NUKE moms

A place to come for support and guidance for anyone with a loved one in the nuke program ⚓️.

Weather - Charleston

Load Previous Comments
  • Anmarie

  • Anmarie

    I am curious how different their life/job is on a carrier VS a submarine.  I know sub sailors get more pay. 

  • Jana

    On a Carrier you are paid 40 hrs a week. If you are on a Sub, it's usually for 3 months. You get paid for everyday your under the water. 

  • Jana

    How smart was your Recruit in High School!

  • Phyllis

    Tracie my son is older also and he is on a sub. He would be great for your son to talk with.
  • 3B'smom

    Annmarie- Love the graphic!

  • JayDee659

    Jana, sub life is different to be sure.  My SIL is a Nuke on a sub.  The team is much closer since there are only 100 or so on a sub but they do have to hot rack and the quarters are cramped.  My son's sub was in dry dock the first year he was assigned to it and so he didn't get any actual sub experience for quite awhile.  They have to volunteer for sub and are evaluated before being assigned.

    As far as how smart these kids are in high school keep in mind that all these kids are intelligent enough to get a high score on their ASVAB.  If they didn't have good study habits in high school because everything came easily, they will get those study habits in the Navy.  Personally I dislike seeing "my kid is so intelligent" conversations on here.  We are all proud of our children and they all obviously did well on their ASVABS.  After that they are team mates and each others cheerleaders.  

    Anmarie, love the pic!  My mom worked in an aircraft engine factory during WWII, Rosie makes me think of her. :)

  • JayDee659

    Anmarie, a carrier offers more room but my daughter comes back looking as pale as my sub SIL.  She sees very little of the flight deck, she's busy and it's dangerous up there.  

    Last year the NFL pre-game show was done from the flight deck of her carrier.  She had duty that day and when she called me I asked her if all the commotion was a pain.  Her response was "what commotion".  She had no clue that all that went on.

  • NancyJo (NNPTC)

    I concur with JayDee on carrier life. When I did the Friends & Family cruise after their first deployment I wanted to go to the flight deck as we cruised out of the bay. My son hemmed and hawed and finally admitted he didn't know how to get up there. All  he ever saw the hangar bay for when they mustered, then the engine room area where they work and sleep. He also didn't want to ask someone who wasn't from his department. We waited until he saw someone he knew and followed them up. <sigh>

    My son worked 16 hr days on the carrier when they were deployed so I don't know about the 8 hr/day paycheck. When they are port it's different. I think everybody works hard when they're at sea whether they are sub or surface. Subs do get paid more though because the living conditions are tougher (hot racks, running silent, etc.) 

  • WearsLargeHats

    SailorsLIMom, when our son was on a 6 month WestPac deployment on a fast attack sub, he would call every few weeks when they did port calls, or stopped in Guam for supplies or repairs. He is soon to do his first outing on a missle boat. They work a bit differently -- there are two crews (blue and gold) that rotate, I think every 3 months. So the deployment is shorter, but they don't do port calls. We are hoping for an occasional email, but that's about it.

    I believe that, due to space considerations, all the enlisted females are on the Ohio-class SSBN and SSGN subs with blue/gold crews. The block 3 Virginia class and the new Columbia class are being built with mixed crews in mind.

  • NickSydmom

    Chipmunk my son’s graduation has been pushed back to October 26 also. Which is the same day my daughter graduates from boot camp. I’m really upset. I’m hoping they don’t change the date but I pretty sure they will. 

  • NickSydmom

    My son Thought about subs very briefly. I talked him out of it. He is a little over 6’4 he would have a permanent lump on his forehead.

  • Chipmunk

    NickSydmom - I am sooo sorry!! What is actually, hopefully going to be a blessing for me will not likely be so for you!! This week I will be running almost completely silent for the rest of the week probably, with loosing internet connection at the estate house (long story) but send me a PM to remind me and maybe we can figure out how to connect so I can hopefully get some pictures for you.

    LOL! - No wonder the recruiters were trying to push my son for subs, he is about a foot shorter than yours!

  • Chipmunk

    Regarding recruitment - smart /intelligent - studying - hours on duty,

    I would say the one thing that I am most disappointed in with the recruiters is that most of them are not Nukes. And even with my son being able to call and talk to Nuke people in Dallas that still was not an easy way to find out the questions that were of up most importance to my son. Primarily, how many hours a day would he be working. The answer he was given was far from the reality, especially as just shared here. 

    I believe this is one of the reasons our sailors start 2nd guessing themselves, because when the get to GC, especially if INDOC for long, they hear the stories and reality starts sinking in. I think we family members can paint a much better picture of esp. Nuke life for future recruits than most of the recruiters which is why our veteran family members on here are so helpful.

    Regarding smarts - All Nuke applicants have to have certain line scores on their ASVAB to be selected, but study habits are just as important. Even if your sailor had good study habits, the intensity and speed of the course work is honestly beyond even my comprehension, and there is a learning curve they must all go through. Even from one school to the next.  My son commented that if they had just an extra 40 hours for a leeway week during hurricane season, how much more he could learn in that week, because sometimes you need a little more processing time to get through all of the material and make it sink in. 

    ASVAB scores, are just the plumb line so to speak, there is a lot more that goes into being a NUKE and integrity is also a big factor, thus why they are so strict on them with certain things. When I found out how much we as a people through our government spends on training these sailors to be Nuke's, I am all the more in awe of what is required of our children and the commitment that they are making. 

    My son sent me his scores from his most recent test, but what he shared about more on the phone was that one of his female classmates who usually scores high had actually not done as well this time. It was an opportunity to discuss what other factors may have been involved for that lower test score. While he had done well on the test and was pleased with himself,  I was glad to hear that he was more concerned about his classmate and why she might not have done as well. They do start looking out for each other!!  As I read on Navy Dad's - one of the former instructor's said: Once you are on the fleet all that matters is that you passed Nuke school, not by how much, because everyone is part of the team.

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Hi all - Happy Monday!

    Lots of chatter going on - nice!  My son was on a carrier (Truman) - he didn't want anything to do with a sub lol!  His GF was on the Lincoln.  I'll be seeing them soon and I'm going to pick her brain about how many females were in her class when she went through the pipeline (about 8 years ago).  I'll report back what I find out!

    The main thing to remember is that to be on a sub a sailor must volunteer - they won't just put a sailor on a sub who hasn't requested it.  And even then there's no guarantee they'll get a sub assignment - more people volunteer than there are openings.

    AnMarie - Love the graphic ;-D

    Oh Chipmunk - you have a full plate right now.  Thinking of you my friend as you work your way through everything.  I can somewhat relate!

    NickSydMom - well that's a bummer about the graduations :(

    And yes, even on a carrier it's rare that the nukes see daylight!

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Welcome to our newest member ~ Jen!  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 (hit "view all").  And of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have!

  • NancyJo (NNPTC)

    Welcome aboard, Jen! No question or concern too small. We're here for each other.

    B'sNuke, that graphic never gets old. Bwaahahahaa I wonder what my co-workers think when I chuckle out loud? Oh well, who cares? They probably wouldn't get nuke mom humor anyway. ;D

    Hang in there, Chipmunk. You'll get there.

    NickSydMom, man, what are the odds? I'm so sorry! Maybe you can get photos from the event you miss. I missed A school grad and proto grad. Funds just insufficient for too much travel. I picked what I thought was most important to my sailor. 

  • Tulip

    Hi. Our son is on a sub. He is currently deployed. Last we heard from him was about 6-7 weeks ago. Not sure when they will surface and he’ll be able to send a note.  He was proactive and prepared bday cards for his dad and sister and me because he will be out for all 3 bdays. He had his GF send me a package with all 3 cards knowing i’d be able to to wait until my bday (last week, the first of the 3) to open my card and keep theirs hidden.  Made me cry but was so heartfelt that I cherish he even took the time to write it when he only had a few days between his underway and going back out for deployment.

    it is tough at times but I hold onto “no news is good news” and keep my phone handy even in meetings.

  • Tulip

    Not sure that 3 months is typical for sub deployments any longer. My son’s deployment will be longer than 5 months.

  • NickSydmom

    Tulip that is so sweet, that your boy thought of your birthdays in advance like that. 

  • Rebecca J

    Tulip...that is really so.thoughtful. My son will.be going out soon. What kind of things did you put in his 1/2 way box?

  • Johanna

    I just finished getting supplies for 100 single Sailor boxes...anything fun... gummi bears, Under Armor sox with Marvel Comic themes...Batman, Superman, Spiderman...zip race cars, nerf guns with extra ammo, mini pirate beach balls, (for my son, 4  pages of 8x11 paper covered with prints of pictures, takes up less room...:)) ), mini paddle balls, Ramon noodle packages, the yellow crackers with putter, t shirt jersey pillow case...:)))))

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Hi all - Happy Tuesday!

    Ah Tulip - that was so sweet of him to do!  And happy belated birthday to you ;-D

    Johanna - wow!  100 boxes - that's awesome!!!  You are going to make some sailors very happy <3

  • SubMom

    Tulip- happy belated birthday!!

    Johanna - what great ideas for goody boxes! I will try to remember this for our son and our niece (she’s Army but we still love her :)

    Chipmunk - our son was the same way about test scores in A school. He told us his class ranking when he graduated but added it was more important for the entire class to pass. Even when they were evacuated he was more concerned for the other sailors than himself.

    B’sNukeMoM- I hope you have a fantastic visit!!!

    To all who have posted about sub and carriers thank you. I know it will be a while before our son gets to that stage but it is nice to have a little insight.

  • SubMom


    JayDee659 - I got my shirt today - thank you so much for sharing the link!!!

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    SubMom - oh you know we'll have a good visit!  Heading to FL for a wedding that B is in on the 7th.  It's his best friend (and old roommate) from the Navy - his mom is on here but not really active much any more.  I can't wait ;-D Of course it's going to be a little difficult for hubby since he is still in the walking boot and using the scooter but that's ok - we'll make the best of it lol!

  • JayDee659

    Submom you're welcome. Wear with pride !

  • CO-TwinSalorsMom

    Good box fun, Target had a Mini Karaoke mic that attaches to a a cell phone. 

    I just returned from greeting my son's boat back from deployment. Such a fun time. I got to tour the boat and they let me play with the periscope. On my way in I flew over the boat coming in. I got a pic from my airplane.

  • CO-TwinSalorsMom

    There is a section of the navy that studies the ocean. They have a Pole cafe on base and use the Ahi that the navy catches. It was yummy.

  • CO-TwinSalorsMom

    Ops, darn spell check. 

    A poke (raw tuna dish) 

  • 3B'smom

    Boy #2 made it home last night. His BC experience was very different from Big Kid’s. I found some of the things he told me a bit disturbing. He said a chief in SEPS told him that things are not working right. He said the Navy is separating people that should be there and keeping some that really have no business staying.

    I did find out that he ran his 1st PFA with time to spare, despite the fact that he ran to the rr in the middle of it and threw up. Someone let the PO know that he had been sick, so he end up being dq’ed even though his time was good.

    I just have to be patient now as he makes some new life decisions. 

  • Chipmunk

    CO-Twin - What a wonderful time I am sure you had. So glad you were able to go!

    3B'smom - I empathize with you. I haven't been on BCMom's at all this last month, but I know comments are made that the recruits can go back and try again after about 6 mo. Many may decide not to do that though, if their experience is anything like your son's. That is hard. Thoughts for your family and son.

    Tomorrow is day 1 of the sale, thanks for all the encouragement I really appreciate it. I worked yesterday outside to get things ready for that area, and put all items up under the huge awning, covered with tarps, I hope it is okay. That section of the patio stays dry but the part near the wall on the other side likes to pool and hold the water!! Hopefully no rain tomorrow or we will be crowded with stuff in the house.  

    My son called me yesterday to say PS graduation was officially changed to Oct. 26.

  • Chipmunk

    I forgot, we are getting rain at this moment, thus the concern with the patio. My husband sprayed for mosquitos last night, he will likely have to do it again tonight.

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Hi all - Happy Wednesday!

    CoTwin - oh sounds like you had a fantastic time in Hawaii!  And how fun that you saw them coming in from the plane - what are the odds?!?  I'll bet the Poke Cafe was delicious!

    3B'smom - well I am sorry to hear about his BC experience.  It does make you wonder what their criteria is for separating sailors....I'm sure he'll re-group and figure something out.  No change he'll try again?

    Chipmunk - good luck with the sale and I hope the rain holds off for you!

  • BMTNurse

    Hi all. My son just got to GC last Saturday. I am planning to drive up there (I'm in Central Florida) Oct 5 weekend. I remember seeing all the posts about things to do, but that was a while ago. I really will only have a quick Friday night and Saturday to do anything, as I will need to drive back home on Sunday. And Saturday is my birthday, so I'd like to do something fun that my SN will enjoy, as well. Taking suggestions. Thanks

  • Jana

    How exciting! I heard it's Beautiful there. That's where my Daughter will be at the end of October! Have a great Birthday Celebration. 

  • Chipmunk

    BMTNurse - Just going into historic Charleston and having dinner in one of the restaurants down there is nice. If your son is into Pokémon Go, they have lots of spots to find down there. (sorry, I only slightly understand how it works). 

    Happy Almost Birthday. That reminds me I need to get something ready for my son's birthday, daughter's is first and all have to wait until after the sale.

  • NancyJo (NNPTC)

    BMTNurse, Happy Upcoming Birthday! Just a note of caution, if your sailor only got to GC on Saturday you might check on if he will even be able to go somewhere when you are there. It's been a while for me so maybe someone else here can talk more knowledgeably about liberty. 

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    BMTNurse - I bumped the "sightseeing in Charleston" discussion up above - take a look at that for some fun things to do.  Like NancyJo said your son will have limited liberty so do double check on that.  He won't be able to stay overnight with you for sure but as long as he doesn't have duty he should have some time during the day to hang out.  Enjoy your birthday celebration!

  • WonderGeekWoman

    My WA state trip is this coming weekend. Any moms around Vancouver want to have dinner Saturday night (29th)? And then any moms around the Tri-Cities want to join me and ProudofK on the 3rd for dinner in Richland?

    CoTwin - Neat shot of your son's sub! So exciting! Poke sounds good. :)

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Hi all - Happy Thursday!

    WonderGeekWoman - have a nice time in WA.  Awesome that you and ProudofK will be getting together for dinner.  Wish I could join you!

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Welcome to our newest members ~ Scram and wendyk75!  Please be sure to read the ***NEW MEMBERS*** info at the top of the page and look at the Pages (14) to the right.  Lots of good info there.  And of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have!

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Another new member ~ welcome to llylas!  Please jump right in and feel free to ask any questions you may have.

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Don't forget to wear your RED tomorrow!

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

  • NNLori

    Hi everyone!! Hope you are having a great weekend. So my son tells me his Power School graduation has been pushed out so he won't graduate until December 20th! Oh Boy!! I know it's more than a couple of months away but this time of year always flies by as we prepare for the holidays and school activities are ramping up. Hoping they are helping them as they prepare to transition into living off base. I'm so far away and can't be there to help. I do some surfing and send him what I find and try to give ideas of things to think about during his search. Like making sure there are enough parking spaces and the ability to extend the lease if that becomes necessary. So many little things to think about. Very exciting and nerve wracking at the same time!! Has anyone had someone who bought a car while in Goose Creek. Did they buy it at home? Did they insure it at home or did they find insurance there in SC? Any good dealerships to work with there? He wants a good used car. Possibly Honda or Toyota. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.  

  • missmyssie

    @NNLori my son bought his car there and had it insured by someone there a couple of years ago. He's going to be selling it soon (he already paid it off) and wanting to buy something a bit more rugged. He received great guidance from his shipmates and just the mention of his selling it had his shipmates finding a buyer for him immediately. As a helicopter mom, it was a bit hard for me to accept that his Navy friends are doing quite the extraordinary job as a second mom to him. All I had to do was co-sign. 

  • pandalvr

    We registered his car in his name, in his home state. As per our agent, right now his home address can always stay like that as he is military.