NUKE moms

Hi GigI - I have visited my son three times in Goose Creek. First trip, I found out a day and a half before we were scheduled to fly. Second trip I found out when I landed that it was approved!! Third trip (graduation) I found out about a week before. It may be that your son doesn’t know yet. I know on the second trip we were only going to see him for three days. On the third day he wanted to go back earlier to study. Although I was a little disappointed, I was more proud of him that he was doing what he needed to do to be successful.

I hope you were able to see him and at least enjoy a nice dinner. You’ll be in my prayers.

Type. Meant “are” not “were”. 

Canuka - glad you are enjoying this time together!! 

NWM - hope you get some communication soon. My son is in T track and I’m guessing there will be a dry spell once Power School starts. 

Canuka - thanks for sharing that awesome picture of the big 3 all lined up. 

Hi all - Happy Friday!

Canuka - yes, what an awesome picture!

Gigi - praying it all works out this weekend and you get to see your son.  It will be good for both of you ;-D

We only visited Goose Creek once but we did love it.  So much to see and do - some day we'll get back there.

I've got my RED on today!

B’sNukeMom - the photo about the holiday really clarifies who is honored on the holiday. I was actually wondering about it the other day. We’ve always visited my dads grave on Memorial Day (and Veterans Day) to place a flag. I won’t stop the tradition now but it looks like it really wasn’t the right day to honor him. So nice to understand the meaning of each holiday. 

Welcome to our newest members ~ prospectivenavymom and katydidnt!

Please be sure to read the ***NEW MEMBERS*** info at the top of the page.  Lots of good info there.  Also take a look at the Pages (20) to the right under the member profiles - be sure to hit "view all".  And the discussion forum above has some good info too - be sure to read Chipmunks "Nuke A School Daily Schedule".  And of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have.

May you all have a wonderful day today, remembering loved ones who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms, mothers, wives, grandmothers who loved them and faithfully served them on the home front.  And in some cases, husbands, fathers and grandfathers!

Welcome to our new members!! We are glad you have joined us!

Welcome to our newest member ~ Heather!

Please be sure to read the ***NEW MEMBERS*** info at the top of the page.  Lots of good info there.  Also take a look at the Pages (20) to the right under the member profiles - be sure to hit "view all".  And the discussion forum above has some good info too - be sure to read Chipmunks "Nuke A School Daily Schedule".  And of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Welcome to our newest member ~ Jessica!

Please be sure to read the ***NEW MEMBERS*** info at the top of the page.  Lots of good info there.  Also take a look at the Pages (20) to the right under the member profiles - be sure to hit "view all".  And the discussion forum above has some good info too - be sure to read Chipmunks "Nuke A School Daily Schedule".  And of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Well I have good news and sad news and looking for advice.

The Good- My sailor passed the written test for Prototype and expected Oral Boards to be late this week or next.   His soft orders are mostly what he wanted and he is happy with them.   Biggest parts are he did get a sub and will - oh my happy heart- on the east cost.    He had been interested in being a staff pickup but they did not add any this class.   He has tutored a couple of times in this long process and really likes GS.

The sad news is we said good bye to his puppy last night.  It was time.  It is the first time I have had to make the call.    My heart is broken at the moment but I know he is at peace and pain free.

The advice.  After the cancer diagnosis I took puppy to see is boy and they said good bye.  I have sent a few pics and updates.  Should I tell him now?   With Orals any day I am not sure.  He is normally ok with the realities of life and was a rock at his grandfathers funeral a few years back.  But this is the puppy he picked out to bring home and until college slept in his bed.

I just am not sure.  it is just such a pivotal time.

New Adventures - I am soooo sorry to hear about your sailors pup!! Oh that is a hard call. Our children's pets are nothing like their grandparents - and I say that from my own children's perspective. They loved their grandparents and they miss them but when it came to pictures my son wanted pictures of his cat that my MIL gave the kids when I was pregnant with my sailor boy. 

I wonder if your sailor would rather know that the dog has passed and be able to grieve before boards or not. And only your son could answer that. You may just have to ask him as though you are asking for his advice as though it hasn't happened and see what his response is. My thoughts and prayers as you make this tough decision. 

Congratulations to your sailor and I am sure that he will do well with his oral boards also. Happy that he will be stationed on your side of the country! 

New Adventures - I’m sorry got your loss. Here is what my son said “I wouldn’t be able to focus, but I’d be distraught to find out a week later. It really depends on how he has been doing, if he thinks the whole thing has been easy enough then now would be fine but if he’s already struggling it would be too much. It would be different if the dog was still alive and he had one more chance to see it”. I provided more details and he reiterated that it depends how well your son is doing. 

Congratulations on him passing the written test and getting the east coast assignment! 

Gigi - I think you were trying to see your sailor?? I hope all is working out for that to happen. I am still trying to play catch up on this site after my youngest's HS graduation and senior recital this past weekend. 

Welcome to all of our new members!! I just want to encourage those that have SRs in BC - please do come to this group to ask your questions about what their leave after BC might look like or travel and getting set up in GC (Goose Creek) at NNPTC (Naval Nuclear Power Training Command).  

It is a lot easier for more Nuke moms and others to help you with question here and to also spot them when we are mostly watching our email feeds. All the best to your SRs as they first go through BC which is where they will be assigned their Nuke Rate of MM, EM or ET around week 6 or so. 

MM = Machinist's Mate

EM = Electrician's Mate

ET = Electronics Technician

New Adventures, my son related better with his pets than with the rest of us. The first one he ask about is his cat and dogs. If it was my son I would wait because I know him better than anyone else. You know your son the best. He would be happy passing and that might take the sting out of the news about his dog but then again you don't want to put a wrench into his happy day either. Prayers that you make the best decision for your son.

New Adventures - I'm sorry for your loss. It is absolutely heartbreaking to lose a pet. It sounds as though your pup had been ill for a while and while that doesn't mitigate the loss, I think your son must have been mentally preparing himself for this day. I would probably tell him, if it were me. 

Whether you tell him or not, I would suggest getting pup cremated so that your son can either spread the ashes, bury them or have them to keep. In that way, he will be able to have some closure and also feel that he has some agency over the whole process of his pup's death. Amazon sells keychains and necklaces in which one can place a bit of the cremains. I don't know if he would be into something like that but it's an idea. 

Ah New Adventures - I'm so sorry to hear about your fur baby. Losing a pet is so very difficult.  I don't have an answer as to whether or not to tell your son now or after oral boards. I know if it was me with B I would wait - but that's just 'cuz I know that's what he would want.  You know your son best but either way it won't be easy. I like the idea that Know Weigh suggested - cremate the pup and then your son can spread the ashes or keep some.   :(

Thanks all.

He is on what I call B shift so I may try to call shortly.  He was very close to both is grandfather- two of a kind- and his pup but in this case he has not lived full time at home for 6 years or so since he went to college out of town and then joined the Navy so I think now.   

When G was diagnosed with cancer his boy actually took me up on the offer to drive him down for a visit.  My sailor is rarely that straightforward with me on any kind of "what would you like to do".  They got a odd versions of a sleep over since it was work week but "A" shift.   I think he said good bye then.

No snow on the ground now but he is flying free so I though of this pic.

Awww such a cute picture New Adventures.  You should frame it!

New adventure, what a precious memory. I am so sorry you lost your fur baby, our time with them seem so short no matter the age. Mine is 13 and I dred the day she will leave us. Here is a big hug for your aching heart.

New Adventures, I am sorry your son's furbaby has died. The picture you posted was great. Every pet my kids had was definitely a member of the family and, yes, each one of them slept in a bed with a human. I can see both sides of sharing the news before and after boards, but you know your son best. Cngratulations to you son for passing the written boards and getting most of his choices.

Congratulations to everyone who has passed and completed!  I have been out of the loop but have appreciated and enjoyed everyone's helpful information and posts.  My sailor had to redo the last section of his A school, so he was set back.  He was disappointed but realized it was for the better and was happy for another chance to improve.  He is now scheduled to finish on June 26.  We were happy to hear that he will get some time off so he will be flying home (California) for his break.  

I just had a quick question about paperwork.  How likely is it that he can change flight information on his chit.  We are trying to book his flight and in his excitement, he chose the first flight he could find, but now we see there are better options.  Is it likely that they will approve travel changes that include different times and days, but the same airline?  

Has anyone else had travel plans changed last minute after chits have been submitted?

Thanks in advance for all your help with this matter.

I’m sorry I can’t answer about chit changes but I am so excited for you that he gets to come home!!! Enjoy!!

CarmenJS - My sailor traveled via airplane pre-COVID from GC and I don't recall him ever having to have the airline flight information, I think he just had to have the destinations and possible locations of where he would be. He almost always was in at least two states if home long enough for us to visit G'ma. 

When he and his gf got to come visit on holiday leave, he had made the flight before his chit was approved, but his gf already had her leave chit approved without the flight information. It may just depend on who is making the approvals - sorry, I can't help more. 

thesuperm72 - I can't help on this one, hopefully one of the ladies with married kids will be able to answer that. 

It is good to hear that things are opening up some more for the sailors to visit family. 

New Adventures - What a cute puppy!! I am very sad for you. I hope you have had a chance to figure out how best to share the news with your son. 

the superm72 - I also don't have an answer for you.  Maybe JayDee will chime in as she is more familiar with this.

CarmenJS - best thing would be for him to ask his SLPO.  Hopefully it's not a big deal.  Keep us updated.

I’m wearing my red today!

I opted for wearing my Navy BC shirt from my sailor today because we were out and about in the sun and I did not want to burn in my tank top. I need to find a cool RED short sleeve shirt like yours MyKidsMom. 

Chipmunk - I wear my Navy BC shirt quite often.  It's sort of my "go to" when I get home from work.  It's seen better days - it's from 2012 and B is out now, but I still love that shirt!

MyKidsMom - love your shirt!

It was beautiful here in SoCal today.  Hubby and I spent the morning walking around Downtown Disney.  It was sure nice to get out!

Happy Monday!

B’sNukeMoM, Chipmunk — When we were in Bethany Beach, DE, over spring break, we found a shop where you can choose a shirt and a decal for them to iron on. I was looking for a red shirt for Fridays, and I thought that was the perfect decal for a Navy Mom. It might look better on a white shirt so the white in the design wouldn’t look pink, but I wanted red. 

Good evening Ladies. Just wanted to let some of those that might not know.  They sell alot of  Navy shirts, coffee mugs, coins and hats at the mini NEX on base. My son had to use his card to allow me to purchase but that wasn't a problem. I must of bought 3 shits and 2 coffee mugs well there, one said Navy Mom and the other Navy Dad. My husband and I have our coffees together on Saturday. If your heading to Goose Creek in the future you might want to keep it in mind.

Sorry ladies, shirts not shits.

LOL - Northwoodsmom - I guess I am too tired, I didn't even catch that!!

MyKidsMom - that sounds great!! I like the red shirt.

Hoping to see my sailor sometime soon, maybe I can see if he can take me shopping at the NEX!

the superm72 - was your daughter able to find out any more information about her orders? 

Heather - Welcome to our group!

Hi Ladies - I was so happy to be able to see my sailor for a short time yesterday. He will soon be heading out on an underway. Hopefully back sometime before all the leaves change color. Seems like he just returned from deployment.  

KayCee - So good to hear from you. I need to up date all of my "way back" friends on things - just been busy!! 

Northwoodsmom, you just made my day. : D

KayCee, that's wonderful photo. Those times we get to be with them are sweetness itself. Enjoy! And hug him for those of us whose sailors are far from home.

KayCee both your smiles say it all!

Chipmunk, if you haven't been to the NEX in Norfolk, you'll be impressed. It's the size of a Walmart and has more than one can imagine.

I'm not sure how they handle married couples when they are not on the same time line. My daughter did indicate that if her orders for her next duty station came around before her husbands, that they might have to live apart for awhile. It's possible that as long as the destination is the same, the Navy isn't worried about a couple months of separation.  Let us know when you find out!