, Saturday to Saturday - heading to Sundance, Utah.  Can't wait - this is our first time there so not sure what to expect but looking forward to some much needed R&R.  Hubby & I and youngest & his GF.  I'll be checking in here every day but it's not as easy to post from my phone - I'll do my best though!  I trust you all will hold down the fort lol!

So wonderful! We'll try to carry on without you but it won't be the same. Have a great time!

Just heard from our sailor who's heading back to BS after a quick trip to fleet week in NYC. He said Times Square was crazy people would come up and ask for pictures with us and they were from all over the world. I just thought I'd remind everyone that these young sailors are having such memorable life experiences!

Visiting friends in Brooklyn and popped over to Little Italy for lunch. Had my Proud Navy Mom t shirt on and found three Sailors having lunch and managed to treat them. They were all smiles...)))) Love those Sailor boys!

Johanna. ..that is so sweet. Someone did that for my sailor when he was at GC..it meant so much to him.

I am.so fortunate to get to see my sailor this weekend.  Heading to New London. Somehow he managed to.have the weekend off. We are so excited. Love our sailors . Their sacrifice and dedication is just so amazing.  I'm proud of every one of them!

Have a  good Memorial day weekend everyone.