NUKE moms

Pat - the time between A school and Power School is called T-Track.  There isn't a set amount of time - they could be on T-Track (hold) anywhere from a couple of weeks to maybe a couple months.  It just depends when they start up the next class.  The only person that will know that will be your sailor.  Once she does start Power School there will be a definitive end date for graduation.  (Unless something happens and she gets rolled back which doesn't happen often or there's a massive storm that rolls in and delays things!).  You can guestimate the time from boot camp to prototype grad is right around 2 years.  (Most delays occur in prototype.)

Pat, one of the things that is hard is that the word "definite" isn't really part of navy lingo. The documents that B'sNuke told you about are the best estimate we can give to you. B'sNuke always says Semper Gumby...be flexible. When you start thinking about getting tickets for graduation or a visit, it's sometimes a good idea to get insurance so that you can change tickets if you have to. Southwest doesn't charge to change tickets which is good to remember too.

Viva Semper Gumbie

Pat, my daughters class was told they would have an approximate 6 months hold before prototype due to reactor maintenance. She ended up starting prototype a week or two after power school and graduated prototype 18 months after PIR. You just never know. Its easier to play things day to day, which is difficult if you're a planner like me

Pat - these are just a few of our mantras - repeat them often!  Don't you worry though - we are here for you and we'll get you through the pipeline!

Almost forgot one of the most important!

I love these images! good reminders and that the Navy has control over our sailors and sure makes it hard to plan.  We are waiting to find out where ours goes after prototype.

workingatit - sorry, I couldn't help it - had to post this!

I would love to meet up with you ladies, but I don't know if it will work this summer. Keep us posted.

I have a funny to share. I received a call from my sailor this afternoon. I answer it to hear him rattle off our zip code and ask if that is correct? He doesn't even say hi - I repeat it to make sure he had it correct. He starts to tell me Good-bye!!  I didn't know what he needed it for, since I knew he wasn't at work today. And I was taken aback that he would just hang up (not like my talker.) - It turns out he was getting gasoline and needed to input the zip code for the credit card machine. His buddy that was with him, started to pick on him and said, "you could have just Googled it!" "This was faster!!" my son responded and with that, I said good-bye!

I have no idea what they were heading to do, but at least I had my phone handy that time. Later it had slipped out of my pocket and ended up on the sofa. When I saw the missed call, and returned it, he was talking to his sister (since I had not answered) while doing laundry and so I still never found out where he was headed to.

Ladies  Fionas 2nd birthday is Thursday. Our local news was just detailing her upcoming birthday party  Hiw can it be 2 years? They said they would be putting birthday video on their website. 

Hi all - Happy Tuesday!

And Happy Birthday Fiona - our sweet little hippo!!!! It's also my soon to be daughter-in-loves birthday today ;-D  What a special day.  You're right JayDee, seems like only yesterday Fiona was born - my how time flies!

Chipmunk - that's too funny that your son called for the zip code so he could get gas!  I can just imagine him standing there and his mind going blank and that moment of panic.  Good thing you answered lol!

I'd like to remind our new members that you can join your local Blue Star Mothers group.

Here's the link - you can look for a group in your area.

https://www.bluestarmothers.org/

Here's the Wikipedia link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Star_Mothers_of_America

Also, here's the link to the Blue Star Mothers group on here:

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

Chipmunk: Thanks for the laugh!  My son texted me after 11 last night to know who we have insurance with!??  Still don't know what that was for!!!

Thanks to all of your images and laughs!  I needed them today!

Welcome to our newest member ~ TracyH!  Please be sure to read the ***NEW MEMBERS*** info at the top of the page.  The Rating Information Card for NF is especially helpful.  Also, take a look at the Pages (17) to the right under the member profiles.  Lots of good info there too.  And of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have!

(Ignore the fact that there is no apostrophe, I don't make them, I just post them!)

Hey good morning ladies! Anyone know what size the boys bed are in the dorms? I wanted to send a mattress topper! Are they twin or twin XL

A couple of weeks ago Lizbeth posted that her son said his bed was 74" long which is a regular twin.

Thanks!  I just got off the phone with my son and he is saying it is probably a twin XL because it is like my youngest sons at home… He also said that they cannot have their own sheets but that a mattress topper is OK :) 

hmmmm well that is confusing then based on what Lizbeth posted!  Worst case if the mattress topper is too long he can always cut it down.  My son did that with his topper he had on the ship.

Don't forget to wear your RED tomorrow!

Hi everyone - I wanted to thank all of you for your insight and prayers regarding my son. He talked to his dad for quite a while on Monday. It sounds like his Chief is hard on all of them which is making for a tense atmosphere, his SLPO does not follow up, and our son has added extra study hours (of his own accord) to his schedule - all of which is making for a very exhausting and stressful time. His dad did tell him to back off on the studying and to get real food (he's been eating ramen noodles and pop tarts). He also explained that burning the candle at both ends can do more harm than good. Our son seemed to understand and said he was going to make changes. His dad also reminded him that we are here for him - even an in person visit if needed. I will continue to keep my son, his chief, his SLPO and his entire class in my prayers. I know he's got this - just have to remind him from time to time.

Submom ...thank you for letting us know.  I'm very glad to hear that he talked to his dad and will hopefully take his advice. He will get through this and graduation will be amazing! I will continue to pray for him. We are all in this together.  I'm so thankful for my sea sisters!

SubMom - thank you for the update. And yes, real food is needed!! Prayers continue.

MamaKatie - A too short mattress topper can always stop before the foot of the bed and a too long, can maybe hang over the head of the bed depending on the sheets. And yes, the sheets are supplied while in the BEQ's. Once the go to an apartment for Prototype, then you can start shopping for them as if they were headed off to college!

B'sNukeMom, I love the Snoopy comics and the grammar comment!

SubMom I am so happy to hear the update on your son. He is fortunate to be able to articulate his situation to such loving and supportive parents. If he were unable to do that it might be a very different story. It is a tough program and sometimes our sailors are harder on themselves than even the powers around them are. Sounds like he'll be just fine. Good food is huge. Also rest and relaxation when possible. We need to take care of the total person. Hang in there, SubMom. You're in my prayers.

I just wanted all of you to know how very much I appreciate this group. You warm my heart and put a smile on my face. Happy Friday everyone.

Hi all - Happy Friday!

SubMom - I'm so glad to hear your son had a good and positive conversation with dad!  I'm hoping this is just a small bump and things will improve for him ;-D  And I agree - he definitely needs to eat well and find something to do to de-stress.  Hang in there!

I've got my RED on!

Hey all!

SubMom - Glad to hear your son seems have gotten some much needed perspective from his dad. The nuke pipeline is definitely a challenge. For a number of nukes it's the first time they've ever really been challenged academically, and it can be a hard adjustment. Sounds as if you're doing a great job supporting him. Keep it up!

I had to laugh at myself this morning. I was trying to figure out how I was going to fit some red into my outfit for today, as I don't own very much red clothing. Then I realized I was wearing a red and white striped pj top, red boxers, and red slippers. I think the universe is telling me I need to stay in my jammies all day! Haha

Hope y'all have a great weekend!

I've got my red on!

PacNWmom - if that's not a sign I don't know what is!  

PacNWMom - sometimes I stay in my pj's most of the days, just so I can have red on!! But I was sporting my red all day today, out and about!!

Have a good weekend, it will be a busy one for us, so hope everyone is well - prayers for all of our sailors!

LuckyDaisy, welcome, it's really quite a trip but well worth it.  These ladies here are a wonderful support group.  Buckle in and hang on, it's a challenging ride :)

Have to chuckle at all the comments about red PJ's.  I am a teacher and giving up jeans on Fridays in not worth anything-even my nuke!  I wear red tank tops or unmentionables under my blue and white school shirt! 

So my sailor (officer) said he is due to graduate prototype in Feb. and then off to SBOC in Groton before his "duty station" at PCU Montana. What can I expect from him at that point if anyone knows?

My sailor gave me a date for his Prototype graduation but it's on a Sunday. What day is the graduation typically held on?

Proud Parent - graduations are on Friday. Have him double check the date.

I have jury duty tomorrow so don't know if I'll be able to check in here. I'll do my best!

Eaglemom - I don't have any knowledge of the officer side. Hopefully someone will chime in with information.

Thank you B'sNukeMom. I thought that graduation date seemed weird.

So how long are they actually at Nuke school? I’m a little confused on graduation. My son just got there last week and we are under the impression he will be in SC for about 2 years?? Does that sound right? He says 2 years then to Groton for sub training... 

Also @ Rockydog

if you have any info on housing, study hours and when we can communicate with them that would be great! My son just got there so any info would be great! We finally had bootcamp down then he graduated and moved haha 

MamaKatie - be sure to read the pages in the top right - *Your Sailor's Schedule Upon Arrival to GC - shows the breakdown of their training in GC.  There are a total of 3 graduations, after A school, after PS (Power School) and after Prototype. 

During A school and PS, they live on site at NNPTC in the BEQ's (Bachelor Enlisted Quarters) unless they are married, then they live off site. When they start Prototype they transfer their housing to off site facilities. 

Also, be sure to read through my discussion above, 
Nuke A school daily schedule - sailor's perspective - it shares a lot of perspective on A school. My sailor helped me write it up when he was going through Fall 2017. He is now part way through Prototype. Once your sailor has moved to GC, if they took their cell phone with them, you should be able to communicate with them immediately. (At least leave voice messages.) They are in class M-F and then study in the evenings. They are off on the weekends, but also must put in study time as well, generally on Sunday, because of how they count the week's study time. 

Mamakatie, yes its about two years. My daughter was there 18 months, it all depends but two years is a great estimate .