NUKE moms

B'sNuke Mom, how's Marti doing today?  I thought about you all last night. 

Today is the 3rd anniversary of my daughter's Navy career.  It amazes me how quickly the time has flown.  Now I know that the 8 weeks of no contact at boot camp was nothing compared to a deployment, at least at boot camp I knew where she was.  In the last 3 years she's completed boot camp, got married to a fellow Nuke after A School, graduated from Prototype, bought a house, was flown out to and landed on her carrier, saw several new countries, completed a deployment (took her momma on a Tiger Cruise) and re-enlisted.  So much in so little time.  Now she's just a salty old sailor who is used to the routine.  The scariest part is that I usually understand her shorthand way of speaking and all those acronyms that she throws at me.  

New moms, enjoy your childs time at Goose Creek for that time will be over in a blink of an eye.

BTW she regrets this hair cut and her hair is long again :)

Oh JayDee you are so right. The time has just flown. I don't know what I would have done without my Sea Sisters here! My son went to MEPS May 12, 2010. In the 8 yrs since he got married, had 3 kids, went on 3 deployments visiting some awesome places, and lived on both coasts.  He went through reenlistments and scary deployments, every deployment saw some family crisis he couldn't deal with in person, and experienced the death of his dad. Some of his time has been rough but some has been great. But it has strengthened him and built him into a responsible man who values his family and his country. The navy has been very good for him. I'm so grateful.

TGIF, my friends! We made it through another week. Let's enjoy this 3-day weekend. Hooyah!

NancyJo isn't amazing to watch them grow and change.  I didn't realize how much she changed until I got looking and thinking back.

I'm headed to the doctor this afternoon for what I hope is my last appointment for my broken foot.  Hoping that he will let me come out of this walking cast and get back in to some shoes.  It's been a long three months :(

Hi all - Happy Friday!

I am so over this week lol.....Marti girl seems to be doing a little better so we are hopeful.  Hubby got his walking boot yesterday and will now spend 2 months in it - Man JayDee, I don't know how you've done it for 3 months!  Fingers crossed everything goes well for you today.  And wow, can't believe it's been 3 years for your daughter - BZ to her!

And 8+ years for your son NancyJo - he's accomplished so much and I know how proud you are!  BZ to him!

Time flying is an understatement.....I'm almost afraid to blink!

B (and C) started classes at MSU on Wednesday and my youngest starts his graduate program on Tuesday.  How can this be?!?  There's that whole time flying thing again lol!

Welcome to our newest member ~ Deanna!  Please be sure to read the ***NEW MEMBERS*** info up above and take a look at the Pages (14) to the right under the member profiles.  Lots of good info there.  And of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have.

B'sNukeMom, I'm not sure how all this happened and I'm still just 25! :P

Holy cow JayDee, 3 months!! Fingers crossed for you this afternoon...

I enjoy seeing everyone's memories of their kiddos growth over the years - it's been just a little over a year since my son left for BC and already what a difference in him! Can't wait to see what his future brings :) In the short term, thinking about him today as they are taking a test he said his whole class is not feeling very warm and fuzzy about - hoping they all pass! And then he's home for the long weekend :) :)

The memories are inspiring!

bigsky21 - I know our sons were in the same A School class.  Is your son in 1805-03 now for PS?  Mine has a big test today and he was very tired, stressed and feeling not very confident about it.  Hoping they all do well enough to pass.  Enjoy the long weekend with your son!

B'sNuke - positive thoughts for Marti

JayDee - hoping for good news this afternoon!

Happy RED Friday All :)

Pretty much sums things up right now.....lol

Hi KayCee, I'm not sure if they're in the same section or not, I'll have to ask...I'm at work, don't recall the number off-hand...but yes, he said his whole class was stressing about this one. They were going to do some group study, hopefully that helped!

My sailor made it through his comps is power school and was able to graduate last week! woo! what a relief for us all. He only had 5 days at home before leaving again and really only 2 business days to get things done before off again. He is even more grown up and even admitted that his dad may be right on a few things. (wow) just wish he had more time between training schools. Just so hard to deal with these short visits. We really enjoyed visiting him in SC and will miss Charleston.  Got to toughen up though and be a good navy mom I guess. So glad to be able to have this community.  NMH

Another new member ~ Welcome to Erica!  Be sure to read the ***NEW MEMBERS*** info up above and of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have.

I found the files posted to be so helpful! Thank you!

workingatit - BZ to your son!  Is he staying in GC for prototype or is he one of the last groups heading to BS?

Erica - It's a lot of info to process but glad you are finding it helpful ;-D

Have a good weekend!

B'sNukeMoM - his is one of the groups to BS so some extra effort there. I do not know how much longer they are keeping that training there. But at least his groups of friends is with him. 

My MM is starting On Crew tomorrow. He's on days this week. It's so hard to get answers out of him without asking so many questions he loses the will to answer anymore. Does anyone have a sailor on the same schedule or at least one that has given you more info that you can share? I have gleaned a lot of info from the FB group's old posts. Any other fresh info/advice?

My is MM on TTrack, he does not tell much. He called friday morning @815,just came off his shift and went to Dentist. He said 12 on 12 off. It not easy getting any answers. Are they teaching them that, or are they so busy they dont want to talk. Mine was a talker his WHOLE LIFE

pandalvr - It must be the Navy teachings, which is fine, but takes some getting used to. Growing up, you couldn't get my son to stop talking, even in his sleep. Before he spoke English, he would jabber at me in his own language. I said, "you don't say" so much that one day he just shouted, "I do say, I do say!" The most I've gotten out of him recently was because he had a flat tire and nothing to do while waiting for the tow truck. So we texted about the ants he was watching and he sent me videos of their antics. The most fun I've had with him in a while! Almost like a normal convo where he didn't get impatient with me. <3 I miss my silly boy who always wanted to talk my ear off, but so proud of who he's becoming.

WonderGeekWoman & pandalvr - I am sorry to hear that your sons are not communicating with you. I don't know if it is an age thing, or the stage they are in at NNPTC, but I don't know that it is a Navy thing teaching them not to communicate, unless they picked that up from BC. 

My son had a test on Friday, and he called me Thur night, because his instructor had actually told him to go home call your family and then get to bed. Maybe he said that to my son, because he knows he talks to us a lot, but I would rather believe he was encouraging my son to stay in communication with us. 

I am sure there are a lot of various factors. When my son was in T-Track, sometimes we talked but not as much as in PS. He called his dad tonight and told him, he was lonely and watching You Tube, so figured he would call. 

Lots of different factors with which ones of our kids communicated to us and which ones don't. 

I hope you hear from them soon. 

As Mr. Buzzbeck has said before, Nukes don't talk. I don't think it's a NAVY plot. Thanks to JayDee, we now know it's because they are being mythical beasts.

Sooo...how many of your Nukes are the first born, oldest child? I find the first born to be the most organised, intense, introverted and their own worst critic...:))) Also, first borns tend to be the smarter bear. That being said, the first born is such a wonderful baby, that you decide to have another one...and BOOM...welcome to reality!!!  The second is like a bull in a china shop...mini tornado, a small keg of dynamite, could fall off a building and would think its funny and so, so LOUD!!!  He is also the one that will steal your heart.  That being said, being  a Nuke is the best kind of private club for these kids, as this square kid finally fits in the round hole...:)))) and loves his younger, louder brother,  to the moon and back.

Buzzbeck - LOL!

Johanna - Of my 5 children, my Nuke is #4 but the oldest brother. He and sibling #2 also sister #2 are the "engineer minded" who follow after their father. The others are the "creative minded" who all follow more closely after me. But your description of first and second born, fit my first 2 almost to a tee - at least until #3 came along then we realized how alike and how different all of our children are. Glad your son is finding the square hole that he fits into well!!

For those new to the site - if you go to my discussion above Nuke A school daily schedule - sailor's perspective, I have a brief comment there, I think about T-Track and how that works as well. My talkative Nuke helped me write this, the discussion has more information than what is in the page (of the same name) to the right. 

Mine is an only child. So how my heart hurts. I know when he was in college, he came home almost every 2 1/2 and entire summer. This was a culture shock for us. Right  now its not easy and find myself tearing up a lot. I cant help it. 

pandalvr - Yes, this must be a very difficult time for you. Having an only child away from the home when you are use to them being nearby and able to call you.
I will say that T-Track was a big adjustment for my son. First they do 12/12 then I think it is 24 / 48 but even in their off days, they still had to muster, and do PT, I believe.
When your son starts Prototype he will be back on a consistent schedule again, and I find that reaching my son anywhere between 4:45/5:00 pm EST - later is a good time for me to try to call him - on Friday. I don't recall when they go to the Galley, that might be about 5 pm. But they are done with class then and they have the weekend "off" sort of. It depends on duty day schedules and what time they put in at the Rickover for studying on the weekend. Otherwise, during the week, I leave him be. I might text or email a short msg, but otherwise, I let him call me M-Th.

Johanna  my Nuke is my youngest  I have 2 daughters and the oldest is finishing her PhD in chemistry at VT, not an easy school.

Buzzbeck, I'm glad you like the imagery, I think it is accurate. 

All kidding aside  your Nuke probably should not be giving you a lot of detail. Remember that security clearance they had to get? It's for a reason. They're not supposed to be talking about what they do. If your Nuke is giving you lots of detail it could be a problem. I get a lot of "we were doing this thing and my chief gave me the thing to use on that other thing". 

My Nuke is my first born and has always been mature and organized, always looking out for his little sister. I just left him at the airport, we had a wonderful visit. My guy has always been kinda quiet, getting him to talk was like pulling teeth. The Navy has really brought him out of his shell. We had great conversations the whole visit. I heard about his friends and the pride he has with his grades. I miss him but know he is where he belongs.

NickSydmom - so glad you were able to visit with your sailor!  Your son's conversations sound like my son's.  I bet your son was giving his little sister some pointers!!

LOL Joanna  My nuke is the first born,,,by one minute. he is quiet but he gets along well with others. He does call me more than the other one. The second born has red hair and that is what I always blamed for the "bull in a china shop" thing. He is a texter.  He will text for hours. His record was 7 hours. 

I am going to go to Hawaii soon to see my nuke return from deployment. This is his last one with the navy. He plans to leave the navy next year and possibly switch to Air Force. 

PS. So he will switch from under the sea to into the air. 

Chipmunk, my daughter left for boot camp last Wednesday. Nick was giving her lots of boot camp tips the week heading up to her departure. Him being home made her leaving a little easier, but now that he’s back at school the worrying is back.

NickSydmom - Wow! I was thinking your daughter still had more school, but I guess that was last year, time flew and I lost track. Navy Hugs!!

CO-Twin, wow, that's a big change for your son. This will be a special trip for you. I think I recall you went there last year, where do you stay? I am trying to plan a visit there soon. 

CO-Twin....My Nuke is a red head,  as is his son!!! If my youngest had the red hair, we would have been in even bigger trouble!!!!

Hi all-looking for care package ideas. The link in the care package discussion group isn’t secure. What size bed do they have in A school? I heard a pillow topper is helpful. Any other ideas? Thanks!!

Hi all - Happy Tuesday!

Nursemom - there is a discussion up above "A Sailors Needs for A School".  I went ahead and bumped it.  There's some outdated info but there's also some new info.  Take a look at that and you should get some ideas.  What do you mean that the link isn't secure in the care package group?  I'll try to find another link for you.

Here's a link for care packages but it's more for when they are deployed - it does have some suggestions that would still be good though:

https://militarybenefits.info/tips-for-sending-care-packages-to-the...

Nursemom - I fixed the link in the Care Package discussion up above and bumped it.

workingatit - my son loved BS!  And we were fortunate enough to visit there twice - really enjoyed it.

The BS group isn't real active but here's the link to it - you might find some helpful info:

http://navyformoms.ning.com/group/momsdadsfamilieswithnukesinballst...

BlancheMarie, I do not know where to get that but if you find it let me know!

Welcome to our newest member ~ sharonmomofzach!  Please be sure to read the ***NEW MEMBERS*** info at the top of the page and take a look at the Pages (14) to the right under the member profiles (hit "view all").  Lots of good info there.  And of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have!

If anyone has a son graduating PS mid-October who is still looking for housing and a possible roommate, please PM me, or friend me first. I spoke to my son this weekend and he is now fairly confident that he is staying in GC, because they had enough volunteers for BS. But he is now looking for roommate / s - to share an apartment and looking for apartments. 

Thanks!

Welcome to all the newcomers!

NickSydmom - is your daughter going through Nuke school too? Our son just got to GC on the 25th of August. Our youngest daughter is in her senior year of high school and has been considering joining up as well (not as a Nuke). After hearing her brother's boot camp experience, I think she's about 95% certain that she wants to go through. I don't know why, but I'm feeling more nervous about her going through than I was her brother. I don't think it's a bad choice for her, at all, but I'm just not sure I will handle her going through as well as I did my son. My thoughts are with you!!

Johanna, my Nuke is my middle child. He is exactly as you describe an oldest child to be. My oldest child is completely the opposite. She has zero motivation, and expects everyone to do everything for her. And I did NOT raise her that way. After she graduated high school she left our house the very next day to go live with her dad. She hated that my husband and I had any rules or expectations of responsibility from her, so she went were she would be treated like a princess. Unfortunately, despite warnings to my ex about her behaviors (and telling him he would need to keep pressure on her to be responsible for her behaviors), he indulged her and now he and his new wife are trying to make corrective changes four years later. It's not going well for them. She's 22 and her emotional and mental maturity is around 14. My middle child (the Nuke) is light years beyond her maturity wise, as is my youngest daughter who is 17 (and who is also considering joining the Navy).  The younger two watched and learned how life is going for their older sister and they want none of it. 

Thanks, B’snukemom! Care package is ready to go except I don’t have his addrsss! I lost my phone with contacts so I’m starting over :( I texted him but it could be days until I hear back. Does anyone know how I send something to him at GC? Thank you!!

Nursemom - This information can be found on the Nuke FAQ group but you have to scroll through and then open a Word Document to get to it.

MM & EM are Firemen so:
FN Last, First MI
Class # Indoc (then #### - A, B, or M, if I recall correctly for A school)
101 NNPTC Cir.
Goose Creek, SC 29445

If ET they are Seaman so:
SN Last, First MI
Class # Indoc (then #### - T, if I recall correctly for A School)
101 NNPTC Cir.
Goose Creek, SC 29445

As I recall, my son said that when he went from INDOC and classed up, if I didn't recall his new class # that I could have just put INDOC. I would get tracking and send that # to your son as well as exactly how you addressed the pkg. He will have to go pick up the pkg. so I tried to mail boxes to arrive on Thur or Friday so it was easier to pick up Friday after class or on Sat before noon.

Also, once they graduate A school and are in T-Track, you substitute the Class # for T-Track and their rank designation changes, usually. Then for Power School, they will have another class # - section #.

And, you can just use the NNPTC Cir. abbreviation. The USPS recognizes that, you don't have to write it all out.

Havasu, my daughter is going as a hospital corpsman. I’m definitely more nervous about her. My brain tells me she is a smart confident capable young woman, but my heart worries for my baby.